Rock Tamers/Guards worth it for protecting wheel house?

Curious to hear the thoughts of people that own and tow a wheel house regularly. The wife and I recently purchased a new house and I’m looking to keep it in the best condition possible for the next 8yrs. It’s a fiberglass v-front with that rubber mat protector stuff along the bottom 1/3 of the V, but curious if a set of rock guards on the hitch would help to keep the rocks…and more so the road salt and grime off it since I won’t be able to wash it regularly mid-winter. I do already have a set of mudflaps on the truck but guessing these alone won’t be enough.

So let me know what you guys do/would do.

Absolutely.

Last summer just pulling our wheelhouse to and from the lake property camping in the summer I noticed new dings that weren’t there when we bought it (purchased a used house). I purchased a set of the hitch mounted mud flaps and it is crazy how clean it keeps the house! There is always going to be a little bit that makes it through, but I absolutely feel like they are worth it.

Good to hear, thanks waldo. I figured every little bit helps but they’re so darn pricey I wanted to make sure it’s a worthwhile investment. Maybe it’s time I start shopping CL for a used set.

Still should rinse off when possible, salt mist gets everywhere depending on road conditions no matter what you do.

I know that’s ideal but in reality, it likely won’t happen after every trip so anything I can do to keep as much off as possible the better. Just wasn’t sure if these types of guards are helpful at all and worth cost.

You can buy a big section of the ‘brush’ type material on Amazon for like $70 and make your own set for $100 very easily if you’re handy at all. Another $25 if you want to get fancy and have the metal powder coated. The brush style seem to work much better than rubber in the winter.

Good suggestion Alagnak, but I just don’t have the time these days for such projects. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for both the flap and brush styles while searching CL. I’m trying to buy these used to save a few bucks and they’ll only be used 12-15 times a year I’m guessing.

I hear ya there. It’s always a struggle to decide do I build it, or buy it. I do have the means of making most anything out of wood/metal but the time is a stuggle. You’ll find one used- well worth the investment.

Jamin wrote:

Good suggestion Alagnak, but I just don’t have the time these days for such projects. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for both the flap and brush styles while searching CL. I’m trying to buy these used to save a few bucks and they’ll only be used 12-15 times a year I’m guessing.

Imo…the rubber flap style deflects far more rocks than what it is worth and beats up everything else including your bumper and tailgate…i would go brush which is what I currently have…make sure you measure correctly to get the correct one..wrong size and it’s pretty much like throwing money into the wind

I use a brush style called Towtector and love it. Nothing keeps everything off but this helps alot.

I built a set for my vehicle. They were made with oversized truck mud flaps. Over wide, flush with top of the bumper and ran 1″ off the ground when loaded, braced not to flare up from wind speed.

I drove down 40mi of gravel road on a trim and was absolutely amazed by the amount of rocks the were flying past my flaps. They flat out did very little to stop rocks. I could watch rocks flying in my mirror. I got rid of mine, not worth the effort for the lack of results. Ive got heavy rock damage from that trip 2′ above the Alum diamond plate trim.

After seeing how my HD oversized flaps worked I get a kick every time I see someone with the broom bristle flaps on their truck.

One other thing to know, if you have straight back exhaust you will burn through a flap. cut outs are needed if you plan to use flaps.

Good input guys, thanks for sharing. It seems some approve of them and then others have had little success with them. I’m on the fence. May still give it a try if I can find a reasonably priced set on CL or somewhere.

I wonder what side effects there are once you get out on the lake and are in a bit of snow. My guess is they kick up a lot of snow as they’ll drag a bit then? Probably not much of an issue if it’s just soft snow, but something that crossed my mind.

There is nothing out there that will protect 100%. My thoughts are if it keeps 50% of the stuff it will help in the long run.

They worked really well for me. I had a camper and drove dirt roads a lot. Road base can really do a number on the paint and fiberglass. When it was wet the mud would be streaked from top to bottom and a pain to wash. With the tamers the rocks were greatly reduced, and mud not as much of an issue. I cut mine to length without the trailer attached (by mistake), so they dragged when the trailer was attached. It didn’t cause issues.

They are kind of a pain to take on and off frequently.

Good input, Shawn and I can see where they’d help with mud…at least reduce it. I realize nothing is going to be 100% but as mx said, if they can at least cut it down by half it may be worth it.

Add higher checker plate on the v.

http://www.kwikpfyt.com/PickupsAndSuvs.html best on the market give Bob a call you won’t be disappointed Mine are 15 years old and still work great.