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06-30-2012, 04:24 PM
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#1
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,785
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My DIY tow protector
Below are pics of my DIY tow protector that I made just before leaving on a 6000 mile, 8 week trip out west. I would have bought the factory version but I did not have time to get it in before leaving on the trip, and I needed one a little larger than the standard factory product. I think they could have furnished an extended one, but it would have been a lot more expensive and there was the time problem.
I bought the heavy-duty mesh and the canvas-like material used to make the outer pockets from a local wholesale fabric supply company. I found a 25' bungee cord at Harbor Freight, and picked up the "D" rings,eye bolts, and PVC pipe at Lowes. I had a local upholstry company do the sewing. I probably didn't end up saving a lot of money but I think it turned out OK. After 6000 miles and no dings on my wife's car, I guess it did it's job!
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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06-30-2012, 04:36 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 445
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looks great
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2008 Damon Daybreak 3135,F53,2011 CR-V toad SMI Stay in Play Duo
Why wait for retirement enjoy life now !!!!!!!!!!
Me , DW, 2 kids and Kasey 8 year old yellow lab
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06-30-2012, 04:39 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Coastal Campers Carolina Campers
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Kinston, NC
Posts: 374
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Joe, what a great DIY job. I look forward to copying this.
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Jeff & Elaine
2015 Thor Challenger 37GT
Eastern North Carolina
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06-30-2012, 07:36 PM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 53
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Wow. That's pretty nifty
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06-30-2012, 10:32 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,164
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Now that you are done with it want to send it to me?  very nice. How did you attach the d hooks at he corners?.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers
Below are pics of my DIY tow protector that I made just before leaving on a 6000 mile, 8 week trip out west. I would have bought the factory version but I did not have time to get it in before leaving on the trip, and I needed one a little larger than the standard factory product. I think they could have furnished an extended one, but it would have been a lot more expensive and there was the time problem.
I bought the heavy-duty mesh and the canvas-like material used to make the outer pockets from a local wholesale fabric supply company. I found a 25' bungee cord at Harbor Freight, and picked up the "D" rings,eye bolts, and PVC pipe at Lowes. I had a local upholstry company do the sewing. I probably didn't end up saving a lot of money but I think it turned out OK. After 6000 miles and no dings on my wife's car, I guess it did it's job!
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Jeff
2001 Monaco Dynasty tag axle
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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07-01-2012, 06:18 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Snowbird - Waterford Mi and Citrus Springs Fl.
Posts: 3,609
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Nice! Are you able to leave it connected on the motor home side when you drop the car and move the tow bar to stored position? That would make it worth the trouble to me...
We were on a similar trip this past spring - and our poor Honda took a beating when traversing 2 different areas of road construction (40-50 miles total) where the road surface was a gravel/crushed concrete mix. Thankfully she's older, but after seeing yours I think I might have gone that route after seeing what that did to her. -Al
__________________
1997 37' HR Endeavor, 275hp Cat, Freightliner
03 CR-V Blue Ox, Ready Brake
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07-01-2012, 08:14 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,164
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After hearing how bad the toad can get beat up I want to make one too. Can you send pix of connection points and a bit more detail on the fabric you used. Looks like it could be rolled up onto MH.
Nice work.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers
Below are pics of my DIY tow protector that I made just before leaving on a 6000 mile, 8 week trip out west. I would have bought the factory version but I did not have time to get it in before leaving on the trip, and I needed one a little larger than the standard factory product. I think they could have furnished an extended one, but it would have been a lot more expensive and there was the time problem.
I bought the heavy-duty mesh and the canvas-like material used to make the outer pockets from a local wholesale fabric supply company. I found a 25' bungee cord at Harbor Freight, and picked up the "D" rings,eye bolts, and PVC pipe at Lowes. I had a local upholstry company do the sewing. I probably didn't end up saving a lot of money but I think it turned out OK. After 6000 miles and no dings on my wife's car, I guess it did it's job!
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Jeff
2001 Monaco Dynasty tag axle
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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07-01-2012, 03:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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I have researched many Towed Protectors... That is the style I bought.
Can you post the materials list and basic instructions? ....
Leave off actual dimensions (LIke cut to 84 inches) but tell us how to measure.
This is something I feel should be archived in the forum library, but the moderators will have to make that decision after you post the instructions.
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Home is where I park it!
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07-01-2012, 03:36 PM
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#9
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,785
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff753
Now that you are done with it want to send it to me? very nice. How did you attach the d hooks at he corners?. |
The "D" rings just snap over the bungee, then snap the larger end through the eye bolts on the MH and toad.
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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07-01-2012, 03:40 PM
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#10
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,785
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ahicks
Nice! Are you able to leave it connected on the motor home side when you drop the car and move the tow bar to stored position? That would make it worth the trouble to me...
We were on a similar trip this past spring - and our poor Honda took a beating when traversing 2 different areas of road construction (40-50 miles total) where the road surface was a gravel/crushed concrete mix. Thankfully she's older, but after seeing yours I think I might have gone that route after seeing what that did to her. -Al
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You could leave it connected to the MH but it only takes 30 seconds to unsnap the 4 "D" rings and I would be concerned that some other RV'er might "like" it enough to unsnap those "D" rings! I just roll it up and throw it in the trunk of the toad.
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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07-01-2012, 03:43 PM
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#11
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,785
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I'll be glad to post some close-up pics, maybe tommorrow. I'll check with the fabric suppy company and see if there is a name for the mesh and pocket fabric. 
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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07-01-2012, 07:00 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Waterloo Ontario
Posts: 74
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I got mine from here. Protect-a-Tow
I like it real well. I should have ordered the longer one but I just added a shot piece of chain and it has worked just fine.
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07-01-2012, 07:35 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Coastal Campers
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,164
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? Longer? Please explain. I see they have two. One appears to be a wider version.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Falcon35
I got mine from here. Protect-a-Tow
I like it real well. I should have ordered the longer one but I just added a shot piece of chain and it has worked just fine. |
__________________
Jeff
2001 Monaco Dynasty tag axle
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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07-01-2012, 08:32 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: North East Texas
Posts: 4,946
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Great looking solution
be proud 
__________________
USN Retired, Life time member of the DAV.
Enjoying the 2008 Damon Tuscany 4056, #3998 no your eyes are fine, there are really 6 slides
2022 F150 King Ranch or 2012 Edge toads
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