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05-13-2014, 12:12 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ormond Beach, Fl
Posts: 82
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Towing a SmartFor2
Just returned from a trip to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe towing Smarty behind our Sprinter based LTV. MPG went from a low of 14 most of the trip in the mountains and a high of 16 down US95 loafing along at 60 mph. Only issue was the amount of dirt and grime on Smarty. Leaving for a trip to the east coast in several weeks and looking for options on rock and dirt protection. We are using a Ready Brute/Brake set up.
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05-13-2014, 04:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,728
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We use the Protect a Tow for our setup and we are happy with it. It's easy to put on and take off and does a good job protecting our toad.
__________________
Steve & Nancy 
2005 Itasca Sunrise 33', W20 Chassis, Ultrapower, Henderson Trac Bar
2012 Chevy Captiva Sport AWD, ReadyBrute Elite Tow Bar, Blue Ox Base Plate, Protect-A-Tow
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05-13-2014, 07:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,328
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We also use a Protect-a-Tow and am extremely happy with how it protects the toad from debris. However it doesn't seem to keep the toad much cleaner. We usually wash the toad after a long tow. I really don't think anything short of a full cover will keep a toad clean. Just the nature of the air flow around the RV.
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Paul, Kathy, and Tux the Mini Schnauzer
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42 LH, 2013 Honda CRV
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you'll like what you see"
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05-13-2014, 09:09 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Avon Lake, Oh
Posts: 2,958
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I tow a ford focus, I only put the protect a tow on to protected the facia from the sandblast affect of road gravel. It keeps it cleaner but not much. Like I said , mainly there for the protection.
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2000 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR
40 FT--330HP CAT
2 SLIDES-TOAD 2012 focus
Fulltime-Home is where we park it.
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05-14-2014, 01:01 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ormond Beach, Fl
Posts: 82
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Thanks much for the feed back Guess I will order a protect-a-tow
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05-14-2014, 01:20 PM
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#6
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Moderator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,663
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Protect a tow is good for debris hitting your toad. But the only way to keep it clean is to shrink wrap it  . I don't know of anyone who does that. I just take it to a car wash when I arrive at my destination.
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Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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05-14-2014, 04:29 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lewisburg, TN, USA
Posts: 2,793
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Note that the Protect-a-Tow requires a connection point at the lower front of the fenders. On the smart car there is only the plastic fender to attach to - there's no solid framework behind the plastic. If there is too much tension on the attachment point you stand the chance of cracking, or breaking, the fender. I looked into the Protect-a-Tow and rejected it for this reason.
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Alan Hepburn - Lewisburg, TN
2007 Bounder 35E being pushed by a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S or a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) Sport S
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05-14-2014, 08:11 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,728
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Most vehicles nowadays have plastic front ends, including ours. But that plastic has attachment points that are attached to the frame, and that's where we attached our Protect a Tow. Check your Smarty and see if there is mounting points that are connected to frame work.
__________________
Steve & Nancy 
2005 Itasca Sunrise 33', W20 Chassis, Ultrapower, Henderson Trac Bar
2012 Chevy Captiva Sport AWD, ReadyBrute Elite Tow Bar, Blue Ox Base Plate, Protect-A-Tow
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05-15-2014, 08:03 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Avon Lake, Oh
Posts: 2,958
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My focus and Rv only have plastic where I had to install the screw eyelets. They come with bits washers on both sides. The Protect a Tow connection points are a elastic cord around the perimeter. Your plastic bumpers will be fine.
__________________
2000 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR
40 FT--330HP CAT
2 SLIDES-TOAD 2012 focus
Fulltime-Home is where we park it.
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05-15-2014, 07:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Lewisburg, TN, USA
Posts: 2,793
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Easyrider
Most vehicles nowadays have plastic front ends, including ours. But that plastic has attachment points that are attached to the frame, and that's where we attached our Protect a Tow. Check your Smarty and see if there is mounting points that are connected to frame work.
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Already checked - the front fenders are connected to the trition cell by the front of the doors, and they are connected to the the plastic "chin" panel below the plastic bumper. There is no connection to a frame member where the Protect-a-Tow eyelets would mount. I can press on the plastic panel there and it flexes easily. I could use some large fender washers to spread out the load, but it would still stress the plastic.
__________________
Alan Hepburn - Lewisburg, TN
2007 Bounder 35E being pushed by a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S or a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) Sport S
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