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Author Topic: DO we need a Stone Guard? (Another photo added)  (Read 12538 times)

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Offline mccrlc

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DO we need a Stone Guard? (Another photo added)
« on: January 21, 2012, 06:43:05 PM »
Heading off to Western Australia (South West region) in March for 7 weeks and have been tossing around the idea of building a stone guard for the front of the Eagle.  I have read numerous topics about them, but wondered whether it would be worth it if we're spending the majority of our time on bitumen?

Cheers
« Last Edit: February 15, 2012, 05:56:46 PM by mccrlc »
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Offline drrnadms

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2012, 07:17:01 PM »
I personally think it's not required however each to there own. I've traveled on quite a few dirty roads with our outback eagle without any dramas.

Darren  :police:
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Offline Swogjb

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2012, 07:18:04 PM »
Quote from: mccrlc on January 21, 2012, 06:43:05 PM
Heading off to Western Australia (South West region) in March for 7 weeks and have been tossing around the idea of building a stone guard for the front of the Eagle.  I have read numerous topics about them, but wondered whether it would be worth it if we're spending the majority of our time on bitumen?

Cheers

Mate.... IMO a stone guard is a must for the front of your Jayco.
One dirt/gravel road can be enough to completely trash the front of a camper.
If your considering doing any dirt/gravel roads, I'd be splashing out on a stone guard.
We have a 2Brutal stone guard on the front of our Hawk, works a treat.
Stone Stomper is another great looking product that also works very well.
 :cheers:
Glenn
« Last Edit: January 21, 2012, 08:33:20 PM by Swogjb »
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Offline BigJules

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2012, 07:47:06 PM »
Another vote for Stone Stomper. Consider even that it just keeps it a little cleaner.
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Offline Silvo

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2012, 07:59:45 PM »
something else to consider is stopping the stones getting to the trailer is bigger flaps on the vehicle help to reduce the amount of stones thrown up also. slowing down on dirt roads helps also  >:D

i used to have a stone stomper on my soft floor - it was awesome. highly recommend it to anyone.

with my new setup i have a stone guard on the front of the camper, with bigger flaps on the vehicle and it seems to do the trick.

dan
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Offline Boo Boo

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2012, 08:27:38 PM »
Also agree with having a stone guard after the many trips we have done over some rough unsealed roads and even sealed roads the stone guard as saved the Trackabout getting damaged.  As it's easier to replace the stone guard when it requires a little TLC then all the work it takes to fix up the tool box and camper.  When I look at the stone guard I can see why we have one and appreciate why it is there in the first place.

Just my thoughts though.

Amanda
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Offline Yoda42

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DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2012, 08:41:05 PM »
Not to mention stones bouncing back and smashing your vehicles rear window
Another stone stomper lover here
Yoda
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Offline JCOJ

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2012, 09:40:23 PM »
If you are travelling on even one dirt road a stoneguard is a must.  Firstly you will protect your camper and secondly all it takes is one stone to smash your back window - then how will you feel about trying to save some bucks while you and your family are stuck in the middle of nowhere with no back window.

Believe my mate - he tells me it is not a pleaseurable feeling at all (and he had RockTamers on).

Another vote for Stone Stomper from me.



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Offline Dreama

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2012, 10:02:32 PM »
Hi Mrcrlc,
I know you said you were going south, all our travels have taken us north in WA. A stone guard is very cheap insurance.
I was up near Marble Bar early in Sept last year and a rock blew out the back window on the ranger with a canopy, those things are $1500 dollars to replace. My bother blew his rear window on his challenger, the poor bugger, a wife and 2 kids on board.
They were literally crying tears of mud by the time we all got into Port Headland and then a 3 day wait for a rear window to be flown in!!  :(
We only have CT's but we now invested in stone guards, yes they cost us both over $600 but the inconvenience is just too much.

As one of the other guys said, have a look at the guard after a trip, it ain't pretty and I would like my ct to look nice for a bit longer
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Offline Farquo

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2012, 10:15:11 PM »
Yes.
Most of our time with our old camper van was on the black strip, too. The spur of the moment decision to detour across a gravel road made a bit of a mess of the front of it. Thankfully I did not have any window problems.

cheers
Farquo
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Offline Jenko67

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2012, 06:38:02 AM »
HI mate, learnt our lesson back in 2001 when we went for a trip when we lived in charleville...went to SA and took a shortcut (which too longer in the end) on a dirt road.... the camper was aboslutely trashed by stones..... had to get in repainted.... so my suggestion is that you may say that you wont go on dirt roads but like me I did and did regret it at the time, so will certainly go nowhere without a stone guard...
(still have to get one for our swan......)

But at the end of the day there are people in the world worse off than me....

Regards
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Offline speewa158

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2012, 06:46:12 AM »
Another vote for the stone guard
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Offline JustJim

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2012, 06:55:54 AM »
Some type of stone guard is essential if you wish to avoid damage to the front of a camper (or caravan) and minimise the risk of a broken window on the rear of a wagon.
As has been said- even a short distance on gravel can see damage occur.

There are a number of different types..
Some absorb the energy of the stones and grit flying up..
Some deflect the stones downward – away from the rear of the vehicle.

Jim
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Offline GeoffA

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2012, 07:18:54 AM »
Quote from: speewa158 on January 22, 2012, 06:46:12 AM
Another vote for the stone guard

Stone guard??? Always thought yours looks more like a street-sweeper, Jamie....... ;D.......it's a stone guard on steroids!!

Agree though. If you care about your gear, and aren't keen on broken rear windows, an effective stone guard is a necessity.
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Offline mccrlc

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2012, 07:46:17 AM »
Thanks for all the replies, think I might be leaning towards building a stone guard before we leave.

This might be a silly question but is the idea of the bend in the stone guard to deflect rocks outwards once flicked up from the car??

Thanks Again.

mccrlc
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Offline qlddsl

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #15 on: January 22, 2012, 08:20:55 AM »
Quote from: mccrlc on January 22, 2012, 07:46:17 AM
Thanks for all the replies, think I might be leaning towards building a stone guard before we leave.

This might be a silly question but is the idea of the bend in the stone guard to deflect rocks outwards once flicked up from the car??

Thanks Again.

mccrlc
The bend gives a bit more room when turning, angled forward pushes the stones back down and the mesh needs to be loose to absorb the energy of the stones.
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Offline mccrlc

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #16 on: January 22, 2012, 08:23:49 AM »
Thanks qlddsl
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Offline speewa158

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #17 on: January 22, 2012, 03:33:12 PM »
My humble Gibber Grabber deflects the objects under the CT & out of harms way . Some do go out sideways as dose the dust . At 100 km the flaps ride about 100mm off the ground shooting the gibbers under & away . Somt flaps are very stiff , I belive they should be soft to reduce the power of the roll  :cheers:
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Offline Blinky Bill

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #18 on: January 22, 2012, 04:55:50 PM »
Quote from: speewa158 on January 22, 2012, 03:33:12 PM
Some flaps are very stiff , I believe they should be soft to reduce the power of the roll  :cheers:

Speewa, just to clarify please.
Are you saying the flaps on your device are stiff and that you wished they were soft?

Or are you saying that other people's versions of your device are 'stiff' and that in your opinion they should be soft?

Or perhaps you're actually saying something else entirely.......and I'm just too dim to get it.  :-[

Thanks - Wayne
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Offline gronk

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #19 on: January 22, 2012, 05:10:20 PM »
My next camper will be getting the Stone Stomper treatment.....and although the present KK has probably the best front stone guard going around.....and with a couple more added mud flaps as well......and running extra flaps on the 4 wd as well.......you cannot stop all the stones......



At least with the Stone Stomper.....ALL stones are prevented from hitting the front of the camper  ......underneath is another matter....and one which there is no fix for  ??
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Offline MsTree

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #20 on: January 22, 2012, 05:23:03 PM »
It only takes one stone to bounce off the tow and back at ur rear window to turn the air con of ur vechile into crapola

i speak with experience here

birdsville track october 2009 5 days into a 3 week trip with and we are still eating dust

majority of ur time on black top is not 100% and it never will be .. so i would advise .. protect urself

as well as mud flaps .. i would advise carrying big sheet of plastic and race or gaffa tape .. and cardboard boxes .. all very versatile and handy items that can be adapted in a mutitude or circumstances

have a great trip

regards
MsTree
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Offline Hairs

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #21 on: January 22, 2012, 05:36:23 PM »
Hi mccrlc,
I made a homemade job out of a old Aluminum flyscreen door & shadecloth, I'll clean it up one day and make it a little bit more pretty  ;D
The shade cloth is loose and angled forward to stop stones/rocks from bouncing off it and smashing into the back of the cruiser. It worked well when we travelled from Yunta to Hawker and through some of the Flinders Rangers.
It's able to be unbolted fairly quickly, and placed on the rear, between the tool box and the back of the Swan..
I know it's not the best looking one out there, but it works.

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Offline mccrlc

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #22 on: January 22, 2012, 05:37:27 PM »
Quote from: MsTree on January 22, 2012, 05:23:03 PM
It only takes one stone to bounce off the tow and back at ur rear window to turn the air con of ur vechile into crapola

i speak with experience here

birdsville track october 2009 5 days into a 3 week trip with and we are still eating dust

majority of ur time on black top is not 100% and it never will be .. so i would advise .. protect urself

as well as mud flaps .. i would advise carrying big sheet of plastic and race or gaffa tape .. and cardboard boxes .. all very versatile and handy items that can be adapted in a mutitude or circumstances


have a great trip

regards
MsTree

Thanks MsTree.
Looks like the welder will be coming out in the next few weeks.
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Offline mccrlc

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #23 on: January 22, 2012, 05:39:32 PM »
Quote from: Hairs on January 22, 2012, 05:36:23 PM
Hi mccrlc,
I made a homemade job out of a old Aluminum flyscreen door & shadecloth, I'll clean it up one day and make it a little bit more pretty  ;D
The shade cloth is loose and angled forward to stop stones/rocks from bouncing off it and smashing into the back of the cruiser. It worked well when we travelled from Yunta to Hawker and through some of the Flinders Rangers.
It's able to be unbolted fairly quickly, and placed on the rear, between the tool box and the back of the Swan..
I know it's not the best looking one out there, but it works.




Thanks Hairs.
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Offline mccrlc

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Re: DO we need a Stone Guard?
« Reply #24 on: February 03, 2012, 04:26:06 PM »
Decision made, I have built a Stoneguard, photos of framework attached.

Thanks for all your advice.

mccrlc

Another photo with the mesh inserted, only the flaps to go... :cheers:
« Last Edit: February 15, 2012, 05:58:16 PM by mccrlc »
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