Rock guard

[Dodge Guy]

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

New thought .
Lots of threads here begging for another tenth of a mile per gallon and we're hanging "sails" under our coaches. Human Beings ???????????

Mike in Colorado

When installed mine due to stone damage on the Explorer I didn’t gIn or lose mileage.

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

When installed mine due to stone damage on the Explorer I didn’t gIn or lose mileage.

I get better mpg! Can't exceed 65 mph with my toad so basically I am driving 62 mph or less most of the time compared to 72 -75 not towing.

Gone from 6.8 - 7.5 mpg to 7.8 - 8.5 mpg.

306 hp v10 5 sp w tow/haul on most of time along with cruise control. I'll turn off cruise on steeper grades or push on the gas to keep it from downshifting

[ChrisDParise]

Was considering a higher rated capacity Curt hitch so I went out on a 41 degree day yesterday to take measurements to confirm fitment. Btw, have decided against it - another story.

While on the ground took these pictures of the outside and inside of my rock guard. Admittedly hard to see the divots and marks from pebble hits - but they are there!

Not scientific but I see a trend of Class A owners not having the best experience with rock guards.

[MSHappyCampers]

Originally Posted by ChrisDParise

Was considering a higher rated capacity Curt hitch so I went out on a 41 degree day yesterday to take measurements to confirm fitment. Btw, have decided against it - another story.

While on the ground took these pictures of the outside and inside of my rock guard. Admittedly hard to see the divots and marks from pebble hits - but they are there!

Not scientific but I see a trend of Class A owners not having the best experience with rock guards.

Attachment 356034Attachment 356035Attachment 356036

I see it differently. I see those marks as pebbles that would have hit the toad if the rock guard had not been there. JMHO

[Dodge Guy]

I agree, the marks on the backside are what was kicked up off the road and deflected by the ROCK guard. The back of my rock guard looks like it was sandblasted with pebbles from all the chips in the paint of the reinforcement. Better than all the very tiny rock chips I got in the bumper and windshield of the Explorer when I didn’t have the guard!

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

I agree, the marks on the backside are what was kicked up off the road and deflected by the ROCK guard. The back of my rock guard looks like it was sandblasted with pebbles from all the chips in the paint of the reinforcement. Better than all the very tiny rock chips I got in the bumper and windshield of the Explorer when I didn’t have the guard!

Agree, anything that can knock down debris is a plus.
I don't understand the theory of a rock guard creating some sort of wind effect that whips up rocks into a frenzy...lol

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I see it differently. I see those marks as pebbles that would have hit the toad if the rock guard had not been there. JMHO

Agree. At least that's my experience

[ArtJoyce]

We are belt and suspenders type. I have the flaps behind all wheels hanging maybe 9" from the ground. I have a curtain of overlapping flaps across the back at the rear bumper (Rocksolid) maybe 6-8 inches from the ground. We added a bra to the toad.

No damage to the toad except the holes in the grill to add the hookups.

But pull the toad in a rain storm and its so dirty.

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by ArtJoyce

We are belt and suspenders type. I have the flaps behind all wheels hanging maybe 9" from the ground. I have a curtain of overlapping flaps across the back at the rear bumper (Rocksolid) maybe 6-8 inches from the ground. We added a bra to the toad.



No damage to the toad except the holes in the grill to add the hookups.



But pull the toad in a rain storm and its so dirty.

Had to look up what belt and suspenders type means and I also thought mitigating risk was a good thing to do by installing a rock guard. The pictures I posted above do show small impact dents from road debris so they offer what's towed some degree of protection that they otherwise wouldn't have.

[hilgert]

Originally Posted by ChrisDParise

I don't understand the theory of a rock guard creating some sort of wind effect that whips up rocks into a frenzy...lol

From post #31 in this thread:

The flaps, especially if they are heavy, will compress air as it moves under the flap, and then as the air suddenly decompresses the vacuum can pull up small rocks and other road debris. This is why adjusting the flap to provide sufficient ground clearance may work for some folks.

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by hilgert

From post #31 in this thread:

The flaps, especially if they are heavy, will compress air as it moves under the flap, and then as the air suddenly decompresses the vacuum can pull up small rocks and other road debris. This is why adjusting the flap to provide sufficient ground clearance may work for some folks.

Yes I saw the theory.

[Flyer15015]

FYI here is my solution which seems, over about 25K miles, to work well, with no loss in MPG that I can detect.
#1 keeps the undercarriage clean, especially the entry step mechanism.
#2 does most of the work behind the drivers.
#3 does a very good job of keeping the bike clean, and I don't think it kicks up rocks for the folks behind me. Note the reinforced hitch w/ 2x2x1/4 angle.
#4 my MC hauling setup.

Mike in Colorado

[Flyer15015]

As hilgert stated, there is a "venturi effect" if the "sail" is too close to the ground, so it actually kicks up rocks for the folks behind.
SO, no offence Chris, but I will take great pains to not follow your coach with a billboard that is this close to the ground.

Here in Colorado, where we used decomposed granite instead of sand for our roads, many body shops make a good living replacing windshields and painting the front end of cars in the spring. Ask me how I know...........

Mike in Colorado

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

As hilgert stated, there is a "venturi effect" if the "sail" is too close to the ground, so it actually kicks up rocks for the folks behind.

SO, no offence Chris, but I will take great pains to not follow your coach with a billboard that is this close to the ground.



Here in Colorado, where we used decomposed granite instead of sand for our roads, many body shops make a good living replacing windshields and painting the front end of cars in the spring. Ask me how I know...........



Mike in Colorado

Not offended at all.

Have a great day

Chris