Side Checker Plate Protection

Gday,
It would give you a bit of protection but its really for looks I think.
Cheers

Thanks for that. My thoughts exactly. I admit it looks good (and mean), but I am more about practical applcaition.

Blue Galaxy,

I have the side checker plate on my van and having taken it on quite a few dirt roads to get into NP in a few states, including Lawn Hill.

I can tell you it does have evidence on the checker plate of stones having hit it, and would not like to see how the aluminium siding would have stood up to these hits if it had not been there.

I would have it again for this reason.

Cheers,

Cruiser

We've done many dirt roads, including Cape York, Lawn Hill and through the Gulf along the Burketown to Borroloola road, the Roper Highway etc. and have just finished the Gibb River Road. Ours only has chequerplate on the front (not the sides) and the only obvious stone mark on it is actually just above where the front chequerplate finishes.

Its use for protection would depend on which van its on - our Coromal is really thin and wouldnt be doing much whereas we were camping by a Windsor last week and theres was really thick. Definately prefer the vinyl on the front of ours as it it really protects from the rocks flicking up on dirt roads.

Hey Cruiser,
I woudl be interested to know where you think the side plates come in handy. I can understand if you are bashing through some srcub (but then again you would ahve to the whole side panel plated!), but during our last trip the Lake Eyre and Alice Springs (in our current jayco swan), we had no signs of side damage (but heaps on the front panel!).
Interested to know your thoughts.

1)The checkplate can be used to make the caravan water proof for creek crossings. Have a look at my rig photo

2) Gives protection from stumps ext in long grass.

We had a van with checker plate on the front up until the top of the front boot lid. It was an "Off road". One problem with it was sun glare. While driving on some occasions the sun would reflect off it into the mirrors and then into my eyes. I was seriously thinking about painint it a matt black but we sold the van and the problem. My new van has a vinyl padded front and I've not had the same problem.

WBS

what's next side panel the car ( Make sure its sealed well anything what's double plated and not sealed it grows and aluminium against steel the oxidze affect will take place

what's next side panel the car ( Make sure its sealed well anything what's double plated and not sealed it grows and aluminium against steel the oxidze affect will take place

I have been thinking of replacing the "padding" on the front of mine with some blue coloured checker plate....does anyone know a GOOD caravan repairer in NSW that can do this...preferably near Sydney.

Cheers

The worst of the scratches along the side of my van are above where the the checker plate would have been installed. QED

PeterD

I suppose the other thing that has to be said for chequerplate is that although it will dent like the rest of the van, there's no paint to scratch. It can be a bit of an issue, dazzling you though the rear view mirror, which is why some vans come painted black or another colour. We have no rear window so can't see anything to dazzle us.

Blue

This is the front of our Image Could Not Be Found I had the box made up and the fronts to the jerry can holders.

It has been on many dirt roads and hardly shows any signs of it, and it looks good.

Regards

Richard

Thanks for all the feedback. I hadn't really thought too much about the glare from teh front checker plating, but it should be an issue, as I will have VB cartons stuck on the rear of the Prado to stop the rear window being broken. Worked a treat on the last trip and I intend to repeat. To my knowledge, glare doesn't pentrate cardboard!
I can see the benefit on a deep river crossing, but it is not my intention to get in such a situation and I suppose I will have to deal with it if presented.
Sure the weight if it is "good" plating would also play a part?