Ground Affects Removal

[Bangorbob]

Has anyone removed the front and rear bumper ground effects on their 210? Any picture would be nice.

[mumkin]

I've seen rigs with them removed and in the 170 and 190, it is the stock bumpers under the trim, but have no photos. I prefer them as they are real bumpers. On the 210, the front should be stock, but not sure what would be under the rear.

[Bangorbob]

Thanks for the reply. Mine does have the chrome bumpers underneath the covers. I think the front would look OK without the cover, but the back would look a little dorky without the bumper cover. I have not seen a 210 with the rear cover.

[dicktill]

Originally Posted by Bangorbob

Thanks for the reply. Mine does have the chrome bumpers underneath the covers. I think the front would look OK without the cover, but the back would look a little dorky without the bumper cover. I have not seen a 210 with the rear cover.

Here's a couple of pictures of our 09/10 RT 190P without the bumper cover, but with fog lights plus I think I added a stock Chevy spoiler underneath (maybe it was already there; zoom in on the second picture to see it).

I agree that a 210 would "not be particularly handsome" without a rear bumper cover; even the 190 wouldn't be because the rear cover curves around and covers the rear of the side skirts.

[Bangorbob]

"not be particularly handsome"
Is a very polite way of saying UGLY. LOL

[Doneworking]

We bought a 1996 Roadtrek 190 on a Dodge chassis new in that year and it had no ground junk on either the front or rear bumpers, just nice chrome Dodge van bumpers. I have some old pics (film, not digital) and it really looked alot cleaner to me than all that plastic hanging down. Our 2007 210 P has the ground effects and I don't think they look nearly as clean.

I would also love to see some pics of a 210 rear bumber without the plastic.

Hope someone can answer Bangorbob's post and show us a rear view chrome on the 210.

[Bangorbob]

Thanks to all. I did find a 210 with the front and rear bumper covers removed. Front looked nice. Rear-not so nice. I'll just have to figure out how to re-attach the drivers side rear corner piece as it is loose.

[JohnnyFry]

I got tired of cracking and attempting to repair the front "Ground Effect" and finally decided to remove it. It was really very easy: a cliplike fastening on each side and then used a hair dryer to loosen the 2 sided tape that attached it to the bumper. Underneath was a pristine chrome bumper...instant appearance upgrade and no more worry about high curbs! The rear bumper cover is a different story...I left mine on because they integrate with the side trim and it does not have the high curb issue that the front one has.

[Doneworking]

I once had to have my 2007 RT 210P towed from near our home. The first tow truck operator got there and said he just couldn't do it because of the wheelbase and overhang of the plastic ground effects.

The next guy got there and said he would try. I had some 2x8s we used to level and we put a few of those in front of the rear wheels and the guy winched it up on the truck. The 2 bys raised the ground effects on the rear just enough to barely clear the ground, otherwise it would have destroyed them.

The ground effects are a nice appearance item but offer more problems than we all care to deal with. I went out and looked at the rear bumper after reading this thread and I see the point about the side rear effects and how they would look with the back bumper showing. Still, I would love to see a picture of a 210 with the rear bumper shining in all its factory chrome glory. It might look a little odd but it might be worth it practicality wise.

I suspect all of us owner have or will in the future do a little repair work on the front effects. I assure you have been there and done that.

[Bangorbob]

I found a picture on Roadtrek Chevy Owners (Facebook) of the rear bumper cover removed that was posted. I hope someone doesn't get mad that I am using a picture of their RT.

[Doneworking]

Bangorbob, that picture tells the tale doesn't it? You end up with a bit ugly space between the bumper and the storage compartment on the right side and I am sure the left side would be the same. UGH!

Thanks for the picture.

[Bangorbob]

Originally Posted by Doneworking

Bangorbob, that picture tells the tale doesn't it? You end up with a bit ugly space between the bumper and the storage compartment on the right side and I am sure the left side would be the same. UGH!

Thanks for the picture.

No problem. Like I said, the front is OK, but the back is like a bad dream on steriods.

[Ross Waters]

A word of caution. Roadrek warned me that they sanded the chrome bumper to make the tape stick better. This was the case on mine. I used Autosol to buff out the bumper.
Ross Waters
2009 190P

[booster]

Are the bumpers chromed steel or are they polished aluminum?


I really doubt any manufacturers uses steel and chrome these days due to weight and efficiency issues.

[JohnnyFry]

I know that my 2008C210P has steel bumpers…magnets don’t stick to Aluminum, and steel must be plated in order to shine.

[Ross Waters]

Originally Posted by booster

Are the bumpers chromed steel or are they polished aluminum?


I really doubt any manufacturers uses steel and chrome these days due to weight and efficiency issues.

The bumper was chromed steel. I just wanted to be modest in my polishing so used Autosol. It did a good job.

[KurtFranz]

Originally Posted by Bangorbob

No problem. Like I said, the front is OK, but the back is like a bad dream on steriods.

Did you ever get this done? I removed them on my 02 and I liked the look better:

https://www.roadtrek190.com/viewtopic.php?t=7

[Bangorbob]

Kurt, I have been busy with other smaller projects and have not decided exactly what I am going to do. I like the chrome front bumper look though.