Toad Road Protection

Ron MB · 04-06-2011, 02:27 PM

Has anyone had experience towing a vehicle behind a motorhome equipped with a rear mounted full width stone/mud guard (i.e. RockSolid etc.) ? When driving with this attached to the motorhome , does it affect the MPG of the motorhome because of the additional wind drag ? I am contemplating something like this when towing my Equinox, Is there a preference between Solid vs Strips vs Brush types ?

Cousin Ed · 04-06-2011, 03:29 PM

We have towed about 100,000 miles with gas motorhomes that only had mud flaps right behind the wheels. We have now done about 11,000 miles with a DP with a solid guard right in front of the hitch. We have never noticed one ding from towing on any of our toads. They also get equally filthy while being towed!

scenic route · 04-06-2011, 03:35 PM

Hey Ron,
We have a gas'r with both mud flaps directly behind the rear duals and a full length solid rock guard. When entering Yellowstone's east entrance, we ran a length of 'chipped' surface at 35mph. The rock guard didn't help one iota and it's mounted almost 4 inches above the road surface. I'm still picking small chips out of crevasses in the Jeep. After our next big trip, I'll have to replace the windshield as well.

I just bought (haven't installed as yet) one of these to help eliminate the problem. I can't comment on the brush or strip type of guards. Bob

Diplomat Don · 04-06-2011, 10:16 PM

Ron......First make sure that you have a set of rubber flaps directly behind the rear wheels, as close to the tire as possible. Make sure this flap is no more than 3/4" to 1" off of the ground. Since it mounts right at the tire, it won't drag when going in and out of driveways because there is no angle change.

The brush type mudflaps are like brooms. They'll sweep everything up from the ground. If you decide on a solid flap, you'll have to experiment with the height. You'll want to get it as close to the ground as possible without it touching during dips at 25 mph or better. It also has to not be a problem when parking and leveling.

Our coach has the flaps behind the tires and the large mudflap. I tow a pick-up truck and use a bra that covers the front end and hood, but allows the hood to open. I only use the bra when towing the truck. We've had no damage to either of our tow vehicles. Since mine is a rear radiator DP, the truck is a mess after a long drive.

Ron MB · 04-07-2011, 05:25 AM

Does the full width affect gas mileage ?

fkloster · 04-07-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron MB

Does the full width affect gas mileage ?

I was told once you pull a toad with a motorhome that you are no longer allowed to be concerned with fuel usage!

Vegasdan · 04-07-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkloster

I was told once you pull a toad with a motorhome that you are no longer allowed to be concerned with fuel usage!

Or just driving the coach. We have flaps behind the rear duals and a slotted full width rock guard. Our Jeep isn't getting chipped up any more than it would driving it down the road. We do have a grill "bra" that I had custom made to cover just the grill opening to keep from filling the radiator full of dirt.

Stevegd007 · 04-07-2011, 10:32 AM

Gas mileage for our Motorhomes are terrible. If your worried about GPM then you should look at traveling some other way. Adding a mud flap would not really effect your mileage much if at all. I know of no one that figures mileage with or without a mud flap. Towing a vehicle will effect your mileage. Then you should look at how you wish to get around, once you park the Motorhome, drive your MH all over town or take out a tow car. Most all folks opt to towing and using the car to get around with.

CoastieSCPO · 04-07-2011, 11:01 AM

Here's my two and a half cents: I have never used anything to "protect" the toad until we went to Alaska in 09. I purchased a "Protect-a-Tow." You attach eye hooks on on the front of the car and the rear of the motorhome and stretch a fabric between the two vehicles. The fabric runs perpendicular to the ground. Anyway, we drove from Tennessee to Alaska without using the Protect-a-Tow. The vehicle got filthy driving thru mud, gravel and dirt, but had virtually no damage. For the trip home when departing Fairbanks, I hooked up the Protect-a-Tow. We drove thru lots of rain, mud and dust. The toad was worse than the way north. There was dirt and dust in the engine, the door jambs, the glove box, trunk and every other crevice. The thing concentrated the direction of all the junk flying through the air, and I drive real slow. So, that was the last time I used it and have no plans to replace it with anything else, just going to make sure the mud flaps are in good shape and I drive according to conditions.

Finhawk · 04-07-2011, 11:13 AM

If you have a Roadmaster Tow System, check out their Tow Defender. I've used mine for 4 years. My Voyage has no big ugly flap on the back. The Toad that I just traded had over 20000 miles towing and no more chips than normal driving. It's a no-brainer to install and takes about a minute to hook up.

scenic route · 04-08-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron MB

Does the full width affect gas mileage ?

Anything exposed to the wind will affect drag...how much? I doubt it would be measurable. AFAICT, towing our Jeep causes no more than a 1.5 mpg drop, so the rock guard would not be notable, IMO. Bob

Finhawk · 04-08-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scenic route

Anything exposed to the wind will affect drag...how much? I doubt it would be measurable. AFAICT, towing our Jeep causes no more than a 1.5 mpg drop, so the rock guard would not be notable, IMO. Bob

OMG Bob!
Does that mean that I can look forward to a whole 5mpg now? Oh well, the fun with the Jeep more than makes up for it!
Bruce

LVJ58 · 04-08-2011, 08:57 PM

We use the "Coastline" tow car shield, a bit time consuming putting it on and and removing it though. Here's their website: Coastline Cover Company: Tow Car Shields

Good luck with your choice...