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Goaltender1's avatar
Goaltender1
Explorer
Jun 02, 2018

Best Rock Guard

We are getting a 5r and would like your thoughts on the best rock guard to protect it. Driving a Sierra 3500 with a 2 1/2 inch receiver. The guards need to fit the receiver. Thanks in advance.
  • I have Rock Tamers that (after much effort), I made them fit under the bumper. That way, I can't bump into the brackets or bend them. They work quite well.
  • I ran rock tamers for years and still have the, but never used them on the latest truck, I sprung for the factory accessory gatorbacks mud flaps and haven’t noticed much if any difference.
  • I have a fiver with one of those high quality paint jobs. You look at it sideways and it chips. The lower front was painted three times before I bought the Rock Tamers. Now three years later, I have touched up three spots where errant rocks got to it but otherwise it still looks perfect. The Rock Tamers are set to just clear the ground when the RV is loaded to minimize to chance of a rock getting by. They have worked exceptionally well on my SRW, but a friend with a painted rig and a dually has had more chips. It may be due to the extra width added by the second tires or how far they hang off the ground. But I am a believer.
  • jdb7566 wrote:
    I have "Rock Tamers". My truck also has a 2.5" receiver. The 2" rock tamers were less money so I purchased the steel reducer to make them fit. Some assembly required.


    This is what I have and seam to do a good job.
  • I have "Rock Tamers". My truck also has a 2.5" receiver. The 2" rock tamers were less money so I purchased the steel reducer to make them fit. Some assembly required.
  • Have an Ultra-Guard in shed that I used w/ '03 & '15 truck and old coach. In addition, we too had flaps on truck to which I added "extensions". Basically, bought a black pair and cut them and added 5"-6" to length of flap. new coach and the UG won't work cuz it would hit front of coach while turning due to non slanted front storage compartment. Now w/ '17 truck, this too has flaps and will be adding extensions to them as well tomorrow. Will say that any form of protection you go with it better than none at all.
  • We had a "Rock Guard" (That was the name brand). It had 2 inch flaps that hung side by side. I also had mud flaps on my truck.

    My current set up, with my Equal-i-zer hitch, I cannot attach the Rock Guard, as the hitch shaft is made different. But my current truck also has mud flaps.

    Have a noticed a difference in the front of the trailers between the 2 scenarios? No. I think the mud flaps provided the best protection. My current trailer, hitch, and no rock guard ... well ... after 5 years and thousands and thousands of miles towing, I don't have any nicks on the front fiberglass cap of my trailer. My previous trailer with the rock guard had diamond plate across the front. I don't think it ever had any dings either.

    Personally, mud flaps provide the first line of defense protection for your trailer. Rock Guard flaps are secondary. If you have no mud flaps, then the Rock Guard would be beneficial. But get the solid one. Not the 2 inch danglie ones, or the ones that remind you of the straw on the end of a broom.