Have not seen much discussion on Toad Protection, soooo:
What type of Toad Protection (if Any) do you use and why do you like?
Bras, Paint Protection Film, RV Underskirt, Headlight Protection Film, Roadmaster Guardian etc
Is it convenient to use?
How long have you used it?
We use the Protect-a-Tow underskirt. Have done so since we got the coach and CR-V.
Easy to use and stores in a bag that fits in the car's hidden trunk. The primary downside was needing to add two eye bolts to the car to clip the skirt onto; there weren't any convenient "structures" otherwise.
It's saved the car from being hit with a variety of debris, most significantly the stray winch bar that impaled our mud flap and broke it almost completely loose - just hanging to the coach from one side. The flap and winch bar flopped against the underside of the skirt for some distance unknown at highway speed until a passing driver flagged us that something was wrong.
No damage to the car or tow bar. A few battle scars on the mudflap which was "persuaded" back into shape and reattached to the coach.
Michelle
Hi Barry,
Have used the Guardian for 10years, only 1 complaint. Used to store it under the coach. Got in a hurry one morning
and went out to hook up. I told the wife to pull the coach ahead as soon as I was out of the way. Of course, I forgot about the shield, and she drove the duels full length of it. Needless to say, I got a bracket as soon as they were developed. The shield still looks and works good, and I use it every time we travel.
Good luck,
LynnD
'01 GV
We use the Protect-a-Tow underskirt also. No battle scars since we started using it, and we've been over several long gravel roads.
Makes hooking up a little slower, though.
On our first toad, we used the Tow Car Shield by Coastline Cover Company. It covers the front of the bumper, the hood, and the windshield. It is made specifically for each model car. On the plus side, the entire front of the car is protected. On the negative side, it did not fit correctly and air flowed under the front and wore the paint down on each side. I had four grommets installed and used bungees to try (unsuccessfully) to stop the flapping. Also, when wet, water and road grit got under the front of the cover. It would have to be dried and the grit brushed off before it was re-installed. Also, one time the straps that hold the windshield cover on allowed water to leak in though the A-pillar. After these experiences, I never used it on the car again. However, we still use it to cover our bicycles. Over the years, I have spoken to several owners of the Tow Car Shield that did not have the problems we had.
On our next toad, I had 3M Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film installed. I believe that this is the same product used on the front of motorhomes. Some have removed it due to yellowing. Our toad has never been garaged for the last 38 months. The Film still looks good. :)) The main benefit is that this product provides protection while being towed and being driven.
Bob
2000 U270
2008 Scion xB
Bryce Canyon, UT
On my previous SOB (Winnie/Vectra) I installed the Blue-Ox underskirt variety when I went to Alaska in `05. I'm very glad I did that, even though it was a real pain sometimes to put it on. Taking it off was a breeze. While the grommets & bungees worked well, where the grommets were sewn in, they ripped off in high winds. After replacing my skirt twice, I decided they just weren't all the hassle. So two skirts and two years later, I just run bare. No protection! Knock on wood--I've had no problems. When I am able to drive, I never drive on roads other than asphalt or concrete when towing, which I think contributes a lot towards the "no problems." :P ;D
We use a bra on the Wrangler, but it is minimal protection, and as BobW says, when it gets wet it's a PITA. You have to remove it, and dry it, and remove all grit before re-attaching. It also does nothing to protect the windshield, which I think is really getting damaged. When the sun is low in your face, the windshield looks "sand-blasted", and probably is exactly that.
RV Underskirt - I thought about this and almost purchased one. Got thinking about using it in the winter when one wants the protection most. DW is not retired yet, so we take a couple three weeks or so and travel south, usually in February, when it is still snowing. We live south of Buffalo in what the Buffalo TV media call "Ski Country" so we have snow on the main roads often :o. Anyway, to make a long story short, we called the manufacturer to see about using in snow. They said okay for light powdery snow, but not heavy snow. So having the kind of snow we have I decided not to get it. Just running a hula skirt across the rear.
Our first tow car had the same sand blasted look you mentioned. When we bought our new Jeep years ago, did not want to tow it an inch without some windshield protection, so Cindy went to Wal Mart fabric dept and bought some vinyl. With a little trimming and siliconing in place of sewing, we have a windshield cover that tucks under the back of the hood and wraps inside car with ends held together with three bungees hooked into metal grommets. Our 9-year old new Jeep windshield has no sand pitting. We think auto bras cause more damage with grit behind them, than they protect.
We have used the Roadmaster Tow Defender (without the Guardian Rock Shield pictured) for almost 3-1/2 years and love it. It is very convenient to set up and can stow quickly rolled up when the toad is not connected. We've experienced no damage to our CRV toad traveling roads all over the Southeast and Texas.
Being the "Cheap and Tacky" type, I only tow the 2004 F150, it would be hard to see if it got
hit or not. When I arrive and need the toad, I just unhook and unplug it and away we go.
Besides I can not see any sign of any damage, BUT I have not towed it on the rocks yet.
Simplicity counts,
Dave
Ron,
I've looked at the Tow Defender and the ease of stowing it (vs the Protect-a-Tow) and it looks pretty good (our Protect-a-Tow is getting a little worn), but I've been concerned that the Tow Defender seems to leave a gap between the end of the coach and the start of the skirt. Maybe that doesn't matter, but have you found many rocks on top of the skirt after driving dirt/gravel roads?
It would seem like a real advantage to the Tow Defender is the lack of the elastic band that goes around the Protect-a-Tow. We've had ours break, and almost break a couple of times (tied it back together...)
Dave - The Gap between the Motorhome and the Tow Defender is minimal. I can not see how stones or rocks could possibly get on top from that gap and never have seen stones on top. That being said, the gap is so small that I have to remove the tow Defender (tongue and all) in order to open the rear engine door primarily due to the tow bar tongue length. I only need an additional inch or so for the engine door to clear with out removal. I'll be able to get some better pictures of my own tow installation later this week as I go to pick up our MH today to prep for an short extended trip.
Regarding the elastic band, we do not have one and don't know how it is used on your setup.
I hope this helps with your questions.
I have pulled my wrangler almost 300k miles. I have two stone chips on the paint. I have one ding on the windshield but I was driving it when that happened. So I do not use anything. I think if I were to get a new towed vehicle, I would use the underskirt option. The defender is just too big and gets in the way if you are in service.
Guess my tow method is down and dirty. I tow a 97 Saturn SL and if I forget to hook it up one day I probably won't miss it. I don't protect it in any way and I am amazed by what I find sometimes. Recently the WS wipers were acting up, I found a piece of crushed rock wedged under the arm, I am continually finding rocks and gravel on the cowl and engine. I am surprised that I don't have more WS damage, I do have a few dings but since the car has 169 K miles on the odometer and who knows how many towed miles since new its a wonder that it still have the original WS. When it dies I am going to take the tag off it and walk away . ;D
Gary B
After pulling an Airstream for 7 years, I purchased my first motorhome, an '06 42' Phenix. I'm leaving on a 9 month trip in a month so I have a steep learning curve.
I had a Blue Ox system installed on the toad. On the Blue Ox site I see an apron installed under the tow bars, and a small barn door installed in front of the toad's grill.
So, my question is which do you consider to be the most effective? Or is there something else that is more effective?
Thank you for you advice. I will be seeking more of it.
Bob , I merged your question with this thread.
It might answer some of your questions
We use the Protect-A-Tow skirt, which attaches under the tow bar. Thus far it has protected us from any additional stone damage to the toad. Should note that there are many who don't use anything and seem to do fine. I think that Roadmaster may have a version that rolls up under the coach receiver for storage.
I have used a Blue ox tow skirt or whatever they call it and IT WORKS. I tow a 2006 GMC Envoy Denali which is my wife's everyday vehicle and not a scratch in 4 yrs of use.