Our "HDS" system

[Chris Heater]

Not sure where to put this one, so if it's in the wrong place just move it.

This winter (within a month or so) we're going to build our HDS (Hail Defense System). Using golf netting, it'll go completely around the vehicle instead of what i've seen MOST chasers do and only cover windows. This stuff is pretty strong too! Enough to be able to drive down the road (although slow) in softball sized hail without any problems. I'll put some pictures up when it's finished. It should only take a day or two to do.

Has anyone else done something like this?

 

[David Wolfson]

Doesn't golf netting basically act like a big, stretchy tow strap? The netting has a lot of longitudinal give that spreads the force and lengthens the deceleration? I have trouble envisioning how you would mount the net to give enough set-back distance for the glass. Whatever you come up with in the way of a supported net, I'd definitely put some window glass behind it and throw some fist-size rocks at it as hard as you can. If it works then maybe you've got something IMHO....

 

[Chris Heater]

It all depends on how taught we have the netting. The way we'll build it, it'll only give about 6" with dropping a 1 gallon paint can from 20 feet. In my opinion...I think that would hold, but there really is only one way to find out

 

[Adam Lucio]

Ive got a couple questions.

How is this going to cover the entire vehicle? If you need *at least* 6 inches of give then your going to have to have some sort of support for it in the form of beams sticking out all over the place from the vehicle itself. If it covers the entire vehicle how are you going to use the doors? It makes sense for the roof and maybe the hood but I'm not seeing the logic for any other part.

Also have you taken into consideration whats going to happen if that stuff comes into contact with trees? I can see it getting caught and shredded apart. If you need to have extensions to allow 6 inches of give how much more clearance is the vehicle going to need when it comes to tight spaces?

These are all things that need to be considered when designing an effective "HDS."

I say this because Ive been working on a design for my truck for over a year to answer all these questions and more. Ive finally gotten my sketches down and they're at my dads shop getting the autocad drawings put together before we discuss the materials and move on.

 

[Skip Talbot]

Wow, if you can stop a full can of paint from a 20 foot drop with 6 inches of give I'd say you're pretty much set for hail protection. I thought about netting, but the stuff I'm imagining seems more flimsy. I'm curious as to how you plan to wrap the entire car in it with at least a six inch clearance, but I guess we'll have to wait until its done? I was considering using lexan, but this would definitely be a lot cheaper.

 

[Chris Heater]

For your first question: There would be a rail system (that's the best way to put it) that would come out from the hitch to just before the windshield starts. Then a couple small rails come up from the front and towards the window and ends just before the wipers. As for the doors, it's something we're coming up with. My dad has a friend that is an engineer and has given us ideas. It would open up with the doors if we build it like we want.

Your second question: Clearance wise, my vehicle will be just fine I think. It would be no higher than a Ford Explorer. And if we do find out its going to be too high, we can change the taught-ness of netting to make it where there is absolutely no give...but the downside of that is it would reduce the life of the netting. Instead of lasting about 10 years...it would cut it down to 5 or so?

As for covering the sides...don't you have to worry about wind driven hail? Or hail hitting the ground and rebounding back up? Just trying to cover all my bases with hail protection

 

[Chris Heater]

Wow, if you can stop a full can of paint from a 20 foot drop with 6 inches of give I'd say you're pretty much set for hail protection. I thought about netting, but the stuff I'm imagining seems more flimsy. I'm curious as to how you plan to wrap the entire car in it with at least a six inch clearance, but I guess we'll have to wait until its done? I was considering using lexan, but this would definitely be a lot cheaper.

We were thinking lexan too...but ran into the same issue...cost. This netting we're getting will cover my entire truck for between $80 and $100. Much more cost effective in my opinion. We'll be starting our project after New Year's

 

[Joey Ketcham]

So, will this "net" be permanently mounted or easily removable?

I think I'd rather risk getting a few dents and a cracked windshield than drive around with some big golf net around my vehicle. Whatever happened with just avoiding the hail core so you don't get plummeted by large softball size hail? I have a few hail dents, but they don't bother me.

 

[Chris Heater]

So, will this "net" be permanently mounted or easily removable?

I think I'd rather risk getting a few dents and a cracked windshield than drive around with some big golf net around my vehicle. Whatever happened with just avoiding the hail core so you don't get plummeted by large softball size hail? I have a few hail dents, but they don't bother me.

Bank still owns the vehicle...so I think they would frown upon hail damage (and lots of it). It would be removable, yes. Also in my opinion it would save a ton of money in replacing windshields and after our June 7th chase (dodging the massive hail it was dropping) it's time for some protection from the hail

 

[Adam Lucio]

Clearance for height wont be as much of an issue, I was thinking more along the lines of width. Some roads out there are pretty tight and I can't imagine too many people being happy they have to pull over for an extra wide vehicle trying to get through. Just a thought.

Wind driven hail is more destructive for sure. Hail bouncing off the ground I don't think is of concern, even if it does bounce [without shattering] it loses almost all of its damaging force.

 

[Chris Heater]

Clearance for height wont be as much of an issue, I was thinking more along the lines of width. Some roads out there are pretty tight and I can't imagine too many people being happy they have to pull over for an extra wide vehicle trying to get through. Just a thought.

Wind driven hail is more destructive for sure. Hail bouncing off the ground I don't think is of concern, even if it does bounce [without shattering] it loses almost all of its damaging force.

Oh ok...yeah we've taken that into account. I'd agree, if I was driving down the road and had to move over for my truck i wouldn't be happy either. On the sides at least, we wouldn't add as much space between the net and vehicle as on top so it shouldn't be an issue

 

[David Drummond]

No to mention most (if not all) states have a maximum stuff can stick out from the original vehicle body on passenger vehicles. I know in Texas I believe it's 6 inches on the driver side and 3" inches on the passenger side.

When you get outside of that you have to start getting special permits, signage, etc etc etc.

Even if you don't live in a state, you usually have to comply with their regulations on this stuff if you are traveling on their roads.

 

[David Drummond]

Wind driven hail is more destructive for sure. Hail bouncing off the ground I don't think is of concern, even if it does bounce [without shattering] it loses almost all of its damaging force.

Some of the most extensive vehicle damage I ever got was by nickle sized hail. It came in torrents driven by 70mph winds.

 

[Chris Heater]

Some of the most extensive vehicle damage I ever got was by nickle sized hail. It came in torrents driven by 70mph winds.

I'll have to keep that in mind then. A lot of damage even though it was only nickel sized?

 

[David Drummond]

Yep, busted mirrors, just about anything plastic on the outside of the car, the lower driving lights, pieces of the grill, enough body damage to financially total the vehicle had I done an insurance claim (it don't take all that much really to do that).