Community Forums

CampDaven · 03-03-2016, 09:56 AM

Here is a thread with pro/con
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/how-...-a-273157.html

Dave and Nola, RV Mutants

mchero · 03-03-2016, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Why not just tie it up out of the way and see what happens?

Can't "tie it up" if it's bolted on. I was thinking the same thing.

Papa_Jim · 03-03-2016, 11:33 AM

When we bought our used coach in 2008, the PO had installed a rear flap. It doesn't hang by chains. It is bolted solidly to an angle iron that's bolted to the frame of the coach. It used to hang with about 3" ground clearance.

In the first few miles of towing, our toad suffered a lot of 'road rash'. Then I installed a Protect-A-Tow. After the first trip we had about a quart of gravel and rocks laying on the Protect-A-Tow, even a set of keys!

I cut about 4" off the bottom of the flap, and all has been OK ever since. I've been tempted to cut more off, or remove the flap altogether, but for now it's on the 'to do someday' list.

Jim

dennis45 · 03-03-2016, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchero

I was talking to a Prevost owner who has been full timing for a very LONG time. He pulls a Hummer on the backside & told me that all the bras and shields people buy to prevent damage to their toad is NOT needed if that BIG REAR FLAP is removed!

He tells me ha has about 40K+ towing that Hummer & has NEVER had a rock chip the Hummer!

I'd love to pull my flap but I full time as well and have to place to keep if I decide to put it back on. Some flaps are supported by chains & can easily be hung up out of the way.

Anybody pull their flap to keep the toad from getting hit by road debris?

Thanks!

I can tell you after removing my flap during our trip to Alaska, I do not use my rock guard any longer, the toad stays cleaner and I Do Not have problems with stone chips at all.
I took mine off at a campground in Whitehorse, YK and made a deal with the CG owner to pick it up on our way home. Well, after seeing the results of going without, I left it in Whitehorse. RIP.....

smlranger · 03-03-2016, 12:04 PM

We traveled on a newly paved (tar and chip) road in Oregon last year and our CRV had hundreds of small chips in the lower fascia. My rear flap would drag the ground when the tag was dumped. When we got home from the trip, I removed it, cut about 2" off of it, raised the stainless logo piece and put it back on the coach. So far, our new toad (F150) has no chips.

I did run over an aerosol paint can recently just west of Las Cruces with the left front tire of the truck. That's another story and a claim on my comprehensive coverage

alpha99 · 03-03-2016, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis45

I can tell you after removing my flap during our trip to Alaska, I do not use my rock guard any longer, the toad stays cleaner and I Do Not have problems with stone chips at all.

I took mine off at a campground in Whitehorse, YK and made a deal with the CG owner to pick it up on our way home. Well, after seeing the results of going without, I left it in Whitehorse. RIP.....

Agree. I think those guards and flaps create more damage. I've pulled my Avalanche toad for years without any guard or flap (0ther than the plastic hood guard on the truck to protect the windshield) and never had a chip or problem. Maybe if you have a very low vehicle as a toad it would help, but I strongly doubt it.

Cheers!

CampDaven · 03-03-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpha99

Agree. I think those guards and flaps create more damage. I've pulled my Avalanche toad for years without any guard or flap (0ther than the plastic hood guard on the truck to protect the windshield) and never had a chip or problem. Maybe if you have a very low vehicle as a toad it would help, but I strongly doubt it.

Cheers!

Yep! For those with good regular flaps behind the drive axle, I would challenge you to take off the glitzy Ad-Flap and see the difference.

Dave and Nola, RV Mutants

Tony Lee · 03-03-2016, 05:47 PM

Most likely reason for the original claim is that provost owner never ventures off the bitumen

asuperheat · 03-03-2016, 07:00 PM

I have had the exact opposite experience. Had no flap. My Jeep was filthy every time I dragged it some where. Added the flap and it is hands down much better and far cleaner when I get somewhere. Mine is 3.5" off the ground. Before the flap it was so dirty it would burn crap off of the jeep exhaust manifold after towing someplace and would smell bad for a while. Now I have the flap it does not do that anymore. I will not be without my flap and I think you guys are crazy

CampDaven · 03-03-2016, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asuperheat

I have had the exact opposite experience. Had no flap. My Jeep was filthy every time I dragged it some where. Added the flap and it is hands down much better and far cleaner when I get somewhere. Mine is 3.5" off the ground. Before the flap it was so dirty it would burn crap off of the jeep exhaust manifold after towing someplace and would smell bad for a while. Now I have the flap it does not do that anymore. I will not be without my flap and I think you guys are crazy

Interesting dynamics may be at play here!
The problems were identical for me, but the flap caused the issues and they went away when I took it off.
Yikes

Dave and Nola, RV Mutants

lancslad · 03-03-2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scatterbrain

So out of curiosity, what about replacing the solid flap with the "hula skirt" style flap?

I have a hula skirt. No rocks and no mud on the toad. The skirt just touches the road and breaks up the spray from the tires into larger droplets which drop straight down. It's quite impressive when you are following close behind in the rain.

mchero · 03-03-2016, 08:41 PM

Hmmmm should I get a hula skirt? NOT for me, the coach! LOL

CampDaven · 03-03-2016, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchero

Hmmmm should I get a hula skirt? NOT for me, the coach! LOL

Good question, but only relevant if you are having damage with an Ad-Flap, and then test the hula skirt and report back

Dave and Nola, RV Mutants

dennis45 · 03-03-2016, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asuperheat

I have had the exact opposite experience. Had no flap. My Jeep was filthy every time I dragged it some where. Added the flap and it is hands down much better and far cleaner when I get somewhere. Mine is 3.5" off the ground. Before the flap it was so dirty it would burn crap off of the jeep exhaust manifold after towing someplace and would smell bad for a while. Now I have the flap it does not do that anymore. I will not be without my flap and I think you guys are crazy

Crazy might be a little strong. Different strokes,,,
Do you have flaps behind the duals? These will make more difference than anything.
I don't believe the rear flap has anything to do with the rubber road debris on the exhaust. I had it with the flap and without it. IMO, it has more to do with the road, amount of traffic, weather conditions etc.