Forum Discussion

ginagary's avatar
ginagary
Explorer
Jul 07, 2016

Protection for our tow dinghy

We have a 2007 Winnebago Journey. We had been towing a 2003 Jeep Wrangler and recently traded it in for a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. We use the Roadmaster Sterling tow bar on the motorhome and had the Brake Buddy Stealth installed on the Cherokee. Because we had all of brackets and Roadmaster Guardian Tow shield, we requested that they use appropriate brackets so that we can use the tow shield protector. When we picked up the car, they had used a Blue Ox base plate with Blue Ox connectors so now we cannot attach the tow bar and brackets to use the Guardian Shield.
We absolutely want to protect our Jeep Cherokee from rocks and potential paint chipping or damage. Does anyone know how we can accomplish this seeing as we have a Roadmaster Towbar and a Blue Ox baseplate.
We spoke to Blue Ox and they suggested getting a Blue Ox towbar. (of Course). And it does not look like Roadmaster has an adapter for Blue Ox brackets.
We are extremely frustrated to say the least.
Thanks!
  • georgelesley's avatar
    georgelesley
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2016
    2gypsies wrote:
    For lack of something to do while on the interstate around Salt Lake City, we were driving in a heavy downpour. I began watching motorhomes going in the opposite direction.

    Those with a across-the-rear flap - the water was spewing in a high arc at their hood.

    Those with no flap - the water was aimed at the tire area.

    That convinced us.


    Thanks so much. Looks like I wasted money and time putting the darn thing on only to now take it off! I might put mud flaps just behind the tires to reduce spray to the underside of the MH. Thanks again.
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Jul 08, 2016
    For lack of something to do while on the interstate around Salt Lake City, we were driving in a heavy downpour. I began watching motorhomes going in the opposite direction.

    Those with a across-the-rear flap - the water was spewing in a high arc at their hood.

    Those with no flap - the water was aimed at the tire area.

    That convinced us.
  • georgelesley's avatar
    georgelesley
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2016
    I find this thread very interesting. A couple of questions come to mind. First I do not doubt there is a problem as stated earlier, my question is how and why does this happen? Is it a vacuum created behind the stiff rubber mat at the rear that then sucks stuff up? If so, would a heavy duty porus material solve it. I wonder why the industry has not solved this issue, I see many, many RV's with mats across the rear. Would the "broom" type some have fix the problem? What about a verticle gap in the middle of the existing rubber mat? For now it appears to me that the protect-a-tow mentioned above is the easiest solution. Any comments?
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Jul 08, 2016
    Do you have an across the rear stiff mud flap on the motorhome? If so, take it off and you'll protect the Jeep.

    We spent a summer in Alaska with no damage to our Jeep. We just had mud flaps behind each tire.

    We pulled into a campground in the Yukon and saw folks taking off their full rear flap saying it caused rocks to fly up onto the vehicle. We went over and looked. They had just traveled on the same road we did. There was a layer of 3/4" rock laying at the base of their windshields and heavy rock damage on the hood.
  • Ava's avatar
    Ava
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2016
    How about returning it to the shop and tell them that is not what you asked for and change it out for the Roadmaster base plate! ( at their expense )
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Jul 08, 2016
    ginagary wrote:
    That looks like a solution except for the fact that it would sit right over our exhaust pipe.

    If you call them, I think they have a couple of suggestions for that situation. On my coach, I rerouted a generator exhaust that interfered with the PAT. All I needed was an elbow and a hanger to bring it out the side instead of straight back.
  • ginagary's avatar
    ginagary
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2016
    That looks like a solution except for the fact that it would sit right over our exhaust pipe.
  • Dutch_12078's avatar
    Dutch_12078
    Explorer II
    Jul 07, 2016
    We've been very pleased with the protection our Protect-A-Tow provides. Besides the toad, it also protects the tow bar, wiring, and safety cables from road debris damage.

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