willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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Hmmmm...Do you think that a tow bar like the ReadyBrute, that is a little longer and makes the toad ride further back away from the MH (by about 12" I believe), would reduce the amount of road debris that might get 'thrown' at the toad?
What about rear overhang? You think a MH with more rear overhang, hence more distance between rear axle and front of toad, will be less prone to sling road debris at the toad?
..It seems that this is one of those issues that there is no 'one size fits all', and that the best choice really depends on a lot of factors like the two I mentioned above. Apparently in some cases, it appears that no protective shield at all is the best choice.
Me thinks, I'm going to wait and see for a while before I plunk down any $$ for a shield of any kind.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis
Our Rig
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whemme
Spencer, IA
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Joined: 08/26/2004
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My advice to those considering installing a bra on their toad in hopes of protecting the finish. Instead just go buy a sheet of 100 grit sandpaper and use it to scratch up the finish on the front of your toad. You will get the same result if you install a bra but the sheet of sandpaper will cost you much less!
2002 Born Free 26' RSB Motorcoach
2005 Chevrolet Malibu LS Toad
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down home
south
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Joined: 06/01/2008
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We have an edge behind a Revolution. We have the Roadmaster shield. It keeps rocks etc off the front end. Dirt etc tumbles over the top of it and covers the windshield and top. Small rocks end up on the cowl sometimes. you've got to remember to turn the airconditioner to recirculate as dust and dirt will go right to the base of the windshield and down the cowl. Even so you will have to change the environmental filter. It did the same with a Saturn and I understand others get the same thing.
The Revolution is a rear radiator and seems to vacuum up everything on the road. Side radiators might not be as bad. I don't know. There is a tremendous vacuum behind the motor home as was demonstrated when oil was flung to the top when it came out the dip stick tube. The air tumbles and over the top of a shield. Thinking of extending the hitch, might help. Bras are a bad ideas as others state. Dust and ricks sand so forth get behind the edges and tear the finish off.
Someone might make a differently configured shield that does a better idea? The protect a tow that goes from the bottom of motorhome to front of car might get better results. Those that use them haven't said exactly how good they do?
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Rangerider
No Va
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Joined: 01/26/2005
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We used the Roadmaster Shield when we towed our Jeep. Not so much concern about dirt or scratches but wanted to protect the radiator and headlights from damage. It was cumbersome to put on and take off and to store but it worked.
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gotsmart
Aberdeen, WA
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Joined: 02/20/2012
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I never thought about it but my smart car might be just narrow enough to track between the MH's inside rear tires.
No, I don't use a shield when towing.
2005 Cruise America 28R (Four Winds 28R) on a 2004 Ford E450 SD 6.8L V10 4R100
2009 smart fortwo Passion with Roadmaster "Falcon 2" towbar & tail light kit - pictures
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bigred1cav
ohio
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Joined: 09/14/2009
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Winnipeg wrote:We did a long trip last summer (6000+ miles) and trashed the paint and broke the windshield on our nearly new Wrangles due to some bad roads. We have a flap on the back of the MH, but I am wondering now if the flap actually caused most of the damage. I suspect that when you hit a bump in the road, the flap contacts the ground and kicks up anything that is on the road.
I added a bra, but it still leaves the fenders and bumper exposed on the Wrangler. I was in the middle of designing a custom guard similar to the Protect-a-tow, but my wife suggested simply removing the flap instead. That seams to be the best solution.
Its strange, however, that if the flap is causing all the damage, why are RV manufactures putting them on?
How fast were you driving on bad roads?
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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I have a road master guardian rock shield to give away. It was given to me and is taking up space in my shed. I tow a smart car on a trailer so have never had use for it. It is missing all the pins etc but the three main pieces are fine. Condition, Black No I won't ship, no I won't take any money. Just get them out of my shed.
I think its supposed to look something like this when it is on. The pieces are very light and tough.
Here is a picture of the three pieces in our driveway. Angela thought maybe she would try and sell them online. I on the other hand just want them out of the shed and not in a landfill.
I wonder if I am going to get into trouble for trying to give something away on the forum. Not sure of the rules in this situation. hmmm
2003 Revolution 40C Class A. 2002 Vanguard 22 foot Class C. Diesel smart car Toad or pulling a 2009 Timeout Tent Trailer.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but rather by the moments that take our breath away.
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bigred1cav
ohio
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Joined: 09/14/2009
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John & Angela wrote:I have a road master guardian rock shield to give away. It was given to me and is taking up space in my shed. I tow a smart car on a trailer so have never had use for it. It is missing all the pins etc but the three main pieces are fine. Condition, Black No I won't ship, no I won't take any money. Just get them out of my shed.
I think its supposed to look something like this when it is on. The pieces are very light and tough.
Here is a picture of the three pieces in our driveway. Angela thought maybe she would try and sell them online. I on the other hand just want them out of the shed and not in a landfill.
I wonder if I am going to get into trouble for trying to give something away on the forum. Not sure of the rules in this situation. hmmm
Where are you in Canada? Are you coming south this summer? I'm in Ohio.
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obgraham
Eastern WA
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Joined: 08/30/2005
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I've gone with and without toad protection. Now I have the Roadmaster Tow Defender (similar to Protect-a-tow, but costs more!). I'm convinced that it works well, as there's much less debris on the toad now. It looks flimsy and cumbersome at first, but once attached it goes on and off in about 15 seconds during hookup.
The main improvement, though was getting rid of the heavy full width mudflap on my Winnebago Journey. The third time I ran over it and dislodged it, it went into the nearest dumpster. I agree that it kicked up a lot of rocks and road rubber onto the toad, despite my efforts to raise it higher off the road.
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John & Angela
Full Timers in Canada, USA and Mexico
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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bigred1cav wrote:John & Angela wrote:I have a road master guardian rock shield to give away. It was given to me and is taking up space in my shed. I tow a smart car on a trailer so have never had use for it. It is missing all the pins etc but the three main pieces are fine. Condition, Black No I won't ship, no I won't take any money. Just get them out of my shed.
I think its supposed to look something like this when it is on. The pieces are very light and tough.
Here is a picture of the three pieces in our driveway. Angela thought maybe she would try and sell them online. I on the other hand just want them out of the shed and not in a landfill.
I wonder if I am going to get into trouble for trying to give something away on the forum. Not sure of the rules in this situation. hmmm
Where are you in Canada? Are you coming south this summer? I'm in Ohio.
Answered in pm.
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