Mud flaps or mud guards, as they are often called, often look like an additional feature on your car that you do not necessarily need. Whether you have a SUV, truck, or a sedan, installing a mud flap is a necessary accessory that will assist you in protecting yourself, other drivers and cars on the road.
Mud flaps will protect your vehicle from debris and ensure that you can drive comfortably regardless of the weather conditions. Mud flaps are a useful investment and are considerably inexpensive. Yes, mud guards are definitely worth it.
What are mud guards and what do they do?
Mud guards are board-like fixtures made from rubber or other flexible materials that cannot be destroyed easily with rocks or other flying debris found on the road. They are usually suspended behind the tires of vehicles.
Different types of mud flaps exist as some may be in the form of small molded lips attached below the vehicle’s rear to protect the back area of the car or truck. These features are usually used in combination with the fender of the vehicle to protect the vehicle, other vehicles on the road, pedestrians, and any other road users from flying debris.
Your tires are in direct contact with numerous obstacles on the road such as small rocks, mud, rainy water, and gravel. These mud flaps safely deflect the debris on the road away from the fender wells.
Since the fender wells on your vehicle do not extend near the bottom of the tires, the mud flaps act as additional protection that ensures dirt particles or small stones cannot be thrown directly to other cars that might be behind you and interfere with the concentration of the other drivers, damage their cars, or cause an accident.
While some people may assume that mud guards are installed on vehicles just for their aesthetic value or looks, these features are actually important and assist people in protecting their cars during harsh weather conditions like heavy rains or while riding in muddy terrain.
With the role of mud flaps in mind, it is clear that they are an essential part of your truck and should be maintained well to ensure that they offer you the additional barrier that you need between the obstacles on the road and your truck.
Are there different kinds of mud flaps?
No drill mud flaps
These type of mud flaps are made using thermoplastic material. They can be fitted in your car without removing your tires as they rely on the digital fit technology during installation.
They are easy to install. By using the digital fit technology and the quick turn fastening system, the no drill mud flaps ensure that you can easily fit them without the need for any professional assistance.
They can be customized depending on your preferences. Alternatively you could use their original color as most of them come in black, which is universal and can align with the design or style of most cars.
Husky custom molded mud flaps
These mud flaps come in pairs and can be bought in more than one set if you wish to place them in both the front and the rear wheels of your truck. The husky custom molded mud flaps come with a pair of thermoplastic flaps along with mounting hardware to ensure that you can easily install them on your truck.
Universal splashguard mud flaps
This type of mud flaps can be used for different vehicles. They are also effective for both the front and rear wheels. They are made using thermoplastic material to promote their longevity and comes with mounting gear to make it easy for you to install them.
Lund 930 series single wheel mud flap
This series features a variety of mud flaps that have been made using aluminum. They have a bright anodized finish that gives your vehicle a sleek and stylish finish. Each package comes with a pair of mud flaps, mounting gear, and an installation manual.
Are some mud guards better than others?
Some mud flaps are definitely better than others. What sets certain mud flaps above others is determined by factors such as:
Material used or durability
Most mud flaps are made with either plastic or rubber. Plastic mud flaps are commonly found in smaller vehicles while heavy-duty vehicles and trucks usually have rubber mud flaps.
When selecting a mud flap made with plastic material, it is important to ensure that the material is thermoplastic. Buying a vehicle with rubber flaps will offer you the same level of durability as plastic mud flaps. In most cases, rubber flaps are considered more flexible and durable than plastic mud flaps.
Flexibility
The flexibility of the mud flaps determines their effectiveness in performing their primary functions. The material used in making mud flaps usually determines their flexibility.
Customization
Most mud flaps can be customized to suit your style and needs. If you wish to change the color of your mud flaps or pay homage to your favorite sports team, you can get them customized at a local garage. Vehicle or truck accessory companies usually use mud flaps to advertise their brand by including the logo or colors that represent them.
Benefits of mud flaps
Protection from harsh weather
The primary benefit of mud flaps is their protection from harsh weather conditions, which could damage parts of your vehicle. Your tires come in contact with mud, water, rocks, snow, ice, and other dirt particles while you are driving. These could splatter onto your cars paint and can corrode you paint over time.
To avoid the additional cost of repainting your truck or the need to deal with the unsightly patches of rust, you should consider investing in a mud flap.
Provides protection to your vehicles undercarriage
Aside from protecting the sides of your vehicle from chipping off the paint, mud flaps also protect the undercarriage of your vehicle from rust.
Visual appeal
Mud flaps contribute to the visual appeal of your truck, which makes them look attractive while you are driving. The endless options of customizing your mud flaps also ensure that you will never run out of different styles to try out.
Cheap and easy to install
Mud flaps are relatively cheap and easy to install. When considering the price of repainting your truck due to chipped paint or the appearance of rust, it is much safer and cheaper to invest in mud flaps. Most mud flaps also come with mounting gear, which makes them easy to install.
Mud flaps maintenance
Like the rest of the exterior parts of your truck, mud flaps are extremely easy to clean and maintain. You can wash them using pressurized water to remove any debris or dirt that might be stuck on the mud flaps.
If you are cleaning your car at home, you can use a brush to scrape off any mud cakes that may have dried up on the mud flaps. Cleaning them occasionally ensures that you will have a perfectly looking car and reduces the build-up of dirt.
When your mud flaps break or crack, you should repair them with a new pair. You can use the same screws you used on your previous mud flaps if they are still in good condition.
Do I need flaps for both the front and rear tires?
If you often use your car in areas with rough terrain or live in area that often experiences harsh weather conditions, buying mud flaps for both your front and rear tires can be beneficial and will prolong the life of your vehicle.
Trucks and SUVs used in rough terrains are more likely to benefit from having front and rear mud flaps than sedans used in an areas with relatively smooth roads. When compared to sedans, the tires of SUVs and trucks are more exposed and they have a higher likelihood of sending flying debris farther than sedans.
Do certain driving conditions call for mud flaps?
If you live in areas with harsh weather patterns such as heavy rains, you should definitely invest in mud flaps to protect your car and the vehicles of others.
Aside from the rain, other weather conditions such as snow and extreme dryness may also require mud flaps. They will help you block the grit and debris that might be flung up by the wheels during harsh weathers. If you live in a semi-arid area, you might be prone to rocks and dirt, which can damage your car.
Regardless of where you live, you should always remember that mud flaps are suitable for all weather types and can be installed even in cases where you rarely experience harsh weather.
Conclusion
Investing in mud flaps will ensure that you offer your vehicle additional protection from the debris on the roads. It will also show that you are a responsible road user who also cares for the well-being of other road users. While there is no legal requirement that forces you to install mudguards, having them protects your truck and keeps both you and other drivers safe.
If you’re thinking of different ways to accessorize your truck or make it more functional, consider checking out my recommended accessories page. I spent a good amount of time picking out mods that can be useful for most pickup trucks.