Toad Protector Shield

[Tom-NC]

Hi,

I just purchased a 2011 Ford Escape and am towing it on a tow dolly even though it can be towed four down. I prefer the tow dolly for various reasons including that any front wheel drive vehicle can use it.

My question is what kind of protection to I use for the Car. I have looked at Coastline full hood covers, Coastline Web Hosting and they seem good but require that the car be clean before installing otherwise minute particles of dirt on hood will scratch paint. The second one I looked at was making a shield like the Guardian shield, Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories but using PVC pipe and a screen fabric. The Guardian I hear when rocks hit it they bounce onto the rear of the RV and I surely don't want that. Lastly I have been looking at Protect A Tow, Protect-a-Tow which would mount under the dolly and provide protection for both the RV and the car.

What do all of you R'vers use when towing? My motor home does have a Rock Guard on the rear bumper which is cut to the proper height and worked fine with my last vehicle except when I rode on fresh tar and chips then the chips did a job on the front bumper.

Your thoughts Please!

[Vegasdan]

The problem with "hood covers" and bras is even if you start out with a clean car, pulling it behind your motorhome will soon allow dust and grime under the cover. They are worthless contraptions if you are concerned about keeping your finish as new.

[CoastieSCPO]

In 2009, we went to Alaska and our toad was a Saturn. Prior to the trip, I purchased a Protect-a-Tow to use. For whatever reason, I did not use it on the way north and we drove thru lots of mud, gravel and rain and the car got really dirty. On the way south, I used the Protect-a-Tow and this time, we had less rain, but lots of dust, dirt and gravel. The car was worse off on the way south. It did not get as dirty on the outside, but we had to clean a lot of dirt out the engine compartment, around the inside of the doors, up under the dash and inside the glove compartment. It seems that the fabric stretched from the rear of the rig to the MH directed the flying dirt and dust into the car and under it. Now, in fairness, it did protect the hood, windshield and roof and as I said I did not use it on the northbound trip. This is just my experience and others may have had better results. Next time, I will buy a full bra and use it and a guardian shield.

[Wanabee FTer]

BlueOx makes a nice protection shield

[gg]

I purchased the Protect -A -Tow for aprox $200.00. Did Alaska in 2010 and the Cassair BC hwy on the way back. No stone chips on the car or windshield of the toad or the MH. As for Dust and dirt. If you drive on gravel you will get dirt but it will wash off. In Tok I saw many Toads with a stone/sand blasted front ends without protection and could have sold 5 of the Protect a tow.

If you use the shield in front of the Toad ,must be designed so not to reflect the stones back on the rear of the MH. If you use a rear mud flap or brush, make sure it is high enough not drag and flip stones in the uneven gravel and chipsealed roads. You will do more damage with it dragging then without one at all.

I met a RVer who travelled with his toad in a enclosed trailer to keep it clean and he had dust on the car inside.

If you must keep you toad show car new - leave it home
My .02$

[Vegasdan]

Or you can buy a Jeep. Dirt and dings are badges of honour.

[alvinc]

Originally Posted by Vegasdan

Or you can buy a Jeep. Dirt and dings are badges of honour.

Especially if you have the Jeep lifted, say 4-6 inches. The bottom of our bumper must be over 20" high.

[Vegasdan]

Originally Posted by alvinc

Especially if you have the Jeep lifted, say 4-6 inches. The bottom of our bumper must be over 20" high.

I like that!

[High Plains]

We towed with just an Ultraguard and the toad was fine.

[JohnFreyja]

Tom-NC,

I towed my 2010 Escape to Alaska and back in 2009. I did buy the Protect-A-Tow on the way up and it did a pretty good job of protecting the front of the Escape however I did notice a few small gravel on top of the material of he Protect a Tow and that may be because of the Full Mud Flap at the rear of the Coach. I will be trying without the Mud Flap soon as I have two Mud Flaps directly behind the rear wheels. We did pretty much wear out the Protect-A-Tow on that trip because of the wear on the bungee cord that in-circles the entire unit. i think because of many turns, some quite tight. I taped around the Bungee with some good strong tape where it was worn through the outer cover so I can still use it but I have since bought the Roadmaster Tow Defender which is more robust (and more expensive) and it is holding up much better.
As a side comment, if your Escape is a 4 x 4 then you are suppose to tow "4-down" or all 4 off the ground. The dolly is fine for the 2 wheel drive. Per my 2010 Manual.

[Catch and Release]

I went to a carpet store and rummaged through their dumpster and found a roll of carpet. I cut it into 2 pieces. The hod is covered by one and the windshield by the other. I put the soft side down. The carpet is secured by bungee cords. Total cost, $9.95. Works great.

[fkloster]

Originally Posted by Catch and Release

I went to a carpet store and rummaged through their dumpster and found a roll of carpet. I cut it into 2 pieces. The hod is covered by one and the windshield by the other. I put the soft side down. The carpet is secured by bungee cords. Total cost, $9.95. Works great.

The carpet store charged you $9.95 to rummage through their trash?

[Catch and Release]

Originally Posted by fkloster

The carpet store charged you $9.95 to rummage through their trash?

Rummaging was free. Bungee cords were not!