Community Forums

AJMike · 04-16-2022, 02:14 PM

I was thinking about ordering a bra for the front of our 2022 Jeep Wrangler to protect it when I am using it as a toad, but I think I remember seeing something about how a front-end bra can cause damage to the paint on a toad due to how it flaps and moves when the air is flowing over it. Both when being towed and when driving.

What has been the experience of those who pull a toad that has a bra on it? Damage? No damage?

The place that is going to do the Roadmaster baseplate installation for our Jeep has ordered the unit without handles for a rock shield, so a bra seems the best choice unless it is going to damage the front end of the Jeep.

Crasher · 04-16-2022, 02:36 PM

Over the course of 25+ years, I have used the bra, vertical plexiglass shield, and now the Protect-A-Tow. What helped the most was removing that big rubber mud flap at the rear of the MH. Others seem to love it. As an added protection, the Protect-A-Tow mesh is the best of all I have used. No chips on the front of my White Diamond Avalanche after 25,000 towed miles.

https://www.amazon.com/Protect-Tow-M...0141126&sr=8-1

AJMike · 04-17-2022, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

Over the course of 25+ years, I have used the bra, vertical plexiglass shield, and now the Protect-A-Tow. What helped the most was removing that big rubber mud flap at the rear of the MH. Others seem to love it. As an added protection, the Protect-A-Tow mesh is the best of all I have used. No chips on the front of my White Diamond Avalanche after 25,000 towed miles.

https://www.amazon.com/Protect-Tow-M...0141126&sr=8-1

Thank you for the suggestion.

When I looked at it on Amazon I noticed that there were no similar items in that section where they tell you to compare with similar items, so perhaps this is one of a kind.

Did you have any issue with rocks or stones damaging the mesh and requiring that the mesh be either fixed or replaced?

Dodge Guy · 04-17-2022, 08:15 AM

I added an OEM rock guard to the back of the MH and it eliminated the damage done to my Explorer.
I wouldn’t use a bra as the paint can be damaged.

Crasher · 04-17-2022, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJMike

Thank you for the suggestion.

When I looked at it on Amazon I noticed that there were no similar items in that section where they tell you to compare with similar items, so perhaps this is one of a kind.

Did you have any issue with rocks or stones damaging the mesh and requiring that the mesh be either fixed or replaced?

No issues. Been using the same one for eight years. No damage at all, just dirty. I think Roadmaster makes a similar screen, but haven't seen one.

lonfu · 04-17-2022, 08:27 AM

yep, cloth bra is the best, I keep mine on my little car all the time. but that said... most of oldsters with 40 plus years of moho towing just buy used vehicles and don't care about the paint... It always makes me laugh when I read that someone has bought a new $60k jeep to tow behind the moho and then crys like a little baby when the painted front grill gets damaged from rock pits..... Ooops! there went $10k in value...

MRUSA14 · 04-17-2022, 08:32 AM

I have read that the solid rock shields can ricochet the stones, which then hit and damage the rear of your motorhome.

I second the recommedation for Protect-a-Tow. After about 8 years the cloth on mine got a couple of holes in it so I bought a new one. Well worth the money, gives great protection to the toad.

Newmar2856 · 04-17-2022, 09:28 AM

We use the a tow defender from Roadmaster. Happy with the way it works and no rock chips from being towed.

https://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-47...s%2C654&sr=8-2

AJMike · 04-17-2022, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newmar2856

We use the a tow defender from Roadmaster. Happy with the way it works and no rock chips from being towed.

https://www.amazon.com/Roadmaster-47...s%2C654&sr=8-2

Thanks for the link. It looks like the Protect-A-Tow but maybe it is designed to fit the Roadmaster tow bar. I will have to look into this when they finally install the baseplate and tow bar.

I find it sort of interesting how Amazon does its comparisons. When I looked up the Protect-A-Tow and scrolled to the Compare section there were no other items of the same type. When I looked at the Tow Defender and scrolled to the Compare section it listed the Protect-A-Tow.

Before I retired I worked as a software engineer/architect so when I see anomalies like this I always wonder why.

AJMike · 04-17-2022, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonfu

yep, cloth bra is the best, I keep mine on my little car all the time.

Have you found that the bra flats or moves when the vehicle is in motion (either by towing or driving) and damages the paint? Or not? And, if not, whose brand of bra are you using?

MSHappyCampers · 04-17-2022, 10:14 AM

I don't see how a bra could protect against sharp rocks of any size. I would use the Protect-a-Tow mesh shield!

F4Gary · 04-17-2022, 10:41 AM

Looks like the Protect a Tow is $140 cheaper than the Roadmaster.

Removing the full width flap (bling) from the back of the motorhome really helps.

You could also add PPF (paint protecting film) to the front painted surfaces of your toad. There is some really good, professionally installed film now.

AKIQPilot · 04-17-2022, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F4Gary

Looks like the Protect a Tow is $140 cheaper than the Roadmaster.

Removing the full width flap (bling) from the back of the motorhome really helps.

You could also add PPF (paint protecting film) to the front painted surfaces of your toad. There is some really good, professionally installed film now.

You and Crasher nailed it. Getting rid of the full width flap really reduces the rocks flying into the toads grill. My Wrangler has been a toad for 15 years. It has plenty of tiny paint chips but nothing to be concerned about.

lonfu · 04-18-2022, 06:38 AM

drove last moho for 155k bought new. the front had rock chips in it from passing trucks and cars. I had to repaint it. no way to get around the rock chips, but one can reduce them with a vehicle bra. yes the bra puts marks on the paint and collects dirt behind it but prevents rock dents and chips. I had to remove the huge mud flap from the rear of my current diesel as it was throwing rocks up onto the windshield of the toad. I've stored it for the next owner. Haven't had a problem with it since. Passing trucks are the most common source of rock damage to the front of both vehicles. just another reason to slow down as it allows the rocks to hit the ground sooner as I am going slower.