Full width 'mud' flap..

Submitted: Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 10:22

ThreadID: 50565 Views:8589 Replies:8 FollowUps:5

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Member -Signman

Saw a very interesting setup with a full with 'mudflap' to cut down stones being thrown back onto a caravan. The thingo was made with that brush like stuff as seen on the wheel arches of some trucks. The connection was via an adaptor into the H/R type receiver.
I think this would cut down a lot of rocks being thrown back- and not tend to plough the crown of a track like a solid rubber setup would.

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Reply By: Dave B (NSW) - Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 11:06

Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 11:06

Signman, I had the same thoughts a few months ago after I ordered a new CT. I was thinking of putting ot on the bottom of the mudflaps of my LC
My CT came with a good full width stoneshield and good size mudflaps underneath.
I enquired at a truck accessory place about the possibility of using the spray suppressant to deflect or slow down the velocity of the stones and the guy didn't think it would be too successful. It is really only designed to stop spray from the wheels of the truck.
He also said it would be pretty expensive to try it as it is about $115 per metre.
So I walked out without buying any.
Since then, two things have happened.
One.
I have got stone chips on the front of my new CT.
I think the mudflaps on the front of the CT have actually blown back a bit at the bottom while I have been travelling, and consequently deflected the stones down to the ground, and then they have bounced back up again into the front of the CT.
A bit like a cricketer would play a shot into the ground and the ball bounces up perhaps over the fielders head.
That's my theory anyway.
Secondly.
I found about a metre of the spray suppressant on the road a few weeks ago, and I have now attached that to the bottom of the mudflaps on the CT.
I have yet to see the results.
A trip down to the Pyrenees next month will test it out maybe.
I hope to see a lot of those funny little dogs when I go to the Pyrenees.

Dave

'Wouldn't be dead for quids'

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AnswerID: 266619

Reply By: Member - len W (NSW) - Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 12:22

Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 12:22

http://groups.msn.com/caravanersforum/stonedeflector.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=4497

is this what your looking for Signman
hope this works
[url=http://http://groups.msn.com/caravanersforum/stonedeflector.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=4497]

AnswerID: 266635

Reply By: Member - Dick (S.E. Asia) - Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 13:46

Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 13:46

I have a 79 Series Tray Back with a heavy rubber flap right across the back which seems to block most of the stones.

There is a pic in my profile.

Dick
in Phuket

Cheers
Dick

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AnswerID: 266642

Reply By: HGMonaro - Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 14:17

Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 14:17

I made one (although I chose to leave a gap in the middle, so it's really two oversize mudflaps rather than a monoflap) and used the heaviest rubber available from Clarks Rubber. It isn't tough enough and has torn on the bottom edge in line with the tyres which indicates it's rocks coming off the tyres that have damaged them rather than dragging on the ground in tracks (the inside edges are fine where you would expect the crown of a track to inflict damage). My father-in-law made one using conveyer belt and it hasn't suffered the same fate. Depends on your vehicle but on our Prado's, removing the tie down hook allows you to bolt whatever you hold them with to the chassis (so closer to the wheels.

Cheers, Nige

AnswerID: 266650

Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 22:02

Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 22:02

Likewise, we made one with a gap in the centre for air flow, from conveyor belt type rubber.

We saw one made from the bristly stuff like around truck wheels. With their caravan attached, it was way too long, and was doing a great job sweeping up all the dust all over everything - and that was in the caravan park.

Motherhen

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FollowupID: 528974

Follow Up By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 16:25

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 16:25

I'm a big believer in leaving a gap in the middle, lets the air flow and stops the rear diff from getting extremely hot.

Just my thoughts.

Steve.

FollowupID: 529157

Reply By: Member - Bill F (VIC) - Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 20:06

Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 20:06

Hi Signman
The unit is called "Towtector" Available from Northcoach Equipment contact Steve or Audrey on 07 5564 9990
Advertised in the Wanderer the CMCA magazine.
Looks expensive
BillF

AnswerID: 266726

Reply By: rockpiglet - Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 23:08

Monday, Oct 15, 2007 at 23:08

Signman
I like 2nd hand mining conveyor belt, durable and cheap. Last purchase 2400 x 600 in feb this year $62.50, for a very strong/stiff type.
You can choose thickness, type of compound, stiffness( type of internal weave) etc, for your application, and cut it suit.

I fabricate hinges out of pipe and rod so units swing, and release a pin and they can be removed, limits damage if tail is going to bottom out eg barge loading.
You can also make full mudguards, on trays/ trailers etc. Great in runs for protecting the floor of trays, holding loads, and fuel tank protection.

AnswerID: 266755

Reply By: Member - Bucky (VIC) - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 04:37

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 04:37

Signman

Go for the Old Conveyor type mudflaps, and hinge it to the rear of your vehicle.
I did not and got chipped
Last trip up in the Desert, I had setup "new" hard plastic truck mudflaps.. 3 overlapping, across the back of the Navara.
Cost $00.00 yes nothing.

Better than a legend ...I thought !

But the gibber smashed them to bits. Gibber should not hurt belting,

Probably cost $100.. but its good insurance.

Cheers
Bucky

AnswerID: 266762

Reply By: Steve - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:20

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 08:20

has anyone seen those stone deflectors that are a big sheet of heavy canvas, that lies flat, across the A-frame, covering the area between back of car/front of van? Saw a group from SA up at Lawn Hill. They all had em. Don't know how good they are but I'd guess the idea is that rocks would all be kept from bouncing up and it would have no drag effect on fuel economy.

AnswerID: 266772

Follow Up By: rockpiglet - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 16:15

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 at 16:15

steve
I have seen something like your description fabricated for a boat trailer.
Made from HD shade cloth. Don't know how effective it was. Boat looked good though.

FollowupID: 529153

Follow Up By: Steve - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 08:36

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 08:36

I've aired this one a couple of times and I don't think anyone has seen em. Very heavy canvas. Like sacking but thicker and tighter weave. Wish I'd taken a pic now. Can't remember whether it hung over or below the A-frame.

FollowupID: 529277

Follow Up By: HGMonaro - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 12:28

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 12:28

We made one up out of shadecloth but we made two errors in our application.

We tied it to the camper and car via shockcord to allow it to stretch for corners... that worked well. The Shadecloth (heavy duty from Bunnings) seemed ok for the job except on largeish hole right in the middle where a rock had passed through (maybe it slowed it down!)

The problems were, we originally tied it unde the a-frame both front and back but withthe flapping around in the wind from the car it was hitting the ground and wore the back end of it out. Not a major drama as that end was not protecting anything really, but we were worried it would tear in half so my wife sowed a patch of material across the tear to strengthen it. Seemed to work. We then changed the mounting to over the a-frame with the mounting points (on the extra mudflaps) pulling it down which worked well, except it now was inline with the exhaust and it burnt a chunk out of it. That got the material patch treatment as well and lasted forthe rest of the time we used it.

Now the big question.. was it actually doing anything! I think so. We drove on the Merrenie Loop from Kings Canyon resort to the lookout without it and it sounded like lots of rocks where being bounced around. The view in the mirrors was quite alarming, seeing rocks being thrown out at all angles. At the lookout we decided to fit it and it seemed to cut out a lot of noise. We didn't break a rear window, but we may not have anyway so hard to say if it was functioning as intended. maybe it and the oversize mudflaps combined to do the job.

With a bit more thought into how to ensure it doesn't drag on the ground (got that one sorted) and get burnt by the exhaust then I think it's a worthwhile addition.

Cheers, Nige

FollowupID: 529324