Guard for toad

[aboeck3]

I have a 2014 Itasca Meridian DP. I also have a new toad (2014 Ford Focus). I have a Blue Ox tow bar and a Blue Ox Kar Gard (the vertical composite one). With my bike rack on the KarGard limits my turning radius (the Gard hits the bike tires). My question is with a DP with mud flaps behind the rear tires and a large, solid "dirt skirt" at the rear, do I need to worry about rocks, etc hitting the car?

[Dutch_12078]

I'm really glad your PAT is working well for you, Dave. For such a simple device, it really gets the job done!

[dbates]

Dutch,
I have a 30' 1998 Itasca with mud flaps behind the rear wheels and pull with a Kar-Kaddy dolly. In dry weather I've never had a problem with toad stone chips but in wet weather I had problems with dirt accumulating on the MH rear and fogging up the rear view camera. I found that a Protect-A-Tow eliminated that problem. I still get some very fine gravel accumulating on the toad but in almost 50,000 miles have had no real damage to the toad.

Dave

[Dutch_12078]

Yes, it's less of an issue with a dolly due to the toad front end height and the angle. A Protect-A-Tow could be used there as well though, to protect both the toad and the dolly.

[Effy]

I see this more with towing 4 down, Is this less of an issue with a dolly since the angle of the toad changes and it's has the actual dolly to ward off debris?

[obgraham]

I can't think of a topic that provokes more strongly held but totally opposed opinions than this one.

So here's my advice:
1.Get rid of the full width rear guard on the motorhome. It just kicks up more rocks. The hula skirt is useless also.
2.Don't use a car bra. A stone lodging in there will scrape things up worse than anything.
3.Protect-A-Tow or the similar Tow Defender will cut down on the debris being kicked up onto the toad.
4.All toads will get dirty every day you tow. Just deal with it.
5.Eventually you'll need a new windshield in the toad from pitting.

[Mr_Mark1]

Our previous coach (2008 Monaco Dynasty) had the mud-flaps behind the rear tires and the hanging guard about halfway between the rear wheels and the rear of the coach. We got a lot of stone chips without a cover on the tow car including a broken windshield and broken fog light on the '07 Honda CR-V. I had everything fixed and then looked for protection.

So, we bought a front cover for the car and that cured anymore damage. Our new coach has a flap at the very rear of the coach that is not hanging on chains like the previous coach, it's more stationary and rigid. I don't use a cover now on the '13 Honda CR-V and no problems.

After several years of using the car cover, it did get tiring keeping it clean of debris. I am enjoying not having to worry about that car cover. But, I would use it if we were at risk of damage like before.

MM.

[2gypsies1]

We had our 40' motorhome for ten years and even took it to Alaska and down gravel roads for boondocking spots. Our towed vehicle never got dings from towing.

We only had flaps behind the wheels.

On our Alaska trip we actually saw folks removing the stiff long rear flaps. We looked at the vehicles and they had a layer of large stones laying at the bottom of their windshield. The stiff flap was actually throwing the rocks at the car.

On another trip we were around Salt Lake City in heavy rain. I started watching motorhomes towing in the opposite lanes. Those with the big flap had a heavy spray of water hitting around the hood of the car. Those without the flap had the spray of water hitting around the tire area - much lower.

That convinced us that the big flap is just for looks unless you drive on pristine roads.

[smlranger]

We towed three toads many thousands of miles since 2004 behind a gasser, then a Winnebago Journey, and now a Country Coach. The Journey and CC had/have the full width flap on the rear. Never had any damage to any toad until..... this past summer we traveled about 30 miles of freshly paved (tar and chip) road from Bend, OR to Eugene. The lower fascia, headlights, and lip of the hood on the toad had been peppered with small stones. In spite of my mud flaps and the full width flap, we got chipped up pretty good. So, we ordered a LeBra for the toad for the rest of the trip. It is easy enough to install but you have to get it off the car often and make sure grit doesn't collect behind it. Not a perfect solution but what we chose.

[Dutch_12078]

We've been very pleased with the protection our Protect-A-Tow provides. It's easy to hook up and also protects our tow bar, wiring, and safety cables.

[DSDP_Don]

"aboeck3"......There are several ways to protect a car, the product you bought, the large blanket that lays horizontally and a car bra. I find the easiest to deal with is the car bra. LeBra makes a black vinyl bra for just about any car. I put mine on at the beginning of a trip and take it off when we get home. I try to keep everything simple so that RVing is not a chore.

[jorbill2or]

I think it depends on the road .. normal roads I noticed no damage ,or at least minimal, until I did 10 miles on a hard but graveled Road.at25- 35mph( what all the other traffic was doing lead car construction zone ) My car was covered in gravel (wiper recess) on the front of the hood and lower plastic bumper fender panel were pitted badly. My Journey had Good mud flaps behind the wheels and a rear full flap across the rear.about 3- 4 inches off the pavement

[bsinmich]

I don't have a DP but I have the solid wide mudflap on my gasser and have never had any stone damage in all my towing years.

[want-a-be]

You could get a double hitch receiver ( one that has a receiver on the top and bottom of the one that goes in the RV ) and put your bikes closer to the motor home