Topic: tow shield vs motorhome mounted mud guard (Read 4747 times)

tom12345 · « **on:** January 18, 2009, 11:43:29 AM »

Interested in opinions and experience with mud flaps vs. a tow shield such as the guardian. We have an Itasca Sunrise MH and it does not look like there is a great place to mount a tow guard on the MH. Which one works better at protecting the toad?

FrontrangeRVer · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:03:10 PM »

Tom, there are alot of us that use the Protect-A-Tow on our motorhomes, as you don't get any damage to your toad like you do with those big full length "gravel kicker" mud flaps. The Protect-A-Tow also keeps the car and the back of the motorhome clean during storms and driving on snowy/salty roads.

tom12345 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:09:31 PM »

Thank you. I had not seen this product. I like the price as well compared to other hitch mounted shields.

Ron · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:10:14 PM »

In over 160K miles of towing car behind a MH we have never used a shield or the big mud flap nor have we experienced damage to the car being towed.

aka Porky · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2009, 01:40:43 PM »

I don't normally use a shield either, but if I were to ever make another Alaska trip, I would certainly use some method of protecting the front of my toad.

Ron · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2009, 01:58:01 PM »

Yess I would use something if we were to go to Alaska.

Flytyer2 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2009, 11:27:50 AM »

I know this is an old subject, but is there an advantage of Protect-A-Tow compared to the Roadmaster Tow Guard? We are traveling to Alaska later this year and want to protect our toad. Do we also need to protect the MH radiator? Recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

westly72 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2009, 10:58:21 PM »

I purchased my Protect-a-Tow two years ago and wouldn't travel anywhere without it. It does a wonderful job of protecting the back of the coach (rad compartment is much cleaner), the tow bar and of course my toad not to mention keeps my camera much clearer in wet weather. It's simple to install and use. Some advantages over other systems that I noticed are: compact when in storage, easy to use, inexpensive, effective and protects more than just the toad. Disadvantages: none that I have discovered but if your diesel exhaust exits directly out the rear of the coach it may not work for you. Our exhaust exits out the driver's side about 4 inches from the rear and isn't a problem at all.

ArdraF · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:07:55 PM »

Whatever you get you WILL need something to protect the toad's hood from flying debris when you go to Alaska. We have an upright plexiglas shield, but the 3M film or even a bra will work, although a bra might scratch the paint more. On one of our Alaska trips we had ordered a cover that didn't fit and we had to return it - the day before we left. When we got home the hood was pitted with many small dings where tiny rocks had hit after being kicked up by passing vehicles. Luckily we can now get computer-matched paint so it was nicely repaired, but it would have been nicer to have it protected.

By the way, the mud guard helps keep mud off the toad, but it won't help at all if rocks get thrown by passing vehicles. That's why you really need a toad shield of some sort.

ArdraF

aka Porky · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:15:59 PM »

As I noted earlier in this thread, I didn't have any toad protection on my trip to Alaska in 2006. Consequently, my Honda's hood paint was completely pitted and chipped away, my signal light lenses were both busted out and my windshield had to be replaced from millions of little dings. My point in stressing that damage is to also stress the point that 95% or more of the damage was from my own MH wheels kicking up road debris in construction zones and/or gravel road areas.

With that said, I feel that the Protect-a-tow product would provide the most protection from the types of damage I encountered on that trip. Additional protection may help, but, IMHO would be overkill where my older vehicles are concerned.

Sasquatch2 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 11, 2009, 03:16:58 PM »

We have a 43 foot diesel pulling a 2007 Chevy Tahoe. In the past we have only traveled in the lower 48 and have not had a problem or felt the need for a shield. This year we are going to Alaska. I purchased a high quality car cover that I may try to use while towing. The advantage is that it provides protection for the entire Chevy Tahoe. Some concerns are 1) It must be tied down tight so as not to flap in the wind, and 2) All the flapping from the car cover may harm the paint. I figure a good wax job before leaving will help a lot with this.

Has anyone toad a fully covered vehicle before? Any ideas on how this may work out?

Thank you.

aka Porky · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2009, 03:43:24 PM »

I would guess that it's going to act like a parachute and balloon until it tears out all the tie downs and eyelets and either lands across someones windshield or in a farmers field. Either way you won't be 20 miles from home when it happens.

Ask here what other folks have done that worked.

If when I go back I intend to use the Protect-A-Tow and maybe the 3M shield.

Sasquatch2 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 11, 2009, 05:44:38 PM »

Well, I wouldn't use the eyelets to tie it down. Would put straps around the entire car to try and prevent just the thing you described. I've towed a Seadoo this way many times without problem. It's just that a Chevy Tahoe is much bigger.

So far I have been unable to find someone that went through the Yukon and Alaska without coming back and talking about rock damage.

Gary [RV Roamer] · « **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2009, 07:33:18 PM »

When we spent a summer in Alaska I put the heavy duty clear film on the headlamps and made a thick vinyl/felt cover for the front, hood & windshield. I just didn't make I quite wide enough and the front corner of each front fender got chipped paint. Should have wrapped the vinyl around to the front wheel well and all would have been fine.

Sasquatch2 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2009, 08:14:02 PM »

RLSharp · « **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2009, 11:09:49 PM »

Quote from: Sasquatch2 on April 11, 2009, 08:14:02 PM

.

Interesting post!

ArdraF · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2009, 06:25:51 PM »

Two days ago we were driving in wind and rain. I saw three truckers who pulled off to tighten their covers that were billowing two much. And those were loads without the potential of paint damage. I seriously doubt you'd make it 100 miles before the shroud was torn to shreds. And I don't think you'll like the results on your paint - you might as well not use anything because the damage might end up being worse. Please do go with what the rest of us have used successfully. Tow shields and 3M film are good.

ArdraF

RetiredLE · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2009, 10:37:32 AM »

We are looking at getting some protection for our Jeep 'towed' and found this thread. After crossing the pass on SR 20 in WA State, our Jeep was covered with sand and grit. It got into every nook and cranny and took a bit of doing with some high water pressure to get it all out.

The front end suffered a few small chips as well. So here we are...

I like the concept of the Protect-A-Tow but wonder how it works in a turn. All the pics on the site show the item mounted on vehicles in a straight line. Does the material bunch up in a turn? Is it flexible? Would be interested in hearing from those who have used it.

Mike 'n Jan
RALI

Currently at the Granite RV Resort in Clarkston, WA. Sun is up and I haven't even combed my hair yet.

Ron · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2009, 11:13:03 AM »

We never use anything anymore. But Jerry and Ardra have an excellent solution and that is to have the clear film installed on the front of the toad.

RetiredLE · « **Reply #19 on:** May 10, 2009, 11:31:55 AM »

I can see where the film would work on the major surfaces. But what about door jambs, rubber seals, small gaps, etc? I had a bunch of grit get into the grill opening and around the headlights as well as the door jambs.

Also, is this film peel-off and stick, or is it of the cling variety?

Ron · « **Reply #20 on:** May 10, 2009, 12:57:35 PM »

Hopefully Jerry or Ardra will jump in and provide some details. I do know theyt are satisfied with it.

Betty Brewer · « **Reply #21 on:** May 10, 2009, 05:32:36 PM »

Quote from: Sasquatch2 on April 11, 2009, 05:44:38 PM

So far I have been unable to find someone that went through the Yukon and Alaska without coming back and talking about rock damage.

Terry and I spent 4 months touring the Yukon and all of Alaska in 2006. We went knowing we would get some rock damage and likely have to replace a windshield. We did not have any significant rock damage and the windshield made it back to Montana where a pick up towing a small boat kicked up a rock into our windshield for a nice windshield star.

On of the things we did prior to the trip was to remove the large rock guard from the back of our motorhome. We had been told that guard kicked up more than it protected so we ran it to the test. It seemed to work. We do have the 3-M film on the front of our GMC Envoy ( toad) and on front of motorhome.

We found that we could not rely on any person's recommendation of the road condition as it changed from day to day and certainly from season to season. Some of the worst stuff we ran into was the slurry stuff used on a road leaving Seward that was like black tar and it spattered everywhere and took heavy duty cleaner in circles of an inch at a time to remove. As to door jams and insides or undersides of car, we think we still had dirt packed into hindges even after several cleanings years later. We thought we were out of balance but mechanic revealed the packed dirt. We traveled the 900 mile round trip on the Dempster Highway gravel all the way.
Just go and have fun.
Betty

RLSharp · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2009, 08:32:15 PM »

Quote from: Betty Brewer on May 10, 2009, 05:32:36 PM

Just go and have fun.

Betty,

Have you ever gone anyplace and NOT had fun??

Your are the happiest person I know!

dvsmith86 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:18:23 PM »

Mike 'n Jan,

I just bought and installed the Protect-A-Tow. As you go around a corner, the "bungee cord" slides around, allowing the outside to stretch and the inside to compress, while the center support holds it all up. I took the tightest possible radius turn, just to see what would happen in the storage lot, while watching my camera. The Protect-A-Tow continued to provide very good coverage. You certainly would not be taking that tight a turn at any speed that would spray your towed.

ArdraF · « **Reply #24 on:** May 10, 2009, 11:54:34 PM »

We have the 3M film on the front of the motorhome, the toad, and the other car at home. We love it! But it does have to be put on professionally or it will look terrible. Done properly you can't tell it's there and it's really saved our paint, especially on the motorhome. And, personally, it really looks nice when compared to the other methods. We had a black bra on the front of one motorhome and I grew to dislike it intensely because it was so ugly, but also because we had to remove it to get to the generator. We have a clear plexiglas shield for the front of the toad which we use when towing but I don't think they're being made anymore. We've kept the large rock guard that came with the motorhome and is located behind the rear tires. I think it helps keep rocks from being kicked up onto the toad, but that's my opinion and others may disagree.

As to the dirt that gets into everything, forget about trying to cover every nook and cranny. It can't be done! Look at it as your badge of having fun! One time we were at Canyon de Chelly ruins where we had to ford a stream. A month later we took the toad in for service at home and the technician asked Jerry where the sand came from on top of the skid plate. HA! That came all the way from Canyon de Chelly to Redwood City CA. We never worried about trying to take it off because it simply didn't matter. Every time we get home from a trip we find new dirt (often red from Utah's red rock country) and if it comes off, it comes off - if it doesn't, it doesn't.

ArdraF

BernieD · « **Reply #25 on:** May 11, 2009, 06:32:55 AM »

Ardra

We think alike. We still had plenty of Alaska mud and dust from our 2003 trip in the nooks and crannies of the Xterra when it left us last month $:-\$ We have the 3M shield on the coach and had very little, unnoticeable, damage to the coach. On the other hand, the unprotected Xterra's windshield had to be replaced right away and our insurance repainted the entire car due to road debris damage. Admittedly, much was probably self inflicted since our rock/mud flap was mounted too low and probably stirred up a lot of stuff and I never really slowed down enough on some of those roads.

RetiredLE · « **Reply #26 on:** May 11, 2009, 08:27:19 AM »

Thanks to all for the replies/input. I think I might go with that Protect-A-Tow. It's only money and you can't take it with you...

Dunno who said that...

News:

Author Topic: tow shield vs motorhome mounted mud guard (Read 4747 times)