Tow Flaps or Rock Guards

[PerchJerker]

Does anyone use tow flaps or rock guards to keep rock chips off their boat and boat trailer? I've never used anything like that with my aluminum boats but I'm getting a glass boat and have been wondering about this.

[delmuts]

i haven't , but now i get to deal with the rock chips on the front edge of the trailers running boards and wheel wells. mud flaps etc may not look very cool, but would sure help protect your rig.

[FISHER ED]

I welded a flap setup that fits over the trailer hitch and has large flaps that hang almost to the ground. It sits right at the edge of the bumper. Made it for my enclosed flat front trailer. I was getting a lot of chips in the tailgate from rocks hitting the trailer and bouncing back toward the truck. Since I've made this, no more rock chips in either the tailgate or dents in the trailer front. I'm sure it would do the same thing for boats. Not pretty I know but since it's only used during towing, I don't care.

[Northlander]

I have the rubber rock guards on my truck but they dont work like I had hoped. Now when I go to Canada or someplace with a lot of gravel roads I wrap a big mesh tarp on the front of my boat. It keeps the rocks off my new boat and only cost about $30. Im looking to midify my Rock Guards so theres no space in the middle. I would like 1 solid piece the width of the truck from bumper to just above the ground when boat is on the ball.

[delmuts]

i've seen ( mostly on RV's) a gaurd that has nylon bristles that goes all the way accross the bumper of the units. have never talked to any one to see if they work very well though.

[bigdog]

I bought the Kwik Pfyt brand rock guard 3 years ago and have been very happy with it. They have a nylon brush and a hard plastic style. The brushes tend to fly up in the wind so I got the plastic ones. I run BFG A/T tires and they tend to throw rocks, even into the boat itself. With this rock guard all of that was eliminated. Installs on your receiver hitch with a couple set screws so it is easily removable. Bought mine mail order, from a farm supply place in Nebraska but they are manufactured in Fergus Falls.

[kslipsinker]

I have a friend in Omaha that makes a boat bra. His boat is a 1995 and looks like new. He travels thousands of miles every year too. He also makes a wrap to cover the trailer frame. If you want, I could find his phone number. Email me at [email protected].

[PerchJerker]

Thanks for all the replies. I've considered the rubber flaps that look like big mud flaps behind the bumper but that leave an open space in the middle, but it sounds like Northlander's not all that thrilled with his. I've also considered the grass skirt or nylon brush style that goes all the way across the bumper - looks to me like it would work pretty well but who knows.

kslipsinker, do you know if your friend's boat bra can go on and off while the boat is tight against the winch stand? I've seen boat bras before but they needed to go on and off when there was space between the boat and the winch stand, and that looked like too much screwing around at the boat ramp for my liking.

Still don't know what I'm going to do .......

[Mueller]

Check this out http://www.trailer-rockguard.com/prices.html

I bought one from Marine General in Duluth for $200 since I put it on I don't notice any more chips. Looks kind of funky on the trailer but it seems to work.

Mueller

[EJ]

Mueller,

Have you noticed any reduction in MPG?

EJ

[Mueller]

EJ, this summer I have towed the boat and had the air conditioning on most of the time. I tow with a Chev 4X4 3/4 ton which doesn't get good mileage by itself. To be honest, I'm not all that concerned with mileage with that rig. However I demand good mileage from my cars. The face of the rock guard is a tough mesh which would let some air through and it is close enough to the back of the truck so the truck probably breaks a lot of the wind. If I had to guess it would have a very small impact on MPG.

Mueller

[PerchJerker]

Thanks Mueller, I have seen that rock guard before and know that some pros use it. Is it a pretty solid, reliable, durable product? When I was looking at it on-line it looked a little 'gimmicky' to me but I've never seen one in person.

[bigdog]

The nylon brush ones fly up and do not do a very good job. The solid flap Kwik Pfyt has a small space in the center allowing you to get at your safety chain attachments. I have not had any problems with rocks coming through. Nice thing about this design is that it is easy to remove, just switch the receiver out for another when you don't need the flaps. Would worry more about making sure the flaps go as far out to the sides as possible and that they hang down low.

[Northlander]

Mueller how long ago did ya buy it from Marine General? This is exactly what Im looking for.

[Mueller]

I bought my boat last August so it was in Sept. I think? Call Russ at Marine General and see if he has any left. Seems to me he had a few that he was discounting when I bought mine. If I remember 200 was the price if not, it wasn't much more.

Mueller

[Mueller]

Perchjerker, It seems to hold up well so far. Actually it is a pretty solid piece of equipment. I know it doesn't stop all chips as I think some come from oncoming traffic but in two years I think it has worked pretty well. I live darn near the end of a 4 mile gravel road so I take it slow while motoring out and once on the highway stop and remove the rocks from my tires. If you look on any paved highway there is always some kind of debris that can hit your boat.

Mueller

[kslipsinker]

The boat bra is a custom made unit that doesn't require any movment of the boat. it is the ultimate if you want to keep your boat in showroom condition. He does a lot of Sportsman shows in the midwest.