Any US source for Stone Stomper or similar fabric gravel guard?

[John E Davies]

Really big pic, click the link:

https://dimcfarlane369.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/20150513_095031.jpg

http://www.stonestomper.com.au

I've decided to order an Oliver Legacy Elite II and I don't think my "old school" Rock Tamer mudflaps are going to stop the carnage. They seem to be only about 75% effective, judging by the ping pang pong racket when I tow my little soft road utility trailer.... The Ollie a beautiful and expensive trailer and I think it deserves top quality protection.

I've emailed Stone Stomper but my suspicion is that they won't ship overseas. I hope I am wrong about that.

Any other options here in USA for a similar full coverage design, even a DYI kit or plans? Does one of the Adventure trailer builders offer something I could adapt? Where could I find the special HD mesh material?

Thanks.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[PhulesAU]

Ya might check a Truck supply place, that sells tarps for open top trailers. They use an open weave, it should stop a few little rocks.

 

[Mark Harley]

Draw up what you want and email it to Travis at http://www.mytarp.com/
They can make most anything.

 

[OCD Overland]

I think the problem isn't so much the fabric itself as it is the connection to the vehicle. It needs to have some degree of flexibility for turning. I think on the Australian ones, the bars that hold the front of the fabric are spring mounted or hinged. But if you can buy the stone stomper or something similar, like the one mentioned at the Oliver forum, I'm sure getting a piece of fabric made to fit the Oliver should be easy.

Congrats on the purchase, by the way. Keep us posted on how it goes. My wife and I still don't know which way we're going, but I don't think you can really go wrong with the Olivers. Not only is it a great trailer, but everyone associated with it, whether they're employees or customers, seem to be super friendly and helpful.

 

[SWITAWI]

Really big pic, click the link:

https://dimcfarlane369.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/20150513_095031.jpg

http://www.stonestomper.com.au

I've decided to order an Oliver Legacy Elite II and I don't think my "old school" Rock Tamer mudflaps are going to stop the carnage. They seem to be only about 75% effective, judging by the ping pang pong racket when I tow my little soft road utility trailer.... The Ollie a beautiful and expensive trailer and I think it deserves top quality protection.

I've emailed Stone Stomper but my suspicion is that they won't ship overseas. I hope I am wrong about that.

Any other options here in USA for a similar full coverage design, even a DYI kit or plans? Does one of the Adventure trailer builders offer something I could adapt? Where could I find the special HD mesh material?

Thanks.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

I have pondered a similar question - http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/150886-Tongue-mounted-stone-guards

It seems that to an American trailer manufacturer the term 'stone guard' just means put some diamond plate on the lower front of the trailer.

I'd take Mark Harley's advice and source some tarp or shade cloth material to make it yourself. A tongue-mounted version might be easier to build than the 'underneath' one in your post just because it would be static and not have to move with the vehicle. Of course it probably would not provide the same amount of protection that the giant sheet underneath would.

EDIT: Looked at your trailer pictures and I'm not sure there's enough room on the tongue for a top-mounted solution that would still allow enough turning clearance. Unless you went with separate sides like I've seen pictures of some boat trailers with. Of course those were Australian as well.

 

[coop74]

The guys at lattitude campers have one on their trailers. Sean is the owner and likely would share where they source their fabric.

http://www.latitudecampers.com/


Big Coop

 

[John E Davies]

I don't want a vertical solid guard, it just bounces stuff back at the tow vehicle.

I did talk to Stone Stomper and they will build a custom shield and ship it to the USA for $US580. That is steep but it looks like a really solid, trail tested design. They need four measurements to build one.

Distance from outside corner to outside corner of the trailer front wall, measured underneath the A frame.
Distance from front of trailer to ball or center of coupler.
Distance from front of trailer to any fixed jack or other projection, for adding extra chafe material (adds AU$35 per panel)
Distance from front of trailer to locate a cross support rod (not supplied), to hold up the fabric in turns and stabilize it.

They also need make and model of tow vehicle so the width at the truck is correct.

They offer three different front mounts, depending on whether you are using a regular ball mount, equalizing hitch or an offroad coupler.

They will send you complete ordering instructions with lots of pics and testimonials by email. I cannot post all the pics and info without the owner's permission, and he is reluctant to have it go live for the world to see and copy. I can understand that.

http://www.stonestomper.com.au

In the meantime, if you are cheap you can engineer your own or maybe use this low budget, light duty skirt ....

http://protectatow.tripod.com/trailers.htm

One of the Oliver owners has indicated that he is going to order a Stone Stomper. Hopefully he will provide feedback to all of us. And to me. I would like to order one before taking delivery of my (not yet ordered) Ollie, but I have to figure out how to attach it at the back, since the 'glass cabin sticks out well past the frame. I can't just run sheet metal screws into the cabin, I need some sort of solid extension from the A Frame rails.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA