Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

[richet]

I have recently purchased an 18ft LUND boat and trailer. I am looking to get a rock guard to protect the boat on gravel roads. Any suggestions on the style (mesh or plastic, reciver hitch type) would be greatly appreciated

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

what is your tow vehicle? i installed my own reciever from hitches.com. easy job. you can always install mud guards on the tow vehicle,and trailer, to cut down rock throw from the tires. or get a large rubber mat, like on motor homes, and install it.

 

[richet]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

Tow vehicle is a Chev Tahoe with Yokohama Geolander AT Tires (they are fairly agressive). I suspect they will throw stones.

 

[T S N]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

Check RV supply stores.

 

[JB]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

I agree that you will need something to protect your trailer and boat on gravel roads, richet.<br /><br />Even with OEM mud flaps on my ML, every time I took my boat to the Northwest Angle of LOTW I had to replace shattered clearance lights on the trailer, though the boat suffered no damage. That trip only involves about 40 miles of gravel.<br /><br />I have thought about a set of aggressive mud flaps like unto what 18 wheelers use, but think I will have to fabricate them myself.

 

[richet]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

There are definetly RV types that mount on the reciever hitch. My concern with that type is if you are driving gravel with ridges will the dragging of the rubber stir up more gravel than the tires?

 

[jtexas]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

just be sure they have that chrome silhouette - you know the one I mean...

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

This is what I have...works great:<br />http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp;jsessionid=5W3RDVFNDVYXPTQSNOHCCOOOCJVZCIWE?id=0004108520080a&navCount=0&cmCat=srchdx&cm_ven=srchdx&cm_ite=src hdx&CM_REF=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26q%3Dultraguard%2Bcabelas&_requestid=725<br /><br />Another good alternative:<br />http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=srchdx&id=0013275520219a&navCount=2&podId=0013275&paren tId=cat21388&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21388&hasJS=true

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

craze, your 1st one is exactly what i was talking about. a small price to pay, for prevention.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Trailer Rock Guard (opinions?)

I'll note that that first one (which I own) has multiple mounting options, but you need to get a bit creative. You can use their enclosed mounting brackets and hang it from your rear bumper, but that was semi-permanant...but I see now they advertise it's fast to remove, so something may have changed there. I chose to hang the thing from a long piece of angle iron, which in turn I welded to a removable hitch insert (they do provide brackets/nuts/bolts for this option if you can't weld...I just chose to weld because I can.) So on mine, when I slide the hitch out of the reciever, the mat comes off with it.<br /><br />I'll also admit this was mostly installed as a snowmobiling tool for me to keep salt spray down in the winter, but my old boat (I don't care much about the cosmetics) benefits as well. Mine is now 4 years old, still looks and functions like it did when it was new.