General Questions About Escape

[sleepy]

The reason we had the underside of the trailer sprayed with foam insulation is primarily to protect the fiberglass from rock chips. We drive plenty on logging roads.
I'd prefer not to fix rock chips anywhere but especially the trailer bottom.
Of course, this insulation will make it more work, if I have to repair anything on the underside.

And the added bonus is the floor seems warmer.

 

[Jim Bennett]

The reason we had the underside of the trailer sprayed with foam insulation is primarily to protect the fiberglass from rock chips. We drive plenty on logging roads.
I'd prefer not to fix rock chips anywhere but especially the trailer bottom.
Of course, this insulation will make it more work, if I have to repair anything on the underside.

And the added bonus is the floor seems warmer.

My 19 did many 100's of miles on gravel roads, and the underside was actually in very good shape. The wheel wells had a bit of chipping, but the worst was the front of the trailer, as I did not have Line-X on it, nor a storage box. Still these areas with the chips were not really all that bad, a minor gelcoat repair.

 

[AK snowbiker]

My 19 did many 100's of miles on gravel roads, and the underside was actually in very good shape. The wheel wells had a bit of chipping, but the worst was the front of the trailer, as I did not have Line-X on it, nor a storage box. Still these areas with the chips were not really all that bad, a minor gelcoat repair.

Jim,
I drove myself batty this last spring trying to fabricate a rock shield for our trailer. Even though our tow vehicle has a substantial set of mud guards I was getting rock dings on the front of our trailer.

For my first attempt I purchased 2 sheets of the thin diamond plate that they sell at Lowes and Home Depot and used VHB tape to stick them on the front corners. They worked okay but were really tacky looking. So back to staring at the trailer…

For my second attempt I made an appointment at a custom sheet metal shop. I thought it would be sweet to have diamond plate wrapped around the front of the trailer. No more worries about gravel and mud. The sheet metal guy looked at the trailer for a long time, shook his head and said “No way”. (Too difficult to bend the sheet metal with the step down and the radius of the bend of the trailer shell).

What I ended up with, is a set of Rock Tamers for the tow vehicle. For the trailer I purchased four square U brackets at ACE Hardware and four sheets of the thick diamond plated at Lowes. Just slid the brackets over the frame in front and bolted on the sheets of diamond plate. This coming spring I plan on welding on a couple of pieces of angle iron with holes on the front frame for large single piece of diamond plate that will be cut so you can still access the propane compartment. This way you can take the shield off to wash and wax behind the shield.

Sorry no pictures, the trailer is in storage for the winter. The rock tamers on the truck and rock shield on the trailer worked very well this summer. Kept off a lot of the mud and no new dings.

Scot and Lori

 

[MyronL]

Just curious -- to do its work does a rock guard have to be metal? Mine are vinyl, factory installed. Haven't checked but think they are also removable.

 

[Ron in BC]

My vinyl ones did a good job on the Alaska Hwy. stopping the rocks from chipping the f.g. The only negative is that road tar stained them and they're not pristine looking any more. A stain is visible even after a good cleaning. When I get around to spraying my propane tank cover I'll probably spray the rock guards also.

Ron

 

[gbaglo]

This is back side of my vinyl rock guards after some six years of service. Foam has broken down some, but they still work.

 

[MyronL]

Ah, I thought so. Snap buttons, right? Good to know.

 

[gbaglo]

Yup snaps. I apply some clear bike grease to the snaps before reattaching them.

 

[AK snowbiker]

Myron that looks like it would do the job. Didn't even think to ask about something like that when we picked up our trailer. I originally tried auto body film but even that looked cheesy.

I did not even realize that rock guards were a option. That would have saved alot of time and effort. Who Knew?

Scott and Lori

 

[AK snowbiker]

This is back side of my vinyl rock guards after some six years of service. Foam has broken down some, but they still work.

Originally that is what I was looking for. Now I wonder why that was never a option on our build sheet? I wonder if we could have those installed next time we travel down to Washington. That way I could also get ride of the Rock Tamers.

Scott and Lori

 

[gbaglo]

Where would they go on a fifth wheel?

 

[AK snowbiker]

Where would they go on a fifth wheel?

Doesn't it just snap to the shell? I would like to get rid of the metal if I could.

Scott and Lori

 

[MyronL]

Guessing would drill holes in shell and rivet in the snap button receivers. Might be different with a fiver.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Why not get colour matching Line-X done?

 

[thoer]

This is back side of my vinyl rock guards after some six years of service. Foam has broken down some, but they still work.

I just peeled all the foam liner off ours. One side of ours came loose in a big wind day and ruined the snap and tore the fabric around it. I took it to a boat cover place and they fixed it up. I asked about how much fabricating new ones would cost and it was significantly less than ordering new ones.

 

[AK snowbiker]

Why not get colour matching Line-X done?

Hmmm. I would hate to drill holes in the shell. I still haven't drilled the holes for my solar yet. Has anyone done the Line-X?

Scott and Lori

 

[Loren & Cathy]

I had a good discussion with ETI a year ago about Line-X and the cost would have been $500. I have also discussed it with the Line-X people here when I was having the truck box done. The Storage box was $700 and has a Line-X coat on it and so far I can't see any damage. We are planning a run up the Alcan Highway in several years so I will try to figure out if any additional protection will be needed. Loren

 

[AK snowbiker]

Thanks Loren, I'll keep the Line-X in mind. One advantage of the frame mounted plates on the 5th is that I can slide them to the outside to gain a little more coverage to keep mud and tar off the awning arms.

Scott and Lori

 

[Jim Bennett]

I had a good discussion with ETI a year ago about Line-X and the cost would have been $500. I have also discussed it with the Line-X people here when I was having the truck box done. The Storage box was $700 and has a Line-X coat on it and so far I can't see any damage. We are planning a run up the Alcan Highway in several years so I will try to figure out if any additional protection will be needed. Loren

$500 (CAD I presume) seems fairly reasonable, especially as a colour match. I was quoted $600 to do my truck bed (black though), and negotiated down to $540. A heck of a lot more to doing the truck bed, as it included R&R of the 2 bed lights, 8 tie down anchors, and other connectors.

 

[AK snowbiker]

So it looks like Line-X or something similar would be my best bet for a 5th wheel rock guard. Does anyone know if the white fades to yellow over time? I guess even if does you can always use krylon paint to touch it up. Thanks.

Scott and Lori