[Outwest34au]

What I am preparing for with my mod is the stupid wench who has a hubby working at the mines and therefore must drive a prado. She naturally is more worried about her social life, nokia and the kids in the back than the traffic around her, Because we live in a relatively rural area there is no need for her to look properly at intersections or even use indicators, Yes there is a good chance her shiny chrome like bullbar will over ride the top of the door, I just hope I see it coming and can lay down across the seat in time, (it's worked before for me).

The way I see it with side vehicle impact the object of the game is to spread to load across a wider area, Sure, if the door is hit by a point at the latch area it may well fold inside the Cobra. If it is hit relatively squarely let's hope the Cobra is picked up and scooped sideways. Everything is a compromise and not every possible incident can be catered for. What happens if a roo jumps in the side of the car with me while cruising home at 100 kmh on the highway?? Unlikely? Not really, I've had a few strike the side of the front gaurd and door, even had a mad emu double back and squarely hit the passengers door on an old dato ute near Barcaldine.
From my brief look at the link for the Dato bars Peter posted the bar pretty much does join from the hinge AREA to the latch AREA. And not a real solid looking bar at that.

I have hit a pole sideways at 90 mph in canberra, one of the big double poster signs at a roundabout, 4 inch poles with 3 ft of cement on each, pulled them clean out of the ground and destroyed the RX3 Savannah, sideways, upside down, spinning on its side, all but tearing it in half. I have also been T boned in a mazda capella 1600 and it was a totally different experience, just slid the car across the road and as I bounced off the other car kept travelling relatively in the direction I had planned.

As much as I plan to stay prang free in the Cobra I would more fear a clown in a car T boning me than an out of control tree jumping into the side of me.

Best you fit into what the rules require and take any extra precautions by design as you see fit.