Protect-A-Tow

[Dsmullen]

When I ordered my protect a tow I actually measured the length between the coach and the Kia Soul and sent them that info to customize the size. Have used it for 4 years and it only takes a couple of minutes to hook up or take off. I use a 4 inch drop bar and it fits fine onto the coach right under it. Third coach now with it and all work fine. I did change the eye bolts to stainless steel just to improve looks.

[2 Stroker]

Originally Posted by LarryJB

It is also almost twice the price.

You what they say, you get what you pay for. I have the defender and there is a big difference in the 2. Mine hooks onto the base plate, when you unhook you roll it up onto the back of the coach and it is out of the way. I didn't have to drill into the body of the car, no hooks hanging down. The protect a tow will work, my daughter has one.
2 stroker

[Eagle2mo]

Originally Posted by gimlimike

what the heck is a road gator ?

Big truck tire retread that came off and looks like a gator laying on the road.

[LarryJB]

I finally got the car all setup to tow and I got all the connection points installed on the coach and car. As I was putting on the pvc cross support I dropped it and the plastic hook on end broke off. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

[georgelesley]

Originally Posted by LarryJB

I finally got the car all setup to tow and I got all the connection points installed on the coach and car. As I was putting on the pvc cross support I dropped it and the plastic hook on end broke off. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Yes. We put a carabiner on the end.

[LarryJB]

Originally Posted by georgelesley

Yes. We put a carabiner on the end.

Did you also put the bungee back on?
I drilled a hole at both ends for a bolt that I ran the end of a metal hook. I decided to not put the bungee back in.

[georgelesley]

Originally Posted by LarryJB

Did you also put the bungee back on?
I drilled a hole at both ends for a bolt that I ran the end of a metal hook. I decided to not put the bungee back in.

I just pulled the bungee out enough to wrap it around the carabiner and then put two zip ties around the bungee to hold things together.

[Dutch Star Don]

"gimlimike"......I used a bra for several years because we get very little rain out west, but when you do, the bra becomes a pain. I'm always looking for things that make setting up and breaking down camp easier. I watch waaaaay too many people spend an hour or better setting up/breaking down their cars and campsite each time they stop. This is not my idea of camping. JMO

Personally, I think the Protect a Tow is a great product and something I would buy if I was going to Alaska, but use in the lower 48 is just too much work for me for the type of camping we do, again, JMO.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

"gimlimike"......I used a bra for several years because we get very little rain out west, but when you do, the bra becomes a pain. I'm always looking for things that make setting up and breaking down camp easier. I watch waaaaay too many people spend an hour or better setting up/breaking down their cars and campsite each time they stop. This is not my idea of camping. JMO

Personally, I think the Protect a Tow is a great product and something I would buy if I was going to Alaska, but use in the lower 48 is just too much work for me for the type of camping we do, again, JMO.

Don, it takes me no more than 2-3 minutes to hook up the Protect-A-Tow. I still consider it the best toad protection you can buy at any price!

[Rex2010]

LarryJB,
Our first time use of the Protect-A-Tow we also had problems with the pvc cross piece, it had come apart and I saw it bouncing off the road in my back-up camera. I bungged it up to get home and ave made a new one that I will post pics of when we get home. The new one works great.

[dennis45]

I've tried them all and from experience, I can tell you the very best so called Protect A Tow is to remove the rear flap completely.
Install a set of flaps directly behind the rear duals, and forget about any of these devices and all the menagerie that goes with them.
I have over 10,000 miles towing my 2013 CRV without a rear flap and the windshield and front end are as good as new. Save your money and your knees. Ditch the flap.

[LarryJB]

Originally Posted by dennis45

I've tried them all and from experience, I can tell you the very best so called Protect A Tow is to remove the rear flap completely.
Install a set of flaps directly behind the rear duals, and forget about any of these devices and all the menagerie that goes with them.
I have over 10,000 miles towing my 2013 CRV without a rear flap and the windshield and front end are as good as new. Save your money and your knees. Ditch the flap.

My experience has been different. I have a gasser that has the flaps behind the rear duals. We towed my previous car with a dolly and even with smooth highway and clear skies the car was filthy at the end of the trip. But the worst part was the sand blasted windshield.
I am not disputing you experience, just has not been mine. I do not want the same thing to happen to my beautiful new car.

[georgelesley]

Originally Posted by LarryJB

My experience has been different. I have a gasser that has the flaps behind the rear duals. We towed my previous car with a dolly and even with smooth highway and clear skies the car was filthy at the end of the trip. But the worst part was the sand blasted windshield.
I am not disputing you experience, just has not been mine. I do not want the same thing to happen to my beautiful new car.

Agree. This trip our pat center bungee pulled out so we decided to finish the trip without it. We also some time ago took our rear flap off and made mud flaps out of it directly behind the rear wheels. Our toad is much dirtier now than it was with pat. As soon as we get home I will fix the pat and we will again use it

Putting it on is quite easy and I tried it without kneeling and was easily able to do it bending only from the waist.

[LarryJB]

Well I tore a hole in the netting when scrapped the hitch while exiting a gas station. What's the best way to patch it?