Hi Can anyone tell me if front towing protectors are good to use do they produce a lot of drag and the up the fuel consumption a lot or just a little bit I have just bought a new caravan and my wife and I are debating whether to get one. Thanks
Front towing protectors
- Thread starter pmangeolles
- Start date
We have one for our caravan they are good as it protects the front of the van from road dirt and stone chips, they are a little bit of a mess to put on but we feel is worth the effort, we haven't really noticed any increase in our fuel economy.
We purchased one after using a newly resurfaced road and the front of our caravan got covered in tar that proved impossible to remove.
Now our new caravan arrives tar free with no stone chips
Bit of a pain to fit first time to get the straps the right length but on subsequent trips very little adjustment required
Now our new caravan arrives tar free with no stone chips
Bit of a pain to fit first time to get the straps the right length but on subsequent trips very little adjustment required
Yes - I have one but usually only use it when I do long drives in the winter months. I used it last when I towed my van down to southern Spain and I didn't find the car using more diesel than in previous years.
Mel
Moderator
We got one for our new van. It fits quite tight once you have got the straps adjusted. A level physics was a long time ago, but I think that as long as the fit is tight,the increase in drag wouldn't, be that great.
I totally agree with you Mel,
In fact it might be argues that as the cover smoothes out some of the sharper shapes it may actually improve the air flow and reduce drag, improving fuel efficiency, but I strongly suspect the differences will be negligible and wiped out by the any additional bursts of acceleration that arise through changing traffic densities.
In fact it might be argues that as the cover smoothes out some of the sharper shapes it may actually improve the air flow and reduce drag, improving fuel efficiency, but I strongly suspect the differences will be negligible and wiped out by the any additional bursts of acceleration that arise through changing traffic densities.
Saw one last week being removed from a Bailey, cover came off which then revealed two flaps, one each side fixed I presume to the awning rail. Didn't see him remove the flaps as I got bored watching him trying to fold up the protector, thought to myself that's a lot of effort and hard work.
. Now two things come to mind,
will it if it worked slightly loose put pressure on the awning rails???
And the other thought .....well you got to wash the rest of the van so why not just do the front as well!!!
Ok I accept the stone chip protection
. Now two things come to mind,
will it if it worked slightly loose put pressure on the awning rails???
And the other thought .....well you got to wash the rest of the van so why not just do the front as well!!!
Ok I accept the stone chip protection
They do seem more popular now, i have never suffered from stone chip damage but i do have mud flaps on my car.
Quite expensive to keep the front of the van clean and only the top ones are padded enough to stop a stone?
Did notice at the weekend when leaving on the raining bank holiday the guy 2 pitches down couldn't be bothered to get wet putting it on so left without it fitted?
Quite expensive to keep the front of the van clean and only the top ones are padded enough to stop a stone?
Did notice at the weekend when leaving on the raining bank holiday the guy 2 pitches down couldn't be bothered to get wet putting it on so left without it fitted?
wouldn't waste our time with one. we have a 11 year old van, with very few chips/dings on the front - proof enough for us not to waste time/money on one! I guess if we had a new van we MIGHT consider it, but being lazy sods, probably not!! :lol:
Never used one but like Gagakev I do wash the front.
What worries me is the potential rubbing damage that may be caused to the front windows.
Additionally it seems another weight reduction in my allowance.
What worries me is the potential rubbing damage that may be caused to the front windows.
Additionally it seems another weight reduction in my allowance.
Used one and kept muck off as intended. But when doing up straps, tuck loose ends away securely, or they will flap into leaving marks on the paint they contact.
We have used one since after first trip with first van we discovered a stone chip.
I clean the front before putting it on and with the straps correctly tightened it sits like a second skin and thus no pressure on the awning rails.
We wouldnt tow without it now.
I clean the front before putting it on and with the straps correctly tightened it sits like a second skin and thus no pressure on the awning rails.
We wouldnt tow without it now.
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