Rock chips from no mud flaps?

I am fixing to pull the trigger on a 2020 TRD sport and was wondering if the mudflaps are really necessary. Every vehicle is made different and deflects road debris different, I was wondering what your experience has been on the 2016-2020 models. I don't do any offroading, just street driving. I like the look without the flaps - looking for suggestions.

Are they a necessity?

 

I'm not an expert, so take this with a grain of salt... But I think the main thing mudflaps do is protect the car behind you, so... there's that to consider. If you don't offroad, then that's an argument for *having* them. People who offroad usually take them off because they get caught up on stuff.

 

Are you going to have running boards? Those help reduce chips a bit depending on the design. I have the oval Lund type ones and they seem to work well.

 

After taking the front flaps off of my second gen there have been many more rock chips, the majority being soaked up by my sliders.

I'd assume similar results with a 3rd gen.

 

I’m sure they do help. I have an 05 Tundra with no mudflats and the rocker panels and bed are covered in touch up paint.

 

no running boards - that is an interesting point about the cars behind you. Never though about it like that.

 

I think some states have a legal requirement... Again, not an expert, grain of salt, etc.

 

Check your state laws as well. Many states require rear mudflaps

 

we don't have a requirement in NC

 

mudflaps and running boards, nerf bars, or sliders on the rockers prevent A LOT OF CHIPS. Ski

 

I have damage from removing the mudflaps and rocks flying uo and hitting bottom of doors

 

Shortened flaps on my 2nd gen - it was already covered in rock chips though.
I'll let you know how it goes on this one

 

Yes, a necessity if you want to keep your rocker panels looking good and free from stone chips. They also reduce time/effort at wash time in reducing time spend cleaning tar/asphalt being thrown up from your tires.
Running boards also help keep tar/gravel from damaging paint AND help prevent door dings from inconsiderate motorist who park next to you.

My 2018 TRD Sport is 19 months old and has over 20,000 miles and I have NO stone damage.

 

I bought mud flaps for mine because of rock chips. I had two big ones within 1k miles of owning it

 

I've been driving trucks since the 1970's. My Tacoma is the only one that had mud flaps and they broke off after 3 years. It hasn't had any since 2010. I've never had any paint damage and I average about 1000 miles/year on dirt or gravel roads. And virtually no one else has mudflaps on their trucks. Toyota and Nissan are the only brands that come with them and most people take them off of those.

I don't know about how many. Montana is the only one I'm sure about. There may be one or 2 more.

 

They broke off after 3 years........ my 96 Tacoma still has the original all-around after 414,000 miles. Most people take them off?

 

Being in the Snowy NE - I like them for two reasons - one - road sand and small pebbles (Dents, dings and scratches). 2, The Flaps prevent the winter salt, water, sand from being kicked up into the bottom door jams and rear corner areas. Helps with paint protection salt rust under the doors and frame. If I had to ( for clearance) I'd cut some off the bottoms before I'd remove them. Seeing I keep my vehicles for years I'll never have a vehicle without them. JMO

 

Mud flaps definitely protect your paint. Yes, some states do require you to have them to protect those behind you.

Drive behind a lifted truck with big wheels and no mud flaps on the freeway for an extended amount of time - your bumper will be speckled. If you have cheap aftermarket windshield, a speckled windshield too.

I have friends who generally follow close to cars, boarder line tailgating, and I've checked their bumper - freckles.

Regarding our trucks, where the bed sticks out next to the rear door, you'll have OEM clear bra because it's a problem area. A lot of truck guys complain about this - it's from your front wheel kicking rocks towards the bed.

Some guys don't like the look of mudflaps and take them off since removing them make your truck look taller. Some guys remove them to fit bigger tires. (at least the front) Some guys prefer mudflaps to protect their paint from extended dirt road driving.

Different tread patterns and wheel specs will contribute to chips as well.

 

Zero rock chips (on the sides of the truck) and just under 50k miles. No mud flaps