Matt Macchiarolo

In article <b4r8vv02059rikpqpc47i7frfseaarm2os@4ax.com>, Trevor
<jeep@[SPAM]reactor.org> writes:

>Does anyone have firsthand experience with Garvin's?
>

I've had one for about 3 years now. I like it a lot, carrying a 33" tire. The
closing mechanism is a little awkward but it doesn't rattle. The carrier rests
against a rubber bumper mounted to the tailgate, and I've noticed that I've had
to adjust the bumper further out a little bit, I think the crossmember is
getting a little soft. However, with the tailgate open it doesn't rock any more
than the new one a friend of mine installed on his Rubicon, and his has the
frame supports on the sides of the frame. The Garvin bumper ties into the frame
on the bottom of the frame rails. Throw away the threaded insert things for the
inside bumper bracket bolts, drop the fuel tank and put real hardware in
there...the tank blocks access, hence the need for the "insert" which are just
threaded hex tubing with a handle welded on.

good luck

matt
* * *
Matt Macchiarolo
www.townpeddler.com
www.wolverine4wd.org
http://wolverine4wd.org/rigs/macchiarolo_ml.html

Matt Macchiarolo

In article <b4r8vv02059rikpqpc47i7frfseaarm2os@4ax.com>, Trevor
<jeep@[SPAM]reactor.org> writes:

>Does anyone have firsthand experience with Garvin's?
>

I've had one for about 3 years now. I like it a lot, carrying a 33" tire. The
closing mechanism is a little awkward but it doesn't rattle. The carrier rests
against a rubber bumper mounted to the tailgate, and I've noticed that I've had
to adjust the bumper further out a little bit, I think the crossmember is
getting a little soft. However, with the tailgate open it doesn't rock any more
than the new one a friend of mine installed on his Rubicon, and his has the
frame supports on the sides of the frame. The Garvin bumper ties into the frame
on the bottom of the frame rails. Throw away the threaded insert things for the
inside bumper bracket bolts, drop the fuel tank and put real hardware in
there...the tank blocks access, hence the need for the "insert" which are just
threaded hex tubing with a handle welded on.

good luck

matt
* * *
Matt Macchiarolo
www.townpeddler.com
www.wolverine4wd.org
http://wolverine4wd.org/rigs/macchiarolo_ml.html

jbjeep

>>> I have the BP bumper setup. One thing I caution you on, do you really
>>> NEED to carry gas? I found that I use it about once every 2 years for
>>> one 5-7 day long off road trip
>>Hmmm - that's what *I'm* planning on, too. We may be by ourselves for a
>>couple of days at a time, and I figured the water and gas would be handy
>>to have on-board, but I suppose there are other ways...

Ok, if you are going to be ALONE, that is different. Way different. I am always
with a group of at least two other rigs, if not 4-6+ on these long trips. In a group
I dont worry so much about gas and water, as I do about spare parts, since there
usually does not seem to be another TJ in the bunch.

>>> If you dont have the hi-lift mount you can tuck the tire way up tight.
>>> the gas can mounts dont take up much space.
>>Yes - that's one of the features I liked, as well. In fact, this was also
>>one of the reasons I thought that my infrequent need to carry Gerry cans
>>was not a big deal with this bumper, since the tire can be mounted back in
>>close when you don't have the cans in place. What's your opinion about
>>this? I'm curious why you see the bumper as such a poor fit for your
>>needs, if there is not a disadvantage to not actually carrying the Gerry
>>cans. Do you object to the appearance without Gerry cans? Is it too
>>heavy?

No, and yes. I've use the cans exactly three times in the several years I have had
it - and always for other people. The bumper is way heavy and thats one big thing I
dont like about it. The gerry can mounts are no issue with or without cans on - the
only thing is to be sure to get them on tight enough with no cans that they dont
vibrate and rattle. One thing I did like about the setup was I went out and got 4
locks keyed the same, one for the spare, one for the jack, and one for each can. Its
all set up for that.

>>> Remember with a storage rack that that raises your center of gravity
>>> quickly when used.
>>Yep - the outfitter I'm having build up the jeep cautioned against this
>>option for this very reason. However, I believe for my own type of use
>>that it won't be a big issue, and can run without the rack except for
>>those times it is really needed.

Great. As long as you know the issues with using one you are ok.

>>> I run a Kilby gas tank skid and I had the shop who installed it cut a
>>> little bit off of the reciever hitch so that it didnt hit the gas tank
>>> skid. It is well made, it is strong, and it doesnt rattle much - when
>>> it does something is usually loose.
>>The vehicle will be a Rubicon (want to buy a new Wrangler X? Can't believe
>>I'm already selling it...) with the factory skid plate. I don't know if
>>this one would have the same problem or not... If I decide to do the BP
>>bumper, I'll make sure and warn the installer to watch out for this.

Dont know how good the skids are on the Rubicons, but its something to be aware of.
The Kilby one replaces the stock skid. This is actually something to be aware of on
any bumper with a reciever hitch. If they hit, you have to trim on one or the
other...my choice was dont mess with the gas tank skid - since it will save me more
greif in the long run, and I dont tow with the Jeep at this time anyway. We just
trimmed it in the back, still should work like it is supposed to.

>>> Also, look at Younger Brothers bumpers. I am not sure what exactly they
>>> have out, but I have some friends with theirs and they like them a lot.
>>Thanks for that tip. I had briefly seen their web page, but hadn't really
>>looked at their products. Seems like a viable alternative to the BP
>>bumper, and I'll definitely check them out. The lighting options for the
>>YB bumper are interesting...

Like I said I have not looked at what they have now, but some freinds have them. One
the regular one and one the heavy duty one and they are well made and stout. I was
impressed - and they are not as heavy as my BP either. They have different options
on theirs, and I dont recall off hand what, but the latch setup is very good. No way
that will ever come open on you (not that my BP has ever done that other than when I
forgot to latch it).

As I modify the BP here and there it is getting better IMO. I think that next time I
am around someone with a torch I will take off the ends for the jack mount so that I
can drill and get the tire in closer when not carrying gas and it will be even better
IMO. That big tire is a PITA, I run 33x12.5's and once these wear down a bit further
will go up to 35-37's. One thing you can get, which I highly reccomend (I had my fab
shop creat this after I rolled since I bent my backing plate) is the off set backing
plate for the spare. So you can run it in the down position for regular driving and
still be able to see, but can put it in the up postion on the trail so you are not
dragging and or resting on that back tire in the rocks. They make one for it
already, it was just more cost efficient for me to have the fab shop do it for me at
that point.

Ok, one more thing comes to mind that I should mention. I do have a bias against
them to some degree due to customer service issues. When I ordered it they shipped
me the bumper, but waited a week and a half or more - without ever telling me they
wouldn't ship them together - to ship the swing out. They also shipped the bumper
without the hardware to install it. Later I had problems with the swing out hinge
and needed a new pin. I had a hell of a time with them and didnt get it resolved
until I posted to every usenet and e-mail group I was a part of at the time. Several
weeks later it was finally resolved. I have a freind who damaged the backing plate
for the spare in the early/middle of November (right of way argument with a tree).
He was promised that a new one would ship out to him the next day. He still doesnt
have it.

jbjeep

>>> I have the BP bumper setup. One thing I caution you on, do you really
>>> NEED to carry gas? I found that I use it about once every 2 years for
>>> one 5-7 day long off road trip
>>Hmmm - that's what *I'm* planning on, too. We may be by ourselves for a
>>couple of days at a time, and I figured the water and gas would be handy
>>to have on-board, but I suppose there are other ways...

Ok, if you are going to be ALONE, that is different. Way different. I am always
with a group of at least two other rigs, if not 4-6+ on these long trips. In a group
I dont worry so much about gas and water, as I do about spare parts, since there
usually does not seem to be another TJ in the bunch.

>>> If you dont have the hi-lift mount you can tuck the tire way up tight.
>>> the gas can mounts dont take up much space.
>>Yes - that's one of the features I liked, as well. In fact, this was also
>>one of the reasons I thought that my infrequent need to carry Gerry cans
>>was not a big deal with this bumper, since the tire can be mounted back in
>>close when you don't have the cans in place. What's your opinion about
>>this? I'm curious why you see the bumper as such a poor fit for your
>>needs, if there is not a disadvantage to not actually carrying the Gerry
>>cans. Do you object to the appearance without Gerry cans? Is it too
>>heavy?

No, and yes. I've use the cans exactly three times in the several years I have had
it - and always for other people. The bumper is way heavy and thats one big thing I
dont like about it. The gerry can mounts are no issue with or without cans on - the
only thing is to be sure to get them on tight enough with no cans that they dont
vibrate and rattle. One thing I did like about the setup was I went out and got 4
locks keyed the same, one for the spare, one for the jack, and one for each can. Its
all set up for that.

>>> Remember with a storage rack that that raises your center of gravity
>>> quickly when used.
>>Yep - the outfitter I'm having build up the jeep cautioned against this
>>option for this very reason. However, I believe for my own type of use
>>that it won't be a big issue, and can run without the rack except for
>>those times it is really needed.

Great. As long as you know the issues with using one you are ok.

>>> I run a Kilby gas tank skid and I had the shop who installed it cut a
>>> little bit off of the reciever hitch so that it didnt hit the gas tank
>>> skid. It is well made, it is strong, and it doesnt rattle much - when
>>> it does something is usually loose.
>>The vehicle will be a Rubicon (want to buy a new Wrangler X? Can't believe
>>I'm already selling it...) with the factory skid plate. I don't know if
>>this one would have the same problem or not... If I decide to do the BP
>>bumper, I'll make sure and warn the installer to watch out for this.

Dont know how good the skids are on the Rubicons, but its something to be aware of.
The Kilby one replaces the stock skid. This is actually something to be aware of on
any bumper with a reciever hitch. If they hit, you have to trim on one or the
other...my choice was dont mess with the gas tank skid - since it will save me more
greif in the long run, and I dont tow with the Jeep at this time anyway. We just
trimmed it in the back, still should work like it is supposed to.

>>> Also, look at Younger Brothers bumpers. I am not sure what exactly they
>>> have out, but I have some friends with theirs and they like them a lot.
>>Thanks for that tip. I had briefly seen their web page, but hadn't really
>>looked at their products. Seems like a viable alternative to the BP
>>bumper, and I'll definitely check them out. The lighting options for the
>>YB bumper are interesting...

Like I said I have not looked at what they have now, but some freinds have them. One
the regular one and one the heavy duty one and they are well made and stout. I was
impressed - and they are not as heavy as my BP either. They have different options
on theirs, and I dont recall off hand what, but the latch setup is very good. No way
that will ever come open on you (not that my BP has ever done that other than when I
forgot to latch it).

As I modify the BP here and there it is getting better IMO. I think that next time I
am around someone with a torch I will take off the ends for the jack mount so that I
can drill and get the tire in closer when not carrying gas and it will be even better
IMO. That big tire is a PITA, I run 33x12.5's and once these wear down a bit further
will go up to 35-37's. One thing you can get, which I highly reccomend (I had my fab
shop creat this after I rolled since I bent my backing plate) is the off set backing
plate for the spare. So you can run it in the down position for regular driving and
still be able to see, but can put it in the up postion on the trail so you are not
dragging and or resting on that back tire in the rocks. They make one for it
already, it was just more cost efficient for me to have the fab shop do it for me at
that point.

Ok, one more thing comes to mind that I should mention. I do have a bias against
them to some degree due to customer service issues. When I ordered it they shipped
me the bumper, but waited a week and a half or more - without ever telling me they
wouldn't ship them together - to ship the swing out. They also shipped the bumper
without the hardware to install it. Later I had problems with the swing out hinge
and needed a new pin. I had a hell of a time with them and didnt get it resolved
until I posted to every usenet and e-mail group I was a part of at the time. Several
weeks later it was finally resolved. I have a freind who damaged the backing plate
for the spare in the early/middle of November (right of way argument with a tree).
He was promised that a new one would ship out to him the next day. He still doesnt
have it.

jbjeep

>>> I have the BP bumper setup. One thing I caution you on, do you really
>>> NEED to carry gas? I found that I use it about once every 2 years for
>>> one 5-7 day long off road trip
>>Hmmm - that's what *I'm* planning on, too. We may be by ourselves for a
>>couple of days at a time, and I figured the water and gas would be handy
>>to have on-board, but I suppose there are other ways...

Ok, if you are going to be ALONE, that is different. Way different. I am always
with a group of at least two other rigs, if not 4-6+ on these long trips. In a group
I dont worry so much about gas and water, as I do about spare parts, since there
usually does not seem to be another TJ in the bunch.

>>> If you dont have the hi-lift mount you can tuck the tire way up tight.
>>> the gas can mounts dont take up much space.
>>Yes - that's one of the features I liked, as well. In fact, this was also
>>one of the reasons I thought that my infrequent need to carry Gerry cans
>>was not a big deal with this bumper, since the tire can be mounted back in
>>close when you don't have the cans in place. What's your opinion about
>>this? I'm curious why you see the bumper as such a poor fit for your
>>needs, if there is not a disadvantage to not actually carrying the Gerry
>>cans. Do you object to the appearance without Gerry cans? Is it too
>>heavy?

No, and yes. I've use the cans exactly three times in the several years I have had
it - and always for other people. The bumper is way heavy and thats one big thing I
dont like about it. The gerry can mounts are no issue with or without cans on - the
only thing is to be sure to get them on tight enough with no cans that they dont
vibrate and rattle. One thing I did like about the setup was I went out and got 4
locks keyed the same, one for the spare, one for the jack, and one for each can. Its
all set up for that.

>>> Remember with a storage rack that that raises your center of gravity
>>> quickly when used.
>>Yep - the outfitter I'm having build up the jeep cautioned against this
>>option for this very reason. However, I believe for my own type of use
>>that it won't be a big issue, and can run without the rack except for
>>those times it is really needed.

Great. As long as you know the issues with using one you are ok.

>>> I run a Kilby gas tank skid and I had the shop who installed it cut a
>>> little bit off of the reciever hitch so that it didnt hit the gas tank
>>> skid. It is well made, it is strong, and it doesnt rattle much - when
>>> it does something is usually loose.
>>The vehicle will be a Rubicon (want to buy a new Wrangler X? Can't believe
>>I'm already selling it...) with the factory skid plate. I don't know if
>>this one would have the same problem or not... If I decide to do the BP
>>bumper, I'll make sure and warn the installer to watch out for this.

Dont know how good the skids are on the Rubicons, but its something to be aware of.
The Kilby one replaces the stock skid. This is actually something to be aware of on
any bumper with a reciever hitch. If they hit, you have to trim on one or the
other...my choice was dont mess with the gas tank skid - since it will save me more
greif in the long run, and I dont tow with the Jeep at this time anyway. We just
trimmed it in the back, still should work like it is supposed to.

>>> Also, look at Younger Brothers bumpers. I am not sure what exactly they
>>> have out, but I have some friends with theirs and they like them a lot.
>>Thanks for that tip. I had briefly seen their web page, but hadn't really
>>looked at their products. Seems like a viable alternative to the BP
>>bumper, and I'll definitely check them out. The lighting options for the
>>YB bumper are interesting...

Like I said I have not looked at what they have now, but some freinds have them. One
the regular one and one the heavy duty one and they are well made and stout. I was
impressed - and they are not as heavy as my BP either. They have different options
on theirs, and I dont recall off hand what, but the latch setup is very good. No way
that will ever come open on you (not that my BP has ever done that other than when I
forgot to latch it).

As I modify the BP here and there it is getting better IMO. I think that next time I
am around someone with a torch I will take off the ends for the jack mount so that I
can drill and get the tire in closer when not carrying gas and it will be even better
IMO. That big tire is a PITA, I run 33x12.5's and once these wear down a bit further
will go up to 35-37's. One thing you can get, which I highly reccomend (I had my fab
shop creat this after I rolled since I bent my backing plate) is the off set backing
plate for the spare. So you can run it in the down position for regular driving and
still be able to see, but can put it in the up postion on the trail so you are not
dragging and or resting on that back tire in the rocks. They make one for it
already, it was just more cost efficient for me to have the fab shop do it for me at
that point.

Ok, one more thing comes to mind that I should mention. I do have a bias against
them to some degree due to customer service issues. When I ordered it they shipped
me the bumper, but waited a week and a half or more - without ever telling me they
wouldn't ship them together - to ship the swing out. They also shipped the bumper
without the hardware to install it. Later I had problems with the swing out hinge
and needed a new pin. I had a hell of a time with them and didnt get it resolved
until I posted to every usenet and e-mail group I was a part of at the time. Several
weeks later it was finally resolved. I have a freind who damaged the backing plate
for the spare in the early/middle of November (right of way argument with a tree).
He was promised that a new one would ship out to him the next day. He still doesnt
have it.