Make your own StoneStomper

Don't think you could go past using high density shade cloth, Derm. It's relatively light, and would stop most rocks and gravel for this one trip.

Often heavy duty matting equals heavy weight, and mounting issues are sure to arise once you hit the rough stuff. I understand that the Stone Stomper attaches to the rear of the tug, using multiple springs.....maybe you could "steal" that idea?

Bob

I ended up buying a stone stomper. By the time I paid for materials and sewing it works out good value to purchase outright. That is without getting gussets wrong a few times.

Don't believe you would buy the materials for $100, especially if you stick with the stainless hooks and D's. They run away with a fair bit of cash very quickly.

By the way I am very pleased with my decision to purchase and install.

To answer your question a frame is attached to tow hitch then mat attached with 10 SS boat quick release hooks.

Neil

Gooday,
Been down that road but it is not as easy as it may seem I found. I used heavy duty shade cloth attached the front end to the Tow hitch and used 'Occy Straps' at the caravan end. I used it for a few of trips but gave it away in the end. Had' Occy Straps' on either outer edge also going underneath, two of there, my major problem was when turning one or other of the straps would drop off. Tried using a pulley underneath the caravan to overcome the slack on turning but again little joy.
By all means do not let me dissuade you from having a go, but think you are better off to get the Real Stone Stomper and save your money, this guy has perfected it and I am sure he did a lot of experimenting before he got it right.
I finally made a Rock stopper as per pictures, have been using it for about 6 years, has done a good job, however went across The Great Central, Plenty, Donoghue and Tanami in 2010, did a wonderful job, however even though I used carpet for a cover instead of shade cloth as most use, it did act as a cushion to some extent not a trampoline effect like the shade cloth they use on these upright ones you see, I did discover when I got home and washed the Tow Vehicle, (Jeep Commander Diesel), the tailgate was peppered with little chips from small stones bouncing onto it.
I am going to invest in a Genuine Stone Stomper in the next few months, before I do any more long gravel road trips as the carpet on my home built job needs replacing any way.

Like you I was a little hesitant at shelling out the $550 for the StoneStomper and looked at ways to make my own. In the end I ran out of time and ordered one.

Once I received it, I was very happy that I went with them, the product is top notch in my opinion. Fitting, materials and design etc is very well thought out and good quality. I'm happy I spent the extra.

I tried the DIY copy route with heavy duty shade cloth. Two attempts to get it to hang right, the third version was ok but the shade cloth cannot handle the abrasion from the stones and just disintegrated. Spent about $300 over 3 years and a number of trips.

I bought the real thing for our last couple of trips and now realise that is what I should have done in the first place.

I would just buy one, they are well worth the money.

Just remember to remove it when driving through mud.

Here is some photos of mine, it may give you some ideas.

Long before Stone Stomper was common, I saw a few home made versions. Some were attached to the car by springs, but one was a clever system of pulleys for ease of tight turns. Photos of these and a variety of other stone deflectors, most of which are home made, can be seen on my web page “Photos of different concepts in stone guards taken courtesy of a number of different inventive travellers”. Direct link can be given privately if requested.

Recently completed a new Trampoline style (like a Stone Stomper) rock protection for the van. First version did a couple of thousand k of dirt, including the road out to Birdsville and back. No damage to the van at all. Trampoline mat did not have apparent damage, just did not fit well enough for me, so a couple of mods and it is on mate's camper trailer.

Current version cost $17 in 70% shade mesh and $25 in 8mm shock cord. Van end is held in sail track screwed to van chassis. Front is supported across the width of the van by a sail batten cut to length. Shock cord runs the outside length all the way to the back of the ute (under the back of the tray and just higher than the tow bar) and another length of shock cord holds things tight to the A Frame so those pesky little ones don't get through. Couple of extra ties to the back of the vehicle from the sail batten to keep things nice'N'tight. Good size mud flaps with weighted bottoms seem to help performance of the system. The shock cord arrangement allows for quite tight turns and I disconnect the outside connections before doing any backing. Mostly I get to the storage on the A Frame without disconnecting anything. Trampoline is just wider than the van by about 20 mm. The thing flaps little at 90 k and being a bit loose seems to take the sting out of the rocks pretty quick. Careful measurement is the one hint I might make and having an offsider with sewing skills helped. I'm putting the difference in cost between DIY and bought into diesel.

'Ave a go, at worst you have to have two goes and lots of bits of shade mesh left over.

Iza

The genuine Stone Stomper did a great job for us and after the Donohue, Oodnadatta and Birdsville Tracks and others in between on one trip it is still as good as new. We had no stone damage to van or tug. Just to be sure of avoiding damage to paint or back window was worth every cent. Saw some home made versions but most would be lucky to last one trip. Ours will go for years. If you look at really making something so practical, easy to use and durable it would not be cheap! Lynne and John

Dermott,
Although I do not have a Stone Stomper when towing my Tvan I agree with all of the comments concerning stone and sand blasting that occurs. I am sure you have thought of this but just in case it is relevant is the protection of the rear window of the tow vehicle. Of course your vehicle may not be suseptable however this appears to be the window that suffers the most damage. Certainly the Stone Stomper will reduce the possibility of damage but it is worth considering. I bought mine from Plasweld in Bendigo. It is made from polycarbonate it has travelled some 35000 km trouble free and is attached with suction cups. I just check the suction cups each morning.
Robert

I looked at making my own, then looked closely at a Stone Stomper. I reckon they are worth the money. Also a great little company who really look after their customers.
PS. If you make your own or consider other products. Think about what happens when you run through (and sooner or later you will) heavy wet clay or mud.
Mike

Hi
Another happy stone Stomper customer. Great fit for my new van. Great product and well worth $550 to protect an expensive off road van.

Try this site. Scroll down to "stone guards"

I made this one for my previous van used it for 6 years and must have done at least 50,000K with it. Worked well as no stone damage to van or car.
Cost around $100 to make.
Have recently upgraded my van and will bite the bullet and purchase a stone stomper this time around.

I too am a happy stone stomper - fitted it new in May in Adelaide then one week later had to escape William Creek because they were about to close the road because of heavy overnite rain. Halfway thru to C Pedy I stopped to help a stranded couple and to my dismay the Stomper was gone - all that was left were the clips and broken shock cord. Christian sent another one but I will never use one again in muddy conditions.
Cheers

Stick with the real deal.

The price will be long forgotten once you have the piece of mind by having a stone stomper looking after your expensive CT and the back of your car.

Brett...