Thread: Optimum width for a Stone Stomper on D3/4

Originally Posted by Pome pilot

I am looking at getting a stone stomper to protect my D3 and Ultimate camper and having read various posts both on this site and Ultimate owners forum I get the impression that there are some owners that would have liked the vehicle end of the Stone Stomper to be a little wider than that supplied. I note that a width in the region of 1900mm should be about right to catch stones kicked up from both wheels.

Warwick, the 1900mm sounds about right.

I suggest you contact Gerald (VK3GJM). He has an Ulti and a Stone Stomper and I'm sure he'll offer some useful insights by PM. Whether or not you have a rear wheel carrier and Mitch Hitch is relevant to the ease or otherwise of fitting a Stone Stomper.

I have a Mitch Hitch but no wheel carrier and the Stone Stomper fits well at the back of the D4. Regarding width, it's a balance. Wider is better but you don't want to stick out too far from the vehicle because you risk wiping it out, particularly when you've unhitched but still have the SS skirt installed, eg day trips when out touring.

Scott

i have a mitch hitch and kaymar bar with wheel carrier and it is not a straight forward install

if have bolted the SS bar underneath the tow ball mount shaft and have bent the bar upwards. I need a bracket from SS to do this.

I may have some pics but if not I can't take any at the moment unfortunately.

Richard

And for comparison to Richards, this photo shows the relative simplicity if you don't have a wheel carrier. The bar sits on top and it's bolted on to the Mitch Hitch just under the square receiver but you can't see the bolt in this photo. Note the gap to the D4 bumper is small, which is good.

Regarding width, I had a look at what I ordered and it's 1800mm. However, I believe that 1900mm would be ok and provide better coverage, obviously depending on your camper width as well.
But note that 1900 will stick out a fair bit further than the bumper.



Cheers,
Scott

Hi Scott & Richard,

Thanks for your replies and thoughts. I will go for 1900 width at the car end. Having measured the extreme width of the car based on my side steps and wing mirrors at 1980mm, hopefully I won't get hooked up on obstacles and will in any case be mindful of my new wider behind when not towing and still having the SS bar fitted!

I have also been in communication with Gerald (VK3GJM) through the Ultimate owners forum who has given me some good pointers and useful info.

I am intending on going for the mounting as used by Brett - Discotwinturbo as shown below as I too have a Mitch hitch and Frontrunner wheel carrier.



As an aside, Richard, I believe we met in early August last year out at Carnarvon Gorge

Cheers
Warwick

Hi.
I have considered that install as well.
You can put the plate in either gap as shown in the pic.

I believe I have the 1900mm bar, hard to tell with all the bends I have put in it .

This is why the mitch hitch is better than the other recovery hitch going around as they do not have these install options for the stone stomper which is a great bit of gear.


Warwick,
I just re-read your email again and yes I remember. We had a long talk re the vehicles.
Christian from SS is very good to deal with.



Richard

Hi Richard, I have a Stone Stomper installed with the std LR hitch and lug. I believe the StoneStomper is the most effective product of it's type on the market, but it will not save the front of your van/camper from substantial damage if you are driving for long distances over shale or gibber type rocks. You do need to extend the length and width of the rear mudflaps if you haven't already..

This is particularly important if your tyre of choice has a square shoulder 'chunky' type of tread. I have found that rocks thrown up when running through long turns, are not trapped by the StoneStomper, and the outer edges of the van/camper cop a peppering.

I have a mate with Mitch Hitch & Stone stomper fitted to a D3. On the same roads, he had the same issue.

Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

Hi Richard, I have a Stone Stomper installed with the std LR hitch and lug. I believe the StoneStomper is the most effective product of it's type on the market, but it will not save the front of your van/camper from substantial damage if you are driving for long distances over shale or gibber type rocks. You do need to extend the length and width of the rear mudflaps if you haven't already..

This is particularly important if your tyre of choice has a square shoulder 'chunky' type of tread. I have found that rocks thrown up when running through long turns, are not trapped by the StoneStomper, and the outer edges of the van/camper cop a peppering.

I have a mate with Mitch Hitch & Stone stomper fitted to a D3. On the same roads, he had the same issue.

The discos don't come with mudflaps now unfortunately. I have put on some cheap after market ones which I suspect are useless.

Putting bigger ones as you say is a good idea and I have contemplated it but not got around to doing it even though I have a SS.

Do you have pics of what you put on?

Sorry Warwick for changing the theme of your thread but admiral has raised a good point.


Richard

Hi all,

I don't have much experience with a stone guard and with only a low height camper trailer haven't felt the need for one.

I have spotted a few up here, mainly in the winter mass migration of fully loaded vehicles. I've noticed a few made from light weight materials appear to be a bit redundant when the vehicle is traveling. The guard flaps up like a sail from wind resistance, to the horizontal and sometimes more than the 90 degrees. I can't see how that would be any use at all as the pathway from wheel to rear object is wide open.

You have to travel behind one to see the issue though and if owning one you'd be non the wiser when admiring it from the driveway.....unless someone pointed it out.