Thread: Trailer / Van Stone Protection & hitch set ups

Originally Posted by whynot

Hi Folks,
am in the process of getting a new Van and keen to see some stone protection devices used, made or purchased. Brands and pros and cons.
Having seen the damage done to my existing camper trailer (with the basic stone guard) on the draw bar, undercarriage and extremeties of the trailer, I do not want to have the same happen to the new van.

I am also keen for ideas / feedback on tow hitches, the need for load leveling devices and the like. Currently have 2003 Extreme, with King Springs, Airbags, and Bilsteing shocks.
The trailer is duel axle 17.5 foot and about 1900kgs'

photos would be great.

Appreciate any advice on offer.

cheers
Andrew

there are sooo many rock protection devices etc out there and everyone has their own opinion on them...my preferrence is for a lightweight angled mesh infilled frame, shaped rather like a boat bow. This directs rocks down and away, BUT it can also direct them into oncoming traffic, too.
Lots of ideas here...
http://www.campertrailers.org/stone_guards.htm

And this is my preffered hitch.

Hitchmaster® DO35 V2 coupling


JC

whatever you use its still prudent to cover your back windows with some yoga mat or cardboard.

I use the same type of deflector as JC suggests, but still had an errant rock bounce bounce back & smash my back window.

the trakmaster comes with a metal deflector infront of the gas bottles

but
I added the shadecloth / mesh type as well



and I use a TRIGG Bros hitch , (not to be confused with treg or trig)


I like the trigg because the Van rides level & I can just set it up with the car hooked up, and if need be just pull the pin & drive away. plus it rides silent unlike other hitches I've tried.

the van is 13'6"

others may not agree, but I would not / could not use load levellers with a fully articulating hitch or in an off road scenario.

Originally Posted by goingbush

I think this guard doesn't have nearly enough angle so will still deflect rocks onto the back of the tow vehicle. It has to be angled down more than perpendicular to the path of the highest rocks to ensure the rocks rebound down. Hence the angle should be no more than about 45 degrees to horizontal depending on how low the tow vehicle mud/stone guards keeps the rocks.

I think the flat ones are better

Thanks Going Bush - I was unsure if i needed a drop tongue as well as my ball height it approx 160mm & I believe trailer hitchs are no designed to be 140 ish. I have a tregg type hitch currently & it's a pain to pull the pin with the rear wheel carrier - meaning that it's easier to just remove the tongue all together.
I like the idea of the Matt that goes between vehicle and trailer...

Having seen the battle scars left on cardboard ( or that sign material) on the back of the car previously, will always cover up now.

cheers
Andrew

Some pics of my CYT stone guard. not one instance of rock strike on the back of the Rangie ever, but I can see the big ones chucked off to the side at times, into the oncoming traffic. Make sure I slow down now with approaching vehicles




JC

like JC i use the DO35, simply brilliant and way easier that the pin types

for a stone guard i am going to order a stone stomper STONE STOMPER STONE GUARDS Pty Ltd.

I took an alternative approach and have removeable superwide additional conveyor belt mudflaps attached to my secondary rear bar/dual spare wheel carrier setup. Seems to work well, but I must admit I have not pulled a new trailer (to see any resultant chips), nor tried the "put cardboard on the front of the trailer" trick.