Factual History Of Front Dents.

[brian_374461570]

1 Got delivery of Pegasus 554 and new Sportage January 2010.
2 Front protection was 2 Micron thick. At least dozen dents in short time.
3 3 Micron thick protection fitted under guarantee. This did not hide the original dents.
4 Mudflaps on car extended to road surface. No further dents collected.
5 5Micron thick protection fitted FOC on first service. Covered up original dents and looks good.
It would appear that the problem has now been solved and Bailey can take a bow.
It is also noted that low estate cars generally caused no dents where 4X4 large wheeled vehicles caused the most.
If you still have a problem, ensure that the 5 Micron protection pads are fitted.
Regards

Brian Ellis

 

[mcghee]

it would seem that fitting an appropriate set of mudflaps is the cure for the problem then, regardless of paint protection?

 

[JTQ]

it would seem that fitting an appropriate set of mudflaps is the cure for the problem then, regardless of paint protection?

With Hymers of yesteryear that suffered the same denting issue fitting "an appropriate set of mud flaps" was for me definitely the cure for all but the odd third party caused dents at higher levels.
The problem comes with that word "appropriate"; those offered for the rear of my Defend 90 and 110s whilst compared to many of the OEM offerings looking the part, were in reality inadequate. Even hanging a piece of rubber to virtually ground level and spanning well wider than the tyre becomes next to useless if when travelling that is "blown" into or away from the spinning tyre. I had to put on well-oversized and well-engineered homemade ones to be successful. I needed to curve these slightly in plan view to get the requisite stiffness not to be blown out of place but still be compliant enough not to be lost when inevitably they were grounded.
Unfortunately the modern trend of vehicle manufacturers to offer only “designer” pert little stiff hard “cosmetic style finishers” as rear mud flaps are for our purposes useless apart from offering something onto which we can or might be able to bolt a functional extension flap.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

To me it seems that the problem has been covered up
Covered up with stick on plastic
I just wish that Bailey would fit a proper GRP stylised front panel with a front locker as enjoyed by Bailey owners for years

 

[JTQ]

I just wish that Bailey would fit a proper GRP stylised front panel with a front locker as enjoyed by Bailey owners for years

But they did not do as you state and not doing that was the big problem they had. They used ABS not GRP and unfortunately some owners did not "enjoy" the cracking and water ingress that too often came with it.
However a cosmetic, non integrity critical "bib" type of ABS cover like the Unicorn has in part adopted would be a positive step forwards. Thats using ABS where its weaknesses and strengths are correctly realised.

 

[Surfer]

I have seen a brush type of mudflap that goes right across the back of the vehicle on some motorhomes. I think this is very effective in preventing stones being thrown up onto the front of the caravan.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi JTQ and Happy New Year
I expressed that badly
What I meant to say was it would be better if a GRP front was employed now with a similar size locker as of old
I like a big front locker for all the aquarolls and outdoor bits but then not everyone shares that opinion
The Unicorn that I saw was fitted with the stuck on bits with mastic showing round the side
After a short while behind a diesel car the mastic will I imagine look black and grubby round the edges
A good thing on Bailey is the side locker construction which unlike my previous Swifts does not have the non setting mastic that was a pain to clean for the reason stated above
I really like the Uncorn interior but sadly(for me !) the front is not to my liking

 

[JTQ]

Hi John and Happy New Year to you.
I dont know why they "stick" on the Unicorns "shields" at all, other than for suspected costing reasons as like you I dont think the adhesive will compliment asthetics as it ages. A bit of lateral thinking and they could be spaced off the body by a cm or two and that depth exploited to relieve that harsh flat front and add some style. They could also be readily removable facilitating a proper clean up and be owner replaceable at minimum hassle/cost if damaged.

 

[LordCharlesII]

Best to buy these from truck shops,much more heavy duty, do not bend in the wind,good luck..