Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Topic: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard? (Read 1252 times) previous topic - next topic

Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

February 16, 2019, 06:24:33 pm

The mud flap/rock guard on our 2000 U295 3600 is not original and looks terrible. In addition, it is falling apart. We're at Camp Foretravel and I looked at various mud flap options both here and at MOT. One thing I noticed is that the modern motorhomes (i.e., less than 5 years old) don't even have a mud flap. The distance from the back of the tires to the end of our coach is about 9' and if we were towing a car, it would be back at least another 3 feet. That seems like plenty of distance to keep rocks away from a tow vehicle. But who knows? Has anyone removed their mud flap and towed a car?

Thanks in advance,

George

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #1 – February 16, 2019, 06:53:30 pm

No way....rocks love toad windshields.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #2 – February 16, 2019, 07:07:43 pm

I took our mud flap off 9 years ago. No broke/cracked windshield on towed yet. May have had a few rocks hit the front but I'm not sure. I know I've had numerous items hit the front of the Jeep when driving the Interstates causing damage so a few more from being towed is not really noticeable. The front of the moho gets its fair share of damage from driving. It just part of traveling, otherwise stay home.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #3 – February 16, 2019, 07:19:57 pm

Travelled 8000 miles to Alaska and back without the Foretravel "vanity" mud flap and towing my F150. Had a little rock pitting to the paint on the front of the truck, but too much to concern me. I did have damage to both of the coach windshields but some of that was from oilfield trucks going in the opposite direction. Noticed lots of DP's on that trip with the rear mud flap removed. Theory is that the big flap stirs up more sand a gravel than it deflects. My observation was that the big Roadmaster rock guard shield probably was the best device for protecting your towed vehicle.
And no, I never did replace it.

Steve

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #4 – February 16, 2019, 08:51:35 pm

Hey George -

Think it's a Ford Chevy discussion. Some swear by them others don't.

Our 02 36' U320 did not have one. Our 42 does.

A couple/three years ago some one made their own by using old conveyor belt material.

The Stainless/chrome FORETRAVEL one sure looks nice.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #5 – February 16, 2019, 09:15:56 pm

That was the first thing to go when I got the coach home, we don't tow very often so it was dead weight.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #6 – February 16, 2019, 09:23:58 pm

I got a new one from FT, shipping was about the same as the flap with stainless Foretravel on it. Some work to put on. I went to bigger hanger rings.

I have the old one in my barn, free to anyone who comes to get it.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #7 – February 16, 2019, 09:35:49 pm

Just curious, but in some states is it a regulation that dual wheel vehicles have one. By the way, I made mine out of conveyor belt and used an old stainless steel table for material then had a lady with a plasma cutter table to put in the name and logo.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #8 – February 16, 2019, 09:41:31 pm

I love my mud flap. It's about the only place it says Foretravel on the coach and still people ask me the brand all the time. Only time I don't love it is when I have to drop the rear end all the way down to level.

Since yours is in bad condition I'd pull it and see how you like it. Can always add back later.

see ya
ken

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #9 – February 16, 2019, 09:44:21 pm

I replaced two of the bolts along the lower edge of the mud flap with eye bolts. A bungee cord hooked to them and over the tow bar holds it up enough to adjust all you need.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #10 – February 16, 2019, 09:57:34 pm

Quote from: Forewheelers – February 16, 2019, 09:35:49 pm

Just curious, but in some states is it a regulation that dual wheel vehicles have one?

I was just off asking Google that very question. Based on my quick research, a rock guard (full width mounted at the rear of vehicle) is not required by any federal or state regulation. Mud flaps (individually mounted directly behind the rear wheels) are not federally mandated, but are required by many states. Requirements vary from state to state.

https://www.minimania.com/pdfile/Mud_Flap_Laws_NETA.pdf

Checking on other RV forums, the vote YES or NO on rock guards seems to be split right down the middle. Some people like them - some don't. Lots of anecdotal evidence supporting both views, but little hard evidence. Cynics claim they are added to coaches simply to provide a billboard advertising the name of the manufacturer.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #11 – February 17, 2019, 09:03:02 am

Whether a mud flap/mud guard protects or adds to damage of the toad depends on the road.

If road is rough enough for the guard to contact the ground, it materially adds to toad damage.
Poster child for this is driving to Alaska, but certainly not the only rough roads in N America!

They also (minimally) add to heat in the engine compartment-- low air pressure behind the coach (vacuum). No mud flap, faster evacuation of the hot, high air pressure in the engine room. Suspect this is one of the significant reasons for no mud flaps on newer coaches with their additional hot emissions devices.

We have had coaches both with and without mud flaps. No significant difference in toad damage. Far better addressed with toad shield or guard on tow bar.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #12 – February 17, 2019, 09:26:02 am

I rather like ours: it says 'Unihome' on it, must confuse the heck out of 99% of the coaches that follow me.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #13 – February 17, 2019, 12:01:13 pm

I often wondered if the big flap does a lot to protect the toad. I think it may help with rocks some, but it also may stir up sand and small gravel that can pit the windshield and paint of the toad. At least that happened to my former toad not using any other protection. Also a couple of lights with holes from rocks. On the toad I have now I use a Coastline shield that covers the front of the CRV and windshield. No damage so far. It is a bit of work to put on and take off, but it gets easier with practice. Also the front of the car needs to be clean before you put it on! I did buy a new flap from FT when I pulled into their parking lot and found that the old one had come loose on one one side and was dragging. FT would sell me just the flap without the fancy SS name for less than $100. I think the Foretravel plate was about $200 or more. The old name plate was damaged so I could not reuse it. Since then the new one has a small cut from the rear hitting the ground going over a low place.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #14 – February 17, 2019, 12:17:52 pm

As far as I know I have the original mud flap,when traveling it has never come near the ground and this includes Alaska,some of
the roads there may be gravel but during my trip they were flat.I think maybe every coach does not have the exact same flap,some
may hang lower/higher then others.Are you saying just because it is near the ground the wind motion scoops up dirt?

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #15 – February 17, 2019, 01:24:02 pm

Thanks for all the input. I removed the mud flap this morning, but kept the mounting bar and remounted that. So if I have a problem down the line, I can always mount a new one.

George

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #16 – February 17, 2019, 03:05:25 pm

Since there is also a discussion about mud flap hanger, we highly recommend redundancy in hangers, like two on each side. If one breaks, it could cause a lot of damage... Also loosely hung, instead of bolted will allow keeping mud flap horizontal with a chain over hitch, when needing to lower rear of coach. Keeping mud flap from touching ground keeps it from being squished and removes one more place for ants to crawl up.

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #17 – February 17, 2019, 06:26:59 pm

We use the Splash Guard Skirt and the Protect-A-Tow on our coach and no chips or damage in the 4 years of using them.
John M.

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

February 16, 2019, 06:24:33 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #1 – February 16, 2019, 06:53:30 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #2 – February 16, 2019, 07:07:43 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #3 – February 16, 2019, 07:19:57 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #4 – February 16, 2019, 08:51:35 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #5 – February 16, 2019, 09:15:56 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #6 – February 16, 2019, 09:23:58 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #7 – February 16, 2019, 09:35:49 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #8 – February 16, 2019, 09:41:31 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #9 – February 16, 2019, 09:44:21 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #10 – February 16, 2019, 09:57:34 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #11 – February 17, 2019, 09:03:02 am

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #12 – February 17, 2019, 09:26:02 am

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #13 – February 17, 2019, 12:01:13 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #14 – February 17, 2019, 12:17:52 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #15 – February 17, 2019, 01:24:02 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #16 – February 17, 2019, 03:05:25 pm

Re: Does one even need a mud flap/rock guard?

Reply #17 – February 17, 2019, 06:26:59 pm

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