Guard termanology

[Fogducker]

I am mixed up on which is "rock guards" and "stone guards". The piece(s) over the front window is one, and the metal corner pieces I guess are another. Would someone please straighten this out? Fog

[53flyingcloud]

Fogducker

The best I can say is this:

• 1. Rock Guard=To protect your "windows"
  2. Stone Guard=To protect the Aluminum skin under the front windows.

I hope this helps..

ciao

[Pahaska]

I have more often heard the term "gravel guards" for the metal shields. All the same, I guess.

[Inland RV Center, In]

The front window covers are called "Rockguards" by Airstream.
Others sometimes call the stone guards, window cover, front window shade and many other names.

The metal quarter panel covers are called "Segment protectors" by Airstream. Once again, many other names for have been used to describe that item.

Additionally, the segment protectors are not made with aluminum as so many owners think, but are made with stainless steel.

A word of caution for those that have the segment protectors. Keeping the running gear balanced becomes even more essential.
Lack of a good balance job usually causes segment protector fastener failures, and when bad enough can cause the top of the protectors to wear horizontal holes in the quarter panels. Ouch!! That costs about $1000.00 per panel to fix.

This photo shows what can happen.

Andy

[53flyingcloud]

Thanks Andy~

That's valuable information and, one that needs to be a part of one's annual checklist of some sort.
My personal experience:
Just after I had my "seg. protectors" install at the factory, I had pulled over for a short rest spell. (About 140 miles from the factory) As always, I walked around the unit, feeling the wheels, etc..I noticed that my brand new "seg. protectors" were just begining to rub against the curbside panel. Upon further inspection, I found that the panel hadn't been properly installed at the factory..In that, only two screws were originally installed instead of 8 or 9 (these holes hadn't even been drilled ~). One was at the top and, the other one at the bottom. Well, the one at top was gone~! The one screw left was lose.. half-way out~!
Fortunally, I caught this..otherwise, I could just see this "seg. protector" panel opening like a parachute...ripping off a big tear in that panel...I refasten it down with some screws that I had picked up off the ground from the factory..
I called Rick March and, together we spoke with the Service Shop manager about this problem..They did send me a package with the optional tiedown bracket, etc.

ciao