Hail Protection

[ChristianTerry]

As I plan on chasing some in 2011, I would like to get some more insight. In terms of damage to vehicles, hail rates in the top. As most people her have chased at least one storm I need some advice and ideas. Are there any ways people prepare for hail or make some sort of armor to prevent dents and window shattering? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rdale]

I'd say your best bet is not to drive into the core.

 

[Keith Hosman]

There isn't much you can do to prevent dents or windows shattering unless you go to build an armored car.

You can lessen the chance of flying glass chips inside the vehicle by installing clear window film on the inside of the glass.

The best bet is like the previous comment my rdale, don't drive into the core.

 

[Rob H]

rdale is absolutely right. You don't ever really need to punch cores while chasing. Hail cores with severe hail are relatively small and should be easy enough to avoid.

A few chasers have put Rhino Lining/alternatives on their cars to minimize body panel damage, and there are some security film products on the market that won't really stop your windows from breaking, but will stop them from throwing glass all over the inside of your car when you break the glass:

https://www.grizzlygrip.com/
http://www.acesecuritylaminates.com/diy/ClearProtection.htm

Here's a thread about hail size and the damage it does, and general reasons to stay out of it:

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=24238

A thread on homemade hail protection systems:

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4384&highlight=hail

Also, I know Chris Heater built a 'HARV' that protects his vehicle from hail, and some other gentleman built this vehicle:

http://www.facethewind.com/XTerra/index.shtml

 

[MClarkson]

Don't buy a car with a sun roof!

 

[Verne Carlson]

I went with Rhino Lining and security laminate on my vehicle for the 2010 season. Got into baseballs with no problem. I left the front windshield stock to keep good clarity but it was cracked in 3 places. Front windshields are relatively cheap and easily replaced. You want to protect your sides and rear glass - they are much more expensive.

 

[Rob H]

I went with Rhino Lining and security laminate on my vehicle for the 2010 season. Got into baseballs with no problem. I left the front windshield stock to keep good clarity but it was cracked in 3 places. Front windshields are relatively cheap and easily replaced. You want to protect your sides and rear glass - they are much more expensive.

Verne, what vendor did you use for the security laminate and do you know for certain whether some of your side windows took direct hits from baseball hail?

I ask for two reasons: first, we were in the hail being flung out the back of the Wakita storm (5") and somehow missed every piece, so our non-laminated windows also survived being in major hail

The second reason is that when I was looking into doing this earlier, I talked to a few vendors and they all basically said that the laminate wouldn't help prevent windows from breaking in large hail, but would prevent the shards from going everywhere.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Here is what a few chasers currently use. This is a photo of Warren Faidley's current chase vehicle. As you can see, he has most of his windows protected with a netting type material with suction cups at each corner holding it in place. The windshield has another netting type system to keep hailstones from impacting the glass.

Like some mentioned, it's best to stay out of the hail, but if you chase enough, you're doomed to encounter it at one point or another.

 

[Chris Gullikson]

I have been considering building a home made hail guard like others have using some type of metal frame supported by my roof rack and some type of metal fabric attached to the frame. I really don't care anymore about metal damage but would like to protect windows from breakage if unintentionally getting caught in big hail. Probably will have to use some sort of frame and wire mesh to protect side and rear windows as baseballs tend to fall sideways when your following a tornado in the RFD...I would rather just stay out of big hail altogether but I failed at that this year and would like some insurance in case I do it again.

 

[Tim Segraves]

I agree it is fairly easy to avoid hail if you know what you are doing and are willing to take the long way around a storm if you get out of position. I've been chasing off and on for 16 years and have only had damage once while chasing.

Of course that doesn't count the time my car got $8,000 worth of hail damage sitting in my driveway when I lived in Lawrence, KS.

 

[J Tyler]

I want to keep my door ding free perfect Xterra hail dent free.....So, I've been thinking about having a frame made that would be mounted to my factory roof rack. Cover that frame with expanded metal. I've checked with the Texas DOT (and will continue to look into other states), and in Texas, you can have something mounted on your passenger vehicle that "extends up to 3" past the left side fender line, and up to 6" past the right side fender line". I plan to go up to those maximums to over hang the sides to protect the side glass and as far down the side body work as possible. I'll over hang the rear far enough to protect there too. Lights are not required until you overhang REALLY far in the rear. I want to do the typical windshield protector. Finally, the rig TWISTEX had on their truck where they were testing for Boeing gave me inspiration on how to protect my hood, fenders, and headlights.....I'll have a flat framed expanded metal thing that will mount to my bull bar in the front and two mounts at the base of the windshield. It will overhang on the left and right and also in the front.

Simple design, and will give me a TON of peace of mind. I'm a very calm chaser. I get close, but stay out of the hail. But, lets face facts.....If you chase enough, you will get burned sooner or later. I'm 43, and have only had 2 door dings in my life. I got both of those while my car was at the dealership! I really love my cars, but I also love chasing. So I don't die of stress from worrying, I've got to do something to protect my Xterra from hail! LOL!