Community Forums

AlwaysDusty · 02-22-2011, 09:00 AM

We are newbies to our MH and especially towing. Has anyone had experience with the Roadmaster 4700 Tow Defender vs other types of protection for your toad? Thanks for your input.

sgtjoe · 02-22-2011, 09:14 AM

I'm interested in the replys you get. Tired of cleaning road grime and blow by off my toad.

Finhawk · 02-22-2011, 10:24 AM

It is the easiest and best thing going. After about 20K miles of towing, I have no more chips than with normal driving. The only thing is it will not keep the mud and grime off. But that is because it's a fabric. It's worth while because it keeps the big stuff off.
Installation is simple, both the initial setup and the normal hookup. Stowing is easy, roll it up and secure it with the straps provided and when they stretch out, use bungees cords. As far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best investments that I've made
Bruce

AlwaysDusty · 02-23-2011, 07:06 PM

Bruce -- thanks for your reply. Good info.

jim

Arch Hoagland · 02-23-2011, 08:27 PM

I've towed 50,000 miles without any protection on the front of my toad. I have watched guys putting them on and taking them off and thought to myself that it would be a pain.

I have picked up a couple small chips but nothing major enough to warrant the hassle everyday of removing and installing a cover.

Jeff and Cheryl · 02-23-2011, 08:39 PM

I used the tow defender on our Alaska trip this last summer. I towed some without using it and had alot of gravel in the trough below the windshield. After days where the shield was in place, there was very little debris and what there was, was very small. If you will be towing on dirt or gravel roads or on roads that have been recently resurfaced with chip seal, the tow defender is a great deal for the money and, as mentioned earlier, easy to install.

Finhawk · 02-23-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

I've towed 50,000 miles without any protection on the front of my toad. I have watched guys putting them on and taking them off and thought to myself that it would be a pain.

I have picked up a couple small chips but nothing major enough to warrant the hassle everyday of removing and installing a cover.

A friend of mine told me when I suggested he buy a Tow Defender that he would never use one. Or need it. Later that summer he told me about the $7000 repair job on his Toad. He had driven thru a construction area in Northwestern Washington. In just a few miles his grill, all the front lights, hood, windshield, top and both fenders were trashed. So I guess it's just a personal preference.
It takes all of about 30 seconds to unroll the TD, put the brackets on the pins of the tow crossbar, and install the lock pins. I think it's well worth the time.

lp5151 · 02-23-2011, 10:30 PM

i've used the gaurdian before settling on the defender. defender keeps alot more "stuff" off our toad. still get the grime, no stopping that. easy to use and it works!

RodneyLadd · 12-15-2016, 05:59 PM

I just bought a very nice 2004 Jeep Liberty with a beautiful paint job...I want to keep it that way so I bought the Tow Defender along with the Guardian Rock Shield

2 Stroker · 12-15-2016, 08:15 PM

My daughter just got the Protect-a-Tow for there 2016 Ford Edge and I have the Roadmaster Guardian Rock Guard.
Protect-a-Tow
2 stroker
Dang this is a old post, O well.

jrpend · 12-16-2016, 12:17 PM

I have both the tow defender and a Guardian (the hard shield) and didn't even get a xmas card from Roadmaster....

I believe they protect from slightly different threats and my Toad has not suffered any damage from road debris since I installed them.

They are what Roadmaster calls it's "Alaska Kit". We haven't done Alaska yet, but it's coming up.

I will sometimes not deploy the tow defender if I'm going a short distance on paved roads. That is just me being lazy. It probably adds 2 or 3 minutes to my toad hook up/unhook time now for both of them now that I've got the procedure down.

If you buy the Guardian, I highly recommend the Stowaway for stowing the Guardian when not in use.