Prin
Central Ohio, USA
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Joined: 01/22/2004
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I will take exception to the thought that your friend was driving too fast as the reason he received the damage from thrown rocks. You can, and we did, received damage from trucks coming toward us. We were virtually stopped and the rocks were thrown from an approaching truck that was going too fast. It happens quite frequently on some roads. Yet the trip is well worth it. We put a wire mesh in front of the radiator and that helped. You will have a great adventure. Yes, drive slow and stay back will help some, but no matter what you do you can get rock damage. Good luck.
Ted and Carol
2008 Cameo RE373S
Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Diesel
Yamaha 2400i generators
Goldwing Motorcycle
Four Winns Boat
Z3 BMW
Retired Educators
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thecaptain
Belleville,Mi.48111 USA
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Joined: 05/12/2004
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We were in Alaska last year only had a small stone chip to winshild , easy fix and no damage to 5th wheel. The people with moterhomes in our caravan found out if they tied up there rear mud flap across the rear it through less stones on there toads , sounds strange but it worked . Just slow down some for on coming trucks and have fun .
Ken/Ellen(RET)
2000 F250 Superduty
7.3psd/Banksbrake/Smartlock/Trans command/3.73gear/Edge EZ module
2002/29ft-Terry 5er:
Take life one day at a time.
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Rosher
Tyler, Texas
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Joined: 05/24/2003
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We've made two trips in a class A with only two minor windshield chips that did not happen in Alaska. Got one chip in Montana and the other on the divided highway thru Calgary. The only protection for the toad was a Roadmaster Guardian Tow Shield.
Slow down in construction zones and stay to the right as far as you can and you'll be fine.
Allegro 32 BA
Jeep Liberty Toad
Buster, 3 lb. Yorkie
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Hook
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
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Joined: 12/20/2003
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If I read your post right about tying up the mud flaps, I have told numerous people who want to install mud flaps to not have them to close to the ground. I have seen mud flaps that are to low throwing up a shower of gravel and rocks. I think that mud flaps can help some but if to low can cause more problems throwing rock and creating dust. I do not know the perfect number but 4" up seems to work. Maybe someone else can shed some light on the proper height of mud flaps.
Hook
* This post was
edited 04/20/08 09:01pm by an administrator/moderator *
Chevy 2500 4x4 CC D-Max/Allison, Supersprings,Torqlift
Summerwind 806
"Kik-n-but" 23' modified Atec, twin Yamaha 60's, full electronics,
Hewes 20' Kenai Special 50hp Yamaha, 9.9 kicker
Polaris RZR
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erpa
South Central,East Coast. FL
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Joined: 05/28/2001
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Windshield crack and tons of dirt and stuff on the chassis. Had to use a pressure washer to clean the underside of the rig.The toad had some minor paint damage on the hood.
* This post was
edited 04/20/08 09:01pm by an administrator/moderator *
Eric & Pat
2002 Dolphin 5356
W22 Chassis
1999 Saturn SL1
2002 Trip FL to Alaska & back to FL Photos Link below
http://community.webshots.com/user/erpafl1020
Other Trip Pictures;
http://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p80/erpafl1020/
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Hayes
Grand Prairie, TX
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Joined: 10/19/2000
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We went last year. None, nada, zip!
Hayes
Jerry, Alma & Jasper the lovable Corgi
International 4700 Custom Tow Truck (Pepaw's Pull Toy)
38' King of the Road Marquis fifth wheel.
"Running the roads seeing God's Great Creation!"
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DonP
N-E-Where-USA
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Joined: 07/10/2003
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We spent the summer of 05 in Alaska and had no problems at all. I did have a full cover on the front of the toad including the windshield.
Don
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dav5942
Stuart, FL
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Joined: 05/24/2004
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Small paint chips on the coach and broken lights, larger paint chips and windshield chips on the toad(we took an old Jeep so as to not damage the Saturn). Next trip will remove the mud flap on the coach and add a "Protect A Tow" or equivilent for the toad.
2007 Newmar 42' Mid Engine w/Fatboy,ATVs-in Garage,lifted Jeep(s) in tow, Hog Valley Florida(a diamond in the rough),'09 Alaska again!
2007 Tour Alaska Fishing '08 Tour Grandchildren Newmar Mid Engine
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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We got the first stone chip in the windshield while still in Alberta. Second windshield chips came in British Columbia....our fault for driving too fast into a construction zone.
No stone chips on the chassis because I had purchased "Transit Shield" before we left. This is the Saran-Wrap-like stuff they use to protect new cars on the haulers.... I put it on the nose of the "van"; down the "shoulders"; and across the front of the overhang on our "C". Looked like heck - the average person can't put it on smoothly..... but at the end of a 9,000 mile drive, I peeled it off to find a pristine motorhome underneath the 200 lbs of dead bugs.....
The only "damage" we suffered was replacing a driveshaft carrier bearing that apparently hadn't been perfectly sealed and the gritty volcanic-ash soil of Alaska found it's way in. But that problem didn't arise until we had been home a few weeks.
In my opinion, the price of a new windshield is still worth the trip!!!
Deb
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JANETRUPP
Hattiesburg, MS, but full-time now
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Joined: 10/28/2006
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One trick we learned from someone who lives in Alaska was: If someone wants to pass, don't pull over. If you do he will speed by and throw up rocks etc at you. What he told us (and we did this) was to slow down and stop so he has to slow down to pass you. Just slow and put on your blinker. Worked every time. We drive slow so I'm sure people appreciated us doing this to let them get around(when it is clear of course). After spending 4 months in Alaska and Canada we only had a broken headlight on our jeep.
Take it easy, drive slow and enjoy it all....
Full-time and loving our life. Hubby and me and Buttons make three (our baby,poodle)
Monaco Diplomat 40' 4 slides
Honda Civic Tow
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