Rear window stone protection for towing

[PCH]

Who has something fitted to their rear window to prevent a ricocheting stone from smashing the window.
On my Flinders Ranges trip a few months back I saw a D3 and also a Land Crusier both with camper trailers and cardboard on the rear windows. I suspect a stone busted their windows.

I saw a commercially made window protector in a mag but I think you could make it yourself if you could get clear flat polycarbonate sheet. This one seemed to be fixed with velcro and had slots cut into it from the edges (not sure what the slots were for).

What are people using?

Thanks,

Chris

[Quiggers]

Some blokes here, who go a bit west, fresh water fishing, have mesh screens on their boat trailers shaped around the hull, (but attached to the trailer).

I assume they're there to keep the boat unmarked, but as they're angled downward, I suspect they'd solve the problem you describe, PCH.

Just a thought.

Cheers,

GQ

[ATH]

I've just stuck velcro to the rear windows on the Defender and on 3mm perspex which I cut to size myself and that seems to do the trick OK.
No window damage yet and cost about 25 bucks.
Alan H.

[Redback]

Who has something fitted to their rear window to prevent a ricocheting stone from smashing the window.
On my Flinders Ranges trip a few months back I saw a D3 and also a Land Crusier both with camper trailers and cardboard on the rear windows. I suspect a stone busted their windows.

I saw a commercially made window protector in a mag but I think you could make it yourself if you could get clear flat polycarbonate sheet. This one seemed to be fixed with velcro and had slots cut into it from the edges (not sure what the slots were for).

What are people using?

Thanks,

Chris

You'll probably find that the cardboard was their window protector, alot use this method for rear window protection.

We got some perspect cut from a perspect supplier to fit our rear window and i have tried numerous ways of sticking it to the rear window with not much joy, the problem is the rear window is curved and velcro just doesn't hold it on when your cruising at 100kph.

I tape it on for the trips with gaffa tape now and take it off when i get home, i add some little rubber stick on things, those thingys that they put on glass top coffee tables to stop the glass resting on the coffee table frame, to keep the perspect off the window.

I might even revert back to the cardboard.

Baz.

[cjc_td5]

For our previous vehicle (not a Land Rover) I made a cover up out of 3-4mm rubber sheet. I cut the rubber to exactly the same shape as the rear door and fabricated a channel section from PVC to fit around the top and sides. There is usually more than enough door panel gap to fit it. An ockky strap at the bottom of the cover onto another fitting(s) attached to the bottom of the door held it tight. Worked a treat.

No you obviously couldn't see through it but that is what side mirrors are for. ;);) It was easily removable so that if you were "in town" for a couple of days, you just took it off.

When travelling around OZ a few years ago (GRR etc), we heard some huge hits up back when rocks bounced back off the camper trailer onto the rear window. The cover well and paid for itself ...

[chicko]

I broke my window in the Flinders about 3 years ago. Had a stone protector on the trailer but stone may have bounced off spare tyre (mounted on front of trailer) Now use cardboard, foam and sometimes glad wrap (waterproof)and tape to secure

[sniegy]

Hi PCH,
Yes i also have a clear perspex sheet cut to the shape of the D2 glass & it velcros to the rear of the window.
This way u can still see out the back when you have offloaded the Van & playing Offroad.;)
Its cheap & works very well, the velcro acts as a cushion & spacer at the same time.
Cheers:)

[numpty]

Just a thought......is there a relationship between rear window damage and trailer draw bar length.

Our camper is attached to an ex army trailer (short draw bar) and with all the miles (k's;)) on sub standard roads we have travelled, we have never encountered the problem.

Maybe just good luck, or did the Army inadvertently stumble upon a magic formula.:p

Like the idea of the perspex though.

[Litlbee]

Hi
I had a similar problem on my D1. Trailer threw up a stone and broke the rear screen notrh of Hughenden after drivingaround the bottom of the Gulf and across the Gibb river road. Only had half a kilometre of dirt left to drive. Very Frustating. I went to Supercheap and bought a set of rear louvre clips and cut a piece of polycarbonate to fit the rear screen then fitted the louvre clips. They work very well. I then transferred the protecter to my 04 D2. Still doing a great job.
Gary:)

[Ken]

How about a set of mudflaps mounted to the front of the trailer mudguards maybe this would solve broken rear windows

[BigJon]

How about a set of mudflaps mounted to the front of the trailer mudguards maybe this would solve broken rear windows

The problem is stones are flicked up by the rear wheels of the tow vehicle. They then bounce off the front of the trailer and up into the back of the tow vehicle. Mudflaps on the trailer won't change anything.

[Redback]

Hi PCH,
Yes i also have a clear perspex sheet cut to the shape of the D2 glass & it velcros to the rear of the window.
This way u can still see out the back when you have offloaded the Van & playing Offroad.;)
Its cheap & works very well, the velcro acts as a cushion & spacer at the same time.
Cheers:)

How do you keep the velcro on the glass and perspect, where do you get this miracle velcro from:confused:

I can't seem too get the velcro to stick:mad:

Baz.

[RonMcGr]

The problem is stones are flicked up by the rear wheels of the tow vehicle. They then bounce off the front of the trailer and up into the back of the tow vehicle. Mudflaps on the trailer won't change anything.

Kimberly Kampers fit this device to prevent that.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Redback]

Kimberly Kampers fit this device to prevent that.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

I have a stone guard and flaps as well on the camper and i thought that would be enough too, but alas no, i broke the rear window in the Disco about 500metres from the tar on the Oodnadatta track just before Lyndhurst, just a tad over 3000ks of dirt:twisted::twisted:

My theroy was it bounced off the stone guard frame, so now i use a window protector, just in case:(

Baz.

[ATH]

Hi Redback.
I bought the velcro at Bunnings (the store I hate at weekends) and made sure the glass was real clean and it sticks very well.
Never had a prob. with it peeling off.
The dust does get between the perspex and window but that's what the outside mirrors are for.
My Pioneer has the same sort of equipment as the KK and should deflect the majority of stones downwards.
Alan H.

[JES]

I use corflute, the plastic sign material used by real estate agents. This is a little more durable than cardboard particularly if it rains. Just tape it on and remove it whan you get home.

I tow a KK, have done all round Oz without any problem with my rear windscreen, nor any evidence of stones hitting the corflute. They do have a good design, but there's always going to be that one time if you don't cover your window.

[Utemad]

Kimberly Kampers fit this device to prevent that.
http://www.gobushcamping.com.au/camperhire/kimberly.JPG

These are common on campers.
I don't have any rear window protection at all but no broken windows yet. Trailer hasn't seen much dirt either mind you.

DiscoDan just got a camper and it has a similar mesh deflector like in the pic above but the mesh is oversized and can be attached (zip ties?) to the back of his Disco. It fills the void between the camper and the Disco so nothing can get flicked up.

I would imagine that if all you did was protect the rear glass then you are still leaving yourself open to panel damage and maybe tail light damage.
I think that the mesh trailer deflector and clear rear glass protector would be the go. I'll probably get around to that the day after I replace my rear glass ;)

[sniegy]

How do you keep the velcro on the glass and perspect, where do you get this miracle velcro from:confused:

I can't seem too get the velcro to stick:mad:

Baz.
Hi Baz,
I just use the stuff from bunnings, but there are 2 different types & funnily enough the dearer stuff works better:o.
Clean both surfaces with glass cleaner/metho & let them set for a day.
There is another type of velcro used in the car industry that is about $100 a roll of 20M. I usd to use this when i worked in the VicPolice..excellent stuff but just dear.;)

[Disco300Tdi]

Hi Chris,,,,We use a piece of polycarb perspex 3mm and velcro to hold it on,,,,the slots top and bottom are the aerodynamics to clear the dust etc that builds up in between whilst driving

[DiscoStew]

Chris,

I put on an Obies Rear window Saver.
http://www.obiesoutback.com.au

I do believe you can make one yourself for a lot less but I was in a hurry. I wanted something I can leave on all the time because a) it needed to be neat as my wife is the daily driver and b) I also thought the velcro would last longer if it is covered. Downside is if you use the rear window wiper it scratches the perspex.

As mentioned the slots are meant to help clear dust but they also provide a bit of flex which allegedly assists with something.

They also have small soft spacers which you can see in the photo to prevent impact transferring through the perspex directly onto the glass. Apparently only a problem with the very large stones.

The velcro is industrial strength imported although Obies have been having trouble getting the quality that they are used to because his supplier stopping importing. Some of my velcro has seperated between the adhesive and the strip but there is still no chance of it coming off even if I want it to. As you can see there are ony two major strips at each end and then lots of small strips which I think is key. That way if one small strip fails it does not take the rest with it.

The procedure for attaching would be the same for a DYI job and involves cleaning the glass with mild alcohol and heating the strips & glass with a hairdryer. Helps with bonding. You only get one go as it is pretty permanent once on there, which surprised me.

From my discussions with him, Mike from Obies is clearly an honest man and was apologetic because he did not have enough experience with the new tape he was using so he sent me plenty of spare just in case. That was in August.

[Redback]

Hi Baz,
I just use the stuff from bunnings, but there are 2 different types & funnily enough the dearer stuff works better:o.
Clean both surfaces with glass cleaner/metho & let them set for a day.
There is another type of velcro used in the car industry that is about $100 a roll of 20M. I usd to use this when i worked in the VicPolice..excellent stuff but just dear.;)

Thanks Pete, i'll give it another try:)

Baz.

[techron]

Hi Guys,

I have an '85 Range Rover with the rear window being pretty flat.

I like the previous idea of using the rear louvre fittings in that you can easily remove and replace the perspex protector to clean the glass behind if you need to.

A possible variation on that theme is to use these very strong lever type suction cups fitted through the perspex. I dont know if it will work but will have a go in the next few weeks if time permits.

All our trips so far have been as a solo vehicle, no trailer, but am aiming to tow a caravan in the reasonable future so am looking ahead a bit.;)

Cheers, techron

[PhilipA]

I have a sheet of perspex for my RRC .
First year I used velcro but found the glue became soft in heat.
Second year I used a 3M product which is clear and looks like half a dog bone, which lock together. You could buy it on ebay in short lengths.

I also sealed around the edges with Raven draft seal to prevent dust from getting between the glass and perspex.Overall it worked very well. A couple of the 15mm square patches let go , but I just replaced the bad ones.

My tailgate is destroyed but the window is fine.
Regards Philip A

[BMKal]

Has anyone tried the Rocktamers About Us (http://rocktamers.com.au/AboutUs.htm)

I've seen these at the camping shows and actually saw a vehicle in Kalgoorlie with a set fitted a while back - but haven't been able to get an opinion on them from anyone other than a salesman so far.

I like the ability to be able to quickly install and remove them from the vehicle, but don't really know how effective they are.