Toad Protection

[rperrym]

I was wondering how many owners who tow Jeep Wranglers use some type of protection from gravel, rocks, etc, to protect the front of their Jeep.
I have considered the Blue Ox Kargard II, but not sure it is needed with my overhang and the mudflaps directly behind the wheels.

We have a Canyon Star 38 foot motor home.

Thanks,

Rick

[2gypsies1]

On our Alaska trip we pulled into a campground after a couple others. When we all got to our sites the others were taking off their full stiff flaps from the rear of the motorhome because they had a layer of 1/2" rocks laying at the base of their towed vehicles and dings on their hoods. We had driven the same gravel road they did and no damage.

We just had flaps behind each tire, not the full one at the rear, and received absolutely no damage the whole trip or ever during our travels.

Later when driving the interstate in Utah during a heavy rain and for lack of something to do, I started noticing motorhomes going in the opposite direction. Those with the full width flap had water arcing high on the hood. Those without the flap had the water aimed at the vehicle's tire level.

That convinced us never to have that 'free advertising' across the rear on a flap.

[Bumpyroad]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

doublev wrote:
If you have a nice full mudflap, I cannot see why you need to protect the toad. I have never had an issue with the toad getting a rock chip, dings, or anything. It must be safer right behind my MH than if it was out in the open road driven by itself.

The full width rear mud flaps can kick up more road debris than they deflect, particularly on dirt or gravel roads.

be sure to mount them high enough so they don't touch the road which adds to the "kick up" stuff.
bumpy

[Dutch_12078]

doublev wrote:
If you have a nice full mudflap, I cannot see why you need to protect the toad. I have never had an issue with the toad getting a rock chip, dings, or anything. It must be safer right behind my MH than if it was out in the open road driven by itself.

The full width rear mud flaps can kick up more road debris than they deflect, particularly on dirt or gravel roads.

[doublev]

If you have a nice full mudflap, I cannot see why you need to protect the toad. I have never had an issue with the toad getting a rock chip, dings, or anything. It must be safer right behind my MH than if it was out in the open road driven by itself.

[rperrym]

Looking at the etrailer.com website, the Blue Ox Kargard II goes on top of the towbar.

Thanks,
Rick

[catkins]

Protect-a-tow and the Blue Ox version go under the tow bar and deflect rocks and debris. we used Protect a tow but only on our trip to Alaska years ago. Used something over the windshield but straps went through the window opening and compressed the rubber permanently. We now just go without with our Vue. Think your Jeep sits higher and will get even less debris on it. Good luck!

[rockhillmanor]

They only one I would consider which forum members swear by is the one that is a cover that goes under the tow bar.

Can't remember the name of it but it looks like an easy install on and off, unobtrusive looking and actually works.

Perhaps someone can supply the link. :C

[mowermech]

When I was towing a Jeep, I figured that since it was a Jeep, it was supposed to be dented and scratched.
I did buy a full front end and windshield cover for the PT Cruiser, though, and used it on a trip to Tennessee and back. It worked great. I don't remember the name of the company I bought it from. IIRC it was a custom cover company in CA.

[rockhillmanor]

6 years full time, no protection. Not one dent or scratch on front of toad.

[Bumpyroad]

when I first started towing a toad I made a padded cover for the windshield. that lasted about one trip.
bumpy

[Mandalay_Parr]

No protection here. Toad is fine.
I did remove the full width mud flap because it broke.
I think it caused more turbulence, so happy with it off.

[rk911]

rperrym wrote:
I was wondering how many owners who tow Jeep Wranglers use some type of protection from gravel, rocks, etc, to protect the front of their Jeep.
I have considered the Blue Ox Kargard II, but not sure it is needed with my overhang and the mudflaps directly behind the wheels.

We have a Canyon Star 38 foot motor home.

Thanks,

Rick

we did (and still can) tow an '03 Wrangler and no, we didn't use any sort of front end protection.