Dents in rock guard

[BillfromWI]

We drove to Alaska and back with WeatherTech "mud flaps" and Rock Tamers and returned with a couple of significant dings at the bottom of the left side rock guard. The sides of the trailer are pristine so I'm pretty sure the offending rocks came from my truck.

I generally agree with the "the dings prove your using it" point-of-view but I also installed a bugscreenwarehouse.com "bug screen" that is tough enough to stop rocks to the radiator and oil cooler (a perfect fit on my 2016 GMC), Scotchgard Paint Protection Film on the lights and leading surfaces, and a hood bug deflector. Except for a rock that badly ripped the Scotchgard on the right side mirror the truck came home completely unscathed. The mirror was undamaged and the film was replaced under warranty.

I'm going to replace the WeatherTech mud flaps with the GMC version because I was always carrying a load of sand and mud on the tubular running boards. I think the GM version will give better protection.

[overlander63]

The segment protector is designed to be dented, and in doing so, prevent the segment behind it from being damaged. A $600 segment protector is cheaper and easier to replace when it becomes trashed than a $1200 segment.

[streaminwild]

A little hammer on the back side, with a block of wood on the front...almost new again.

[LaBigDogs]

More dings you have on the rock guards represents the more adventures you experienced, with your beautiful Airstream. You did not buy it to sit in the garage. Explorer, enjoy and let the little things pass you by. At 60 y/o I have a few dent's and dings, but still going strong!

[Wayne&Sam]

I’m going to install protectors for the protectors that protect my rock guard protectors.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I’m going to install protectors for the protectors that protect my rock guard protectors.

Nah, the protectors for the protectors are rubber. They're fine.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

Nah, the protectors for the protectors are rubber. They're fine.

However, if you have a diesel, they need protection from the dpf regeneration.

[Knuff]

Our rock guards look like the surface of the moon. 50k miles will do the job. There will be impact wounds in your solar guards as well and this is just the way things happen. We lost our front solar guard (window) to a bird impact recently, AAA insurance helped here....

[gbradleync]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I’m going to install protectors for the protectors that protect my rock guard protectors.

Love it

[Bill M.]

Rock guards are the plexiglas things that shield the front windows. Segment protectors are the metal guards at the bottom of the trailer. My trailer does not have the segment protectors. There is a deep dent or hole that is filled with bondo. I wish the PO had put the protectors on. I just bought a used set of rock guards for our second trailer. But so far have no way to mount them. We took a hit on the rock guard that would have wiped out the drivers side panorama window. Glad it was there. I might use the new ones as a replacement for the badly cracked one when we get back from Alaska this year.

Dents in the segment protectors? Would not be a problem to me.

[Johnnyooo]

The rock guards are to protect the aluminum which is very easily damaged... The guards are doing what their supposed to do...Mud flaps can help some, but they will not stop rocks from hitting them...In life we are bound to get some lumps, bumps, and dings...Rock On...

[Knuff]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Rock guards are the plexiglas things that shield the front windows. Segment protectors are the metal guards at the bottom of the trailer.

Thought that the plexiglass things are called solar guards. But we are all on the same page, I think.

[Projet2907]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I agree with the thoughts that rock guards are meant to be dinged. Even on of the plexi pano window guards took a hit on one of our first trips with our 25’. It left a crack, psp I just drillstopped it and acetone welded it.

What's an acetone weld ?

[rmkrum]

Acetone weld is using a small amount of acetone to dissolve the plexiglass and seal up a crack. Usually done from the backside with the item laid flat. Use a tiny artists brush and do not drip anywhere you don’t want to mess up.