Community Forums

John_58 · 11-01-2015, 07:12 AM

I am new to this forum. In visiting various posts regarding toads and protection, there is a lot of discussion about rock chips. I have never experienced an issue with rock chips towing my GMC Terrain. What I do experience is the unpleasant burning oil/rubber smell when I start it up after towing. Documented in various posts is that this happens because of all the oil and rubber that gets thrown back on the toad from the road. (And I just put brand new tires on the MH recently, so that probably didn't help the situation). My question is regarding the use of the Blue Ox KarGard. There are 2 different styles. I am thinking that the only one that might have a chance at deflecting the road grime away from the toad engine area might be the one that mounts vertical, rather than horizontal, but I don't know. Perhaps nothing will work because the grime gets up under the length of the toad and the exhaust needs to burn it off?. A lot of money to shell out for these items, and would appreciate it if anyone else out there was able to reduce or eliminate this issue with the installation of the KarGard.

MSHappyCampers · 11-01-2015, 07:27 AM

Hi John! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

I don't know about the KarGuard. I use the Protect-A-Tow mesh shield. I feel it gives me the maximum protection against debris being thrown up by the MH.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

**Petro** · 11-01-2015, 10:49 AM

John;

We are glad you joined us. I tow a Saturn without any guard except the stone guard hanging behind the rear wheels and I have never experienced any oil/rubber smell you describe. Continue to browse the forums that interest you and feel free to ask any questions you may have. Post often and share your RV adventures with us.

Don

dennis45 · 11-01-2015, 11:11 AM

Hi John,
I have used both types and still on occasion use the upright KarGard depending on where we plan to travel. Bought it specifically for our Alaska trip and it served us well after I removed the full width flap which was showering the toad with tiny stones. But that's another story.
As far as the smell you have after towing, I don't believe there is any device that will eliminate that issue. During normal driving, the exhaust system on the toad is very hot so any road crud that lands on the exhaust is burned off immediately and you don't even notice.
But, when you are towing the exhaust of course is cold and any crud off the road that is flung up by the tires can and does accumulate on the exhaust components. So now when you start the toad, it takes a few minutes to burn this accumulation off.
Personally, I believe the crud is tossed up by the toad tires and has nothing to do with the MH tires.
What I'm saying is, save your money. If you are not bothered by stone chips etc. adding a deflector of any type will not fix the smell issue. I believe some vehicles are more effected by this phenomenon than others and it's just the Nature of the Beast, so to speak.

dennis45 · 11-01-2015, 12:11 PM

John,
You do not tell us what make/model/year your coach is. Besides road crud on the exhaust, are you also concerned with tiny oil spots on your toad? If that's the case, it is a whole other subject and there is a fix but need to know what type of coach you have.

luvlabs · 11-01-2015, 01:09 PM

Set your air system in your toad to re-circulating and not fresh air. That will keep most of the smell on the outside where it belongs.

allegro1x · 11-01-2015, 01:54 PM

Take a look at Ultra Guard - big rubber guard attached to rear of MH. It will protect Toad as good as the ones you have take on and off every time you unhitch Toad. Dave

MSHappyCampers · 11-01-2015, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allegro1x

Take a look at Ultra Guard - big rubber guard attached to rear of MH. It will protect Toad as good as the ones you have take on and off every time you unhitch Toad. Dave

We use this along with the Protect-A-Tow!

jerichorick · 11-01-2015, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_58

I am new to this forum. In visiting various posts regarding toads and protection, there is a lot of discussion about rock chips. I have never experienced an issue with rock chips towing my GMC Terrain. What I do experience is the unpleasant burning oil/rubber smell when I start it up after towing. Documented in various posts is that this happens because of all the oil and rubber that gets thrown back on the toad from the road. (And I just put brand new tires on the MH recently, so that probably didn't help the situation). My question is regarding the use of the Blue Ox KarGard. There are 2 different styles. I am thinking that the only one that might have a chance at deflecting the road grime away from the toad engine area might be the one that mounts vertical, rather than horizontal, but I don't know. Perhaps nothing will work because the grime gets up under the length of the toad and the exhaust needs to burn it off?. A lot of money to shell out for these items, and would appreciate it if anyone else out there was able to reduce or eliminate this issue with the installation of the KarGard.

I have the Blue Ox KarGard II. It seems to be doing a good job of saving the car. I did have one of the rubber bushings fail in one of the cover suspension arms. I replaced the rubber in both arms with brass bushings and now the shield is better than ever. I sent my mod to Blue Ox. I think it will greatly improve this produce. What I like most about it is how it stores. When we come off the road I simply roll the guard up and it stays on the back of the coach.

When the bushing failed the cover hit the hot exhaust. No chance of that now. I found the bushings at Home Depot.

Happy trails,
Rick Y

echo3 · 11-01-2015, 05:06 PM

Others have written on the " burning smell" issue and it is common with many toads. I have had 3 Hondas and all had this after towing. The likely explanation is that road rubber gets on our car exhausts when we drive them, but it continuously burns off in such small amounts we never smell it. But, after a few hundred miles we have an accumulations that burns and smells. This, to me, is the logical explanation that I finally accepted. David White '05 Monaco Windsor, '08 CRV

echo3 · 11-01-2015, 05:18 PM

I failed to include in my earlier post that the reference to "after a few hundred miles" was when being towed. I also have been using the protect-a-tow which does a good job of above bumper protection, not underneath. David White '08 CRV

John_58 · 11-01-2015, 07:42 PM

Thanks everyone. To answer a question regarding the coach. I have a2008 Itasca Meridian with a Cummins ISB 350. Side mount exhaust and rear cooling fan. I also have a full width custom fit Dura Flap behind the rear wheels.

Sounds like the stink is what it is. We have always had the smell but on the last trip it was pretty bad. Actually thought maybe we had a leak of some sort in the toad and took it into GM to have a look. They did not find anything of concern.

Appreciate the help. I think we will not bother with the KarGard for now.

jerichorick · 11-02-2015, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by echo3

Others have written on the " burning smell" issue and it is common with many toads. I have had 3 Hondas and all had this after towing. The likely explanation is that road rubber gets on our car exhausts when we drive them, but it continuously burns off in such small amounts we never smell it. But, after a few hundred miles we have an accumulations that burns and smells. This, to me, is the logical explanation that I finally accepted. David White '05 Monaco Windsor, '08 CRV

I, too, have noticed this but didn't address it in my earlier post. I am glad to hear from a Honda owner. Now I know it is normal. I don't smell this after every trip so I don't know the cause.

I towed a Scion on a tow dolly for years. Never noticed the smell but the car finish did get all chipped up. I am hoping the KarGard II will prevent this from happening on the CR-V.

Happy trails,
Rick Y