Community Forums

n5pht · 07-08-2014, 05:17 PM

I have a Minnie Winnie 32 foot. I am not required to have mud flaps in Texas. But what about traveling in other states? It appears some states do require them. I am now pulling a toad and thought about something that hangs down from the back bumper of the motorhome? Ideas appreciated.

**TonyDi** · 07-08-2014, 07:41 PM

If you are in a state that requires mud flaps then you need to have them on. Just like some states require aux. brakes on a TOAD. Why would you want to kick up road "stuff" onto vehicles behind you?

t55watson · 07-08-2014, 07:59 PM

I have had bumper area rubber flaps and bumper mounted brush style flaps. They both let rocks come right down the middle of the coach, and the solid flap makes a vacuum and the rocks come up and into the toad.
I now have flaps as wide as the rear tires mounted right behind the wheels and a full width rubber flap mounted right behind the wheel flaps. This takes all road debris and pushes it to the outside edge of the coach, Acting like a snow plow, or dozer blade for southerners.
I have pulled the toad for 80,000 miles without an incident, I even quit using a bra on the toad.

n5pht · 07-08-2014, 08:47 PM

I don't want to kick up anything - but you will find very different schools on mud flaps. I want to be legal but don't like the idea of 'extra' projectiles in the event of a flat. Also, there is mud flaps behind the back wheels and rock guards that hang from the MH bumper? Need one or the other or both or none? Sorry for my ignorance but I have no experience with dual rear wheels or pulling a toad until now. I want to be safe and legal and that may not be possible to achieve both?

Two Bit · 07-08-2014, 09:30 PM

The legal requirement of mud flaps is determined by the state the vehicle is registered in...NOT the state you are driving through.

huntnski · 07-08-2014, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n5pht

I don't want to kick up anything - but you will find very different schools on mud flaps. I want to be legal but don't like the idea of 'extra' projectiles in the event of a flat. Also, there is mud flaps behind the back wheels and rock guards that hang from the MH bumper? Need one or the other or both or none? Sorry for my ignorance but I have no experience with dual rear wheels or pulling a toad until now. I want to be safe and legal and that may not be possible to achieve both?

My suggestion, drive really slow to the next State Park, then go fishing! Lol

n5pht · 07-09-2014, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntnski

My suggestion, drive really slow to the next State Park, then go fishing! Lol

I think that is the best idea yet!!! Hello Tim and Mary - hope you two are doing fine and I supose on your way to the East Coast by now!

n5pht · 07-09-2014, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Two Bit

The legal requirement of mud flaps is determined by the state the vehicle is registered in...NOT the state you are driving through.

I hope you are correct and don't mean to be pushy but do you have some references on that point? Several people seem to say it is like the need for supplemental braking but you say not for mud flaps? For example, Texas does not require me to have supplemental braking (Jeep under 4000 pounds) but most states I travel through have a 3000 pound limit to not require supplemental braking so I use the Brake Buddy.

Perhaps the mud flaps are considered a permanent install on the vehicle and therefore the state of licensing is followed? I am quite sure when you are in states outside your home state the state your are in hold you to their laws generally but if you have some reference to the contrary on mud flaps I would sure appreciate just in case I am stopped as Texas does not require them on Motorhomes.

Thanks

vraines · 07-09-2014, 06:35 AM

I have always wondered about the effectiveness of the mud flaps/stone guards. I get a lot of chips on my motorhome windshield every year, and nearly all come from oncoming vehicles, not from following another vehicle. My motorhome has a wide mudflap and guards just behind the duals. A rarely get stone chips on the toad. That wide flap is a PIA when it comes to backing in to a campsite with the concrete barriers. Having said that, I believe that wide flap prevented damage tp the motor home and towed when I hit a black alligator. The encounter was fatal to the mud flap but no other damage.

wa8yxm · 07-09-2014, 02:07 PM

Actually.... It may depend on the body of the MH. In Michigan if your are throwing up a "Rooster tail" of water or debris off the road,, Happy visit to the Judge's bench.

And in all states if you say throw up a rock and smash my windshield, Different court, bigger bill.

But some bodies the wheels are far enough forward anything tossed up by the wheels will bounce off the bottom of the RV,

Still,, Mud flaps are cool. And help protect your towed.