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Topic: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens (Read 4 times) previous topic - next topic
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Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Yahoo Message Number: 98432
Comments, suggestions, caveats on vinyl headlight protectors and/or mesh bug screens over the grille? Examples shown on these websites:
 http://www.autoanything.com/lights/60A1218A0A0A3156533.aspx

http://www.bugscreenwarehouse.com/

Thanks for any information and experience reports; vendor and/or specific brand/product suggestions also very welcome!

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98433
Quote
Comments, suggestions, caveats on vinyl headlight protectors and/or mesh bug screens over the grille? Examples shown on these websites:
 http://www.autoanything.com/lights/60A1218A0A0A3156533.aspx

http://www.bugscreenwarehouse.com/

Thanks for any information and experience reports; vendor and/or specific brand/product suggestions also very welcome!

Joan
Just wondering:  I have heard that if a person installs a mesh bug screen over the grille, that it is hard on the truck engine.    Any comments around this statement?    I think the screen over the grille would help the air filter from getting full of bugs, but I don't want to hurt my engine in the process.    Cleaning an air filter might be less expensive than having engine trouble...  Bonnie
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98435
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Comments, suggestions, caveats on vinyl headlight protectors and/or mesh bug screens over the grille?

 Joan, we did use the vinyl headlight protectors on both of our Alaska trips and will probably install them again if we go to Alaska for the 3rd time this summer.
 We didn't use anything over the grill and never had a problem.  In fact, the vinyl headlight protectors was the only thing we did to prepare for the two trips.  If we'd been driving a motorhome pulling a toad, we would have used something to protect the toad, probably something like the Protect-A-Tow, but our first trip was in a slide-in truck camper, and our second trip was pulling a fifth wheel.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98438
On Jan 9, 2009, at 10:39 AM, jctaylor1941 wrote:

Quote
Comments, suggestions, caveats on vinyl headlight protectors ...
Hey Joan, Considering the cost of replacing headlights, hard plastic headlight covers are cheap insurance if one isn't sure about the condition of roads in the hinterlands.  I put hard plastic fitted shells on my Subaru (purchased from the automaker) before driving Alaska roads and just left them on the car when I returned.
 However, I'm wondering about the efficacy of the covers shown on the "autoanything" website:  They are referred to as "thermoplastic...protection *film*" with an adhesive backing.  I'm wondering if something sturdier might be on the market, maybe through Ford.

Lorna Santa Cruz
2003 RB
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98440
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However, I'm wondering about the efficacy of the covers shown on the "autoanything" website:  They are referred to as "thermoplastic...protection *film*" with an adhesive backing.

 If they're like the ones we put on our headlight (which we bought from Camping World, but I don't see them in their catalog or on their website any longer), they are VERY thick.  While they might not keep a headlight from breaking if hit by a really big rock, plastic headlight covers probably wouldn't, either.
 On our two trips to Alaska, we never had anything more than a rock ding in the windshield.  And, guess what...we've gotten lots of rock dings in windshields on roads in the Lower 48, too!  Still, you'll see loads of people with all kinds of crazy contraptions strapped to the front of their vehicles for protection.
 Maybe years and years ago when the Alaska Highway was still all gravel, those contraptions were necessary.  However, the Alaska Highway is now all paved with the exception of areas where road construction is going on.  In that case, SLOW DOWN, and get as far to the right as possible, particularly when passing other vehicles coming from the opposite direction.  Our rock dings happened when the people coming from the other direction didn't bother to slow down and get to the right.  From our experience, the people who were the worst about not slowing down and moving to the right were people driving the big Class A's with air ride suspensions.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98442
wrote: "...we've gotten lots of rock dings in windshields on roads in the Lower 48, too!" --- Oh, yeah; I would bet that almost everyone does, right?  My rig already has plenty of "lower 48" and western Canada rock dings on the leading edge of hood and behind the running boards where the coach attaches to the cab. The windshield also has two chips, but, so far, if the headlights have been hit, they have stayed intact.
 But, replacing the headlight assembly, i.e., plastic lens, bulb, and backing is $165.00 from Ford, and even the local-to-me places have to order the thing, so I figure that prevention by using one of the the vinyl film stick-on headlight covers would be cheaper! ;-)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98443
Quote
The windshield also has two chips...so I figure that prevention by
using one of the the vinyl film stick-on headlight covers would be cheaper! ;-)

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Joan
Joan

I'd say that it would be cheap 'insurance'. I've owned a 1984 Club Wagon (window van), a 1994 Club Wagon and now the 2004 LD. I had the headlight film on the '94 but, even though I had thousands of miles on those vehicles, never did I have a headlight ding/chip/hole problem.

That cannot be said about the windshields however. I've replaced upwards of six or eight of those. That's why I carry full coverage on my glass. Every one of them was free.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98445
Quote
Comments, suggestions, caveats on vinyl headlight protectors and/or mesh bug screens over the grille? Examples shown on these websites:
 http://www.autoanything.com/lights/60A1218A0A0A3156533.aspx

http://www.bugscreenwarehouse.com/

Thanks for any information and experience reports; vendor and/or specific brand/product suggestions also very welcome!
Joan,
 When we went to Alaska in 2005, we put on headlight covers and a bug screen.  The bug screen was from Fia, and the headlight covers might have been from Xpel.  After almost 4 years, the headlight covers are still clear and on tight.  The headlight covers are a thick plastic, that needs to warm to install properly.  The biggest problem we have had with the Fia bug screen, is having the stick-on snap studs coming off (especially ones on the chrome).  Buy a kit of spares!  Also, the screen needs to be unsnapped to get to the hood safety latch in the front grille.  The nice thing about snaps, is it is easy to remove/install as needed.

Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98459
Quote
Comments, suggestions, caveats on vinyl headlight protectors and/or mesh bug screens over the grille? Examples shown on these websites:
 http://www.autoanything.com/lights/60A1218A0A0A3156533.aspx

http://www.bugscreenwarehouse.com/

Thanks for any information and experience reports; vendor and/or specific brand/product suggestions also very welcome!

Joan
I have grill screen from the Bug Barrier company in Medina Ohio on my 2003 LD MB.
 http://www.bugbarrierscreen.com/

It has a zipper slot so that one can access the hood safety release.
I have been very pleased with it and it has held up well for five years.
 In coastal Southern California, we are relatively bug free. However, we sometimes encounter dense bug infestations when we travel thru agricultural areas.
 Ford does warn against placing anything on the grill which would impede air flow.  However, I have never noticed the temperature guage change from the normal range (though can increase some mountain climbing in hot weather.)
 My thinking is that it is better to trap the bugs on the grill screen where they can be easily hosed off than on the radiator and air conditioning condenser where they will remain for the life of your vehicle always reducing the effectiveness of these items.
 The bug barrier people's web site does not seem up to date regarding having a grill screen to fit the 2009 model.  I would give them a call for that model.

Ken in San Diego
 
Re: Headlight protectors and radiator bug screens
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98462
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Comments, suggestions, caveats on vinyl headlight protectors and/or mesh bug screens over the grille? Examples shown on these websites: http://www.autoanything.com/lights/60A1218A0A0A3156533.aspx http://www.bugscreenwarehouse.com/ Thanks for any information and experience reports; vendor and/or specific brand/product suggestions also very welcome! Joan
Hi JC,
 I used a bug screen on our rig during our drive to Alaska in 2005; it wasn't nearly as nice as the one shown on your link. Rather it was sort of a "one piece fits all" that I found at a Canadian Tire dealer in Alberta.
 I don't think there is any adverse effect on engine cooling. Perhaps it may even help because you will reduce the amount of dead insects clogging your radiator.

I haven't used the headlight protectors but it looks like a good product.

Steve K. (I can't believe that Ken  found what may be the best bugscreen, in Medina Ohio, about 15 miles from my home! And I only recently learned that the RV Upgrade Store is also located nearby too! guess I don't get out enough)
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath