(No loops, single loop, or triple loop).

A common question that vehicle owners are asking. “What type of bull bar is right for me?” The answer can depend on how much protection you are looking for, alongside weight and aesthetic purposes.

What is a Bull bar and what are the differences

A bull bar is typically an attachment that is placed on the front of vehicles that offer a layer of protection against anything that might collide with your vehicle. Which can typically be wildlife and debris, such as rocks, when off-roading. There are many designs and versions of bull bars out there. We will explore the three main versions: No loops, single loop, and triple loop.

No Loops

A bull bar without loops is primarily a replacement for your often plastic bumper and provides stronger protection from collisions. It focusses on providing protection when off-road much like rock sliders and rear bars, and improves the approach angle for your vehicle. This design however offers little protection for your radiator, headlights, or front grille from animal strikes. Some no loop bars offer an optional bolt on loop to help protect the grill.

The no loops bar is easier to install, and are lighter than other types of bull bars, whilst being the best priced option for those that rarely visit high risk wildlife areas. The Crawler bar also has the benefit of being a lighter and better priced to mount aerials, light bars, spotlights, winches and recovery points to your vehicle.

Single Loop

Offering slightly more protection against animal hits, a single loop bull bar adds a single tubular loop above the bumper. This is to protect the radiator and the middle of the frontal area against strikes. 

Owners choose single loops because they are the balance between protection and weight. As a heavy bull bar affects fuel economy and in areas with a low possibility of hitting an animal, they consider a single loop version the best deal.

Triple Loop

As the name suggests, a triple loop bull bar is the most comprehensive in terms of protecting your vehicle and its occupants in a collision. With tubular structure protecting against taller animals and objects, it offers that extra protection for your vehicle’s headlights, radiator, and hood too.

They do have the highest weight and are the most expensive. But in areas that are prone to animal collisions, where driving at dusk or night is common, then it offers the best protection for you, your passengers and your vehicle.

Which is the Best For You?

It is a decision that you need to make carefully. If you plan to take your vehicle offroad and rock hopping often then the crawler bar would be the best option. If you have a mix of off road and occasional dusk/night driving where then a single loop may be the balanced choice. For people who live rurally and spend lots of time driving at dawn/dusk or night when kangaroo’s are likely to be around, then the triple loop is the best choice for full protection.

Get the Correct off-road Gear and Stay Safe

It is important to consider safety. When travelling off-road you may be protected against animal collisions, but what if you get stuck? Consider pairing your bull bar with a suitable winch, rock sliders and rear bar. You may instead prefer a x-bar recovery towbar or a kaymar rear bar with recovery points. Also, the correct first aid knowledge goes a long way, and packing enough food, drink, and informing friends and family of your whereabouts go a long way to your protection.

You should consider space to mount lighting, antennas or other accessories such as jump starters when purchasing a bull bar too, or alternatively these can be mounted from roof racks or flat aluminum trays. The extra accessories may be useful, but not if they impede existing vehicle features.