Pros / cons of mudflaps?

I really like the look of my truck without them.

Last summer I removed them to see what it would be like. I always heard stuff hitting the truck & I hit a few tar & chip roads and I couldn't drive slow enough. So it was Fall I decided to put them back on due to the gravel/salt mix in Winter. This is one of the million motivators to get out of NJ.

 

Mudflaps are a courtesy- they really arent supposed to protect your vehicle that much, they are mostly to protect other people’s windshields and help them with visibility during rain when following behind you. that’s also why there are fender vs tire size regs in some states, too.

Ive had several rock strikes on gravel roads passing by others, some with and without mudflaps, but mostly from those without.

 

That's what I did as well. The fronts are way too long, but I find if I scrape the rears, I'm about to scrape the bike rack on the back, so it serves as a good warning indicator.

Come to think of it, the Rokblokz guy lives up the street from me. I should go say Hi.

 

It's a requirement in WA State to have something on the rears. They'll pull you over if you don't have them. With that said, I went 13 years in my 2nd gen without replacing a windshield...

 

My newish skids are bare from driving on gravel for a few days- glad I didnt pay for powder coating, rattle can black bed liner to the rescue!!

 

13 years? Dang, If all I did was mall crawl I could easily top that. I had to change my 1st gen windshield a bunch of times, everything from sand blowing, flying truck tire parts, a shovel taking off out of a garden truck like a helicopter, and rocks hit my winshield.

 

I just bought a generic set at the local auto parts store, laid the oem ones on top and punched out the holes. Shorter, more flexible, protects those behind me, less than 30 bucks and looks great.
Been on for about 5 years and the only thing was loosing a clip when there must have been contact (which there was I.e. body damage) while running a trail.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pyrite-micas-super-slow-build.259521/#post-6635053

 

Thats what I did too- oem ones are too ridgid to be good for offroad.

 

If you are pulling a trailer/boat you may need them!
If you are off-road on rocks and tough terrain then no.
It saves your vehicle,but can be ripped off or cause damage in some cases!

 

I just picked up a set in the FS forum, I tow a Turtleback trailer and bought them specifically to protect my investment. The paint on this beauty of a trailer is just to much to let go to crap without them.

 

If you are slow rock crawling take them off, but not if driving off-road on trails, especially if there’s oncomming traffic ot others around.

I know no one here does it, but I really wish those who like peeling out around people or parked cars would keep them on. Lost a side window to that in my van once. The guy was nice about it though, he left a note and paid to replace it.

 

Stock flaps are long and very rigid. I was originally going to cut them. But they just seemed too rigid. Felt like they'd rip right off if I scraped them over a rock. So I decided to give these a try:

$27 Rally Armor MF12-BAS-BLK Basic Black Mud Flap with Logo (Universal Fitment (no Hardware)), 1 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C3AIOTY/ref=dp_cerb_1

$25 for all four. If they end up getting ripped off, I'll just take them all off and not worry about it.

 

I've been considering those since reading about them on Exp. Portal. How long have you had them and how are they holding up?

 

Just a few days. The material seems plenty stout, though. For regular use, they will do just fine. In the rocks, I don't know. Just scraping over them, no problem. If they get hung up...may not fair so well. But neither will more expensive ones, either. To me, these are disposable parts. No need to spend $70+ for them, IMO.

 

Thanks phsycle, that's what was thinking and hoping to hear.

 

Yes