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03-22-2018, 04:18 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
State: Alabama
Posts: 24
THOR #7276
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Flat tow rock guard
We are having the Blue Ox flat tow system installed to tow our Chevy Sonic. Looking for recommendations for rock guard protection devices. Thanks in advance!
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03-22-2018, 04:50 AM
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#2
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31W
State: California
Posts: 28
THOR #5361
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Bras work
I don't use a rock guard attached to the tow bar or tow vehicle for my toad just a full fitted front bra, and large mud flaps behind the dual tires, and the bra can stay on your Sonic when disconnected. Try google for a bra to fit your Sonic or a rock guard you will probably end up on Amazon.
Good luck
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03-22-2018, 05:08 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
State: Alabama
Posts: 24
THOR #7276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CSimon
I don't use a rock guard attached to the tow bar or tow vehicle for my toad just a full fitted front bra, and large mud flaps behind the dual tires, and the bra can stay on your Sonic when disconnected. Try google for a bra to fit your Sonic or a rock guard you will probably end up on Amazon.
Good luck
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Thanks, good info!
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03-22-2018, 12:18 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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The first time I towed our Sonic on an extended trip I got a rock strike in the upper left corner of the windshield that may or may not have been TOAD related as we do have some pretty good mudflaps behind the rear tires on our ACE. Regardless, I decided to investigate guards after that trip. I ended up making one similar to a Protect-A-Tow except mine rides on top of the tow bar. Made from PVC and shade cloth from Lowes. Works great and rolls up and bungees to the MH bumper when not deployed.
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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03-22-2018, 01:43 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
State: Alabama
Posts: 24
THOR #7276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
The first time I towed our Sonic on an extended trip I got a rock strike in the upper left corner of the windshield that may or may not have been TOAD related as we do have some pretty good mudflaps behind the rear tires on our ACE. Regardless, I decided to investigate guards after that trip. I ended up making one similar to a Protect-A-Tow except mine rides on top of the tow bar. Made from PVC and shade cloth from Lowes. Works great and rolls up and bungees to the MH bumper when not deployed.
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What a great DIY! I’m sure it saved you a good chunk of money too! Do you by chance have any pictures you might be willing to share?
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03-23-2018, 01:29 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
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We bought a Protect A Tow years ago, and it is now on it's second motor home and it's second towed car. Showing some wear after around 60,000 miles, but I have to wonder how many rocks it sent on under our little car. That car is low to the ground, so would be a chip magnet without protection. I would buy it again.
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Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
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03-23-2018, 01:33 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
State: Alabama
Posts: 24
THOR #7276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Sunshine
We bought a Protect A Tow years ago, and it is now on it's second motor home and it's second towed car. Showing some wear after around 60,000 miles, but I have to wonder how many rocks it sent on under our little car. That car is low to the ground, so would be a chip magnet without protection. I would buy it again.
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Thanks for the information. That is one of the products we are looking at.
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03-23-2018, 01:55 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVSquared
What a great DIY! I’m sure it saved you a good chunk of money too! Do you by chance have any pictures you might be willing to share?
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I'll unroll it tomorrow and snap a pic.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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03-23-2018, 02:28 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
State: Alabama
Posts: 24
THOR #7276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
I'll unroll it tomorrow and snap a pic.
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Thanks! Very much appreciated!
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03-24-2018, 01:27 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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I don't have the toad connected but this is what it looks like behind the MH:
This is my prototype so it's a little rough.
I used 1/2" PVC pipe on both ends with end caps.
The arrows at the front show the attachment points to stainless eyes on the MH bumper with small carabiners. You can't attach at the outside ends of the bumper because the ends of the PVC need to flex on turns.
The rear is attached directly to pre-existing holes on the arms of the towbar by stainless eyebolts through the PVC pipe and square lock pins:
The shade cloth is kept spread by self-tapping screws and washers into the PVC pipe at the ends of the sleeves.
There is a step change at the edges now because I had originally made it too long so I had to fold it back onto itself to shorten it. No it fits perfect and works well.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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03-24-2018, 02:52 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
State: Alabama
Posts: 24
THOR #7276
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman
I don't have the toad connected but this is what it looks like behind the MH:
This is my prototype so it's a little rough.
I used 1/2" PVC pipe on both ends with end caps.
The arrows at the front show the attachment points to stainless eyes on the MH bumper with small carabiners. You can't attach at the outside ends of the bumper because the ends of the PVC need to flex on turns.
The rear is attached directly to pre-existing holes on the arms of the towbar by stainless eyebolts through the PVC pipe and square lock pins:
The shade cloth is kept spread by self-tapping screws and washers into the PVC pipe at the ends of the sleeves.
There is a step change at the edges now because I had originally made it too long so I had to fold it back onto itself to shorten it. No it fits perfect and works well.
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Thanks very much for taking the time to set it up and provide the details. Excellent job! We’re still doing research, but your DIY project is a front runner.
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03-26-2018, 01:19 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
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Nice DIY project. Thanks for sharing.
I so some DIY, too, but I don't have the equipment to sew that fabric, so when I have to replace my Protect A Tow, I'll be forking over the $242.90. Different strokes for different folks...
__________________
Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
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03-26-2018, 07:17 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.4
State: California
Posts: 784
THOR #6582
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Ted, that's great, thanks. I love it. The pvc has enough give for the turns? Any idea how much it has to move? Do you anticipate any problem in the cold.
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I'm wearing trifocals now but my hindsight is 20/20.
*************
Bilsteins and Sumos front and rear...HUGE! FatMat and Hoodliner...HUGE!
Hellwig sway bars F&R, 235/85 Hankook ATM, alignment...HUGE!!!
Battery watering, 260watts Solar and BigFeets to make life easier.
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03-26-2018, 07:21 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
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Between the front and rear PVC overhangs to the side of the attachment points it has plenty of flex. I've traveled in weather in the 30s here in Florida, hard to get much colder than that unless I go way north.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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04-06-2018, 06:00 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: windsport 35m
State: North Carolina
Posts: 5
THOR #10914
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Flat tow rock guard
Protect-A-Tow is the easiest to install and works better than anything I have ever used.tks Mrs Sunshine.
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04-06-2018, 10:50 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tls1128
Protect-A-Tow is the easiest to install and works better than anything I have ever used.tks Mrs Sunshine.
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Um, that's MR Sunshine, thank you. Glad you are happy!
__________________
Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
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04-07-2018, 02:07 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: windsport 35m
State: North Carolina
Posts: 5
THOR #10914
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Oops spell ck got me.sorry
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