Mudguards are an essential accessory for keeping your truck in good shape. Mudflaps are sheets of materials that protect a vehicle from mud, water, snow, flying debris, and rocks. They primarily protect the wheel well, undercarriage, and other parts of the truck.
Many owners who buy mudflaps for heavy trucks are often concerned about the durability of their newly-bought accessories. They want to know if the mudguard will protect their car and undercarriage for a long time. If you are in this category, this blog post is for you. In this guest blog, we will focus on three things and aim to answer the question: how durable are mudflaps?
Our three areas of focus are:
• How to choose the best mudflap.
• Things that affect the durability of mudflaps.
• Best practices for mudflaps.
How to choose the best mudflap
Your choice of mudflap will affect its durability. For instance, if you drive a heavy-duty truck on different terrains, and you want a durable mudflap, you should buy a high-quality rubber mudflap. Heavy-duty rubber custom fenders for heavy vehicles are superior to other kinds because of their unique properties. Rubber is resilient and has incredible stopping power. This means that the rubber flap will not break or deform, under high impact. On the other hand, owners who drive small vehicles on a relatively smooth terrain can opt for other options.
Things that affect the durability of mudflaps
Mudflaps are made of different materials. These materials all have their strengths and weaknesses, and it is crucial to know the right one for the job. Let us look at some of the things that affect the lifespan of mud flaps.
Extreme temperatures: Extreme hot or cold weather has serious implications on your mud flaps. Extreme cold, for instance, increases the brittleness of materials. At very low temperatures, a metal or plastic flap will lose some of its elasticity and resilience and become more susceptible to damage.
Debris and other projectiles: Large debris can cause substantial damage to your mudflap and your truck if you don’t choose the appropriate material. Flying rocks and debris gradually causes wear and tear upon impact- More brittle materials like plastic or metal can break or bend when impacted by large obstacles. If you drive a heavy truck, rubber or polymer mudflaps will be more appropriate.
Environment: The terrain or environment you drive in will play a huge role in how long your mud flap lasts. If you frequently ride through a route filled with gravel, or dirt, you can expect your flap’s lifespan to be less than average.
Best practices for mudflaps
Clean your mudflaps regularly: To get the best results from your flaps, you have to clean them regularly and avoid mud from accumulating on the surface. Dry, baked mud can affect the resilience and flexibility of your rubber or polymer mud flap- Because the flaps are not flexible enough, debris or flying gravel can bounce off into your wheel well or underside and cause damage.
Inspect your mudflaps: As with other parts of your car, you shouldn’t neglect your mudguards. Inspecting your flaps regularly will help you spot damages on time. If you notice tears on the surface, the flap may have been compromised. Damaged mudflaps are as bad as having no mudflaps at all.
Conclusion
After reading this blog, we are sure you have learned a lot about mudflaps. Now, to our initial question: Are mud flaps durable? The answer is a resounding yes. A high-quality mudflap will protect your truck and last for years.
However, for you to get the best out of your flap, you need to find the best one for your vehicle. For instance, rubber is one of the best materials for mudguards for heavy trucks and dump trucks. Smaller cars, on the other hand, can be fitted with plastic mudflaps that provide just enough protection for their vehicles. If you want the best irrespective of your vehicle, you can’t go wrong with a premium rubber mudflap.