Bonz (Vic) replied:

Most I have seen are double layered shadecloth

lewjack1 replied:

KEV
USE THE SHADE CLOTH, DOESN'T ROT FROM EITHER SUN OR RAIN.
JUST HAVE A METAL FRAME , PUT THE CLOTH(DOUBLED) OVER THE FRAME
AND TIE IT TO IT, MAKING SURE THE FRAME LEANS A LITTLE OF PERPENDICULAR
TOWARDS THE TOW VEHICLE (APPROX 10%).ALSO WHEN FASTENING CLOTH DON'T MAKE IT TIGHT ,FLAPPY IS BEST TO ABSORB IMPACT FROM STONES ETC

LEWJACK

Alloy c/t replied:

Shade cloth ,double layered ,cheaper the better , there are however 2 schools of thought as to the "tension" of the said cloth ,some say tight ,some say slack ,tight means angle of deflection becomes of importance ,slack may not look so pretty but the rock is caught and falls rather than bounces back ,,,,, tis a conundrum to be sure.

lewjack1 replied:

KEV
YOU CAN'T STOP THE STONES FROM CHIPPING/DAMAGING YOUR FRAME IT'S PART OF TRAVELLING
LEWJACK

lewjack1 replied:

kev

my apoligy didn't twig that the caps were on
havs a nice weekend

lewjack

Sarcophilus harrisii replied:

Hi Kev

I see your frame is upright so a slack cloth would the best as you said. Proll'y not a bad idea to cover bottom edge as it will get the most damage.

Hows your harry stack? All going well? I'll pop round this week for the box?

Regards
Andy

Sarcophilus harrisii replied:

I really hope you get some comfort soon, 2.3yrs, you must have some good seating.

Take care. talk soon

Andy

Member - Matt L (NSW) replied:

Hi Kev,

Fitting your shade cloth to the frame is quote simple, just punch in a series of eyelets around the perimeter.

You can now fit it to the frame by a long piece of bungee cord and hose clamps, or if you want to keep it simple buy a packet of large cable ties and fit it using them. Just cut them of to length after you are finished getting the required tension.

Hope this helps.

Matt

ooze replied:

You can also get shadecloth clips that fold over and grip a fair area of cloth. Just thought they might be worth a look for securing the cloth. Also, what about a bit of hose to protect the cloth at the bottom? Oh the decisions!! Lol.

Sand Man (SA) replied:

Kev,

Allow me to offer a word of caution.

Regardless of the stone guard, I suggest you protect your rear window as well.

The stone guard will offer more protection to the object you are towing, than the rear of your car. Stones can and will bounce off any hard surface, including the framework of the guard.

Apart from that, cable ties, or zip ties as you call them, will be suitable for attaching the shade cloth to the frame.

As far as the bottom of the frame, perhaps you could consider pop riveting a strip or two of rubber to the frame to act like "mud flaps".

Member - Nick (Kununurra) replied:

As above said, also protect your rear window.We have an angled down stone guard on our Tambo Cooper, useing shade cloth.It is held on by "Spider Wire" fishing line (colour matched and had some spare).We also have rubber mud flaps across the botttom of the stone guard which protects the stitching and lower edge of shade cloth(and the trailer).Even with all this we were travelling along the Duncan rd a few months ago and a big boondie,a bit bigger than a golf ball hit the trailer(somewhere) bounced across the roof of the cruiser and down the windscreen to stop on the windscreen wiper.That would have been a rear window if it had hit it.We now also have extended mud flaps and a full width flap on the cruiser .
The shade cloth has been on a year now and needs replacing,some rocks have nearly gone right through the cloth(only got a single layer on) and have had to re tie the stitching a couple of times where rocks have hit it up the sides.We also only have a small amount of tension,more so loose than tight.

Member - BBB replied:

Kev

You cant have to much protecion you are better off with a full length mad flap (5mm convair ruber) 75mm off the road the full width of the vehical with a over lap of 75mm past the outside of the tyres on each side.

I also have a shade cloth screen on the draw bar but after our last trip of over 5500km with around 1000km of dirt the draw bar and shade cloth screen where not damaged in any way not even a stone chip.

In actual fact there was hardly any dust on the front of the van you could see the dust did not start untill half way down the side of the van.

It is worth the efort to protect your camper.

BBB

Traveller Van And GU 4.2TD Patrol a Perfect mach