Best bug deflector?

[VicRattlehead]

What’s the best most functional bug deflector. My f150 I got a weather tech one and it doesn’t provide that wind wall that keeps bugs off the windshield. Was wondering if anyone has one that actually works. I do a lot of driving at night by fields and forests etc would be nice to have a windshield not completely covered in splats.

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[JP4AZ]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285164156748

This one sits above the paint and does not use tape. It also protects the outer fenders. Buy from ebay and avoid the $10 shipping charge from Real Truck.

 

[Optimus]

Too many complaints on fitment of the AVS bugflector II on this forum, including from my own experience after ignoring those reviews and buying anyway to find out all the same issues still exist. The mounting slots don’t line up, the fasteners are too short due to mounting flanges being warped not sitting flush to the hood, and the wrap-around wings hit the fronts of the fenders. As in, I couldn’t even close the hood once the shield was “sort of” in place. All of these same issues have been reported on MTC since these shields were introduced, and fast forward today, 1 1/2 years later, and the problem STILL exists.

My experience with realtruck.com and Auto Ventshade (AVS) regarding this product wasn’t any better. Realtruck.com OWNS AVS too, so keep that in mind. I contacted AVS first and they never bothered to respond after 3 emails and 1 phone call. After almost 3 weeks of no response from AVS, I contacted realtruck to see if they could help. They offered to ship a replacement, which I accepted (some people have gotten ones that fit). They instead issued a refund and ignored sending a replacement.

When I first contacted AVS, I got an automated email confirming my opening of a claim (what you might expect). Realtruck updated that claim ticket directly, replying to that same email from AVS. This was when I realized Realtruck owns AVS. I didn’t previously pay attention to the marketing, but the AVS logo is often accompanied by “a Realtruck brand.”

Other Mav owners have had to drill new holes, buy longer fasteners, and I even saw a youtube video of a Mav owner using a heat gun to re-shape the mounting flanges to get it to fit.

Um no thanks. Buyer beware. Too bad, as I did like the look of it and it has been the only wrap-around style bug shield to date.

 

[JP4AZ]

Too many complaints on fitment of the AVS bugflector II on this forum, including from my own experience after ignoring those reviews and buying anyway to find out all the same issues still exist. The mounting slots don’t line up, the fasteners are too short due to mounting flanges being warped not sitting flush to the hood, and the wrap-around wings hit the fronts of the fenders. As in, I couldn’t even close the hood once the shield was “sort of” in place. All of these same issues have been reported on MTC since these shields were introduced, and fast forward today, 1 1/2 years later, and the problem STILL exists.

My experience with realtruck.com and Auto Ventshade (AVS) regarding this product wasn’t any better. Realtruck.com OWNS AVS too, so keep that in mind. I contacted AVS first and they never bothered to respond after 3 emails and 1 phone call. After almost 3 weeks of no response from AVS, I contacted realtruck to see if they could help. They offered to ship a replacement, which I accepted (some people have gotten ones that fit). They instead issued a refund and ignored sending a replacement.

When I first contacted AVS, I got an automated email confirming my opening of a claim (what you might expect). Realtruck updated that claim ticket directly, replying to that same email from AVS. This was when I realized Realtruck owns AVS. I didn’t previously pay attention to the marketing, but the AVS logo is often accompanied by “a Realtruck brand.”

Buyer beware. Too bad, as I did like the look of it and it has been the only wrap-around style bug shield to date.

I read all those complaints too. I purchased anyway because I wanted a deflector that sits off of the paint. As far as holes lining up, I only had to round out 1 hole that was only half way lined up. I get it that the product is not perfect. Anyone can still install and make it work if you have minimal skills. Best of luck.

 

[Optimus]

I read all those complaints too. I purchased anyway because I wanted a deflector that sits off of the paint. As far as holes lining up, I only had to round out 1 hole that was only half way lined up. I get it that the product is not perfect. Anyone can still install and make it work if you have minimal skills. Best of luck.

Mine was bad enough it wasn’t going to fit. The deal killer was it hitting the fenders. And I don’t mean just needing to use the rubber snubbers there. I mean the lower cut edge of the bug shield smacks right into the front of the fenders so you can’t close the hood. No hole drilling will fix that. There was no “play” in my shield to slide it front or back, and there was barely and movement side-to-side. It was a tight fit, I’ll give it that much.

Hoping only 4 of those wimpy plastic fasteners (that aren’t long enough) would withstand 70+ mph winds is a long shot. I recall some people mentioning they added double-sided tape to this same shield for added security. I’ve installed many shields over the years, of varying installation methods, and this was by far the worst, and the only one that wouldn’t actually fit. If I could have gotten it to fit, I would have bought longer fasteners, and used some double-sided tape that I already have.

This just isn’t the type of product someone expects to have to further tweak to get it to fit. And if it WAS that type of product, they often come with a disclaimer as such (such as custom aftermarket fiberglass front fenders).

 

[JP4AZ]

Mine was bad enough it wasn’t going to fit. The deal killer was it hitting the fenders. And I don’t mean just needing to use the rubber snubbers there. I mean the lower cut edge of the bug shield smacks right into the front of the fenders so you can’t close the hood. No hole drilling will fix that. There was no “play” in my shield to slide it front or back, and there was barely and movement side-to-side. It was a tight fit, I’ll give it that much.

Hoping only 4 of those wimpy plastic fasteners (that aren’t long enough) would withstand 70+ mph winds is a long shot. I recall some people mentioning they added double-sided tape to this same shield for added security. I’ve installed many shields over the years, of varying installation methods, and this was by far the worst, and the only one that wouldn’t actually fit. If I could have gotten it to fit, I would have bought longer fasteners, and used some double-sided tape that I already have.

This just isn’t the type of product someone expects to have to further tweak to get it to fit. And if it WAS that type of product, they often come with a disclaimer as such (such as custom aftermarket fiberglass front fenders).

I agree with you! It'sJust that my experience was different than yours. It was definitely not perfect. Maybe my deflector was from a different batch?? I have to say that I did not add any extra double sided tape or anything. The deflector did withstand 90mph on the freeway without missing a beat or loosening up at all. the 4 pins supplied held up quite well. I wish you great luck in the future and Happy Mavericking.

 

[BAScott62]

The one I ordered didn't only have the misaligned holes, the mounting tabs themselves were also not aligned with each other, kind of like they were stored in a very hot environment and melted.

 

[William]

Too many complaints on fitment of the AVS bugflector II on this forum, including from my own experience after ignoring those reviews and buying anyway to find out all the same issues still exist. The mounting slots don’t line up, the fasteners are too short due to mounting flanges being warped not sitting flush to the hood, and the wrap-around wings hit the fronts of the fenders. As in, I couldn’t even close the hood once the shield was “sort of” in place. All of these same issues have been reported on MTC since these shields were introduced, and fast forward today, 1 1/2 years later, and the problem STILL exists.

My experience with realtruck.com and Auto Ventshade (AVS) regarding this product wasn’t any better. Realtruck.com OWNS AVS too, so keep that in mind. I contacted AVS first and they never bothered to respond after 3 emails and 1 phone call. After almost 3 weeks of no response from AVS, I contacted realtruck to see if they could help. They offered to ship a replacement, which I accepted (some people have gotten ones that fit). They instead issued a refund and ignored sending a replacement.

When I first contacted AVS, I got an automated email confirming my opening of a claim (what you might expect). Realtruck updated that claim ticket directly, replying to that same email from AVS. This was when I realized Realtruck owns AVS. I didn’t previously pay attention to the marketing, but the AVS logo is often accompanied by “a Realtruck brand.”

Other Mav owners have had to drill new holes, buy longer fasteners, and I even saw a youtube video of a Mav owner using a heat gun to re-shape the mounting flanges to get it to fit.

Um no thanks. Buyer beware. Too bad, as I did like the look of it and it has been the only wrap-around style bug shield to date.

 

[Optimus]

I agree with you! It'sJust that my experience was different than yours. It was definitely not perfect. Maybe my deflector was from a different batch?? I have to say that I did not add any extra double sided tape or anything. The deflector did withstand 90mph on the freeway without missing a beat or loosening up at all. the 4 pins supplied held up quite well. I wish you great luck in the future and Happy Mavericking.

No worries, we are in agreement and had different experiences. I tried to get another one, as I really wanted this to work. I gave up after realtruck failed to send a replacement. I was hoping after about a year and a half of seeing these complaints, AVS/realtruck would have fixed the issue, and I would have gotten one of the good shields.

In the end, I am going shieldless unless another wrap-around product comes out. I already have full paint protection film on the front fenders/hood. I also do not care for the “stick on” versions either. Some of them look more like a stick-on cover that lays completely flat against the hood e.g. “skin tight.” To me, a bug shield should curve up a bit to deflect air.

Too bad no one makes the old ones from 30+ years ago that were flat sheets of clear or tinted plastic that stood straight up. I kinda miss those! Where am I going to put my Yosemite Sam sticker or my truck’s nickname?

 

[clos0791]

Too many complaints on fitment of the AVS bugflector II on this forum, including from my own experience after ignoring those reviews and buying anyway to find out all the same issues still exist. The mounting slots don’t line up, the fasteners are too short due to mounting flanges being warped not sitting flush to the hood, and the wrap-around wings hit the fronts of the fenders. As in, I couldn’t even close the hood once the shield was “sort of” in place. All of these same issues have been reported on MTC since these shields were introduced, and fast forward today, 1 1/2 years later, and the problem STILL exists.

My experience with realtruck.com and Auto Ventshade (AVS) regarding this product wasn’t any better. Realtruck.com OWNS AVS too, so keep that in mind. I contacted AVS first and they never bothered to respond after 3 emails and 1 phone call. After almost 3 weeks of no response from AVS, I contacted realtruck to see if they could help. They offered to ship a replacement, which I accepted (some people have gotten ones that fit). They instead issued a refund and ignored sending a replacement.

When I first contacted AVS, I got an automated email confirming my opening of a claim (what you might expect). Realtruck updated that claim ticket directly, replying to that same email from AVS. This was when I realized Realtruck owns AVS. I didn’t previously pay attention to the marketing, but the AVS logo is often accompanied by “a Realtruck brand.”

Other Mav owners have had to drill new holes, buy longer fasteners, and I even saw a youtube video of a Mav owner using a heat gun to re-shape the mounting flanges to get it to fit.

Um no thanks. Buyer beware. Too bad, as I did like the look of it and it has been the only wrap-around style bug shield to date.

I just received mine and plan to try and install it today. I am already thinking I will be disappointed. I will update here if it actually fits or doesn't. I also read all of the complaints you mentioned. Nonetheless, I called RealTruck and asked the rep about it because some here on MTC have actually installed it without issues. He said he didn't know about any fitment issues or complaints, lol!

Anyway, the rep said that if it does not fit, I can return it for a full refund and return shipping will be on them since I ordered by phone directly from RealTruck.

 

[RLmesc]

I bought a "hood" protector. I know bugs are bad and those in the south believe their "love" bugs are the worst but in the Upper Mississippi River valley, we have June bug, fish flies, may flies and you name it, as it is the same damn bug. IT but lives only one day, 24 hours and it hatches every year, several times per year, at different times (based on where you live - N or S - and the temperature of the river itself. Believe -It-Or-Not, we use our snowplows to push them off of the streets, and parking lots. We have mounds of their corpses like we have snowbanks. A prophylactic, healthy dose of Rain X on the windshield (each spring), a bottle of Windex and a dish towel cleans any bug residue off in seconds. A different hood shield is a waste of time. LOL

 

[MikeyCNY]

On my 2022 Mav I used the Lund Aeroskin deflector from the Ford Accessories website, Part# VNZ6Z16C900A

I've heard others talking about using one with the 'bump' to create more of a "wind barrier" for the windshield? Looks similar to this on the Ford Build site:

But not seeing it on the accessories site... I did like the Aeroskin deflector, more for looks than effect. Can't vouch for its efficiency.

 

[JP4AZ]

On my 2022 Mav I used the Lund Aeroskin deflector from the Ford Accessories website, Part# VNZ6Z16C900A

I've heard others talking about using one with the 'bump' to create more of a "wind barrier" for the windshield? Looks similar to this on the Ford Build site:

But not seeing it on the accessories site... I did like the Aeroskin deflector, more for looks than effect. Can't vouch for its efficiency.

That one with the Bump was discontinued. I even called Lund to see if I could get an old stock from the warehouse. They said I would have to look to the second hand market if I wanted it that bad.

 

[bykerhd]

The factory "pack" of bumpers is a bit deficient as delivered.
I bought some extra 3M clear bumpers at Lowes for just under $ 5.
A little different shape but I think the hood and fenders are properly protected now.

Overall, I think the AVS deflector will do a better job than the stick ons.

 

[JP4AZ]

The factory "pack" of bumpers is a bit deficient as delivered.
I bought some extra 3M clear bumpers at Lowes for just under $ 5.
A little different shape but I think the hood and fenders are properly protected now.

Overall, I think the AVS deflector will do a better job than the stick ons.

I don't think there is a chance for my deflector to touch the paint (unless you press it down).
I drove 90 on the freeway and the thing did not budge.

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