Front Rock Guard or Skirt for 2003 Monterey

[Dennis n Heather Crawford]

I have a 2003 Beaver Monterey and am looking to purchase a rock guard or protective skirt for the front of the coach. I would be most grateful if any member could supply me with a recommended supplier.

[Mandy Canales]

Sometimes you can find one that someone has taken off their coach.  Most of the people I've talked to want to get rid of them as it is quite difficult to clean behind them to keep the front of the coach clean.  Most of the shields split in half so the upper part flips down but can't get the bottom half clean.  There are some alternatives that I've seen:  In Bend there is a guy who will spray a thin coat-like bed liner (Rhino) and paint the front of the coach to match. You might want to check with Tom Fadale or Chuck DuFault as to how they like theirs.  
Other owners have put the good quality 3M film on their front and looks real nice.  
Now, perhaps you might want to check with Northwest Supply or Beaver Coach Sales to see if they have any of those screw-on shields you're asking about.  Good luck.
Mandy

[Richard And Babs Ames]

We gave away the front mask for our Patriot. You have to keep them very clean on the back side or they will abrade the paint off. It is easier to keep one area clean over three.

[JimCasazze]

We have a lexan rock gaurd on the front of '99 Patriot Thunder.  I believe it came from the factory equipped this way as one of the photos on the '99 brochure, shows the coach with this exact setup (See coach assist, brochure pages for '99 Thunder for a picture).  

The guard is made by Summit Products Inc. (800) 329-2958.  I personally like the gaurd and don't mind the "look".  Some people don't like it and have changed to a 3M film product.  I've heard there are a bunch of problems with this film causing damage to the painted surfaces of the coach, but you'd have to ask others about that.  

Anyway, there are NO nicks or dents in the front of our coach.  From what I've discussed with other RV'ers - I would not consider heading to Alaska without something like this heavy lexan shield.  Cleaning behind the shield take a few extra minutes, every now and then, but no big deal.  It hinges so you can tilt it and reach all areas pretty easily.

In any case, the current version (older shield can be updated) include four "push to release" pins that allow you to quickly open the generator bay.  So instead of unscrewing four hex head bolts (5 mins) you can just push the pins (30 seconds or less) to get the shield to slide out with the generator.

I did not upgrade to the pins, because I felt I could spare the extra few mins (10 or so including removing and reinstalling the bolts) and was too cheap to spend the $20.00 ea on these new style pins at this time.

Summit Products have been really nice to work with when I ordered parts, etc.  They are at many major RV shows.  

J

[Lloyd Hall]

I have had a Lexan front shield on my coach for 14 years. I bought my coach new at the factory in 1997 and it has been a very good investment. I have no trouble cleaning behind it as the entire shield moves out with the generator. At the time I bought my coach just about everyone was putting them on. They were put on at the Rally in Bend, Oregon. I have been very happy with the way it has protected the front of my coach over these many years. Due to the great paint job and my loving care and the front Lexan Shield my coach looks almost as good as when I took delivery of it in 1997. This is just my two cents worth opinion.

Lloyd (Doc.) Hall