Trailer protection

[Buddhabelly]

Since the front of our glass trailer is exposed to road debris from our tow vehicle, I went and had the lower front end of the trailer and front of the frame PPF'd.  A good quality one will protect the trailer pretty good. So far is has worked pretty well.  I also added mud guards front and back. The PPF can be replaced anytime if it starts to look bad. 

Edited August 13, 2025 by Buddhabelly

[Patriot]

I had 10 mil XPEL PPF installed on our Oliver a few years ago, it’s holding up great. 

It’s worth the money spent if you want to protect the gelcoat. Also a good set of rear flaps is worth the investment.

Here is a link to a thread on my PPF install. I also had my entire tow vehicle covered in 8 mil XPEL PPF. 

Edited August 13, 2025 by Patriot

[FloraFauna]

Here is my solution. If CGI would come to my area I would add a ceramic coating. 

[taylor.coyote]

We spend a great deal of time "off road" and have struggled with a reliable solution to protect the trailer from road rock damage. In our case with many miles using only mud flaps, the glass/ gelcoat at close inspection had the effect of a mild sandblasting. The  PPF installers did not recommend installation due the surface being porous and not super smooth due to "road wear".   

We have been pleased with a somewhat radical solution; shooting the nose of our trailer with Vortex. We learned of the Vortext process from "Bugeyed driver".  Our Vortext coating was applied recently but so far amazingly "bomb tough". We are now traveling on nasty fractured rocked/graveled roads stress free. This solution may not be for everyone but is a valid consideration if you spend a lot of time on gravel or your gelcoat is "road worn" and not longer super smooth.

A further note on gravel protection: John Davies has a post on an under trailer mid flap to protect the under side and trailer running gear (socket, springs, axles and other) from gravel damage. We have found this to be effective and recommended if you spend time on gravel. 

 

Edited December 11, 2025 by taylor.coyote
typo

[jd1923]

On 11/13/2025 at 3:16 AM, taylor.coyote said:

Our Vortex coating was applied recently...

Did you coat this yourself or did you have a local dealer service the coating?

Looks like it requires special equipment. We just got our Oliver polished and ceramic coated and it looks better than ever up front and all over. However, we off-road with a Lexus GX470. Had it painted a couple years ago and it looks great except the LARGE plastic front bumper has gotten scratched up, paint pealing only on the plastic from off-road use and pressure-washing. A black vortex coating may be the answer! I would remove the bumper to get it sanded and coated properly.

[Jason Foster]

On 11/13/2025 at 4:16 AM, taylor.coyote said:

We spend a great deal of time "off road" and have struggled with a reliable solution to protect the trailer from road rock damage. In our case with many miles using only mud flaps, the glass/ gelcoat at close inspection had the effect of a mild sandblasting. The  PPF installers did not recommend installation due the surface being porous and not super smooth due to "road wear".   

We have been pleased with a somewhat radical solution; shooting the nose of our trailer with Vortex. We learned of the Vortext process from "Bugeyed driver".  Our Vortext coating was applied recently but so far amazingly "bomb tough". We are now traveling on nasty fractured rocked/graveled roads stress free. This solution may not be for everyone but is a valid consideration if you spend a lot of time on gravel or your gelcoat is "road worn" and not longer super smooth.

A further note on gravel protection: John Davies has a post on an under trailer mud flap to protect the under side and trailer running gear (socket, springs, axles and other) from gravel damage. We have found this to be effective and recommended if you spend time on gravel. 

 

That looks good.  How much weight does it add the the trailer?  Is it soft or hard?

[taylor.coyote]

JD and Jason, Vortex must be applied with special equipment by an experienced shop. I got my inspiration from Bugeyed Driver. Vortex is similar to Line-X spray on pick-up bed liner in texture and feel (a firm rubber like finish)

I chose Vortex because it is applied at a much lower temperture than Line-X (best not to heat fiberglass too much) and can be painted with automotive paint to match your hull.   Bugeyed Driver estimates it increased his tongue  weight by 40lbs. The coating is substantial and tough. 

We have been on the road five 5 week since the application and are pleased to date.. I feel Vortex is a very good solution to protect your trailer nose.  Bugeyed Driver has years of experiences with his Vortex.. 

Edited December 11, 2025 by taylor.coyote
was not done writing

[Douglas Rink]

I was wondering if anyone had put a Vortex or LineX type of covering on their Oliver and what kind of results they had. I’m taking delivery of an Apex 23 in October and have made an appointment with the folks who do the ceramic coatings to do a PPL on the front and lower undersides of my trailer to provide some additional protection against debris being thrown up. Seems like a good idea to do right off the bat vs after taking damage though the thought of spraying my brad new trailer gives me a huge “eak”!!!! 

[Galileo]

I purchased a “Rock Tamer” mudflap setup to use on our two vehicles, assembled it part way and essentially abandoned the project because of not having the right tools handy to trim the mudflap height/length and “drill” the holes through the gummy “rubber” material. 
 

After towing the Ollie for a season, I checked and found so little evidence - much less “damage” to the lower front area of the trailer that I decided that the added weight and fooling with the RockTamer (that fits over the ball carrier shaft) really isn’t necessary. 

If anything, weathering of the gel coat and nicks from rocks kicked up by -other- vehicles that strike the sides of the trailer are at least as big of a concern as gravel thrown up by our tires. 

We primarily travel paved roads, and find the few times that we’re on gravel that the roads are SO rough that slowing to walking speed is required to keep dental work and trailer contents where we last stowed them. 

That said - if anybody is looking for a Rock Tamer setup - I’ll make you a helluva deal on the one I have in storage. It’s in Hammond, LA, but I could arrange to have it in Winnsboro, TX this winter/Spring. 
 

https://a.co/d/01fojEhk

[Mike and Carol]

20 minutes ago, Galileo said:

After towing the Ollie for a season, I checked and found so little evidence - much less “damage” to the lower front area of the trailer…

We’ve towed now for 10 seasons, 100K+ miles.  We have quite a few nicks and chips on the lower front of the trailer.  When the CGI guys refresh my ceramic coating next time I’m going to have them put their film on the front.  Mike

[Galileo]

Just now, Mike and Carol said:

We’ve towed now for 10 seasons, 100K+ miles.  We have quite a few nicks and chips on the lower front of the trailer.  When the CGI guys refresh my ceramic coating next time I’m going to have them put their film on the front.  Mike

We’ve got half as many years and maybe a third of the miles, so I’d expect you have more wear and tear. 

I do all my own cleaning and polishing - so I’m intimately familiar with the whole front end of the trailer. The upper half gets WAY more abuse from bugs - especially in the Southern states. I’ve only spotted one tiny nick of any significance and it doesn’t even penetrate the gelcoat. 

I’d guess our “paved roads” mission combined with our low-slung tow vehicles (and not doing burn-outs on gravel) keep the nicks to a minimum. 

Just from a drivability standpoint, I avoid the jacked-up, high ground clearance vehicles like the AT-4 (or is it ATX?) trim level on our GMC Sierra. Just keeping the truck body close to the ground keeps the amount, trajectory, and velocity of road debris mitigated adequately. I like a vehicle that my wife can enter and exit without a rope ladder - and also at least a bit of ability to see objects close to me when maneuvering in tight parking lots. 

[topgun2]

5 hours ago, Douglas Rink said:

Seems like a good idea to do right off the bat vs after taking damage though the thought of spraying my brad new trailer gives me a huge “eak”!!!! 

There IS an Oliver that has black truck bed liner spray on it and I believe that at least at one time this Oliver actually belonged to one of the Oliver's.  I'm sure that Jason Essary would remember it and might even have a pic or two.  I was surprised that it didn't look as bad as I thought it would.  However, why get a new trailer sprayed right off the bat?  Let it get dinged up a bit and then spray it or get PPF applied initially to reduce the dings (assuming that you intend to do some gravel roads and the like).

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

1 hour ago, Galileo said:

We’ve got half as many years and maybe a third of the miles, so I’d expect you have more wear and tear. 

My point wasn’t to question your wear or towing technique.  I was attempting to let the OP know that a film covering on the lower front of his trailer might be a good investment based on our experience.  Mike

[Mike and Carol]

2 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

There IS an Oliver that has black truck bed liner spray on it and I believe that at least at one time this Oliver actually belonged to one of the Oliver's.

@bugeyedriver has a similar coating on the front of his trailer.  It is white and provides great protection.  Mike