February is the month of candy, roses and… mud flaps?
Whether you’ve got one vehicle or a whole fleet, it might be time to show your truck some love by investing in new mud flaps.
Let’s start with what mud flaps do for your vehicle and, by extension, other drivers on the road. Properly sized and installed, they not only protect your truck from preventable damage from rocks, ice and salt, but also reduce hazardous road spray that can affect the visibility of drivers behind or adjacent to you.
And then there’s the compliance issue. While Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations can vary on a state-by-state basis, in general, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) require commercial vehicles to be equipped with mud flaps if their rear tires are not fully covered by the vehicle’s body or fenders.
So the value mud flaps bring to the table is indisputable. But how do you know when it’s time to bid farewell to the ones that are currently installed and replace them with a new set?
The Life of a Mud Flap
While mud flaps are durable, their lifespan can be shortened by the driving conditions, lack of proper maintenance and type of vehicle. Extreme heat or cold, UV exposure, salt moisture and debris can all cause significant wear and tear.
Larger trucks and SUVs, especially those with wider tires or lifted suspensions, can also stress out those mud flaps. And if your truck is carrying a heavy load, expect to replace your mud flaps sooner.
The final factor to consider is the material that makes up the mud flap. Those made of rubber—the most common—can last from 3 to 6 years. Poly mud flaps, used primarily on urban over-the-road vehicles, are stiffer and tougher and may last 4 years.
But those are just numbers. Regardless of how long they’ve been on your vehicle, you should replace mud flaps if you see any of the following:
- Cracks or tears
- Warping or bending
- Discoloration
- Loose or detached portions
Mud Flap Options
There are a couple of options when you’re ready to replace your vehicle’s mud flaps.
Rubber mud flaps are more flexible. These are typically used on any vehicle, dumps or trailers used in construction, offroad, or agriculture. Rubber flaps will bend and flex over larger ground debris such as piles of gravel, etc. Poly flaps are stiffer, tougher, and smoother. These have a tendency to flex less at highway speeds are often used for typical long haul semi trucks. Molded mud flaps allow the custom logo to be molded into the surface of the flap for greater visibility and a 3D effect. Molded flaps are always rubber and are usually very flexible. A caveat: molded flaps required a very expensive precision mold to be made and thus are usually only made for very high-volume customers.
Standard mud flaps, sized for your vehicle, can get the job done. But, having custom mud flaps heat-stamped with your company’s logo makes it a moving mini-billboard, increasing brand awareness.
Or upgrade to aerodynamic mud flaps that provide not only protection from road spray debris but also improved performance and efficiency. It’s all about the design. Instead of the familiar solid piece of material, aerodynamic mud flaps have vented or louvered patterns incorporated in them, allowing air to pass through more smoothly, which reduces drag. And reducing drag increases fuel efficiency, translating to measurable fuel savings over time. Not to mention the sleek design makes your vehicle stand out from all the others, especially if you opt for logo imprinting.
As for durability, quality aerodynamically-designed mud flaps are made of advanced polymers and flexible structures that can handle harsh conditions and still maintain their aerodynamic properties.
Choose Mud Flaps from Briargate Supply
Considering the years of service your truck gives you, don’t you think it deserves a little love in the form of new mud flaps?
At Briargate Supply, we specialize in producing custom logo mud flaps in all standard rectangular sizes, as well as custom dimensions and unique shapes to suit virtually any trailer or branding requirement. Contact us today to learn how the right mud flaps can improve your performance on the road and support your company’s bottom line.