A caravan is a big investment so it makes sense to keep it in good condition.
When out touring the country the biggest risk to damaging your van is stones. It’s highly likely many of the roads you will be driving down will be pretty poor quality and it’s not a matter of IF stones will hit your van, it’s a matter of HOW MANY will.
The best way to protect your caravan investment from stones and other objects hitting it is by installing a stone shield / guard. They are pretty straight forward pieces of equipment and relatively easy to install, a good weekend DIY job before your next caravan adventure.
There really aren’t that many options online in Australia when it comes to buying a stone shield. In saying that, we have found a handful of good stone shields to check out.
- Camper Van Stone Shield W/ Mesh 3pce Black (2150mm X 500mm)
(Best Camper Van Stone Shield) - Camper Trailer Stone Shield with mesh 3PCE Black (1800mm x 500mm)
(Best Camper Trailer Stone Shield) - Caravan Stone Shield with mesh 3PCE Black (2310mm x 500mm)
(Best Stone Shield for Caravans) - Poptop Camper Van Stone Shield with mesh 3PCE Black (2150mm x 500mm)
(Best Stone Shield for Poptop Camper Vans)
A Quick Buyer’s Guide for buying the Best Caravan Stone Shields
Are you concerned about your caravan van to make your travel smooth? You are at the right place. In this article, we have scribbled some important factors to consider when you go to buy a caravan or camper’s stone shield. Read down the line and find more about the stone shield and guards available in the market so that you may end up making the appropriate choice to protect your prized possession.What is the Caravan Stone Shield or Guard?
If you have an RV or camper van, you better understand the need for a caravan stone shield. The shield consists of a high-strength frame and a fabric usually mesh to be fixed at the frame. This stone shield is mounted on the A-frame of your camper van to protect it from flying objects and debris while towing. However, there are several other types of stone guards too that protect your vehicle from chips, dents, and scratches.Features & Benefits
These stone shields are mounted onto your existing A-Frame (ensure there is space) to protect the front of your Caravan, Pop-top, or Camper Trailer from stone chips and to dent when traveling on gravel roads. They are a metal frame with mesh that is tilted down and out, plus they include lower mud flaps.- They come in three sections and do need the polyester mesh to be screwed into place using the pre-drilled holes. The whole unit can be easily removed when not required and easily assemble.
- The package usually includes two mud flaps to stop the dust and rocks.
- It is removable by two R-clips, no need to unbolt brackets, so you can easily store the gear anywhere.
- The material is made from strong ripstop mesh, attached to the frame by screws.
- The installation is easy. It also includes full fitting instructions in the guidebook so you can install the shield yourself.
- The stone shield has an easy assembly with pre-drilled holes.
- Adjustable Shifter Spanner
- Easily adjustable width.
- Mudflaps included and pre-drilled holes body for easy assembly.
- Ripstop mesh.
- Solid fixing, there’s no elastic, unlike the ordinary stone shields, which is the good thing I preferred.
How to Install the Caravan Stone Shield?
Here are some step-by-step instructions which you can follow when installing a stone shield on your campervan or trailer. Hopefully you have success installing a shield yourself.- Start by cutting the box open.
- Remove the contents from the box.
- Ensure you have all the parts required and arrange them so it will be helpful to assemble.
- Start by connecting the ends to the middle.
- Screw the ends to the middle with the screws provided.
- Flip the stone guard frame over.
- Lay the mesh over the frame.
- Aligned the corners of the mesh with the frame.
- Screws the mesh with the frame with the screws provided.
- Flip the stone guard back over.
- Lay the mud flaps out.
- Attach mud flap with the longer screws provided.
- Repeat the same for the other mud flap.
What to consider when buying a Stone Shield?
Buying a reasonable stone shield is a challenging task as it has to protect your prized possession. It is important to buy a durable one so that your van’s paintwork and undercarriage may look new for a lifetime. Here are few important aspects you should consider to make a wise decision.Durability
Durability is the most important factor which can drive you to buy a certain stone shield. Make sure that the stone shield you buy has a sturdy frame construction and a rip-resistant fabric that stays for a lifetime. The ordinary stone shield having elastic holders and fragile mesh is also available, but it can’t stand the test of time. So, make sure you end up buying the guard which promises to protect your van from stones and debris in the long run.Ease of Use
Make sure that the stone shield is easy to assemble and install. The reasonable models come with pre-drilled holes, which make the assembly easier. You can also remove the same easily if you think that mounting the stone shield is not needed anymore. Moreover, the stone shields usually come in compact and easy-to-store settings so that you may be able to store them appropriately.Material
The material matters because your RV, camper van, or caravan is a valuable possession, so it should not be chipped, scratched, or dented with any of the stone it encounters while traveling off-road. Make sure you don’t spend your hard-earned money on the fragile stone guards. Always buy a stone guard with a rip and tear-proof material. The stone guards are available in mesh or aluminum etc. Aluminum is a high-profile material, and it can protect your vehicle unconditionally.Warranty
Don’t forget to check the warranty so that you may be able to replace or claim a full refund in case of any fault or defect. There must be at least a 12-month’s warranty with a stone shield.Price
Price is, of course, the prime consideration. Always buy a stone shield or guard which offers good value for money. The general rule says that the more the price, the better will be the quality, but this rule proves to be wrong in the case of the stone shield. You can get some really good models at a very reasonable price that offer appropriate protection to your caravan.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a stone guard?
Those who travel off-road or frequently travel to distanced areas must install a stone stomper on the caravan or the camper van. These stone guards are available in different sizes, so you can easily find one for your camper van or RV to protect it from stones or flying debris.
What are stone stompers?
The stone stomper is a trapeze-style stone shield that protects your towing vehicle’s front and rear from debris. It also protects the A-frame of your vehicle and also gets installed on it.
Do Caravan Stone guards work?
Yes, caravan stone guards are very useful. You may encounter a lot of dirt, debris, and flying debris which can cause damage to your camper van’s paintwork. Some large flying stones can also leave dents while you travel off-road. So, here a stone guard comes in to play. It protects the van’s paint and rear as well. Most of the stone shields come with mud flaps which promise to keep the undercarriage safe.
How to make a DIY stone guard?
The stone guards are very easy to install. They usually come with the instruction manual or a step-by-step guide to help you do it yourself. What you need to do is to unpack the components and start fixing the mesh on the frame using the screws given with it. This stone guard is mounted on the A-frame of the camper van to protect it from denting and chipping.
