Bugs!

Submitted: Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:05

ThreadID: 87737 Views:2309 Replies:7 FollowUps:4

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Katie C

Hi fellow travellers,
We are about to embark on a big trip in a turbo diesel rodeo towing a jayco. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to best keep the front end and radiator free of bugs (or at least reduce them). Unfortunately we dont have a bull bar but do have an after market auto transmission cooler fitted. Not sure of the best way to keep the bugs off while allowing airflow and keeping the engine cool. Any ideas appreciated.
Thanks
Cook Family

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Reply By: fisho64 - Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:12

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:12

shadecloth over the front is probably the only way I know of? But you shouldnt need to keep it on all the time, there is likely only certain areas to watch and the roadhouses could tell you as you go.
Around exmouth/Coral Bay, Onslow recently for grasshoppers.

AnswerID: 460717

Reply By: Member - Tony S (WA) - Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:18

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:18

Hi Kate C,
A lot of people just run fly-wire from under the bonnet to the bumper. A little small, however does the job. Or, you can buy one at the 4 x 4 shops. ie ARB etc.

Tony

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AnswerID: 460718

Follow Up By: Katie C - Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:23

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:23

I have done a bit of research and found some places that sell ready to fit bug mesh but I wasnt sure if when fitted directly onto the grill if they will cause a temperature rise particuarly when towing for such a long way.

FollowupID: 734412

Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:45

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:45

Hi Katie,
I used fly mesh on every vehicle I've ever owned with out any dramas.
Used just be hind the grill so it's not up against the radiator, and tucked back under the radiator to stop rubbish, bugs & seeds making their way up to the fins.
I use the aluminum fly wire, and I've noticed it has saved the radiator from smallish rocks and things as well.
Once a week I give it a good hose off.
Also tow a very heavy Jayco Swan and horse float at times.
Cheers.

FollowupID: 734416

Follow Up By: Member - Tony S (WA) - Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 20:31

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 20:31

Kate
I rang around various suppliers. Mine is s/steel and a slightly larger than aluminum fly mesh. It was the end of a roll there for the price was right.
Look in the yellow pages and ring some of the mesh suppliers stating your needs
ie something slightly larger that the fly mesh.
It is around you just have to find it.
Tony

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FollowupID: 734424

Reply By: Notso - Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:49

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:49

I've used Fibreglass Flyscreen on two vehicles now, Nissan patrol and Triton ute.

Extreme temps in the Kimberlys and outback never any overheating problems, shadecloth does cause overheating problems as it restricts the airflow too much.

I wrap it right under the front and use cable ties to attach it.

If you go through a heap of Locusts you'll have to get out from time to time and knock em off.

AnswerID: 460723

Reply By: kiwicol - Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:54

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 17:54

Hi, Bugs arnt really a problem, they would be the least of your problems.

Look at the heavy transport industry, you will find most trucks doing heaps of miles, do not havfe any sort of protection from bugs. But some do.

Me, have never had any issues from bugs clogging any important bits. Have done heaps of miles as a trucky and a traveller and have never had any issues caused by bugs. 30yrs in the industry.

Cheers Col

AnswerID: 460724

Follow Up By: olcoolone - Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 11:11

Sunday, Jul 24, 2011 at 11:11

Col agree totally, when we travel we get very few bugs unless traveling at night.

Shade cloth causes restrictions and block air flow to the radiator, ac condenser and any other cooler mounted in the from.

We did a far few trips across from SA to Viic at the height of the locust plague, all the local or country vehicles had nothing on the front and all the tourists and city dwellers had shade cloth.

Every day we would check the front of the vehicle and brush out any dead ones.

We do a lot of work on heavy vehicles and the only times we see shade cloth across the front of them is if they are constantly operating in an area where there is a large populating of locusts.

People think when they hear there is a locust plague they think it's for 100's of kilometers, in most cases it's only in spots maybe a couple of kilometer long here and there.

FollowupID: 734452

Reply By: Member - Bill B1 (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 20:10

Saturday, Jul 23, 2011 at 20:10

I second the fly wire (aluminium) choice as the shade cloth causes a lot of problems.
The air conditioner guy in Broome took mine off saying it makes the AC work too hard apart from restricting the air flow.

The aluminium will stop small and large rocks of which you will get plenty from trucks and or when you are making a run to overtake someone.

Another tip with locusts, is to slow down to 80 kmh - the locusts will stay in the air stream and go over the bonnet and the roof and not squash on your vehicle. Any that get caught will be simply that, caught not squashed and you and pick them off.

Bill