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04-03-2013, 08:20 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2013 28' International
Bozeman
, Montana
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 466
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Do I need Rock Tamers?
As I'm getting closer to the delivery of our new 28 International, I'm wondering how important are the big a$$ mud flaps/rock tamers, etc.
While using the trailer in Michigan this year and staying on paved roads, do we have enough protection from the segment protectors and the window rock guards or should I add something to the tow vehicle?
Can't stand the look of the things but I also don't want a thousand little dents if I get stuck on a freshly chip sealed road that I can't avoid, especially with it being a new unit.
When I'm ready for the big trip to Alaska there is no question that I'll need the protection.
Thanks for any recommendations.
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04-03-2013, 08:27 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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I think you do. I had my AS for about a month when I had to go through about 100 yards of construction area. They had removed the asphalt and had filled with a chipped limestone that was just the same size as the gaps in my tread. I was horrified when I looked in the mirror and saw a literal spray of gravel pelting the corner protectors. I was only going about 30 mph. I had about 200 dents in the protectors.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-03-2013, 08:29 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2013 28' International
Bozeman
, Montana
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 466
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Thanks Rich. That is all I needed to hear.
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04-03-2013, 08:32 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Since adding the Rock Tamers, I have only had maybe 2 or 3 dents in the segment protectors ( I had previously rolled out the 200 or s dents with a body dolly) and 2 star cracks in the window protectors. I believe all these came from passing trucks and not my tires.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-03-2013, 08:41 PM
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#5
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Maniacal Engineer
1971 25' Tradewind
Lopez Island
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,244
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I use Rock Tamers because we tow often on dirt and gravel roads, and we have fairly large openings in the truck's tire treads. This seems like a good way of chucking rocks, so I installed some on the truck.
- Bart
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04-03-2013, 10:13 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1972 31' Excella 500
Mount Vernon
, Is For Lovers
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 110
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I got the Rock Tamers for peace of mind on the paved stuff and for when I get a wild hair and go off the beaten path exploring who knows what ! Eventually I plan to polish so a couple hundred bucks to help protect a couple hundred hours polishing is a painless decision.
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04-03-2013, 10:25 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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I'm really fussy about damage, but didn't put them on and probably won't, hate the look. There are some little nicks, nothing to loose sleep over. These can be a place for filiform corrosion, so I touch them up with a cleat coat pen and wax this area often. The segment protectors catch most of it, but that's why they are there. If some day the front center panel becomes too bad, it's replaceable.
The windows, as well as lower panels receive the most severe damage, not from your tires but from vehicles you meet, pass, or pass you. This stuff comes at high speed.
Our truck does have good-sized mud flaps and they catch most of it. I believe Rock Tamers mounted too close to the ground could lift small gravel with their air turbulence at highway speeds, too high and they may not stop what the tires throw.
I was looking at new Sport models without segment protectors, and Airstream put some clear plastic sheet over this area to protect it. You have to look close to see it. I wonder if that could be purchased and put on non-Sport models?
doug k
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04-03-2013, 11:21 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2015 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2013 25' FB Eddie Bauer
2012 20' Flying Cloud
Small Town
, *** Big Sky Country ***Western Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,860
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Only if you will not be pained by the unavoidable "dings" from rocks thrown up by your own tires. On our truck, the front tires seem to send more rocks and gravel into the AS path than do the rear tires. The RT handle both quite well - they are positioned about 3/4 inch above the coupled height and very stiff so that wind does not blow them back significantly.
It is less effective if you buy the R-Ts eventually ... after there are sizeable dings already in the aluminum or stainless. Little can be done to protect from oncoming ballistic stones ... have tried the clear plastic film to no avail.
They are easily removed from the shank by loosening two bolts or just leave in place when the shank is removed from the receiver... a bit bulky to handle, however.
__________________
2015 25' Eddie Bauer Int'l FBQ / 2023 Ford Lightning ER
2022 Ford F350 6.2 V-8; equalizer hitch + Shocker air hitch
Honda Eu3200; AIR# 44105; formerly WBCCI 2015.1
Terminal Aluminitis; 2-people w/ 3+ dogs
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04-04-2013, 05:58 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1994 30' Excella
alexandria
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,321
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I think they are worth the expense over dents and broken windows. Besides rocks there is other debris to consider such as old tire carcasses or something thrown out of the bed of pickup trucks from folks who move on the weekends - which you may not be able to avoid if traveling in heavy traffic.
I made my own "rock tamers" that I can quickly remove from the truck. The stinger is heavy enough without having a set of mud flaps to contend with too.
__________________
Steve, Christy, Anna and Phoebe (Border Collie)
1994 Classic 30'11" Excella - rear twin
2009 Dodge 2500, 6 Speed Auto, CTD, Quad Cab, Short Bed
Hensley Arrow hitch with adjustable stinger
WBCCI # 3072
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04-04-2013, 06:39 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum
I'm really fussy about damage, but didn't put them on and probably won't, hate the look. There are some little nicks, nothing to loose sleep over. These can be a place for filiform corrosion, so I touch them up with a cleat coat pen and wax this area often. The segment protectors catch most of it, but that's why they are there. If some day the front center panel becomes too bad, it's replaceable.
The windows, as well as lower panels receive the most severe damage, not from your tires but from vehicles you meet, pass, or pass you. This stuff comes at high speed.
Our truck does have good-sized mud flaps and they catch most of it. I believe Rock Tamers mounted too close to the ground could lift small gravel with their air turbulence at highway speeds, too high and they may not stop what the tires throw.
I was looking at new Sport models without segment protectors, and Airstream put some clear plastic sheet over this area to protect it. You have to look close to see it. I wonder if that could be purchased and put on non-Sport models?
doug k
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Doug is correct here. I found that adjusting to 4" off the ground with an unladen truck , and 3" off the ground hitched and loaded is perfect. Any closer to the ground and turbulence DOES kick up gravel...defeating the purpose. At least that's my experience.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-11-2013, 06:30 PM
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#11
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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You all might consider some Texas Fly Swatters instead of conventional flaps (turbulence problems).
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04-11-2013, 08:22 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slowmover
You all might consider some Texas Fly Swatters instead of conventional flaps (turbulence problems).
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Interesting...could be attached to the rock tamer arms. Trimming to the correct length could be an issue though.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-11-2013, 08:40 PM
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#13
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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I'd just ask the manufacturer. Might be that attaching some flat stock across the trimmed lower would suffice.
.
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04-11-2013, 09:00 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,223
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Had a set of Rock Tamers come in and found out that their casting that goes around the 2" square bar that fits into the TV receiver was 1.125" thick. My Hensley stinger had welds within 0.75" of the lip of the receiver. Thus the casting was too thick to allow installation of the Rock Tamer bracket.
I had to return the Rock Tamers to the vendor.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
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04-11-2013, 09:12 PM
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#15
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Vintage Kin
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by switz
Had a set of Rock Tamers come in and found out that their casting that goes around the 2" square bar that fits into the TV receiver was 1.125" thick. My Hensley stinger had welds within 0.75" of the lip of the receiver. Thus the casting was too thick to allow installation of the Rock Tamer bracket.
I had to return the Rock Tamers to the vendor.
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Did you also return the LED-backlit Yosemite Sam "Back Off!" attachments for the rear of the flaps?
I have a set of VORTEX mudflaps to go on the '04. You might also consider their full-length piece versus the ENKAY:
VORTEX Smart Tow Guard
.
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04-12-2013, 04:22 AM
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#16
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by switz
Had a set of Rock Tamers come in and found out that their casting that goes around the 2" square bar that fits into the TV receiver was 1.125" thick. My Hensley stinger had welds within 0.75" of the lip of the receiver. Thus the casting was too thick to allow installation of the Rock Tamer bracket.
I had to return the Rock Tamers to the vendor.
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I ran into the same problem with the TowTector....
A little work with the die grinder solved the problem.
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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04-12-2013, 06:02 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by switz
Had a set of Rock Tamers come in and found out that their casting that goes around the 2" square bar that fits into the TV receiver was 1.125" thick. My Hensley stinger had welds within 0.75" of the lip of the receiver. Thus the casting was too thick to allow installation of the Rock Tamer bracket.
I had to return the Rock Tamers to the vendor.
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My friend had the same problem with the Rock Tamers and a ProPride stinger. We did a similar job to Robert's with a die grinder, but did it on the Rock Tamers, and left the ProPride stinger alone.
Figured it would be lots less of a problem if the Rock Tamer bracket broke than if the ProPride stinger broke.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
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04-12-2013, 06:11 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by switz
Had a set of Rock Tamers come in and found out that their casting that goes around the 2" square bar that fits into the TV receiver was 1.125" thick. My Hensley stinger had welds within 0.75" of the lip of the receiver. Thus the casting was too thick to allow installation of the Rock Tamer bracket.
I had to return the Rock Tamers to the vendor.
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How long ago? I know that many people were modifying the bracket, but RockTamer started beveling them some time ago. Mine is the chromed one and it fits both all of my HAHA stingers as well as my new "for Hensley Propride adjustable stinger" without modification. I've had mine for 2 1/2 years now.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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04-12-2013, 06:49 AM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
2005 31' Classic
Sunrise Beach
, Missouri
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadWest
As I'm getting closer to the delivery of our new 28 International, I'm wondering how important are the big a$$ mud flaps/rock tamers, etc.
While using the trailer in Michigan this year and staying on paved roads, do we have enough protection from the segment protectors and the window rock guards or should I add something to the tow vehicle?
Can't stand the look of the things but I also don't want a thousand little dents if I get stuck on a freshly chip sealed road that I can't avoid, especially with it being a new unit.
When I'm ready for the big trip to Alaska there is no question that I'll need the protection.
Thanks for any recommendations.
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They are well worth the price. We installed them after we had suffered rock damage from driving primarily on divided highways. Sooner is better.
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