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CCD4US · 10-11-2007, 08:25 PM

Do your rock guards fit flush to the skin so that water does not drip on the windows when it rains or gets washed?

Thanks for responding.

CanoeStream · 10-11-2007, 08:46 PM

Hi CCD4US -- Somebody was having a related problem recently -- http://www.airforums.com/forums/f469...ard-34976.html. What you observe about lack of tight fit is a common occurrence. Some installations might be lucky on some counts (not all!) but I'd say that the numerous complexities will usually yield chaotic results.

I've installed rockguards on my '74 Argosy and have seen the pano rockguards on my '06 Safari too. The big soft gaskets do little more than abrasion control. There are bound to be gaps. The front window, its flat rockguard's width and the rib between the front & wing windows limit the wing rockguard latch placements. I suspect a tight rockguard installation would require repositioning the hinges -- potentially to the troublesome window trim-side skin junction. And this would not guarantee elimination of leaves from above and road spray from any direction I would guess. Get used to carefully opening the rockguard wings (don't let them blow in the wind). I suspect I clean this area at least 3 times a season and I store my Safari inside!

ljmiii · 10-11-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCD4US

Do your rock guards fit flush to the skin so that water does not drip on the windows when it rains or gets washed?

Nope. We need to open them up (carefully!) and clean between the guards and the windows every so often. Leaves and pine needles are what we collect the most.

TBRich · 10-11-2007, 09:20 PM

Ours do not fit flush/tight...wish they did but they don't and I doubt that many do. They do keep out a lot of stuff, but not water nor dust/dirt/small leaves, etc... They do serve their primary purpose, however...to sheild the windows from rocks, etc on the road...without them our pano windows would not be around long.

TB

CCD4US · 10-12-2007, 11:10 AM

Thanks for everyone's imput on this, looks like something I have to live with.

Out for the weekend for a short trip to the local CA beaches.

Happy Streaming!

ScottW · 11-26-2007, 03:34 PM

Glad I found this thread in the archives. My 07 Classic rockguards fit great on the bottom, hinge side and 1/3 to 1/2 the way along the top. The rest of the top toward the rear corner grows to a gap of at least an inch. Guess you can only bend aluminum so far before it kinks. At least I'm not the only one with this problem. I'll just keep opening them up and cleaning out the leaves.

CanoeStream · 11-26-2007, 03:46 PM

They are there to save you the $700 or so expense of replacing a wing window. I've installed a set of these on an Argosy. I'd say there would be no satisfaction to the effort of trying to install one with a complete seal. And then it might never dry out and grow funky things.

Inland RV Center, In · 11-26-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCD4US

Do your rock guards fit flush to the skin so that water does not drip on the windows when it rains or gets washed?

Thanks for responding.

Rockguards can be adjusted to fit the trailer.

The plastic "MUST" be hot from the sun, if not, it will break.

Raise the rockguard almost parallel to the ground, and place one hand on the vertical stiffner, then placing the other hand on the outside molding, pull downward some what.

Alternate between the top of the rochguard and the bottom, until the fit is correct.

CAUTION. If the plastic is "NOT" hot, it will break when you attempt to make that bend.

If the plastic "IS" hot, then make the adjustments as outlined, not more than about 1/2 inch, at a time.

A perfect seal cannot be obtained, but about 90 percent isn't bad.

Andy

ScottW · 11-26-2007, 03:49 PM

Your are correct. When she assigns me window cleaning detail, she means ALL the windows, including the ones behind the rock guards. Small price to pay to save $700+ windows.

ScottW · 11-26-2007, 03:50 PM

As always, Andy has a fix for it. Think I'll live with the gap, but thanks for the advice. Who knows when I may get brave enough to try it. Thanks, Andy.

2airishuman · 11-26-2007, 04:22 PM

hi scottW

i have no proof of this but think the rock guards might fit better while driving...

in other words they move toward the glass and seal out a little at 50+ mph

i'm with bob IF they sealed any better stationary we'd have more than leaves and dirt behind them...

i suspect when we open them to clean it tweaks the fit a little...

in a negative way.

the ideal solution would be EYEBROWS of aluminum above the rock guards, like on the gothic looking units of the past...

they'd look cool and stuff would drain over the guards...

waw'da ya think andy?

cheers
2air'

clicky pics for close ups of real rivets!

ScottW · 11-26-2007, 04:27 PM

Right about the speed helping 2air. Wow! pics look something out of a Jules Verne novel....the Nautilus, perhaps?

2airishuman · 11-26-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottW

Wow! pics look something out of a Jules Verne novel....the Nautilus, perhaps?

nah, it's just an old airstream...

and about the same vintage as andy i think...

cheers
2air'

TBRich · 11-27-2007, 09:11 PM

This past weekend I decided it was time to clean the rock guards (since they don't fit tight, never will, and "leak" rain and dust)...I had washed them before, but there was a residue/mineral build-up from water dripping inside, etc, so they didn't look clean... But I didn't want to scratch the heck out of the plexi (or whatever it is)...I used Flitz Wäxx Wax Protectant (with white caranuba and bee's wax) to clean and polish the plastic...Google it and you'll get lots of hits. It really did a nice job...a little elbow grease was required for some of the build-up, but it did take it off without scratching... and now I know if I do it more frequently, it wil keep them nice and shiny and un-scratched looking. Man, I was so proud of myself! The view out the pano is SO much nicer now!

TB

BamCamper · 02-17-2008, 03:43 PM

The rock guard on my front right pano window has many small, vertical, hairline cracks in it. You can't really see them from the outside but I took the curtains off and cleaned the windows today and now they are quite noticable from the inside. There are many more cracks on the right side than on the left. Is this normal wear and tear or a flaw with the window guard? Should I replace it sooner rather than later? Any ideas about what might have caused it?

Thanks.

TBRich · 02-17-2008, 06:08 PM

Seems to me there has been some discussion of cracks in the rock guards...try looking through related threads and searching "guard" to see if you can find them. In any event, if your unit is still under warantee, you might want to have them checked out for replacement.

TB

janetb · 02-17-2008, 06:22 PM

Wondering Wanda,
Our curbside pano shield developed hairline cracks, just within the last few months. Ours was replaced under warranty--but I think the service dept. at Toscano said that it's an ongoing problem. Since it seems like a manufacturing/matierials issue, I hope you don't have to pay for the replacement.
Good luck with that little cutie! Hate to think of lines on her eyelids at such a young age...
jb

BamCamper · 02-17-2008, 08:01 PM

Thanks Janet & TB.
I'm still under warranty so I will have them check it out.
That's not too promising that it's "an ongoing porblem".
Another one.
Sigh,
Bam

NevadaGeo · 02-17-2008, 08:42 PM

Hey Bam, I can see the cause of the problem! Don't take the curtains down! Next you'll be finding all the playa dust we hid in the corners. Kidding.
The Silver Dragon is getting new Dragon and Phoenix curtains, yeah!
Good luck on that rock catcher.