Dry Creek
California
New Member
Joined: 11/15/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
Would like comments on the Guardian tow shield or other shields. I have had other car covers - problem with them is in rainy weather. It's a pain to remove the wet cover and where to put it, etc.
|
The Texan
Summer: A Cool Climate Winter: A Warm Climate
Senior Member
Joined: 01/16/2004
View Profile
|
After 20K miles with the Guardian shield in place, I had to paint the toad. The only thing it truly protects is the radiator, as the stones and gravel goes around, under and over the shield, so that very little protection is offered. I still use it, because I own it, but with the knowledge that the protection is absolutely minimum.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 
FMCA #F203528
'05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra SLT, CC Z-71, the pusher
'07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher -
Our Current Location
|
Troubleshooter
Anchorage, AK
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2002
View Profile
|
I purchased a tow shield made from Lexan, in order to protect our Towed vehicle behind our D/P with a rear radiator.
One trip from Yuma, AZ to Anchorage, AK showed me the 'error of my ways', as the small rock/gravel would hit the tow shield, and then deflect forwards into the rear cap of the D/P.
Now the rear cap of the RV looks like it has been peppered with #7½ birdshot.
While I will agree that it might be a pain in installing and removing a tow car cover when it is wet, IMHO, it still offers much more protection to the towed vehicle.
We use a RV UnderSkirt between the RV and the Towed Vehicle all the time, and when on the upper Alaska Highway, additionally use a Coastline Car Cover.
Only One Old Fellow's Opinion
Bill
2002 Discovery 3126E CAT
2004 Saturn VUE
Mountain Master Tow Brake
|
JUrban
Delaware
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Have you tried a Coastline Cover? We've used two of them and are pleased. After a number of hours running in the rain, we get some water around the edges, but not near what you'd expect. We've traveled hundreds of miles on dirt and gravel in Alaska. A good product at a fair price.
John
2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40' QSP
2006 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
BlueOx Aventa LX Tow Bar
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Copilot Live Laptop 10 GPS
|
Dry Creek
California
New Member
Joined: 11/15/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Thank you for your replies. Actually we have towed over 100 thousand miles with 3 different CR-V's and always used a Coastline Cover. The problem with them - rainy weather - where to put it when running around in tow, and, dirt and grime gets on the bottom underside and needs to be cleaned before putting back on the car. Sometimes, it doesn't dry between uses.
Thank you Texan for your info on shields. I would like to hear more on the tow shields or other types of protection. Thanks again :-)
|
|
|
K3BH
Slower Lower Delaware
Senior Member
Joined: 03/07/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
We've been very pleased with the economical Protect-A-Tow shield that mounts beneath the tow bar. No dings at all. It won't work with a DP exhaust that comes straight out the back, although it will with a side exhaust.
www.protectatow.com
Jay
Jay, Susan, 2 cats in Bigfoot 29G 6.0L Diesel. Toad Honda CR-V
|
legal-eagle
Canada
Full Member
Joined: 04/21/2004
View Profile
|
We also love the Protect-a-Tow, it is very effective and you don't experience any of the problems mentioned above with other devices. I have used mine for a few years and have no complaints.
|
shanwick
Northern Illinois
Full Member
Joined: 01/30/2007
View Profile
 Online
|
The Texan wrote:After 20K miles with the Guardian shield in place, I had to paint the toad. The only thing it truly protects is the radiator, as the stones and gravel goes around, under and over the shield, so that very little protection is offered. I still use it, because I own it, but with the knowledge that the protection is absolutely minimum.
I pretty much agree with the above. I've got a Guardian and use it all the time. There are still some rock chips. Personally, I think the best setup would be a RV UnderSkirt or something similar, plus having 3M plastic shield installed on the front of the toad. Kind of pricey, but IMO it offers better protection than the covers. Plus, I've had paint chaffing problems with covers at the edge of the covers.
Jeff
2007 Travel Supreme Envoy 40DS04
Cummins ISL 400
|
wanderer72
Canada
Full Member
Joined: 05/07/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I would go with the Protect-a-Tow. Been very happy with ours, many miles travelled and no dings. Most effective and likely least expensive.
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste and a waist is a terrible thing to mind."
|
Dry Creek
California
New Member
Joined: 11/15/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks everyone for all the info. One question: Let's say you drive into an RV park and register, they tell you to disconnect at the office and then drive in. Well, what do you do for that short time with the protectatow? Can you roll it up to the rear of the coach, or what?? Do you have to fully disconnect it and put away?
|
|
|
