So, my brand new Mitsubishi manual trans Mirage is off to the local Blue OX dealer this afternoon to have the base plate installed. My 37' Four Winds Infinity has a full width mud flap (?) in back of the rear tires that rides about 2-3" above the ground. I towed with a dolly last year with no issues but because the Mitsubishi is brand new I'm wondering if there is anything I should be doing to protect the front end from stone chips.I understand the black vinyl "Bra"s that people used to use are not very popular anymore as it seems they damage the paint.Anyone have any suggestions or should I be ok just as it is?

I would check in the owners manual before you flat tow it. I don't remember this car being listed as flat towable.

Many people feel that wheel mud flaps work best and combined with a full rear flap should give you all the protection you need. There are other protective items you can add just depends on you outlook.

For the most part unless you go barreling down rocky dirt or gravel roads you should be fine. For us the biggest problem occurs when driving in the rain on a busy hiway and road grime gets all over the toad and there is nothing you can do.

Gjac wrote:I would check in the owners manual before you flat tow it.X2. Not all manual transmissions can be flat towed.

I removed my full width mud flap. Seems to work better for my toad.Stirs up less stuff off the roadway.

Flat tow newbie question | Good Sam Community

bob_nestor
Explorer III
Jan 17, 2017
At 2100 lbs and with the short wheelbase the Mirage would probably fit on a 12' single axle trailer. There are a couple that are designed to be small car haulers. Aluma makes one that is even a tilt bed would would make it easy to load and unload.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
missnmountains wrote:
Double check that your vehicle can be towed flat.

Ken

I think it has already been quadrupely checkede and the answer is NO.
call and have them stop installing that tow bracket.
bumpy
missnmountains
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
Double check that your vehicle can be towed flat.

We use the Blue Ox Rock Guard. The plastic shield attaches to the Blue Ox Tow Bar. We purchased this after our last Alaska trip after we destroyed the front of our Jeep. The Rock Guard adds about one minute to the time it takes to hook up.

So far I have not gotten one rock chip. Knock on wood.

Ken
afrescopXx
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
2017 Mirage manual makes no mention of it being flat towed. Meaning it cannot be towed flat.
tommy_g
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017
gbopp wrote:
Gjac wrote:
I would check in the owners manual before you flat tow it.

X2. Not all manual transmissions can be flat towed.
x3!! Remco does not show the Mirage as towable 4 down.
doc_brown
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
Kept my big mud flap and I use protect a tow. Very pleased with the product after 7 years of use, just bought a new one.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2017
Blue Ox has a "Towed Protector" thingy, It is a plastic shield that attaches to the tow bar.. You might thing of that

The full width mud flaps are good provided they DO NOT actually touch the road.. If they touch down they can be worse than nothing.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
just be sure there is plenty of clearance under the mud flap to avoid kicking up stones. check vehicles owner's manual for towing advice/restrictions.
bumpy
kdk
Explorer
Jan 16, 2017
Some folks say to remove the mud flap but you then are more susceptible to stones and with it on sand blasting. You are guaranteed to get stone chips and possibly a broken windshield plus sandblasting without some kind of protection. The protect-a-tow or similar will reduce both, I made a folding plastic guard similar to Road Masters with fairly good results for 5 years. Then purchased a new Buick Lacross and made a guard similar to protect-a-tow. This by far a much better stone guard and have used it for 6 yrs., easy to stow as it rolls up. IMHO.
Blessings Keith
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2017
I agree on removing the full width flap. Still, we found the Protect-A-Tow gives us very good protection given that we travel on dirt and gravel roads fairly often. It only takes a minute to hook up or unhook.

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