Do I need Rear Window Protection ?
Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 15:58
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deserter
Hi all. I am about to tow the van out to
Quilpie and round to
Thargomindah. Fair bit of dirt road I expect. What is the general opinion of rear window protectors for the fourby tow vehicle. Are these a "must have" item when towing caravans on dirt roads ?
Reply By: T-Ribby - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:05
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:05
On dirt roads yes, if you don't have a stoneguard.
Quilpie main roads are sealed (just got back from there).
You can make a simple effective stoneguard from 20mm closed cell foam,
cut to the shape of your rear screen and attached with stickyback velcro.
This is what I used on the
Birdsville Development Road into
Birdsville.
A stoneguard on your van will also protect it from damage.
cheers
T.R.
AnswerID:
244917
Follow Up By: T-Ribby - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 17:07
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 17:07
Correction: "You can make a simple effective rear window protector from 20mm" etc.
I just roll it up and chuck it in the back of the wagon when not needed. Somewhere on the
Birdsville Dev Rd a
rock bounced off the trailer (which has a stoneguard) back into the
rear window and left a dent the size of a golfball, so the glass would have been a goner without
the protector.
cheers
T/R.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: DIO - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 18:23
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 18:23
Whatever you use, just be mindful that if enough dust (very abrasive) can settle between the protector and the glass it can cause scratching. A half dozen or so 2" sqaure pieces of poly styrene (about 1/2" thick) stuck in between does helps top protect my window.
FollowupID:
506031
Reply By: Alan H (Narangba QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:06
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:06
Very little dirt if you go from
Quilpie via
Eromanga and Nockatunga and back to Thargo. Just watch for oil field road trains.
I have a net defector on the camper trailer and it seems to work but my mate had a broken back windscreen but we think
the rock hit his spare which is on the front of his trailer.
If worried just tape some heavy cardboard on the window once you are out there.
AnswerID:
244918
Reply By: Member - Vince B (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:06
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:06
Hi deserter.
A good investment(a lot cheaper than a replacement window). I had a rear protector made this week for the pajero($100) & I consider this is a necessity when towing on stoney/dirt roads.A rear window is not easy to replace in the bush & the cost would be far greater than the $100 for the perspex protector.
Vince
AnswerID:
244919
Reply By: Member - John G- Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:08
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:08
G'day Deserter
We were west of there in April and spoke to two lots of towers who had broken rear windows - so for mine the answer is 'yes'. There is a mob called 'Obies' (I think) who make
tailor maded protectors but not for all vehicles and not for canopies - at least they didn't late 2006. In
Adelaide there is a place called 4WD Systems who also do
tailor maded protection.
We bought a polycarbonate sheet from Bunnings, cut it to fit the rear window on a Carryboy canopy, and fixed it with duct tape. At the time other suggestions were to try to use the same fittings as used for rear window louvres, or use suction cups to attach the sheet. Other folks use that corrugated advertising signage or simply use cardboard.
We didn't break the rear window, but really don't know whether anything hit it. We did indulge in driving on unsealed roads with the driver's window down - stopped the practice when a stone came through and bounced off the inside of the windscreen.
Cheers
John & Vicki
AnswerID:
244920
Reply By: The Landy - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:20
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:20
As
John (previous) mentioned Obie's make them, just google them, we had one on our previous vehicle.
Great investment, bit like car insurance, you never need it until a bingle, and then it is all too late.......if you haven't got it!
AnswerID:
244922
Reply By: Member -Signman - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:30
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:30
Ask your local sign-
shop for some pieces of Corflute- cut to size and duct tape to glass. Should cost you zip (or a tinny or two)...
AnswerID:
244928
Follow Up By: Garbutt - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 18:12
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 18:12
I agree with the corflute, costs - Nil and stick on with duct tape or velcro.
GB
FollowupID:
506024
Follow Up By: Garbutt - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 18:12
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 18:12
And should of said I got some at the local recyclers for nothing.
GB
FollowupID:
506025
Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:54
Tuesday, Jun 05, 2007 at 16:54
Sometimes it may not be the stone thrown up by your own vehicle, a stone from oncoming vehicles could send one into the front of your van , the van is like the cricket bat and whacks it forward again into the rear window,
Go to Bunnings and you will find some sheets of clear perspex cut out a bit bigger the size of the window and attach it somehow , drill holes in the corners for zip ties , 100mph tape ,
Doug
AnswerID:
244941