If you’re hauling a load through the Lone Star State, you’d be wise to check the condition of your truck’s mud flaps before you cross the border. According to the state’s Transportation Code Chapter 547, mud flaps (aka safety guards) are a must-have to adhere to the following rules:
(a) A road tractor, truck, trailer, truck-tractor in combination with a semitrailer, or semitrailer in combination with a towing vehicle that has at least four tires or at least two super single tires on the rearmost axle of the vehicle or the rearmost vehicle in the combination shall be equipped with safety guards or flaps that:
(1) are of a type prescribed by the department; and
(2) are located and suspended behind the rearmost wheels of the vehicle or the rearmost vehicle in the combination within eight inches of the surface of the highway.
(Note: This does not apply to a truck-tractor operated alone or a pole trailer.)
Mud flaps are also part of the annual safety inspection for trucks registered in Texas that are 80″ or more in overall width and have four tires or more on rearmost axle.
And not just any old sized mud flaps either, but ones that meet the requirements. According to the Texas Highway Patrol, the mud flaps must be as wide as the tires being covered. As for their condition, they need to be securely mounted and not split or torn to the extent that they can’t do the job, notes Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute.
Given that Texas has 314,000 miles of public road, making it the largest highway network of any state in the country, there are plenty of opportunities for your truck to get pulled over if your mud flaps don’t pass muster. And that’s the last thing you want, since it can result in a violation that will count against your Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores, which can cost your company money in terms of higher insurance premiums and fewer hauling contracts.
Checking Your Mud Flaps
Spending a few minutes or more evaluating the condition of your truck’s mud flaps is time well spent.
Start with the dimensions.
- Are they wide enough to cover the tires or super single tires if so equipped?
- Do they hang within 8 inches of the roadway? (Note: The Texas Administrative Code does allow a 4-inch tolerance, according to the Texas Highway Patrol.)
Then check the condition.
- Are there cracks or tears in the material?
- Do they show signs of warping or bending?
- Is discoloration due to UV damage, road contaminants or physical wear apparent, indicating a degradation of the material?
- Are there loose or detached portions that can result in the mud flap coming off your truck?
- Is the mounting hardware rusted, cracked, or loose?
Any of these are indicators that your mud flaps need replaced.
Replacing your Mud Flaps
When it comes to selecting new mud flaps, Briargate Supply has options for you to consider. The Extruded rubber flaps are made from a rubber-poly blend and flexible. Available in a range of common sizes, these are recommended for any truck that may leave a paved road such as construction use. It comes with standard pre-punched mounting holes, and rounded corners and angle corner cuts also available upon request. Molded rubber flaps are very “rubbery” and flexible, with raised 3D logo options available.
Constructed from a poly blend, poly flaps are stiffer and tougher; recommended for long haul and urban trucks that stay on paved roads.
Or you can choose the Standard Aerodynamic Mud Flap—a style that offers fuel-saving performance for semi-trucks and commercial fleets with an open mesh design. Not only will this model reduce fuel consumption by 1-2%, it’s also been shown to reduce road spray by 70%. Made of durable, lightweight materials, the Aerodynamic Mud Flaps are available in popular sizes such as 24”x24”, 24”x30”, and 24”x36”.
All styles come with a 2-year warranty and can be imprinted with your logo to increase brand awareness. And since all mud flaps available from Briargate Supply are in compliance with common mud flap requirements for commercial trucking operations, you won’t have to worry that those flashing lights on a Texas law enforcement vehicle signal a mud flap violation!