Accidents are almost inevitable as you drive on the road daily. Even while you try as much as possible to be careful and comply with all safety measures to prevent an accident from occurring, there are other road users out there whose driving ability and level of care you cannot guarantee.
Since you cannot completely guarantee the safety of your car from the hands of reckless drivers, you can improve its body structure with brush guards to protect it against collisions with animals or any other vehicles.
You may want to consider bull bar vs. grille guard and find out their different functions in a vehicle, as they protect vehicles against damages due to accidents.
What is a Brush Guard?
There are different ways you can improve your vehicle with fittings that help you protect it from any form of collisions, whether with animals if you drive in a rural environment or with other cars in busy towns and cities. One of those ways is by installing a brush guard.
A brush guard is a tubular framework made of steel attached to the frame of SUVs and trucks to protect them from accidents that can damage the body components of the vehicle.
The brush guard is mounted on the front of the vehicle to cover the headlights and the grille in such a way that doesn’t affect the proper functioning of the components on the front section of the car. It is sometimes referred to as a grille guard.
Most trucks are fitted with this component to protect the delicates parts in the vehicle’s front section, such as the headlights, battery, radiator, and most especially the engine.
Most grille guards are designed specifically for particular vehicle makes and models by the vehicle manufacturers; hence, they use factory have factory mounting positions, usually below the front bumper. It enables users to bolt on without cutting or drilling any part of the vehicle.
Bull Bar Vs. Brush Guard
Bullbar and brush guard are pretty similar in terms of serving for protective purposes on your vehicle against a collision with either animal in rural areas or other cars on the road. However, there is a noticeable difference between the two external components.
A bull bar is installed only to protect the middle part of your vehicle’s entire front section. In contrast, a brush guard (also known as grille guard) protects by covering the whole front area and every component in this section of the vehicle, such as the front bumper, the headlights, etc. Bullbars are generally designed in the form of an A-shape, while grille guards have H-shape.
A bull bar may not completely protect a vehicle’s front components from being damaged during a severe collision, as there is no protection for headlights, and the extended parts of the bumper (right and left) are not covered. These parts may suffer damage during a massive collision.
On the other hand, a brush guard will protect all the front components of the vehicle on which it is installed from damages in case of a head-on collision with animals, trees, or other vehicles.
Westin HDX Grille Vs. Deer
The Westin HDX grille guard is manufactured with solid material, having a tubular design, with a full punch plate center grille. The grille guard weighs about 78 pounds with a dimension of 76 x 23 x 35 inches.
Westin HDX grille guard has a 1-piece welded upright, strong heavy-duty rubber pads, and a headlight guard that completely wraps around the part. The grille guard gives a truck a rugged appearance that suits touring a rural jungle where wildlife resides.
The strength of the material with which the grille guard is made can withstand a collision against a deer without a destructive impact on your truck. It would be best if you didn’t neglect to have one installed on the front end of your truck. You never can tell when it’s a bad day.
Ranch Hand Grille Guard Vs. Deer
Ranch Hand Grille is one grille guard that doesn’t only protect the center of your truck’s front section. It also covers the surrounding on your vehicle’s headlights to ensure that the entire front area is protected against any form of collisions, especially with a powerful animal as a Deer.
In the case of colliding with a Deer, your vehicle may hit the Deer so hard to the point of death, but not without leaving the front section of your car with severe damages on the bumper and headlights, mainly because of the lack of a bumper bar or bumper guard. Sometimes, you and your passengers may sustain injuries.
The solution to curbing a regrettable experience of colliding with a Deer is to install a Ranch Hand Grille. The grille weighs about 120 pounds, having 12-gauge steel tubing, and is constructed with solid material that guarantees its strength against any obstacle.
The grille is mounted in four locations to ensure that it fits tightly without any vibrations, as in some other grille guards.
FAQs
Do bull bars help in an accident?
However, ensure to opt for the best bull bar made with solid materials that guarantee strength in an accident. You may also want to consider the weight of the bullbar as you select the best type to install.
Are Brush Guard and Grille Guard the same?
A brush or grille guard comprises two (2) vertical members; risers and a horizontal center member, a center flange, or a crossbar. Some grille guards have a pair of rings or side brush guards attached to the risers. They extend outward to help protect the headlights of the vehicle.
The grille guard also has top and bottom tubes that span between the risers. They have a variety of finishes, such as black powder coat finish and stainless steel finish.
What is the difference between Cattleman Grille Guard and Ranch Hand?
The Cattleman Grille Guard is a rugged grille styling that guarantees protection without extra weight. It is manufactured with first-run steel with a contoured design. The grille guard is designed with a stylish punch plate screen and a solid headlight protection material.
Meanwhile, a Ranch Hand grille guard is manufactured with 12-gauge steel tubing and solid material, amassing a total weight of about 120 pounds, which means the extra weight on your truck.
Although both grille guards guarantee protection against collision, the Ranch Hand grille guard seems weightier than the Cattleman grille guard. In contrast, the Cattleman grille guard costs about $485, the Ranch Hand grille guard costs around $726.
Final Thoughts
Since you cannot wholly guarantee an accident-free driving experience throughout your lifetime as you drive, it would be best to install either a bull bar or a grille guard on your vehicle.
If you live in a rural environment where strong animals like Deer could double-cross a vehicle unexpectedly, you should consider installing a grille guard on your truck, as a matter of urgency, to protect your vehicle from being damaged due to a collision.
You will be endangering yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle’s front section components if you choose to be reluctant about getting a bull bar or a grille guard. An entire grille guard doesn’t cost a fortune; save yourself unnecessary headaches and get one this weekend.
