Best protection for toad?

[patrickemb]

Need recommendations for protectioning my toad. I have a 2018 F150. After traveling on a Oklahoma state highway with tar and a lot of pea gravel for 23 miles my 7 month old truck was damaged. Cost to repair just under 24,000. State would not accept liability! Having to use my insurance to cover repairs. I use a roadmaster tow bar. From searching I've not seen anything that is large enough (width) to protect my truck when it's attached to the tow bar. Don't want this happening again.

Thanks

[MSHappyCampers]

I use an Ultraguard solid rubber flap on the back of the MH positioned to hang 6" off the ground, and a Protect-a-Tow mesh shield between the MH and toad. Never had a rock chip!

[TJ]

We use the Roadmaster "Tow Defender" and have never had a rock chip or other damage.

TJ

[Unplanned Tourist]

Enclosed cargo trailer.

[ewlee]

Suggest you remove the big "Billboard" mud flap. We removed ours prior to our trip to Alaska and never had an issue. The big mudflap just kicks up rock/gravel onto the toad. We talked with a gentleman in Dawson Creek and the front of his new jeep was peppered after a short distance.

[rlott2k]

24k for repairs! That’s a lot of damage! I just removed my ad flap s recommended by others. We will see how it affects our toad.

[patrickemb]

Originally Posted by Tranquil Jim

We use the Roadmaster "Tow Defender" and have never had a rock chip or other damage.

TJ

Just checked the tow defender dementions, not wide enough, only 6'. Needs at least another foot in width.

[patrickemb]

Does anyone use the Tow Car Shield? After a little research I ran across it. It's like a car or coach bra that completely covers the bumper up over the hood and windshield. They also have side mirror covers as well.

[patrickemb]

Originally Posted by ewlee

Suggest you remove the big "Billboard" mud flap. We removed ours prior to our trip to Alaska and never had an issue. The big mudflap just kicks up rock/gravel onto the toad. We talked with a gentleman in Dawson Creek and the front of his new jeep was peppered after a short distance.

I was plowing thru at least 6 inches deep of gravel. Even removing the mud flap would not have stopped the damage.

[patrickemb]

Originally Posted by rlott2k

24k for repairs! That’s a lot of damage! I just removed my ad flap s recommended by others. We will see how it affects our toad.

Yes it was. The only part of the truck that wasn't damaged was the rear window.

[Bushy]

Originally Posted by rlott2k

24k for repairs! That’s a lot of damage! I just removed my ad flap s recommended by others. We will see how it affects our toad.

Agree with both points. Calling the rear flap an "ad flap" is an accurate description. We all have more functional flaps right behind each rear tire. The Newmar emblazoned flap at the rear is pure marketing, decorative and counter productive. We had issues similar to the original poster. Once we took the advice offered liberally on IRV2 to remove the ad flap - very very little subsequent rock chips.

[Dutch Star Don]

I had the same thing happen in Texas about seven years ago. We were on a four lane highway where they were actually dumping pea gravel on to the road in the other direction. Our side hadn't been coated yet, so you were driving on just pea gravel. Most of our damage was from people going by at 60 mph.

We fought with Texas for months, first denials and then they said the law prevents them from being liable. If I lived in Texas, I would have ran the issue all the way to the Governor.

With that said, I doubt you'll find another instance like that in your travels. I wouldn't jump to any expensive new protection. I tow a truck and most of what can be damaged is well above the height of any debris coming from under the coach, since they sit so tall. I have one small paint strip, just above the bumper. There I use a product called Road Wrap, which is like saran wrap.

I've had a correctly adjusted rear flap on my three DP's since 2005 and they've never caused issues and at times have saved the day with some big road gators.

I will also tell you that my brother-in-law bought one of those full front end covers.....what a pain. It's a nice idea, until you have to deal with it. On a full size truck it will be time consuming to install. He also found on stops where he needed to disconnect the toad, like back in sites, you have to remove half of it to see. The worse part though.....look at your truck after a day of towing. It's covered in dirt/dust from what a DP blows out the back. Now imagine handling that cover and trying to store it each time while covered in dirt.

Personally, I like to keep camping simple, if its not, you take the fun out of it.

[CaptainGizmo]

You will find HUGE threads on this topic, and I can attest to the fact stated above, that many have found the culprit to be the full width “rock guard”. I took mine off the fist trip up my street; as when I backed up, it acted as a one-way valve and jammed into the street.

I tow the same F150, except it’s the Raptor, which is about the widest truck you’ll pull. I was crazy worried about damage, but had to trust the experience of others.

I’ve towed it all summer, for about 6,000 miles. We traveled 11 western states. No problems at all.

My vehicles have always had the 3M Invisi-shield, or equivalent, protection across the front, mirrors, headlights, and partway up the hoods. This stuff IS THE KEY to preventing rock chips!!! Case in point: I had a punk throw a rock at my Vette as I was driving, and all the rock did was tear the Shield. $45 (paid by the Dad), and I was good as new. The stuff works!! Trucks are expensive; mine was around $700 as I recall...but worth every penny for piece of mind and MORESO...RESALE value!!

Hope this helps.

[patrickemb]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I had the same thing happen in Texas about seven years ago. We were on a four lane highway where they were actually dumping pea gravel on to the road in the other direction. Our side hadn't been coated yet, so you were driving on just pea gravel. Most of our damage was from people going by at 60 mph.

We fought with Texas for months, first denials and then they said the law prevents them from being liable. If I lived in Texas, I would have ran the issue all the way to the Governor.

With that said, I doubt you'll find another instance like that in your travels. I wouldn't jump to any expensive new protection. I tow a truck and most of what can be damaged is well above the height of any debris coming from under the coach, since they sit so tall. I have one small paint strip, just above the bumper. There I use a product called Road Wrap, which is like saran wrap.

I've had a correctly adjusted rear flap on my three DP's since 2005 and they've never caused issues and at times have saved the day with some big road gators.

I will also tell you that my brother-in-law bought one of those full front end covers.....what a pain. It's a nice idea, until you have to deal with it. On a full size truck it will be time consuming to install. He also found on stops where he needed to disconnect the toad, like back in sites, you have to remove half of it to see. The worse part though.....look at your truck after a day of towing. It's covered in dirt/dust from what a DP blows out the back. Now imagine handling that cover and trying to store it each time while covered in dirt.

Personally, I like to keep camping simple, if its not, you take the fun out of it.

When you said correctly adjusted flap, could you explain that in a little more detail please.

I tend to agree with you about it happening again. I will never travel on it again, I'll turn around and reroute. I have put 9 to 10 thousand miles a year on my coach for the last 2 years and haven't had any damage till now.

If I do decide to get the full cover type bra storing isn't a issue, I'll store it in the bed of the truck.

I haven't really been impressed with anything out on the market.