Stone deflector

[walker]

I finished the trailer I built last year but I still have not added a stone deflector. We are off to the Simpson Desert in less than 3 weeks and I am taking the trailer so I thought I better add one.

My first question is:

1. If I added a full length mudflap all the way below the rear bar and almost to the ground, do you think this would be enough and I would not need to make a stone deflector? Do you think it would add much drag and increase fuel economy?

2. Any one got any photo's of stone deflectors they made?


I am just trying to think of something easy and quick before I go.

[DiscoTDI]

This is not a home made one one but it is simple and has kept the rear window intact for a few years now:)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/06/54.jpg



I would be more inclined to put a stone guard on the trailer rather than rely on a mudflap personally, last thing you need in the middle of nowhere is a smashed back window:(

[Larry]

It's hard to get the size of the mud flap right. You don't want it too high that it doesn't stop the stones come up or too low that it touches on bumps & causes the stones to fly up.:angry:

On my old camper I had a piece of shade cloth the width of the vehicle hooked to the rear bumper that went across the top of the draw bar attaching to the trailer with elastic cord to allow for stretch when turning.

Pros - cheap, light, easy to make/use & very effective.

Cons - need to unhook to get into the rear of the car (lunch time etc)

Don't think I have any photos though.:(

Larry.

[roverrescue]

I know its rough but if it gets last minute... empty flattened beer boxes taped to the rear window do the job too... after a few rounds in the red dust you cant see out the back window anyway???

regards
Steve

[Blknight.aus]

I prefer a good stone deflector over a big mud flap for a few reasons.

I like the setup like the one pictured but I prefer a bit more tilt and wedge on it...


If you think of a tinny sitting on the aframe so the bows tiedown (the ring you hook up the trailer winch to) is nuzzled into the tow ball and you then cut the hull out from underneath your on about the right path.

[JDNSW]

Having broken a rear window a while back, I am looking at putting a stone deflector on my big trailer. At the moment I am planning on a post the height of the front board of the trailer on a crossbar about two feet behind the tow hitch, with wires to the top corners of the front of the trailer, and shadecloth laced between these wires and the towbar. The shadecloth will deliberately be fairly loose to absorb the energy of the stones and not bounce them into other traffic.

John

[RR5L]

Ive always liked this set up for a stone guard it stretches and collapses as you turn corners.

http://www.outbound4wd.com.au/stoneguard_7_1.jpg

[walker]

Yes, I like that one too Rob, it stops the stones before they get up.
If only you could buy it as an off-the-shelf item somewhere.
You don't know what brand trailer it is from,,,or is it a home built job?

[RR5L]

Yes, I like that one too Rob, it stops the stones before they get up.
If only you could buy it as an off-the-shelf item somewhere.
You don't know what brand trailer it is from,,,or is it a home built job?


Manufactured in South Oz
http://www.adventurecampers.com.au/

Sales in Vic
http://www.outbound4wd.com.au/mainmenu.htm

Hope that helps, let us know how you go.

[DougLD]

Hi All
Adam I tried the full width mud flap idea with the camper and it did not work well at all on our central Aus tour I have since made a deflector for the camper which seems to work but only a big trip will tell if it does. All the best for the trip.
Regards
Doug

[Redback]

Adam, if it's not too late get a rear window saver or tape cardboard to your rear window, the stone guard alone isn't going to stop stones hitting the rear window, trust me i know:(

http://www.obiesoutback.com.au/Saver%201a.JPG


http://www.obiesoutback.com.au/obie1.htm

Baz.

[Rosco]

This is not a home made one one but it is simple and has kept the rear window intact for a few years now:)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/06/54.jpg



I would be more inclined to put a stone guard on the trailer rather than rely on a mudflap personally, last thing you need in the middle of nowhere is a smashed back window:(

Looks like a Camel Group jobbie ??

Cheers

[Redback]

This is not a home made one one but it is simple and has kept the rear window intact for a few years now:)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/06/54.jpg



I would be more inclined to put a stone guard on the trailer rather than rely on a mudflap personally, last thing you need in the middle of nowhere is a smashed back window:(

Only pure luck you haven't broken a rear window only using the trailer stone guard.

There are some bloody big stones on the Strez, Oodnadatta and Birdsville tracks.
http://www.4wdlinks.com.au/albums/bazzar/ama.sized.jpg
This is my original stone guard until i changed it to the green one above.

It didn't save my rear window:(
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/06/55.jpg



Baz.