Pepper Got Peppered! ***UPDATE***

[dhill59]

I took Pepper to a body shop and it turns out that the “chips” are specks of cement. With a lot of TLC elbow grease, most of them should go away. I’ll take care of it this weekend and post the results.

Well, it finally happened - I was the the Interstate in the number 2 lane when a tractor trailer (a double trailer) in the number 4 lane merged left into the number 3 lane. At least one of the trailers contained pea size gravel. The trailers bounced from a pot hole and my HPR Hybrid (Pepper) got peppered. I could not back off quick enough. For everyone that says the paint is thin and the windshield is soft, they are correct. Not even 2,000 miles on the clock when this happened.

Attached are some front end pics. I'll post a pic of the windshield when I can get one in the right light.

Sponsored

 

[710-oil-614]

That sucks and I'm sorry that happened but clearly you got hit with a lot of gravel there.

I just washed handwashed my truck with 7,200 miles on it and in the middle of an Ohio winter and I was happily surprised to still find only the 1 existing rock chip on my front bumper.

 

[CurtisB]

Thats gotta hurt!! I'm a fanatic at trying to avoid trucks while on the interstate. Sometimes I even pull over and let them get miles ahead of me. You might be able to go to a mobile detailer for this and a mobile painter.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Ouch. CT had a strictly enforced law requiring load covers on dump trucks. To prevent events like this (or worse). They're those funny roller-shade-like contraptions you see behind the cab. Really surprised CA doesn't have a law like that - or were they just violating it?

I hope it will wash out. I have a HPR too and love the color in the sun.

 

[MaveLick]

In Texas, those would have been bigger. Several sand box trucks did not cover the top when I drove on I-20. Some of the flat bed 18 wheelers had several big rocks perfectly distance from each other on the flat beds ( intentionally?).

 

[CurtisB]

Yes, there is a law here in California. Problem is when the trucks hit a bump in the road...........all bets are off.

 

[Waterick]

I feel so bad for you. This is a scenario I dread, yeah, it's not like life or death, but it detracts from that newness so suddenly. You do what you can to prevent it, but ultimately unless you never expose your Maverick, it does happen. Just hopefully when it's appropriately older. PPF, air deflectors, careful driving, they all help, but won't catch it all.

 

[LC48]

It sucks when that happens, I am on replacement windshield #2 at 47K miles, I-35W in Texas.....

Dr. Colorchip has worked the very best for me on the inevitable chips.

 

[RonD914]

Well, it finally happened - I was the the Interstate in the number 2 lane when a tractor trailer (a double trailer) in the number 4 lane merged left into the number 3 lane. At least one of the trailers contained pea size gravel. The trailers bounced from a pot hole and my HPR Hybrid (Pepper) got peppered. I could not back off quick enough. For everyone that says the paint is thin and the windshield is soft, they are correct. Not even 2,000 miles on the clock when this happened.

Attached are some front end pics. I'll post a pic of the windshield when I can get one in the right light.

Very sorry to see it, that's really bad luck! i have about 600 miles on my '24 HPR mav, and i got nailed about 3 days ago - I haven't looked super close, but i think my super expensive protective film saved me this time. Those darn rock/ pebble trucks are awful, i've lost windshields on 5 different vehicles - even though i now drive with strict pebble truck avoidance measures! and windshields are about $1500 bucks nowadays with all the fancy sensors and recalibrations ( i like my safety extras).

I guess the key is to stay the heck away from these improperly tarped monsters, and maybe pass two lanes over if possible, with a prayer... Good Luck out there!

 

[clos0791]

Ouch. CT had a strictly enforced law requiring load covers on dump trucks. To prevent events like this (or worse). They're those funny roller-shade-like contraptions you see behind the cab. Really surprised CA doesn't have a law like that - or were they just violating it?

I hope it will wash out. I have a HPR too and love the color in the sun.

I'm CA and I am sure there is some kind of law or rule to cover the top of a gravel truck. I just think they do a bad job at covering. Even if they do cover, it is almost impossible to keep smaller gravel from jumping out on the highway/freeway. I live near a rock processing company and I see these trucks going on the freeway onramp dumping tons of gravel and I just shake my head knowing that a bunch of cars and trucks are going to get sand/rock blasted.

 

[clos0791]

I am sorry, that sucks. Thin paint or not, that gravel truck would have caused major damage on any paint. Even on "thick paint" you will still have chips and marks maybe not down to the metal but still very noticeable.

 

[clos0791]

Yes, there is a law here in California. Problem is when the trucks hit a bump in the road...........all bets are off.

Even if you avoid driving behind these dump trucks, the rocks and pebbles they drop on the highway get picked up by regular trucks or cars and also cause damage. I know it sounds silly but I don't drive on the highways/freeways unless absolutely necessary or in case of an emergency. If I am traveling long distances or out of state, I rent.

 

[Montana]

Sadly Montana has no laws about mudflaps or covering loads. It's insane up here. Especially getting stuck behind a logging truck.

Either way, I've found most my chips came from oncoming traffic. Especially window related ones.

 

[Bob The Builder]

When I see a large truck with a sign on the back that says "Construction Vehicle Do Not Follow, I do not follow.

I feel to the OP's pain though. When I actually worked, I traveled 25-30K a year all Interstate. Sandblasted front painted bumpers were the norm until I discovered Plasti-dip. My second Ranger had 10 windshields in 8 years and that was usually driving with a cracked one until inspection time arrived.

 

[Maverickman74]

That is exactly why I have honed my 2 driving styles over the years. Either hanging way back in heavy traffic, or passing a Gary Oldman level of cars in light traffic until its nothing but open road ahead.

PASS EVERYONE!!!

Sponsored