How do you fit bull bars

[Simonjdcooper]

I'd like to fit bull bars to my 03 Ducato.
The purpose is to fit some additional driving lights.
Has anyone fitted one?
How did it go on.
Looking under the front, I just see a plastic cover. There are some heavy gauge bolts along the front of this but no 'chassis' per se to fit them to.
Can anyone advise please?
Thanks.
Si

 

[Simonjdcooper]

the ignorance in this thread is staggering.
If you are assuming a lack of consideration you are a fool, you'll make an ASS of U and ME (although mainly you with your cretinous comments).
Oooooh having lots of lights is bad, oooh i bed he'll dazzle everyone on the road.
It must be fun driving with you.
"ooh Ethel look at that inconsiderate lorry with all those lights, he must dazzle everyone all the time wherever he drives."
Waste everyone's time with your holier than thou comments.
Imbeciles.

 

[Bessy765]

One of the problems is night blindness, driving in the dark your eyes will get. Accustomed to the level of light your headlamps. Produce. If you have a powerful array of lights on, then have to turn them off for an approaching vehicle the sudden loss of light until your eyes adapt may cause a problem

 

[Pausim]

the ignorance in this thread is staggering.
If you are assuming a lack of consideration you are a fool, you'll make an ASS of U and ME (although mainly you with your cretinous comments).
Oooooh having lots of lights is bad, oooh i bed he'll dazzle everyone on the road.
It must be fun driving with you.
"ooh Ethel look at that inconsiderate lorry with all those lights, he must dazzle everyone all the time wherever he drives."
Waste everyone's time with your holier than thou comments.
Imbeciles.



View attachment 911141

I think you might lose the argument if you resort to calling other people “Imbeciles”.

 

[Simonjdcooper]

There's a lengthy thread on this topic a few years ago. Worth a read.
"Bull bars.... Why?"
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/bull-bars-why.200374/#:~:text=Motorhome Chat-,Bull bars.... Why?,-(1 Viewer)

Thanks, there seems to be a lot of negative empathy towards them, mainly due to people's prejudice or the aesthetics. Some decent comments from people who've actually used them and understand the purpose better than the daily mail brigade.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Kups]

the ignorance in this thread is staggering.
If you are assuming a lack of consideration you are a fool, you'll make an ASS of U and ME (although mainly you with your cretinous comments).
Oooooh having lots of lights is bad, oooh i bed he'll dazzle everyone on the road.
It must be fun driving with you.
"ooh Ethel look at that inconsiderate lorry with all those lights, he must dazzle everyone all the time wherever he drives."
Waste everyone's time with your holier than thou comments.
Imbeciles.



View attachment 911141

It's your vehicle and your choice about what you fit on it. I think you've had the answer to your original question.

 

[Simonjdcooper]

One of the problems is night blindness, driving in the dark your eyes will get. Accustomed to the level of light your headlamps. Produce. If you have a powerful array of lights on, then have to turn them off for an approaching vehicle the sudden loss of light until your eyes adapt may cause a problem

That is a good point, although many vehicles have impressive arrays of lighting, so it must be manageable. Think about the lorries you see with light bars on the roof, as well as below the cab...

 

[Nanniemate]

So safety minded citizens might try and commit unlawful damage to the vehicle? the irony is remarkable. I've read the government regs on bull bars. Bulbs might help a little, but dark unlit country roads at night require more than just a bulb upgrade in my opinion.

If you are struggling on dark inlit roads maybe an eyetest
There is a thing called night blindness which some people suffer from
Could be a consideration

 

[Simonjdcooper]

If you are struggling on dark inlit roads maybe an eyetest
There is a thing called night blindness which some people suffer from
Could be a consideration

Thanks for the suggestion, I've upgraded the bulbs in the headlights for some nightbreakers or something like that which has improved the output of the headlamps. I'd just like more light

 

[Gizmouk]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've upgraded the bulbs in the headlights for some nightbreakers or something like that which has improved the output of the headlamps. I'd just like more light

Bulbs are only a part of the light output equation. Lens and reflector (is yours clean? ) also need to optimised.

Bullbars - as your attitude issue won't accept (well found) negative remarks, maybe speak to your insurance company (who you'd need to inform), and see what their view is. Chances are, they won't be too chuffed - give it some thought

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Nanniemate]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've upgraded the bulbs in the headlights for some nightbreakers or something like that which has improved the output of the headlamps. I'd just like more light

There have been some interesting comments recently about the halogen lights causing accidents the jury is still out

The truck you have pictured carries hay and straw and is a specialist transporter spending time in farmers fields loading often in the dark that could be a reason for the large volume of lights .they are unlikely to be used on the public highway.

some operators especially show trucks still have the chrome airhorns fitted Although the use on the highway I believe is forbidden they are cosmetichttps://images.app.goo.gl/zB1Yg31vsZSB34wD8

 

[poppycamper]

As OP says... a lot of lorrys have loads of lights on front....especially loggers who have to drive miles into unlit forest tracks..
The lights above the cab, as any off roader will tell you give a much better view and perspective of how deep any holes ditches may be.. thus the reason you see them fitted to off road vehicles..

 

[Simonjdcooper]

There have been some interesting comments recently about the halogen lights causing accidents the jury is still out

The truck you have pictured carries hay and straw and is a specialist transporter spending time in farmers fields loading often in the dark that could be a reason for the large volume of lights .they are unlikely to be used on the public highway.

some operators especially show trucks still have the chrome airhorns fitted Although the use on the highway I believe is forbidden they are cosmetichttps://images.app.goo.gl/zB1Yg31vsZSB34wD8 View attachment 911154

So are we more worried about the lights killing people or the bull bars?

 

[Simonjdcooper]

Bulbs are only a part of the light output equation. Lens and reflector (is yours clean? ) also need to optimised.

Bullbars - as your attitude issue won't accept (well found) negative remarks, maybe speak to your insurance company (who you'd need to inform), and see what their view is. Chances are, they won't be too chuffed - give it some thought

The reflectors are clean, the light units are fairly modern and newer than the motorhome, so unless their pattern is poor the problem isn't with them.
Insurance issues are relevant my concerns are related to being able to see better at night. If people want to post opinion rather than information my attitude firewall is set to "take your foolish comments elsewhere" from the Mr T guide to dealing with idiots.

 

[poppycamper]

I don't know what age catagory the OP is in, but the issue of poor vehicle lighting crops up on a regular basis and my comment is that even oldies with 20/20 vision can suffer from degraded ability to see in dull conditions as highlighted above by Nanniemate..
I regularly require a torch at work to see into dimly lit spaces but my young apprentice has no problems at all and cannot understand my issues..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheBig1]

Bull bars were outlawed a few years back but modern light bars that mount above the number plate are ok. They mount behind the plate. Cost for a cheap one about £20 or a stainless one about £100. Have had many 4x4s over the years with full bull bars but it was about 2007 that the law changed saying they could not be fitted. If already fitted less of an issue. The modern plastic A bars are as much use as a chocolate tea pot.

There is a firm called van styling does all the bars and running boards etc

 

[Gellyneck]

The modern plastic A bars are as much use as a chocolate tea pot.

But the teapot tastes way much better!

 

[tacr2man]

Having had vehicles (land rovers) with bull/roo bars for decades ,in UK and Australia they are not going to serve their primary purpose on the front of a Ducato . The mounting points just aren't strong enough , that's why in my initial reply I suggested "bunny" or A bar for spotlight mounting . Two good quality spot/driving lights mounted on a bar in front of radiator should give you more than adequate light for driving in UK or Europe . The law is that they must go out on dip beam being selected. Fitting lights above windscreen are mainly for off highway at lowish speeds , as unless they are set far back you get lots of light scatter on screen .Hope this helps you with your deliberations , and see a way not to visit somewhere in Central midlands

 

[Northernraider]

Haven't read all the comments as the first 5-10 were the usual people giving their unwanted opinions.

I've fitted bullbars to several vans I've owned over the years , approximately 10-12 after the alleged 2007 , you can buy an aftermarket bull bar on ebay to fit a ducato , they'll either come from Turkey or Romania where nearly every minibus etc has them . Most have brackets as standard to take spotlights .

I think i paid on average between £150- 250 for them


Personally I believe in the event of hitting someone it gives them something handy to grab a hold off before they go under the van , anyone who believes the front of their camper is any softer without a bull bar is deluded and there's zero evidence to prove there's been any less injuries since they made fitting them to 4x4's when new illegal . You can still retro fit them if you like and no one will bat an eye.


Some of my previous campers with bullbars .

A good set of airhorns helps to keep idiots from walking in front of you too.

 

[pappajohn]

Do you have any friends?
You appear to have alienated everyone here with your derogatory comments.
I noticed post 28 has been edited, presumably on Jim's request or by Jim himself.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Northernraider]

You might find that "safety minded citizens" take exception to your installation and try to remove it. Just buy some better headlamp bulbs.
Oh and read this as well.

Are Bull Bars Legal in UK? | UK Bull Bar Regulations Explained | CorGTA

Are Bull Bars Legal in UK? Top 10 Legal Questions Answered When it comes to making modifications to your vehicle, it`s important to understand the legal implications. Bull bars are a popular addition for many vehicle owners, but are they legal in the UK? Let`s take a closer look at the...

corgta.com

That link takes you to a page written by someone not familiar with the English language.

Probably not the best one to use.


But the first point is true.

They're not illegal in the UK.

 

[Northernraider]

Do you have any friends?
You appear to have alienated everyone here with your derogatory comments.
I noticed post 28 has been edited, presumably on Jim's request or by Jim himself.

Might help if you @ tag whoever that comments for.

 

[Simonjdcooper]

Haven't read all the comments as the first 5-10 were the usual people giving their unwanted opinions.

I've fitted bullbars to several vans I've owned over the years , approximately 10-12 after the alleged 2007 , you can buy an aftermarket bull bar on ebay to fit a ducato , they'll either come from Turkey or Romania where nearly every minibus etc has them . Most have brackets as standard to take spotlights .

I think i paid on average between £150- 250 for them


Personally I believe in the event of hitting someone it gives them something handy to grab a hold off before they go under the van , anyone who believes the front of their camper is any softer without a bull bar is deluded and there's zero evidence to prove there's been any less injuries since they made fitting them to 4x4's when new illegal . You can still retro fit them if you like and no one will bat an eye.


Some of my previous campers with bullbars .

A good set of airhorns helps to keep idiots from walking in front of you too. View attachment 911185View attachment 911186View attachment 911187View attachment 911188View attachment 911189View attachment 911190View attachment 911191

Some lovely looking T's and a merc!
This is what I'm talking about. I want something I can stick some lights on, I want my motorhome to look like it's doing the Dakar night stages.
What I specifically would like to know is how a bull bar mounts to the Ducato cab and whether you need a bespoke unit, or whether you can adapt something relatively standard to make do. I can pick one up locally for £30-40 and I already have a couple of pairs of driving lights that could go on it. Some nice retro 90s rally style ones

 

[Northernraider]

It will we be difficult to fit lights to bull bar and comply with pedestrian safety criteria.

Best criteria for pedestrians


Stay on the feckin pavement and don't walk in front of moving vehicles.

All this nanny state nonsense the UK adopts to protect stupid people.

 

[Northernraider]

Some lovely looking T's and a merc!
This is what I'm talking about. I want something I can stick some lights on, I want my motorhome to look like it's doing the Dakar night stages.
What I specifically would like to know is how a bull bar mounts to the Ducato cab and whether you need a bespoke unit, or whether you can adapt something relatively standard to make do. I can pick one up locally for £30-40 and I already have a couple of pairs of driving lights that could go on it. Some nice retro 90s rally style ones

They tend to be fitted to the front crossmember these days with 2 small brackets going through front grill and attaching to landing panel.

Be aware they are absolutely useless in an accident they will not stop any damage they are mostly for cosmetic reasons. Most of the ones from ebay come with a fitting kit.

You could however pick up a second hand bar and make up some brackets.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Simonjdcooper]

As OP says... a lot of lorrys have loads of lights on front....especially loggers who have to drive miles into unlit forest tracks..
The lights above the cab, as any off roader will tell you give a much better view and perspective of how deep any holes ditches may be.. thus the reason you see them fitted to off road vehicles..

Best criteria for pedestrians


Stay on the feckin pavement and don't walk in front of moving vehicles.

All this nanny state nonsense the UK adopts to protect stupid people.

love it. In the 20 odd years I've been driving, I've never hit a person, but I have hit a deer, in the motorhome...

 

[Simonjdcooper]

I think you might lose the argument if you resort to calling other people “Imbeciles”.

How so? they seem to have disappeared along with their asinine comments. The people commenting now actually have some knowledge and experience to share.

 

[JJ]

One of the things I find challenging when posting on Fun is to keep with in rule one and yet, at the same time, let the readers know what I really think...

I am quite surprised that the OP asked for advice on fitting a bull bar...


JJ

 

[Jim]

Can we disagree without resorting to name-calling please. Thank you.

 

[Jim]

Do you have any friends?
You appear to have alienated everyone here with your derogatory comments.
I noticed post 28 has been edited, presumably on Jim's request or by Jim himself.

Post 28, nor any other, has been edited. As for your "Do you have any Friends" comment, Please read post 58

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[JJ]

Can we disagree without resorting to name-calling please. Thank you.

What?

Me?

Name call?

Never...

JJ