CWD, I can't tell you whether I noticed a difference in drag with the wings removed because the previous owner, at my request, had removed the sheet metal around the tailights so I wouldn't have to bother with wiring the tailights to get it home (one of the campers tailights was also damaged /not usable).
My expectation was that difference by itself would not be noticeable; but the various
accumulated reductions in weight and drag would be noticeable.
I also like the look of the wings on the older Toyotas, somehow those wings make it seem more integrated, more like a mini-motorhome. I especially think the colors I used would enhance the look of the wings. But the main reason I removed the wings was I was considering getting a newer Tacoma and I don't like the look of the wings on Tacomas so much. The next build I do will be different based on what it goes on.
This explanation relates strongly to this thread in this way...
It is my belief is that the guy that has the "best camper" is the guy that uses it the most - not necessarily the guy that has the prettiest camper.
But lots of people wash their cars, some wax their cars, some will buy new tires and/or wheels to enhance the look of their cars. Their is nothing wrong with adding a little bling in addition to using your car - or camper.
Stainless steel is a great way to add bling. You just have to be careful of the products you choose and/or how you mount these fasteners.
Stainless steel is super durable. You just have to be careful of the products you choose and/or how you mount these fasteners.
Some of the problems attributed to SS are actually from other causes. When I did my experiment with various fasteners (written up in my build thread
4WheelResto ) I noticed that any significant bubbling of paint for example, was due to scratching paint under the fasteners head (like from over torqueing thus "spinning" the screw), or screw heads in slightly crooked leaving one side proud of the sheet metal (allowing a gap on that side between the screw head and the sheet metal. I did not use silicone on the screws which would have exacerbated these problems. None of the SS screws (chosen by a salesperson at a fastener company that supplies to marine customers) used in the experiment showed any sign of corrosion relating to the stainless steel.
SS latch. Beautiful and durable:
Resto