Steel vs Aluminum Sprinter Front Bumpers: Which is Better?

Straight from the factory, the Mercedes Sprinter front bumper is incredibly weak. It’s plastic and not meant to do anything except add a bit of style and provide protection against minor fender benders. For Sprinter owners who like to take their rig off-road, this is a serious limitation.

An upgraded Sprinter front bumper can provide a wide range of benefits for your adventure. When it comes to selecting one, many people get stuck between a steel bumper and an aluminum bumper. Each has its own advantages, so it’s important to take stock of what your personal requirements are. To help with this process, we’ve created a complete guide on the differences between steel and aluminum bumpers.

The Purpose of an Upgraded Sprinter Bumper

There are a few core reasons why adventure van owners choose to upgrade their bumpers: OEM limitations, off-road capability, and visual appeal. Across the board, a heavy-duty bumper (whether that’s steel or aluminum) will make your van better prepared for the rough roads you need to take to scenic destinations. Plus, it simply makes your van look better.

Mercedes Sprinter Bumpers: What the Factory Version Lacks

Out of the door, the Sprinter front bumper doesn’t look all too different from what you might find on a passenger vehicle. It’s designed for city and highway use, and doesn’t really serve too much of a functional purpose besides aesthetics. It hides all of the front internal components like the radiator and cooler lines, and provides minor protection. The bumper is held on by plastic clips if that tells you anything about its construction.

For adventures, the stock bumper comes up short. Its clearance is way too low for any kind of off-roading and it easily cracks when caught on any type of obstacle. Additionally, there’s no reliable recovery point. While there is a removable cover where a towing eye hook can be screwed in, this is really only designed for situations like pulling a 2WD van out of deep snow.

Improving Off-Road Durability and Capabilities

With these factory limitations in mind, the functional purpose of an upgraded bumper should be apparent. Owl’s Sprinter front bumpers raise the clearance of the stock bumper and have tapered angles on the sides that improve approach angles. As you approach obstacles like rocks and ditches, you won’t have to worry about the bumper getting snagged and pulled off.

Additionally, steel and aluminum bumpers are significantly more durable and don’t crack under impact. They protect the vital components of your van’s front end, ensuring that cooling lines don’t rupture when off-roading. All of these improvements allow you to go deeper off-road with more self-confidence.

The Style Factor

The aesthetics of a bumper shouldn’t be overlooked. They are one of the first things that are noticed when viewing the van from the front, so it can be worthwhile to make upgrades for stylistic reasons.

Off-road bumpers add an intentionally rugged look to the van. This helps change its overall appearance from a stock delivery van into an adventure van.

5 Things to Look For in a Sprinter Bumper

Before you can decide on a Sprinter bumper material, there are a few key factors that you’ll want to keep in mind. Take some time to think about your use case and which of the following applies to you.

1. Durable Construction

Durability is arguably the most important feature of any aftermarket bumper. You want to make sure that it can withstand trail abuse, including scrapes along rocks, accidental contact with hard objects, and the bumps of the road. Metal bumpers, both steel and aluminum, provide this additional durability.

2. Lightweight

You want to find a balance between durability and weight. A seriously heavy bumper can bog down the van and make it feel clunky, taking away from off-road capability. In addition, every pound counts when you’re building out an adventure van so that you don’t go over the max GVWR. Sprinter van accessories like bumpers can significantly reduce the amount of cargo weight available. 

3. Recovery Points

Recovery is a core part of off-roading and it’s crucial that you’re prepared to get yourself and your friends out of trouble. No one is going to be happy about helping you if you come without any recovery equipment. 

Depending on the aftermarket bumper, you can have additional recovery features. These can include welded recovery hooks and integrated winches.

4. Lighting Mounts

A new bumper also gives you the opportunity to upgrade your lighting for highway and off-road use. Stock bumpers don’t have any lighting accessory pods or mounting points. Many of the bumpers offered by Owl allow you to install light bars and high-powered fog lights.

5. Skid Plates

When off-roading, one of the most vulnerable parts of your van is the undercarriage, especially right under the bumper. This is where key drivetrain components like the engine live. 

If you’d like to protect these Sprinter van parts, look for a bumper with an integrated skid plate. These will create a seamless layer of protection that can be extended the length of the vehicle to protect all components.

Pros and Cons of Different Bumper Materials

When it comes to new Mercedes Benz Sprinter front bumpers, there are really only two material types you should consider: steel and aluminum. The versatility of these metals makes them suitable for off-road bumper use, but there are a few details of each that should be considered.

Steel Sprinter Van Bumpers

Steel bumpers are the pinnacle of durability. They’re highly regarded for their resistance to impact damage, which is very important on rocky trails. They have a higher tensile strength than aluminum, which is why they are used as vehicle frames. In off-road conditions, this means you don’t have to worry about your bumper denting or cracking.

With this durability comes a few trade-offs. Firstly, steel is much heavier than aluminum, often twice as much. While this extra weight can add structural integrity in some cases, it can negatively affect a van’s suspension. Steel is also prone to rust when the top coat is damaged. Some people don’t mind a weathered look, but over time it will just get worse.

Examples: Pismo, Ridgeline MAX, Ridgeline

Aluminum Sprinter Bumpers

Aluminum is known for how lightweight it is and this is the primary advantage that it provides to adventure vans. A full Sprinter van with gear, a bed, a kitchen, and all of your possessions can be extremely heavy. Adding a multi-hundred-pound bumper on top of this can negatively affect handling and suspension performance. Most aluminum bumpers are only around 100 pounds.

Despite being lightweight, aluminum Sprinter van bumpers are still very durable. While not as robust as steel, they still perform well in strength tests and aluminum is a common second pick for automotive applications. However, dents are more likely to materialize on an aluminum bumper and they have a tendency to progress into cracks. On the upside, though, aluminum is resistant to corrosion and will not rust.

Finally, it’s important to know that aluminum is more expensive than steel, both in the raw material and in the way it is manufactured. 

Example: Adax Pro

Hybrid Bumpers: The Best of Both Worlds

You can obtain the benefits of both steel and aluminum bumpers by installing a hybrid bumper. These prioritize weight reduction by using aluminum across the main body. In critical weld points, such as the winch cradle, recovery hooks, and front hitch, steel is used. This ensures that there is structural integrity in the places that will receive the most tension.

Example: Adax Pro

Steel vs. Aluminum Sprinter Bumpers: Pros and Cons Chart

Find The Bumper That’s Right for You at Owl

Both steel and aluminum bumpers have their place on Sprinter vans. If you’re looking for maximum durability and aren’t concerned with weight, steel is a great option. If you’d rather keep your payload low and aren’t intending on bashing your van against rocks every weekend, an aluminum one might be best.

Regardless, you’ll find that all of Owl’s bumpers are manufactured with the highest quality metals and feature the strongest welds. Our American-made products are built for real-world applications without compromise. Browse our bumper options today and start planning your next installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I do a DIY or professional Sprinter bumper installation?

Many bumpers can be installed DIY with the assistance of installation guides. Professional installation can be completed at Owl Offroad locations for others.

How heavy are steel and aluminum Sprinter van bumpers?

Steel bumpers are around 220 pounds, whereas aluminum bumpers are around 110 pounds.

What are the best winches for Sprinter bumpers?

Heavy-duty winches, such as the Mojab 13,500 lb. winch, are a great option for bumpers like the Adax Pro. Smaller winches like 12,000 lb. Warn winches are also good.

Do Sprinter van bumpers fit all model years?

Most modern aftermarket bumpers are designed for 2019 and newer Sprinters (VS30 models). It’s important to check model compatibility, as some bumpers are designed only for 4x4s, 2500s, 3500s, or AWD vans.