Tow protection

[Rwake901]

Does anyone use a product called "Protect-a-tow"? The car we tow is starting to get some chips in the paint from towing it and I'm looking for something simple to use to protect the paint. I already have the large mud lap across the back of the Motorhome. Seems to get beat up the worse when driving in the rain. I thought about a bra on the car but hear those will rub the paint off too. Just was wondering how hard this Protect a tow would be to take on and off. Thanks

[dtucker3usa]

We use the rock guard from Roadmaster. Works pretty well.

[Gjac]

I made one out of old trampoline material when I went to Alaska. Also made a wind shield protector . The dirt roads and passing trucks threw a lot of rocks up and it worked as designed. After a month of driving I just used the wind shield protector. It is just added work when disconnecting the tow car, and not worth $200-$400 IMO. I never used it again after the Alaska trip.

[obgraham]

I used the similar Tow Defender (yes, that spendy one from Roadmaster) and was happy with it. Getting rid of the big mudflap, however, was a much better way to minimize toad rash.

[GPWayne]

"Protect-a-Tow" is about the best and least expensive protection you can get.
I can't see you making the same thing yourself for that cost.

I have used mine ever since our trip to Alaska and have been on lots of gravel roads here in the lower 48 and Mexico...No damage to toad and a lot cleaner, for sure! Super easy to install and remove. Best of all, stores in a small lightweight, provided bag.

We found other methods failed big time.

[Tom_Barb]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Tom/Barb wrote:
WoW over 200 bucks for a over sized window shade.
http://protectatow.tripod.com

Price out a few yards of heavy PVC coated polyester mesh, if you can find it, and then add on about 20 feet of bungee cord, six snap clips, six eye bolts with double nuts and fender washers, 7 feet of 1/2" PVC conduit with two molded end hooks and two couplings, a grommet and 2 feet of smaller bungee cord, plus the labor and equipment to cut and sew the fabric, cut and sew the nylon material for the carry case, cut the conduit to size and install the couplings, print the instructions, and package the finished product. Now tack on a percentage for fixed overhead and profit margin and that $220 starts to look pretty reasonable...

Removed the flap, $0.00 problem solved.

[Dutch_12078]

Tom/Barb wrote:
WoW over 200 bucks for a over sized window shade.
http://protectatow.tripod.com

Price out a few yards of heavy PVC coated polyester mesh, if you can find it, and then add on about 20 feet of bungee cord, six snap clips, six eye bolts with double nuts and fender washers, 7 feet of 1/2" PVC conduit with two molded end hooks and two couplings, a grommet and 2 feet of smaller bungee cord, plus the labor and equipment to cut and sew the fabric, cut and sew the nylon material for the carry case, cut the conduit to size and install the couplings, print the instructions, and package the finished product. Now tack on a percentage for fixed overhead and profit margin and that $220 starts to look pretty reasonable...

[Mile_High]

The Blue Ox KarGard II looks pretty sophisticated. I chatted with a guy at camp that had one and he likes it for his Silverado behind his Tiffen. After watching the video from E-Trailer, I'm a little concerned that it will strike the painted bumper on the motorhome in turns. The video has it striking a large metal bumper. I can't tell how low it will sit yet. (PS - 362.00 Amazon)

Blue Ox Video

[Rwake901]

Tom/Barb wrote:
WoW over 200 bucks for a over sized window shade.
http://protectatow.tripod.com

Roadmaster makes about the same thing and it's around $400.00 So yeah they aren't cheap for what you get.

[Tom_Barb]

WoW over 200 bucks for a over sized window shade.
http://protectatow.tripod.com

[Dutch_12078]

We've used our Protect-A-Tow on two different toads so far, and have been very pleased with the protection it affords. We particularly like that it protects not only the toad, but the tow bar, safety cables, and wiring as well. The extra minute it takes to hook it up is time well spent.

[TANDDANDBIGE]

We use Protect-a-tow. It seems to work quite well and is easy to use. The price is reasonable compared to other like products. We like it.

[egh33]

I have a Bra for my 02 Jeep, I have one chip up by the windshield but I think it got there when it wasn't being towed. I always wash the Jeep and put a real good coat of Turtle Wax on after every trip. the Bra is taken off until next trip.
My Jeep is 14 years old and it looks almost brand new.
Now my Jeep is kept in the garage all the time except for trips.

[Tom_Barb]

mike brez wrote:
Sometimes the big rear mud flap is worse than not having one.

We found this to be true, the big flap is simply a big fan causing enough wind turbulence under the rear of the coach to blow up debris onto the towed.

we removed ours, and the chipping stopped.

[wildtoad]

The trick for car bras is not to leave them on all the time, and especially take them off after a rain to dry. You can also invest in one of many 3M clear film based products for your towed car.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I took my rear mud flap off. No more chips.