Community Forums

32hotrod · 08-09-2019, 07:51 PM

On our 08 Endeavor we keep having sand and small gravel turn up on top of the coolant tank and both rear access areas are dirty. Clean them out and it come back in a few hundred miles Ours is a full flap is 4 or 5 inches off the ground with the standard polished name on it
Is it possible this flap is throwing stuff up that high. If removed would it effect the airflow to the radiator. It would seem some air should pile up behind it so maybe feed the engine fan

Ray,IN · 08-10-2019, 08:27 PM

Remove the flap, IMO they are a waste of money, which would have been better spent installing mud flaps behind each set of duals.
Our MH came with one, however our MH is a Spartan side-radiator. There is no fan on the engine to blow dirt everywhere. If we make a trip to AK with the MH, I'll remove the flap before leaving home.

gnlandrus · 08-10-2019, 08:52 PM

With the full width mud flap on, my toad was getting pummeled with rocks ! I removed the vanity flap, lengthened the regular mud flaps and couldn’t be happier ! Have it hanging in the shop and have no interest in putting back on.

xydial · 08-12-2019, 08:41 AM

Removed the flap during our Alaska trip since it was kicking up gravel whenever we went thru a frost heave repair.

When I got back to the lower 48 in hot weather I noticed the engine temp was higher than usual. Replaced the flap and the temps dropped 3-5 degrees.

Another reason for the flap is to deflect road debris from the tow car. On two occasions I have hit tire treads (could not avoid) and the flap saved the car. In both cases the flap was bent and required me removing it to beat it back in shape.

I believe in the flap enough to have bought a new one when the first one was damaged beyond repair!

K7JV · 08-13-2019, 07:06 AM

Yesterday, coming out of Mountain Home, ID, a trailer ahead of me carrying tree trimming debris lost a large mass of cuttings right in front of us. With nowhere to swerve, the left tires on our coach ran over a fair portion of the mass. In the mirror, I saw what looked like about a 2" diameter and three foot long branch fly off to the left, and a good 6 feet into the air. Our toad was grateful for the full width flap!! Inspection showed zero damage to either the motorhome or our car!

I might add that in the 2000's, Monaco put the full width flap on their coaches AS WELL AS wide mud flaps behind the tag tires. And I would have expected to see the cooling improvement that "XYDIAL" described for the same reason that cars today have "air dams", or some variance thereof to facilitate engine cooling. I seriously doubt if manufacturers put them there for that reason, but I would expect it to be a very real fringe benefit of having one. If the flap is kicking up rocks, perhaps it should be raised an inch, not just removed.

znt1186 · 08-13-2019, 07:20 AM

I have had the fullwidth flaps on two diesels, and have not noted any issues with my towed vehicles. I have seen damage to the mud flaps from large debris. Had some steel wires from a road gator stuck in mine one time. They might have done some serious damage to the toad if they hit it. One legit concern is the sun reflection coming of them when the sun is behind the rv. If that happens, just back off or go around. I also have flaps right behind the wheels.

32hotrod · 08-14-2019, 05:26 AM

Thanks to all for your comments We are going to raise it up a bit and leave it on.
Bill 08 Endeavor

K7JV · 08-14-2019, 07:34 AM

IMHO that is a wise decision. Besides, they actually dress up your coach a bit when viewed from the rear.

mb2875 · 08-14-2019, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32hotrod

Thanks to all for your comments We are going to raise it up a bit and leave it on.
Bill 08 Endeavor

Please excuse my ignorance but it seems to me if you raise the flap (More room between the end of the flap and the ground) you would get rocks etc landing on your toad higher on the vehicle. Up where paint, windshields etc could be damaged. I am saying that because if you follow trucks and see the ends of the flap worn away effectively raising the flap I get more rocks when I am following them.

Captjake1 · 08-14-2019, 06:02 PM

I raised our a year or 2 ago. I no longer see rocks sitting on my toad like I used to. I think, because it doesn't drag on the ground like it used to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32hotrod

Thanks to all for your comments We are going to raise it up a bit and leave it on.
Bill 08 Endeavor

NRose · 08-17-2019, 12:35 PM

Our full width mud flap protected our toad from squirrel guts.

Worth every dime just for that.

You can change out the stainless piece for a custom design if you want something other than the coach name on it. I saw this one on the road made by Duraflap

Spaceball · 08-17-2019, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captjake1

I raised our a year or 2 ago. I no longer see rocks sitting on my toad like I used to. I think, because it doesn't drag on the ground like it used to.

I think they have a bit of a venturi effect with the air being forced downward (like a microburst?) and then forced through the small gap between the flap and the ground. Could be actually blowing the rocks up off the ground. Just my theory. Raising it a little may have lessened that in addition to of course not physically hitting them.

palehorse89 · 08-17-2019, 12:58 PM

Removed mine a long time ago, due to how dirty my engine and battery compartment's were........for sure a lot better now. Never miss it for any reason.

Captjake1 · 08-17-2019, 11:02 PM

Interesting! Could be. I might take mine off this year.... Like I need another project! Lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceball

I think they have a bit of a venturi effect with the air being forced downward (like a microburst?) and then forced through the small gap between the flap and the ground. Could be actually blowing the rocks up off the ground. Just my theory. Raising it a little may have lessened that in addition to of course not physically hitting them.