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Janets Husband · 02-27-2004, 05:49 PM

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Van · 03-22-2004, 12:14 AM

I have considered the problem of a rock guard for some time. Actually, i have been considering my lack of one as the problem.

I dont really want to drop the $600 or so that the factory would charge for official product.

That got me to thinking...

I wonder if one would be able to go to a plastics fabrication/moulding shop and have a custom piece made for cheaper?

Something with a small folded upper edge to rest in the groove above the center window and then have say four latches, mounted to the trailer body to secure this thing in place. Most likely would be a single piece though and that could be a problem when it comes to trying to stash it out of the way when setting up camp.

53flyingcloud · 03-22-2004, 03:27 AM

Janet & Janet's Husband
Congrats~!! Very nicely done~
Sure makes a KEWL statement for your unit~

Tip:
Now that you have it finis with the installation aspect of the project, I wanted to share something with you. Not that you wouldn't have soon discover it for yourself or..
Center section guard area,with attached hinge and lifting arms.
Take a metal ruler and, lay it along side of the lifting arm. Transfer the marking from the ruler to each arms as you need with a scrib. Now, whenever you go to lift the center window, the lifting arms will be equal on both sides~!
Just makes it easier to keep it level looking..

ciao

Anon · 04-22-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van

I have considered the problem of a rock guard for some time. Actually, i have been considering my lack of one as the problem.

I dont really want to drop the $600 or so that the factory would charge for official product.

That got me to thinking...

I wonder if one would be able to go to a plastics fabrication/moulding shop and have a custom piece made for cheaper?

Something with a small folded upper edge to rest in the groove above the center window and then have say four latches, mounted to the trailer body to secure this thing in place. Most likely would be a single piece though and that could be a problem when it comes to trying to stash it out of the way when setting up camp.

I have thought about that lately as well.
I know this a a rather old post but I noticed no one had replied to your post.
The material used to make the rock guard is not "unobtainium". It has to be available. You should be able to make it EXACTLY like an Airstream rock guard if you wanted to.
If not, then I need to do my "bargain hunting" expedition on this alone!

driftwood · 04-22-2005, 05:48 PM

Interesting that just today I was inspecting the factory rock guards at a dealer, wondering how I'm going to fabricate and attach mine.

My first thought is a full length stainless steel piano hinge on the top edge of the center section. Of course it has to be used as a rain awning when camping.

Since I just installed the lower stainless steel "wrap protectors', as Airstream calls them, on my unit (they look so great!

) I need to subscribe to this thread to see what others have to offer for ideas.

Thanks for bringing this post back to life.

MrSalt · 04-25-2005, 05:45 PM

I've been remembering this post.... but hadn't done anything about it.

Two days ago, we had a rock decide to remove our left wrap-around window. So - I wish I had spent the $600 for the glass protection, instead of the $740 +++ for a new window. I don't mind putting money into upgrades, but it's a bit depressing putting money into keeping up.

We've been on the road for four months, and have about 3 - 4 months more to go, so looks like I'll be installing a window rather quickly. (we've currently named our Minuet "the blue pirate" as it looks as if it's rolling around with a window patch....

If you're going to be on the road, I'd recommend the protection, however you do it. Horaay for hindsight!

**Janet H** · 04-25-2005, 10:31 PM

Ouch - sorry to hear about the rock hit. I don't s'pose your insurance would cover it.....?

MontanaArgy · 11-22-2005, 06:30 AM

I am also in need of a rock guard. I like the looks of the Airstream sunglasses, but the cost seems a bit steep. Last weekend we headed over the pass to do a little hunting, and took a rock throught the center window. Sure glad it wasn't the Corning side unit! Still cost about $100 to replace it.
Sometimes I think we use river gravel for sanding material! Latest price for the Airstream unit to me is $650 plus shipping which is close to $150.

I took pictures in to my local glass shop to ask about parts to build my own. They weren't excited about it, and said it would be very tough to get the aluminum frame pieces bent properly, would need some metal working rollers. They thought it could probably be done with the proper tools, but wouldn't look very pretty! The top and bottom pieces do curve both directions, around the corner of the trailer as well as upward. It looks like the frame material used to make the sunglasses is the same as the frame pieces on my center front window...

Gonna have to decide to build something or bust for the real thing pretty soon. I'm afraid to tow anywhere without something over the front glass now! Duct tape and cardboard just don't look that cool!

I would sure like to hear if Pattersontoo or anyone else has built their own sunglasses and how it went!!!

wahoonc · 11-22-2005, 06:48 AM

Montana Argy,
Is that price for the 3 piece or one piece unit? IRIC the single piece is about $420 range. I have seen an argy with covers made out of canvas that snapped to the window frames, maybe you could make one of those with some thin lexan inside the fabric to help bounce the rocks. If I can find my pictures I will post some of the covers. They were made out of a brown and orange material...

Aaron

SmokelessJoe · 11-22-2005, 01:10 PM

Janet and Gary:

Thank you for the really great, carefully documented contribution you made here last year. The thread popped up again today. It was good timing for me.

Andy Thompson, the owner of Can Am RV up here often seems to have controversial opinions.

Worried about losing a beautiful window down the road, I recently told him that I wanted to add rock guards to the current remodel of my 1976 Argosy.

He told me that they were really for protection from sun more than stones, (the name was a misnomer), that the glass in the Argosy was “Herculite” and was stronger than contemporary glass (he said it was used in commercial aircraft) and that in 35 years, he had seen only a couple of broken windows.

(He also said the panels show abrasion quickly and become unattractive)

In this thread alone, 3 or 4 people report broken windows.

So thanks again to you and to everyone else that participates in the forum.

I think I will now make my decision based on this wider range of opinion.

I take it you installed these for stone protection, not just solar protection?

I’m guessing that Phil in the shop doing my work would be able to duplicate these. They have the equipment and expertise. Sometimes however, when you consider the true time and cost of building from scratch, buying off the shelf may be no more expensive.

At a minimum, Phil could easily install the guards, especially with your step-by-step guide. Can Am quoted $1550 Canadian installed.

Did Inland have the best price? Any other sources?

What’s the name of that famous RV scrap yard that I’ve momentarily forgotten? Colwell or something like that?

Sergei

CanoeStream · 11-22-2005, 06:03 PM

Sergei -- Search these forums on Colaws RV.

This product is nickel plated brass: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...001/741/740/13 I'd seen a thread somewhere 2-3 years ago with a picture of a durable quilted, padded cover for the front windows held on by this type product. I can't really offer any useful ways to find it... It looks like pop rivets would work fine, tho don't know if the head size would have to be bigger (eg, like Olympics). I don't know if each item includes the oblong grommet. This wasn't pretty and would have to be taken off and stowed when camping. There would also be the issue of how much the buffeting and wind movement might affect aluminum and glass where attached. Buyer beware, you get what you paid for this advice, etc, etc.

**Janet H** · 11-22-2005, 06:29 PM

Sergei - we put them on for stone protection. Also - you shouldn't have to take apart the center section of the guard to make it narrower for a regular Argosy. The Minuets were narrow than the regular argosys.

SmokelessJoe · 11-22-2005, 07:19 PM

Thanks people.

If Colaws doesn't have a set does anyone out there know where the best priced Airstream dealer might be?

Sergei

MontanaArgy · 11-22-2005, 09:38 PM

Wahoonc, it is the three piece model like the new trailers have, for a '76 Argy 20. I want to end up with the sunglasses or something close to it. I've thought of the fabric route, I could do that myself pretty easily, but I don't want to drill a bunch of holes in the trailer for that, then plug them all when I get the rock guard.

Contacted Colaws, they don't have any now, have never had a complete one, and sell the pieces for $150 each, one at a time. They said rock guards almost always get ruined at least partially on the wrecks they bring in. By the time I pay shippng three times, this isn't much better than brand new from Airstream.

The only dealer in Montana, over in Missoula is a new A/S dealership and doesn't now much about Airstreams. First time they would only give me the price for the three pieces separately. Now I got a price for the kit from them - - - (thanks to the Forums for the part number!) $625 plus shipping from Airstream. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do it pretty soon.

Thankfully I won't have to install it now until the weather is 30 below and blowing 30 knots! Wonder how vulkem works in the winter ? ? ? Do I hear another thread starting?? Scott (-;

dieterdog · 11-22-2005, 10:36 PM

hi janet, so glad that you shared this. am thinking of purchasing a minuet and as you know, there is no rock guard. if i ordered the parts from airstsream and gave your instructions to my rv guy,, not airstream dealer, i assume he would be able to install it , right??? wow,, quite a time investment, but a job well done,,, thanks for posting,,,dieterdog

dieterdog · 11-22-2005, 10:40 PM

montana argy where in missoula is the new airstream dealership, i only know of Bretz rv and marine, which is not all airstream. dieterdog, donna in hamilton

MontanaArgy · 11-23-2005, 06:40 AM

Dieterdog Yes it is Bretz. I haven't been in there, when talking to them yesterday I was told they have only had Airstreams for a year or two. Haven't talked to anyone there in parts that knew much about the old stuff.

Gkiesel · 02-08-2008, 01:35 PM

Janet. Can't find the PDF version of this post? can you help, I would like to print it out for future reference. Thanks, George

**Janet H** · 02-08-2008, 01:37 PM

Hi - if you Pm me your e-mail I can send it to you - or you can print the article with the same content from our articles section - I think it's 4 pages.

Rockguard Installation

campman · 09-12-2008, 09:45 AM

Your instructions were most helpful, esp. the one about the hinge position. I ordered the set of three for my 79 Argosy Minuet and the first to come was the flat center one, bent out of shape! It took several calls to Inland and Airstream in Ohio back and forth to get Airstream to admit that it was their responsibility to send a replacement; which they did. Then got the two sides. I installed the sides first and it went so easy I could not believe it. I would say that the INSTRUCTIONS IN THE BOX were rather confusing, but upon going back and forth to yours and theirs, it made sense to follow the INSTRUCTIONS IN THE BOX re to put the CAM SCREW assembly on FIRST...then the hinges after careful marking while on and being held by a helper. It took me only 1.5 hours to do both wings. I did not install the center on and was waiting to come home and take my time, after visiting friends and having installed the wings. I was VERY HAPPY NOT TO HAVE INSTALLED the center rock guard. In travel, I can see all traffic behind me through the truck...front window...back window...clearly. If I had put the bronze rock guard on I would not be able to see that traffic. I think I shall have a window guy locally reduce the size and install CLEAR lexan instead of the bronze. Safety in driving is the motto here.