315RLTS Lower Front Cap Protection From Road Debris

[Big Myke]

Two day old new owner and questions abound!

My latest question/type-A concern has to do with the lower quarters of the front cap to the left and right of the tongue A-frame.

The black center portion of the cap has a rhino/Line-X looking material that looks like it could withstand a rock pop. It is further protected by the propane tanks and cover. But the cream colored areas that are in-line with the tow vehicle rear wheels do not have this coating. Why? Why not extend this across the bottom of the cap to add protection, like diamond plate would? Since it is not, have any of you done anything to protect this area? It just seems like this could be an issue in the long term. The rocker panels on my truck have this material and I have yet to see a chip in it.

[howson]

Two day old new owner and questions abound!

My latest question/type-A concern has to do with the lower quarters of the front cap to the left and right of the tongue A-frame.

The black center portion of the cap has a rhino/Line-X looking material that looks like it could withstand a rock pop. It is further protected by the propane tanks and cover. But the cream colored areas that are in-line with the tow vehicle rear wheels do not have this coating. Why? Why not extend this across the bottom of the cap to add protection, like diamond plate would? Since it is not, have any of you done anything to protect this area? It just seems like this could be an issue in the long term. The rocker panels on my truck have this material and I have yet to see a chip in it.

I agree, Big Myke. I've got a few dings in the front of mine already. (One from a flying breaker bar while removing the Blue Ox WDH, but that's another story.)

I looked at the Rock Tamer but really dislike that it mounts through/to/between the receiver hitch and ball mount. Everytime I remove my (substantially heavy!) Blue Ox WDH ball mount the Tamer has to come off, too. I'm not going to do that. If that's not a concern for you it might be just the ticket. Marc (from Keep Your Daydream) uses them on his Ford and he pulls a 312BHTS, essentially the same as ours (size and weight).

If you find something else, please post as this is still on my mod wish list.

[Drolaw]

I too have been looking for a solution and found this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006M9VIRM...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[Dreamin' Dreamers]

Why not have the area treated with a Line-X bedliner type substance. I have seen colors other than black. Even saw a tan colored truck bed spray jobby. The previous owner of my 3 week old '17 315 RLTS apparently did not use anything. So I'll be looking for matching touch up paint. GD??? Marc from KYD apparently raves about his rock tamers, but then again he went to Alaska!!

[Big Myke]

I too have been looking for a solution and found this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006M9VIRM...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Thanks, Jim. Howard mentioned these too. Like Howard, I don't want to have to wrestle the receiver hitch plus the tamer on and off my truck. I love the concept but I'm not a full timer, so hauling is periodic. There's a 3M film that gets mixed reviews. I think I will drop a line to GD to 1) ask why the protective material they put on the black part does not extend out over the cream parts and 2) recommend they do just that for future TTs. Perhaps there might be a retro solution provided by them? I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy. All they can do is say no...

Mike

[colo native]

Why not have the area treated with a Line-X bedliner type substance. I have seen colors other than black. Even saw a tan colored truck bed spray jobby. The previous owner of my 3 week old '17 315 RLTS apparently did not use anything. So I'll be looking for matching touch up paint. GD??? Marc from KYD apparently raves about his rock tamers, but then again he went to Alaska!!

I looked into Linex and the issue I found was a place that has a large enough booth to put a 315 in plus it adds weight and the cost.

[JColeman]

There's a 3M film that gets mixed reviews.

Not from me. The 3M film or the films from Xpel have worked perfectly on my cars and bikes. I use it to protect headlights and have had some pretty significant strikes with no damage. Looks new on the headlight after 7 years. Thanks for reminding me of it. I think the front of my 310GK is a perfect place for it.

-jeff

[Dreamin' Dreamers]

Additionally, I have seen a do it yourself Line-X type substance that you apply with a roller. Could this work on the front of our trailers ?????

[Big Myke]

Not from me. The 3M film or the films from Xpel have worked perfectly on my cars and bikes. I use it to protect headlights and have had some pretty significant strikes with no damage. Looks new on the headlight after 7 years. Thanks for reminding me of it. I think the front of my 310GK is a perfect place for it.

-jeff

Jeff - Glad to hear from an actual user of this product. my next concern with the 3M/Xpel would be the size of the application area, i.e. alignment and getting bubbles out before it starts to adhere. Thoughts?

[JColeman]

@Big Mike - You can buy it precut for most car/truck and bike applications but it is available in sheet form for custom installs like ours would be. It is installed by spraying it wet with soapy water and then you squeegee the water out from the edges. I have never applied a large amount of it but have never had a problem with smaller sheets. I would cut some templates and trim the sheets as opposed to applying it and trying to cut it in. Remember it doesn't have to be absolutely perfect to protect your trailer. It takes a few days for the smaller bubbles to evaporate out.