Mud Flaps on a F350

[Chief409]

After ripping off the second mud flap on my F350 while backing up becuase the bottom edge is only 5 or 6 inches off the ground, I've decided that they are not worth it. I've been using GO Industries mud flaps with the anti-sail bars. If all I did is smoth pavement, going straight ahead, they would be great. But I have to back over curbs, etc., in the real world.

[Travelers]

Are yours the stainless steel set?

[Chief409]

No, I have the rubber flaps with the stainless steel bottom weight and anti-sail frame. I need to look around for a alternative, perhaps something that clamps onto the receiver hitch like I've seen on motorhomes that can be removed when not towing.

[Mike Clay]

I have rubber mud flaps from Action have seen them on many dually trucks with no problems, I have mine mounted 10" off the ground with no trailer on the truck. My truck sits down 2" with the trailer on. Had them on all my Dodges also never had a problem see how high yours are off the ground unloaded.

[BMullins46]

I bought a set of "Rock Tamers" at Cabela's, last year and have been running them whether I'm towing or not. They seem to work well and are adjustable when you install them. For me the biggest drawback is having the hitch on my truck all the time. After out last trip of the year in a couple of weeks I'll take the hitch off until spring. I'll look for the paper work and get you an address.
Bill

[dfredendall]

The front of your trailer says "They are worth it." When I back up a ramp, or ramped curb knowing the flap may get pinched between the curb and tires I bend the flap up and secure it with a bungee to clear the curb. If you have metal stiffener rods holding them, it is hard to pull them up. Blocks ahead of the curb can lift you before the "pinch". I used to have my wife hold the involved flap up until I cleared the obstacle. No longer a popular request.

[Chief409]

I bought a set of "Rock Tamers" at Cabela's, last year and have been running them whether I'm towing or not. They seem to work well and are adjustable when you install them. For me the biggest drawback is having the hitch on my truck all the time. After out last trip of the year in a couple of weeks I'll take the hitch off until spring. I'll look for the paper work and get you an address.
Bill

Thanks Bill. I keep a reciever hitch on always, it protects the bumper (with all the little back up warning sensors) in parking lots.

Another reason to pull off the flaps is tire chains if I have to use those. Not much clearance between the tires and the back of the wheel well to start with, the mud flaps/anti-sail frame installed just clear the tires when stopped. I made up a full width rock guard once from a piece of conveyor belt that I attached to the back bumper of the Bronco. And that DIDN'T need any anti-sail stiffeners! When I removed it there was a 3 mpg increase. BIG AIRBRAKE!

[BMullins46]

Jeff,
The Rock Tamers are made by ENKAY, 19475 Beacon Lite Road, Monument, Co 80132. Phone: 1-800-545-1894.
www.cruiserframes.com or www.mudflaps.com

Bill

[Chief409]

Bill, I found them at Cabela's web site, I'll measure the width of the dually today, but 93 3/4" should do the job, and for $129 less then the brush type guard I was considering (the 96" in width one). And Cabela has a $5 shipping sales promo running right now. They will extend past the ends of the bumper, but who cares if they do the job.

Here's the link to Cabela's web page for the "Rock Guards"

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Rock-Tam ... 716361.uts

[Chief409]

"Rock Tamers" on order. They should work just fine. Especially if we hit any slush and sand on the way to and from Salt Lake City on I15 the week before Christmas. Once I get them on, a trial run to the Lake Isabella, CA KOA for a weekend to test 'em!

[BMullins46]

Jeff,

The hardest part of installing them is getting the measurement so you can cut them off. I used a 4X4 under mine and it seems to be just right. Of course I doubt that you trailer makes you truck squat as much as mine does. I think you be happy with them.
Bill

[Chief409]

Bill, thanks for the info. I learned from the custom, homemade rock grabber I installed on the Bronco, oh so many years ago, depending on how stiff the flap(s) are, a minimum of 4" for flaps with some flex to 8" for stiff as a board works the best. The custom rock grabber I made was stiff enough to use as a jack stand, I had it trimmed for 4'' and pulled my trailer down a highway which the DOT was putting down overlay and rolling it out. At 40 mph, with the 4" gap, the airflow picked all that loose stuff up and sandblasted the frame of the trailer. One more lesson learned, THE HARD WAY!

Now to figure out what to do with the flaps I removed. Put them on the 'Bird perhaps ...

[bigbunkhouse]

I have mine set to 1.5 inches above ground with the trailer hooked up and have been all good till I had a buddy back me up and he directed me over the exact curb I told him not to and tore that sucker off. I like em low but I need to invent a lifting device that is remote operated from the cab, possibly linear actuators or small hydralic pistons.

[Chief409]

Mission accomplished, Rock Tamers are installed! During a break between thunderstorms. They extend to a line that is even with the outside edge of the duals. I trimmed them around 5" off the ground, should give 4" clearance with the 'Bird hooked up. A trip to Lake Isabella for a "break in" is in order, especially if the weather is still crummy this weekend.

PS: Reservation made at Lake Isabella. So far 20% chance of rain on Friday.

[Rob & Cathy]

Do you have any photos available Jeff?

Rob