How Strong is V70 Rear Bumper?

[rtb998]

I recently acquired a 2005 V70. The main reason I bought it was to transport my soapbox to various events around the country.

The soapbox weighs around 80Kgs and it will fit in the load area with rear seat cushion removed. I have some 2M ramps to allow me to roll the soapbox up into the car but my question is, "Can I put one end of the ramp on the bumper"? "Is it strong enough"?

I suppose another way of looking at it, will the bumper support my weight if I stand on it?. I could,of course, experiment but I have no wish to hear the sound of breaking plastic if it doesn't work.

I can fabricate a framework to attach to the towbar but hopefully Swedish engineering can save me that job

[Dippydog]

By bumper I take it you're referring to the painted plastic part that you can see?This is actually the bumper shell and is moulded from fairly thin plastic held onto the car by a few screws/rivets/maybe a couple of nuts and bolts.It's not designed/made to take weight but rather to deform[it's backed by expanded foam type stuff]and "spring back"to shape in a low speed nudge.I wouldn't risk it.

[Simmy]

Originally Posted by rtb998

I recently acquired a 2005 V70. The main reason I bought it was to transport my soapbox to various events around the country.

The soapbox weighs around 80Kgs and it will fit in the load area with rear seat cushion removed. I have some 2M ramps to allow me to roll the soapbox up into the car but my question is, "Can I put one end of the ramp on the bumper"? "Is it strong enough"?

I suppose another way of looking at it, will the bumper support my weight if I stand on it?. I could,of course, experiment but I have no wish to hear the sound of breaking plastic if it doesn't work.

I can fabricate a framework to attach to the towbar but hopefully Swedish engineering can save me that job

take the soap out of the box to make it lighter then it wont crush the bumper

[Theeggman]

Can you not extend the ramps to rest on the boot floor and remove any weight from the bumper? If the boot floor will take the weight of the item just move the weight onto the floor during loading.

Just a thought!

[rtb998]

Thanks for all your help. Seems its best avoid putting any weight on the bumper.

[100K+]

I have run an 18" Qualcast petrol lawn mower up a 5' length of 6x2 for several years during the summer to cut the lawn for my daughter. I just sit the edge of the plank on the bumper and drive the mower up it. Never had any issues whatsoever. The mower will be lighter than your soapbox, but if you use x2 pieces of 6x2 I can't see you having an issue. If you really want to go the extra mile lie a piece of timber length ways long the bumper and place your runners on that. This way the load is spread across the whole bumper, and you can even lie it on an old towel to protect the actual bumper plastic.

Cheers
Bob