Deer Guard
 

Wondering if anyone is running with a deer guard on your rig. I plan to buy one very soon. Sure would be nice if the insurance companies would reduce rates with a deer g.uard installed.

Just a deer?

What moose, elk, bear, horse, cow?

.....prius

Check your state laws before purchase. We sell aftermarket parts (cars and pickups, not big trucks) and an issue of legal contention in the industry in the last year or two is that some states are banning any sort of device on the front (like a deer guard, bumper guard, push bar, grill guard, etc.) that reinforces the front end of the vehicle over factory. Apparently the government weenies think that such devices are a public menace to pedestrians and prius' and are not safe for use on our public highways. The industry association is fighting it of course, and trying to prevent/repair these laws. It is a very big deal to accessory dealers in some areas where it seems like every pickup on the road has a bumper guard or grill guard.

hot rod,
Are you saying this would be controlled by your home state rather than states one would travel thru? Have been starting to see a huge amount of semi drivers adding the guards to their trucks and many companies are adding the guards to their fleets.

Ed

Around here most commercial insurance companies offer discounts if you have a grille guard type bumper as they reduce the amount of damage done when you hit an animal, thereby reducing insurance repair payouts.

porky,
I have not spoken to my insurance company yet about any cost savings to me but just the thought of hitting a deer and the damage it would do makes me move in the direction of a grill guard. Beyond the cost of repair is the down time that I wouold not want to be without my rig for major repairs.

Not sure if the laws I am talking about apply to big rigs or not, the association I belong to is concerned with passenger car and light truck accessories. I am going to be at the trade show for that this coming week and I'll see what info I can dredge up. I just know it was a big issue for some manufacturers/installers of these items about this time last year. I really did not follow what ground the association had gained with the government regulations involved, that is usually a lengthy process.

around here the police all have push bars, even though they are not allowed to use them. I have a push bar on my Tahoe for the main reason of mounting my PIAA lights. I only threaten the Prius :)

There is a company that makes guards that are coated with thick silver rubber. The local Freightliner dealer I go to sells them. They look very nice and heavy duty. The dealer is I-State Truck Center. I was thinking about getting one someday too.

What immediately comes to mind is whatever will we do with all those snowplow blades up north? Seems to me that I'd rather hit a brush guard than a 7 foot wide plow blade.

Resurrecting an old thread: Anyone install a Herd guard, or similar product, on their conversion? We are planning to take our Renegade to Alaska next summer. I am concerned about protecting the front end from wildlife damage, especially since we will be doing some traveling at night.

I had initially given it little thought, until we went to Ohio to take delivery of our motorhome. It appears that the farther NW we traveled the more dead deer I saw on the side of the road, and the more trucks I saw equipped with guards. I'm pretty sure the commercial guys would not drop the $$ if it wasn't a necessity, but I'd like to hear from some Motorhome owners with guards or considering guards. Thanks

If I were going to Alaska (and travelling at night) I would definitely put one on my vehicle just for peace of mind.

I have several trucking buddies who put them on their rigs after the first deer-truck interaction. Not only was the insurance tab $10,000 plus but they lost use of the rigs for 2-3weeks while waiting for parts. While they lost their income generator you would be out of a place to live, plus the further north you go the fewer and further between repair facilities are.

I hit a small bear with a stock Peterbilt bumper (also did some other minor cosmetic damage)and that cost me $750 at the time, so think what an elk or moose could potentially do.

It's a real issue depending on where you are. My buddy works at for ABF and they had 3 trucks hit deer in PA just last week out of their terminal alone. A good sized deer will take out the whole front end if it goes over the bumper on a big truck.

I spoke to the folks at Herd yesterday. They have a dealer only a few hours away from me.

I've often thought about adding one - but added LED driving lamps instead....i keep the driving lamps aimed at the shoulder (and median) a bit to help spot the deer.

When we start seeing deer we usually find a place to stop, call it a night and get some shut eye.

Normally, I like to be on the jacks and topping off my bourbon tank well before dark. Unfortunately, our upcoming trip will require some night time travel. Therefore, the guard does seem almost like a necessity. Extra lights are on the list too.

Are you talking about SAE compliant driving lights, or did you add lights specifically for off the beaten path?

ha screw compliance ;) I've got 18% (light transmission) tint on our cockpit doors.

I added some (6LED) Rigid Industries LED (driving beam) lights in the bumper...theyre SUPER bright.

https://www.truckconversion.net/attac...305d823cec.jpg

https://www.truckconversion.net/attac...38962d64f0.jpg

over 3000 lumens! Wow, I think I'd get a ticket for that around here, but they would sure be nice on the open road.