Hail Net Needed

[Adam Adkins]

I tried chasing from a safe distance but with some of these storms in CO it hails almost EVERYWHERE! One other option I was thinking was... could I possibly just ride with someone who chases in the Denver area? Not to disturb them... just ride wherever they go? Contribute to gas? Or is that intruding big time?

 

[Jason Boggs]

If your worried about your car so much, maybe riding with someone else is the solution. I bet you can find someone who will let you tag along if you both are compatible with each other. Of course you will have to contribute with gas money and maybe some equipment.

 

[Rob H]

I tried chasing from a safe distance but with some of these storms in CO it hails almost EVERYWHERE! One other option I was thinking was... could I possibly just ride with someone who chases in the Denver area? Not to disturb them... just ride wherever they go? Contribute to gas? Or is that intruding big time?

The 2011 chase partner thread is in another sub forum (Site Announcements?). I'd go there and look for partners, and post even if you don't see anyone in Denver posting. You never know who will private msg you.

The hail probably isn't as wide spread as you'd think in a storm... there's a core right next to the updraft. From looking back at your pictures, one might argue that you were playing with fire on that storm. When you want to get that close to a core, you really need to have your escape route planned and you need to know when to bail on your position. I don't claim to be able to know how to do it well, and even grizzled vets get surprised sometimes. For an example though, we were on two storms with 3" hail last year, and one storm with 5" hail - and we didn't take any hits from hail larger than 1" last season. It's all about knowing your limits and not being afraid to pull back when you're just a little too close.

 

[Patrick Martin]

I tried chasing from a safe distance but with some of these storms in CO it hails almost EVERYWHERE!

The hail dings on my car are all from KS, and windshield replacements have all been from rock chips spreading. You can chase in CO (or anywhere else for that matter) without destroying a vehicle. All it takes is some knowledge of the storm and some navigational planning. Not trying to be mean, but it sounds more like you will benefit more from enhancing your storm knowledge and chasing from a bit further distance until you are more comfortable you know you won't be getting into trouble.

 

[Scott Hammel]

The hail dings on my car are all from KS, and windshield replacements have all been from rock chips spreading. You can chase in CO (or anywhere else for that matter) without destroying a vehicle. All it takes is some knowledge of the storm and some navigational planning. Not trying to be mean, but it sounds more like you will benefit more from enhancing your storm knowledge and chasing from a bit further distance until you are more comfortable you know you won't be getting into trouble.

Completely agreed on this one, CO isn't that bad. I've been chasing here for years and have only had one instance of hail damage to my car. April 22nd last year but that was well worth it! I've got the trouble this year of having a large panoramic sunroof on my new car, so I'm going to make sure it's covered somehow. I was thinking of just attaching a net (mayble like a net from a hockey goal?) of some sort simply to cover the sunroof. I'm not worried about cosmetic damage to the rest of the car, but if the sunroof breaks then chase likely over. I should be able to attach it to the existing roof rails. I'm not worried and I'll figure it out closer to chase season.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

It is possible to position with minimal concern for hail. Not only did all of my customers last year see tornadoes, at their request, I did it without getting a single hail dent to their vehicles. Not to say I've never gotten hail dent, but you can generally avoid substantial hail. I'm not saying you'll never get caught off guard from time to time.

 

[Adam Adkins]

Where exactly is the chase partner thread? I am located in Highlands Ranch...

 

[Patrick Martin]

It's the top sticky thread located in the Announcements section.

 

[Donovan Gruner]

I am also interested in the window laminate idea, just to save a few windows and not have to abruptly end a chase because of a broken window. I have looked into making polycarbonate windows, but have also been looking at some different film laminates. Anybody know anything about the films?

 

[Joshua Nall]

I believe the net attaches to Heater's vehicle only under the front bumper and then on the rear receiver hitch. That's what it looks like anyway, so it really doesn't effect the vehicle cosmetically once it's removed. No screws, holes, etc... in the sheet metal are anything. Seems like this could be done on a car as well, but it would be more difficult. Everything would have to be built to bolt to the frame up under the car. And it would be some trouble to take on and off. Like others have said, the cost of having this made though would be near the price of a beater car.

I'm personally not concerned about dents, have many dents...but don't want my windows shattered. I've already purchased the steel to make a roof rack that will cover the front and back glass of my truck. Will be doing that in the next few weeks, still in the design stages As I use my truck for work, and camping and all sorts of stuff it will come in very handy... even if I weren't wanting to use it as a shield. And who knows what you might need a shield for in the future... with all the birds dropping from the sky, might have to watch out for those buzzards at some point. Had a buddy in high school that shot one and it put a major dent in the top of a barn... and it was obviously soaring pretty low, lol. Can you imagine what one would do to the cab of a truck if a flock of them killed over while soaring way up there by the sun?

 

[J Tyler]

If you have a truck with a factory roof rack, you can just mount it to that. If you dont, then you can buy a roof rack for any vehicle I suppose. You don't screw stuff into the rack, you use mounts.

People mount bicycles, kayaks, cargo carriers, gas cans, and spare tires to the roof of their Xterras/Jeeps, and I don't see them all flying off hitting cars. Good Lord.

I have strongly considered the idea of just buying a beater, but.....That is just another vehicle I have to keep liability insured, registered, inspected, oil changed, maintained, etc. I already own 4 cars, and having another one plugging up my driveway is a PITA to move around. Plus, chasing long distance in an unreliable POS is not my idea of fun. It works great for some, and I still may end up doing this route, but right now I'm not crazy about it.....

I really think, personally, an unfolding "awning" is the way to go. The earlier picture showed one that does not hang over the sides enough. It only protected the ROOF of the SUV. It needs to have panels that unfold to hang out over the sides, front and rear.

I knew I should have taken welding in high school!

 

[Rob H]

I am also interested in the window laminate idea, just to save a few windows and not have to abruptly end a chase because of a broken window. I have looked into making polycarbonate windows, but have also been looking at some different film laminates. Anybody know anything about the films?

From what I understand, that's the correct approach - you're not going to be able to hail proof your windows with the laminates, just prevent them from blowing out, getting glass everywhere, and instantly ending your chase day. Verne Carlson is the only one I've heard that's done this, and he's been pretty happy with it so far from what I've heard, although I can't remember the brand he went with. I sent a few emails to various companies asking for more information and have never heard back from any of them. It's almost like they're afraid to be tested in real world conditions, and not just the hypothetical "if a burglar broke into your house or a bomb went off" scenarios

 

[Donovan Gruner]

From what I understand, that's the correct approach - you're not going to be able to hail proof your windows with the laminates, just prevent them from blowing out, getting glass everywhere, and instantly ending your chase day. Verne Carlson is the only one I've heard that's done this, and he's been pretty happy with it so far from what I've heard, although I can't remember the brand he went with. I sent a few emails to various companies asking for more information and have never heard back from any of them. It's almost like they're afraid to be tested in real world conditions, and not just the hypothetical "if a burglar broke into your house or a bomb went off" scenarios

Yeah, a lot of the companies selling them seem pretty shady as well. Not sure I want to spend $500 on window laminates from some company that can't put together full sentences in English. Although most of them are pretty persistent on the fact that their laminates will protect against molotov attacks...

 

[Jim Parsons]

I've been looking at this http://www.clearplex.com/windshield-protection-film-clearplex-product.php My car has a large, shallow sloping windshield that I would be concerned about, even in some relatively small hail.

 

[James Wilson]

2) the Rhino makes the car much quieter on the highway. The 1/8" rhino acts like an insulator to the road noise.

I did not know this ... very interesting! I have an all black Tundra which I think would look great with Rhino.