Stone Guards

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

I thought I would start an all encompassing thread on these devices be they stone guards for trailers or ones to fit to the rear of the Prado.

I have been thinking of getting some Rocktamers for the Prado to stop the peppering of the camper and protect the rear window. However after seeing the staggering price for these I thought I would check the USA prices. Seems their pricing is quite a bit more realistic, the only problem is the shipping but I do prefer their verisons of the Rocktamer. I came across this on my searches and I am going to see how much I can get a set shipped here for. Ultraguard Louvered Rock Guard

[johnv Member Find all posts View Profile Close johnv]

Re: Stone Guards

Mav,

Having just completed both the Oodnadatta Track and Gibb River Road, this is my experience. Before leaving home I got some 6mm rubber offcuts from work and extended the Prado's aft mudflaps - mainly because I had the suspension lift installed. Also made the perspex covers for the back window. I tow a Challenge Camper trailer which has a 'V' shaped screen around the front. I have travelled a number of gravel roads with the camper over the last few years with no added protection so the camper already has some wear in areas from stones.

The perspex was fitted at the start of the Oodnadatta Track. These proved to be more of a nuisance for me as very fine dust and gravel got between the perspex and the glass and actually badly etched it in a few areas. The back door of the Prado had a lot of nicks in the paintwork from stones as well.

I will say this - I believe I sometimes drove to fast along the track - particulary on the smoother sections.

I actually dumped the perspex after completing the Oodnadatta Track and had nothing fitted for the Gibb.

On the Gibb River Road, I really kept my speed in check.

The vehicle did not I believe sustain any more damage to the paintwork. Overall the camper did not show to much more blasting from gravel since starting the trip. I really think the extended mudflaps did most of the work.

One thing I think is in my favour - The 'V' shaped protection on the front deflect the stones. Some campers have straight across protection. This may cause stones to bounce directly back at the vehicle.

I be interested to hear NTPryces's feedback on how he went with his Challenge Camper along the Oodnadatta Track on this subject.


I try and post some pic's


johnv

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Stone Guards

Before leaving home I got some 6mm rubber offcuts from work and extended the Prado's aft mudflaps - mainly because I had the suspension lift installed.

After speaking with johnv in Darwin after he had just completed the Oodnadatta Track, I was convinced of the need to also extend our mudflaps to help protect our Prado and Camper Trailer. I was a little worried about the rear window, but it seems that this was unfounded.

I, too, added extra heavy duty rubber flaps over the OEM rear mudflaps. This basically extended the rubber flaps to about 3cm from the ground. The beauty of this is that the flaps are disposable and easily replaceable. Just screw on and off as needed. Plus cost little also.

I would recommend this mod to anyone who is towing over dirt/gravel.

IMHO I believe that the harder and wider front surface areas of caravans and the like is that they are more likely to cause stone damage because of bounce back over a camper trailer with a mesh screen or the like.

I tow a Challenge Camper trailer which has a 'V' shaped screen around the front. I have travelled a number of gravel roads with the camper over the last few years with no added protection so the camper already has some wear in areas from stones.

Our Challenge Camper did not throw up or bounce back any stones along the Oodnadatta Track. I was surprised by the effectiveness of the 'V' shaped mesh screen - but it seems to work. A couple of unprotected metal areas of the camper, however, are now sand/stone blasted. But these are pretty small. I will use these as a guide to add some extra metal checker plate protection once back in Darwin. But mostly, the camper did very well.

I will say this - I believe I sometimes drove to fast along the track - particulary on the smoother sections.

I heeded johnv's advice in Darwin and deliberately restricted our speed along the Oodnadatta to 80kph for most of the trip, only reaching 90kph in some very smooth sections where there were less rocks (more like clay). I think your vehicle speed makes a big difference.

The vehicle did not I believe sustain any more damage to the paintwork. Overall the camper did not show to much more blasting from gravel since starting the trip. I really think the extended mudflaps did most of the work.

I be interested to hear NTPryces's feedback on how he went with his Challenge Camper along the Oodnadatta Track on this subject.

Based on my experience too, I believe you are right! We did not experience any damage to our car, windows or to our tyres. I think speed makes a big difference (as did the mudflaps), Better to take your time and enjoy the experiences along the way than to rush!

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Re: Stone Guards

I've just gone through this process in preparation for our trip up to Rudall River. Last time we were up that way this happened on the Carawine Gorge road.



We spent the rest of the trip trying to keep the window from dropping out by piling on loads of gaffa tape to hold it in place. The frustrating thing was we were litterally 100 metres from Woodie Woodie road which is the bitumen. I was slowing right down and then - thump. :cry:

I have had a stone guard made up for the camper trailer, its made of a material similar to shade cloth only much more heavy duty. It wraps around the spare wheel and is attached on either side to two aluminium sheilds protecting the jerry cans in front of the wheel arches. I have also purchased Obies outback window protector for the rear window. Its made of a flexible perspex material and has spacers that keep a small gap between it and the window. I was told by the supplier that there had been no reports of a broken window when using their product.

Over Easter we went through the goldfields and I used a piece of corflute stuck to the rear window, it did the job as a couple of times I heard what I assumed to be large stones hitting it.

We are leaving on Saturday for the Pilbara but I'll still make sure I'm carrying lots of gaffa tape just in case.

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Stone Guards

I wonder whether some of that 3M paint protection film applied to the window would help reduce the problem.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Stone Guards

I fitted one of these before we left yesterday http://www.obiesoutback.com.au/

It lasted 300klms before the velcro gaveway. This morning I gaffa taped it to the window and it seems to be holding.

Oh and I love Telstra 3G. This email is being written at 110km/h 100klms from Port Augusta (the wife is driving) :mrgreen:

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Re: Stone Guards

I fitted one of these before we left yesterday http://www.obiesoutback.com.au/

It lasted 300klms before the velcro gaveway. This morning I gaffa taped it to the window and it seems to be holding.

Thats not what I wanted to hear, thats the same thing I fitted. Like I said, I wont be leaving home without some gaffa tape either.