No Hurry-No Worry
Santa Rosa
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Joined: 09/11/2007
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I love this forum! You guys (and gals) are so helpful. Thanks for all the input on the 4x4 flat tow able question we posted. Now another question comes up. We have made our long list of possible's. We are test driving all makes and models to narrow to a short list. Then we will look for the cream puff in the make and model we choose. We will be full timing in early Sept. We are in a '01 Executive DP. We have not towed a car for any extended length of time. We plan to get a screen/guard to protect the toad as much as possible. How bad will it still get dirty, dinged and chipped given normal good weather driving conditions? How much damage should we expect after a year or two? We will have a breaking system and a TPMS. Thanks all.
Rich and Char
2001 Monaco Executive
500 Hp w/tag axle
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
Me,DW and Panther, the coolest cat in the world
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garym114
Texas
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Joined: 07/24/2006
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We drove to Alaska last year and then another 600 miles when we got there. I installed and used a Protect-A-Tow for the CRV. The CRV definetly gets dirty but there are no rock chips or dings so far.
2000 Sea Breeze with 1998 CRV Toad in Dawson Creek - Start of Alaska Highway
Don't Forget - USS Liberty, June 08, 1967
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Joined: 05/31/2005
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When we used to tow our Toyota Celica, it collected a lot of gravel along the bottom of the windshield. But the Blazer, which we later towed, didn't pick up gravel at all. IMO, the smaller the car (height-wise) the more damage.
2000 Aerolite 19RB TT
1996 Chevrolet Blazer 6 cyl. 4WD
This car used to be our toad, now is our TV!
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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Joined: 04/03/2007
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No rock damage or chips, yet, but then I've got less than 1000 miles of toad towing under my belt.
But I will say that it can certainly get dirty! I didn't drive through any rain, but drove about 50 miles of interstate highway just after it had rained (roads were wet, and the tire track paths were starting to dry.) When we stopped, the toad was a uniform light tan color, it looked like it was covered with a layer of beach sand!
When disconnecting the toad, it was so dirty I could hardly see out the windshield. I was afraid to turn on the wipers because it was so gritty I thought the wiper blades making a couple passes before the squirters got things wet would scratch the windshield.
So yes, the toad sure can get dirty! 
2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PDQ
400 ISL Cummins/Allison
2002 Chevy Avalanche toad
Inside: Him, Her, and a pack of little furballs...
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Lou3NLyn1
USA
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Joined: 12/08/2004
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I use and "Underskirt" that covers the area between the Motorhome and the Toad and then use a "Coastline Car Cover" to protect the Toad from "stuff tossed by other cars.
No Chips yet and have towed about 5000 miles.
Lou
Lou & Lyn
2007 Fleetwood Southwind 37C - Satin Steel
2007 Saturn VUE AWD
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Joy
Henderson KY 42420
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Joined: 08/10/2001
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We've used the Protect-A-Tow since we bought our 2003 VUE (12/03)- it has no chips and it has been towed over 28K miles. It is easy to put on/off/store (has its own bag).
See ya' down the road!
Don-SCPO USN Ret.Corpsman
Joy-Ret.Off.Mgr.
Katie-Mini Aussie
Sam-Calico Fat Cat
Maggie-Chihuahua
2003 38'Phaeton DP
2006 Saturn Vue
LIFE ISN'T ABOUT HOW TO SURVIVE THE STORM BUT HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.
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BroncoRVer
8,600 feet elevation, Colorado
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Joined: 07/22/2005
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IF you have have one of those full length mudflap "gravel kickers" on your motorhome, you will get lots of damage on your toad. (Ever drive behind a motorhome on the freeway with one of those things?).
Like others, we use a Protect-a-Tow, and all the gravel and road rocks go UNDER the toad.
2006 Winnebago Voyage 35A, W-22
Brake Buddy, Aventa II tow bar, Protect-A-Tow
2005 Hyundai Elantra toad
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dbates
Marion, Indiana
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Joined: 02/05/2006
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In the last 3 years we have traveled 26,600 miles with a Vibe on a KarKaddy dolly & regular mud flaps behind the back dual wheels only. Most of the time we have used no other protection & have had no damage to the toad. I think the distance between the rear wheels & the back of the MH plus the design of the MH rear underside will make a difference in the amount of debris on the toad.
We started using a Protect-A-Tow this year & found that the toad still gets dirty but it reduced the amount sandy accumulation on the toad. It also eliminated dirt on the back of the MH, kept the rear camera clean & the camera doesn't fog up while driving in the rain.
Click HERE for Protect-A-Tow's website.
Dave
Plus New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island & Nova Scotia
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akrv
Moses Lake, WA
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Joined: 02/02/2004
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The most damage we have had on our tow cars is from big pickup's in the rv parks.Costs about $600.00 to get the dent out of your door.
2005 Coachmen Concord 275DS
2001 Grand Am
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wanderer72
Canada
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Joined: 05/07/2003
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We also use Protect-a-Tow and it works very well. Before using any type of Protection our car was full of gravel rash in the front hood area not to mention a broken headlight (not cheap to fix) and badly pitted windshield. We ended up buying a newer toad a few years back and the Protect-a-Tow keeps that******from hitting the toad and keeps the back of our coach and rad compartment much cleaner. We wouldn't travel anywhere without it, paved or unpaved roads. We have a diesel pusher with side exhaust but I believe there may be a problem using this product if the exhaust exits out the rear.
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste and a waist is a terrible thing to mind."
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