I'm now considering rebuilding my setup into something retractable/foldable. The gas mileage hit on my current vehicle with the guards on is atrocious (13 mpg when driving south into strong southerlies on Sunday). The cumulative fuel cost would be more than most window replacements after 3 or 4 seasons of that!
Right now, that's my biggest concern... my Ascent, which proved to be amazing on this last trip, was already a small hit to my MPGs compared to my Forester, certainly nothing I wasn't expecting given the larger size, but I don't wanna make that a bigger hit. I've been looking (and stealing pics, sorry guys haha) of various rigs I've come across and am making quite the collection of visuals to help me decide how best to go about this.
What I've learned, and some of it may be re-hashing what's listed above is this...
1. My biggest goal is the windshield... I am having the roof and hood covered in Line-X, so those two areas are not high on my priority list. Because my windshield needs calibration every time it is replaced, I am trying to avoid replacing it as often as possible. I do have non-insurance coverage for non-hail breaks (i.e. rocks, animals), and obviously I'd like to NOT claim out my windshield as much as possible (I have my reasons for this).
2. I've seen several vehicle with support rods holding up various covers, either connected closer to the windshield under the hood or all the way to the front. If I were to do this, I would prefer as close to the windshield as possible to avoid having those support beams in my shots.
3. The extension of the protection I just want 6-12" inches beyond where the windshield ends to give some protection to angled hail, particularly if I am driving. Anything that's overly large (i.e. 2.5"+) I probably would remain stationary for.
4. Gas mileage is a big factor. As Dan mentioned above, the cost/benefit ratio is a factor. Protecting my windshield should not be more expensive than replacing every couple years. My initial, quick and dirty research indicates it would run me (out-of-pocket) between $1000-$1500 for windshield replacement plus recalibration for my Ascent.
5. I would LOVE something I can throw up fairly quickly and even do so in the field. Even with the support rods on the front, I would NOT want this to be a permanent (or even semi-permanent) feature of my car. The idea that I could deploy this within a few minutes (i.e. a gas stop) and run with it a few hours on a chase day, then "fold it up" and stow it away would be amazing.
5a. I've briefly (with some jest) considered a cover, a literal sheet of foam or other material, that I would literally toss over the windshield to ride out a hail core. Obviously this would eliminate being mobile and I'd lose all view looking forward (I'd shoot/watch out side windows), but in a pinch, right haha
6. Obviously the best choice is just to avoid the big hail. And there is certainly a reasonable expectation to be able to do that, but unfortunately this is not always possible. I also don't really want to be one of those paranoid hail-fearers, particularly as a guy who actually LOVES experiencing hail. I expect some cut-back as there isn't nearly as big a prize as there once was for plunging into hail cores, but I still do like me some hail.
@Dan Robinson I'd be very interested in your process as you move forward with your idea. I was very intrigued at the idea of the "cloth" over the metal grates I've seen on a lot, and that seems like a good place to start for eliminating some weight, thus less MPG decline. I envision something that could rest on the hood when not deployed, then extend up and over the windshield with the push of a button. I dunno... mechanics and tools and, ya know, building shit, are not my strong suits haha
