What thickness steel for rear bumper?

I'm going to build a rear bumper with a swing out tire carrier. I'm just not sure how thick I should make it. Would 1/8" be enough? or is 1/4" too much? or should I go for 3/8"? Along with that, do I need to frame the bumper with tube to help strengthen it? Or will just welding the plates together be enough? If you've made your own or have any insight please let me know!

 

Definitely 1.5 with a wall of .120 Mild. No need for D.O.M

 

The tube with a thickness of .120? What about the plate?

 

1/8” is too thin to support a swingout, unless you really design it well. 1/4” is overkill unless you wheel by Braille. I have 3/16” wall rectangular tubing, it is a good compromise for strength and weight.

 

Most plate bumpers are 3/16"

 

This^^^ 3/16" is the norm for mild steel on bumpers

 

Okay thank you guys! I'll go with 3/16" for the plate and .120 for the tube!

 

BTW, you don't typically need to mix the two. Your OP mentioned using tube for the structure then plating over it. That's totally overkill.

Unless you are doing a plate bumper with hoops for headlight/grill protection, that is..

Here's the CBI plate bumper DIY kit for reference (no tubes). It's like an Ikea flat packed shelving unit, but with steel!

 

No less than 3/16 for a swingout. I retrofitted my 10ga bumper with a swingout and is a little flexy even after welding some 2x2x1/4 angle to resist flex.

 

Also take not that the way the swingout is built has a big effect.

 

Bottom Line use what you want !

Build it like you want After all it is yours .