Is stone damage on caravan surfaces a big problem? Does using rock taimers or big mud flaps increase fuel consumption? Interested in our thoughts please.
The effect of mud flaps on fuel economy would be negligible compared to the block of flats attached to the rear of the tug.
I have seen some home made stone flaps that go across the full width of the tug. I have read this can have adverse effects on cooling air flow through the radiator & over the engine, transmission & diff. The effect of transmission & diff running hotter than normal may not show up for years. The genuine rock tamers are just large mud flaps & I'm sure they would have put research into the effect of their product on the vehicle.
What about those stone guards you attach to the A frame of your caravan. It's is a light metal frame with what looks like a trampoline mat tied to it. We are thinking of getting this for our van. This may be an alternative.
Oh I'll suss them out. Wasn't aware of them. We don't pick up our van until July so we weren't even sure if stone damage is frequent. But if you're thinking about getting something, I guess it happens!!
The effect of mud flaps on fuel economy would be negligible compared to the block of flats attached to the rear of the tug.
I have seen some home made stone flaps that go across the full width of the tug. I have read this can have adverse effects on cooling air flow through the radiator & over the engine, transmission & diff. The effect of transmission & diff running hotter than normal may not show up for years. The genuine rock tamers are just large mud flaps & I'm sure they would have put research into the effect of their product on the vehicle.
Cheers Pete
The above is very true in reguards to air flow & cooling, the full width flaps often result in diffs being cooked.
The rock tammers are very expensive due to the fancy adjustable mounting system. You can buy verious size large mudflaps from the truck centres at a much more reasonable cost, fit them your self.
Theres also another protection system that is made of a heavy mesh material, sown in eyelets & mounts that attaches to the rear of the tug, lies under the A-fram, & then attached to the van with shock cords to allow turning without breakage. I saw one recently & looks like a lot of mucking around to fit up.
Then there is the metal frame that clamps to the van A-frame with heavy sail cloth material attached. If you are going to travell a lot of gravel roads then I dont beleive there is a system that is 100%. I run extra large mudflaps in the standard fitment, then the truck flaps at the rear end of tug, the framed cloth covered unit on the camper trailer & still have stones in behinde all this. On the van I have checker plate alloy mounted accross the A-frame with the outer sections angled back for deflection , only do the blacktop with this one but still find stones on top of the gas bottles, cant stop them all.
What about those stone guards you attach to the A frame of your caravan. It's is a light metal frame with what looks like a trampoline mat tied to it. We are thinking of getting this for our van. This may be an alternative.
Grams if you get one of those make shore you alter the tail pipe on your exhaust,I made my own before they put them on the market ,and the exhaust burnt a hole in it,mine was trial and error at the time,I had the same model Prado as you at the time.
Our van has checkerplate along the sides and a softer padded stone deflector that goes about a metre up the front wall that still looks like checker plate, but is supposed to stop stones bouncing so much? My husband is designing his version of rocktamers that he plans to only put on when off the "black top." As we haven't got our van yet this will be all trial and error for us. Thanks for the ideas, it gives us more to mull over.
The Stone Stomper is the one like a trampoline and I think they are in Adelaide. Several people I know of reckon they are the bees knees. Seriously looking at them myself. I believe they are cheaper than Rock Tamers by a fair margin.
-- Edited by Legendts on Saturday 18th of May 2013 07:59:43 PM
__________________
Cheers Jeff
Ticking off the bucket list before we kick it!
200 TTD with Evernew 22'6" and 40+ years in the oil & gas industry, now retired. CMCA Member.
OK, so they may appear dear but one insurance claim and the inconvenience of a broken rear wagon window and you would be close to being in front. From memory, before making some larger mudflaps, I thought the Rock Tamers were around $400?
__________________
Cheers Jeff
Ticking off the bucket list before we kick it!
200 TTD with Evernew 22'6" and 40+ years in the oil & gas industry, now retired. CMCA Member.
