Is Rear Mud Flap Worth Keeping???

[Chickadee]

G'morning ALL:

(Didn't want to step on Papa Joes thread of today about repairing mud flap)

Having been "on the road" FULLtime since 05 (no house, no stuff, no storage, no nuttin !!), and having TWICE experienced damage to that big shiny mud flap hanging off the back end of our rig due to running over unavoidable "road gators" (tire tread debris),......what do you folks think about doing away with that rig wide flap altogether?? After our experience during our Alaska trip we're pretty convinced that those flaps are not really effective for more than advertising the brand of rig. In fact, they (these flaps) are the source of more chip damage to towed vehicles than other factors.

What's your opinion or thoughts about gettin rid of it ???

Steve & Lynette

[Dacotah]

CHICKADEE, good question!! Our 2001 Sportscoach has a "broom style" rear mud flap that is strange looking and is always full of leaves and road debris so maybe they are effective. The broom style is ugly and always looks frayed on the sides so we want to change to your style solid flap but do they really work? Maybe you are right that covering the front of the toad is better. Lets hope some others offer their opinion. DACOTAH

[JohnFreyja]

I removed my mud flap last Spring after reading posts that they cause as much rock damage as they prevent and some were claiming up to a half mile a gallon better mileage. I am currently on the last leg of a trip across the country and back and as much as I would like to give a possitive reply, it just hasn't proved out. I think mileage is mostly affected by driving patterns. I drove through at least two road repair areas that required driving in new "chip seal" which is small gravel poured over fresh tar. I now have many new rock chips on the toad so, although I can't say that the rock chips wouldn't have occurred with the mud flap. It sure didn't help to have it removed.

[njs42]

I would leave it on and if mine wears out I would replace it.

[jim.smithjr]

I towed my 2004 Cadillac from Calgary to Vancouver in early January after Cummins in Calgary "forgot" to re-install my flap, and did $1400 damage to the car from flying ice and snow! And this car was on a dolly so the front was quite high off the road.

Re-installed the flap, no more damage since.

A tow truck driver bent my flap into a pretzel later and I had him replace it. They are prone to a lot of damage, but they are usually easy to straighten out. I often remove mine and just walk/jump on it to restore it's shape. Big rubber hammers also help.

I don't believe the gas mileage story.

[Triker56]

When I bought mine it didn't have a full rear mud flap.
The complete rear of the MH would become dirty within 500 miles after washing it.

After a year I had the Ultra full guard put on. It then took over 3,000 miles to get close as beng dirty as the 500 miles before. Completely stopped the oil road spots.

0 change in MPG as it is keep on a spreadsheet.
0 chips or dings noticed on the front of the toad.

After 9 years, not the first damage to it from "road gators"
Although I watch ahead, never follow to close behind another vehicle and have managed to miss all of them so far. Or just Lucky!

[Chickadee]

THANKS ALL !! Great feedback. Well, guess I'll continue repairing this flap damage from our last road gator encounter and WILL re-install it. Guess I'll give it ONE MORE CHANCE !!!!!

Steve

[Route 66]

The secret to preventing toad damage is to have 4" to 6" road clearance under the flap, as contact with the road kicks up stones and debris that hit the toad.

I never had toad damage and my fellow MHers who raised their flaps also have not had any toad damage.

[njs42]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 The secret to preventing toad damage is to have 4" to 6" road clearance under the flap, as contact with the road kicks up stones and debris that hit the toad. I never had toad damage and my fellow MHers who raised their flaps also have not had any toad damage.

Interesting comment, I agree--I installed my own flap from CW and the instructions called for the four inch clearance. And sure enough my Toad remains basically unscathed---the flap took a hit in the middle that tore it a bit but at ten years it is going strong.

[Cat320]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 The secret to preventing toad damage is to have 4" to 6" road clearance under the flap, as contact with the road kicks up stones and debris that hit the toad. I never had toad damage and my fellow MHers who raised their flaps also have not had any toad damage.

Agree...I don't believe the MPG story either.

[AFChap]

I definitely agree about having 6" road clearance with a solid flap, nit sure about the "grass skirt type. I suspect low clearance may also cause some of the damage flap endure. The other facor in flap damage is how it is attached. My solid flap is in perfect condition with over 60k miles.

[PJGMG]

Hi..we have the UltraGuard with the reinforced metal bar across the top. As far as clearance of 4 inches from the road we have it, will check again.

Our problem with this one and the previous one is we bottomed out making a "U" turn the top of it got crushed against the frame. It looks real mean.

I believe if we cut out a portion near the middle so it can hang w/o continuous hitting on the frame we may be able to salvage it. Where we cut it out will reenforce the cut areas with metal so I don't compromise the integrity of the mud flap at the top.

I am open to suggestions on how to remedy me bending/ruining another MUD GUARD.

Thanks..

[smack2020]

I have a 32 foot gasser with a fairly large rear hangover. The dealer put the guard on when I bought the Moho and did a terrible job putting it on. It kept falling off, so I finally left it off. I tow a jeep with a 4 inch lift and because it is so high, I don't get any damages.

Probably depends on overhang and what you tow. I saw a guy pulling a new TT the other day that made a home made rock guard for the back of his truck. It may have been 4 inches off the ground with the trailer off, but with the weight of the trailer it drug on the road. It was like a giant rubber broom dragging on the road throwing rocks and crap all over his new trailer. I tried to get beside him and tell him, however I could not get his attention.

[JohnRR]

I have not had these on very long so I don't know about rocks but it sure cuts down on rain spray (on a level surface they just barely clear the ground but gain clearance when driving down the road)