Truck Oversized Mudflap

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert Beeler on February 23, 2011 at 6:37pm

I thought mud flaps were dumb until I bought a boat and camer. Boy was I wrong. N got some pretty cheap from norther tool.com

Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on February 23, 2011 at 8:49pm

I can't wait for that to come flying off....

Permalink Reply by 0koeo85ldc9uf on February 23, 2011 at 8:58pm

Nick, how did you get that picture to post like that? I can't seem to figure it out.

 

Nice truck flaps by the way.

 

T-Bone

Permalink Reply by Nick Berto on February 24, 2011 at 5:46am

Why would you say that Mike? That is rude and really a tasteless comment. You of all people know I have spent a lot of time and money making my boat into what it is and to say something like that is by no means funny...

 

The angle that holds the rubber is held together (two pieces of angle, one on top of the hitch and one under so it creates a pinch) with (4) 3” 5/16 stainless bolts with nylock nuts and tightened down very good. I don’t think it is going anywhere.

Mike Bess said:

I can't wait for that to come flying off....

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on February 24, 2011 at 7:54am

Good job, Nick.  I have used a similar arrangement for the past 10 years and wouldn't trailer my boat without it.

 

For those who don't know the value of this arrangement, let me tell you a little story.  One February I drove to Nampa, ID to pick up my brand new Stratos boat from TriState Marine.  I was pretty excited because it was an awesome color pattern (gunmetal and blue) and was rigged to the max.  I couldn't wait to fish out of it.  Anyway, a heavy snow storm hit while I was there.  I drove a 4-WD Suburban at the time and it towed the boat just fine on the snow on the way home. 

 

At one point on the mountains I had to stop for a snow delay; the highway maintenance workers were out with their trucks spreading gravel on the snow for traction.  We finally started moving again and within 5 miles the gravel thrown by my Suburban wheels had rock blasted my boat and my trailer.  The tongue and rails of my trailer were down to bare metal, and my fiberglass bow was chipped through the gel coat.

 

By the time I arrived home I had my first major insurance claim on my boat.  To say I felt sick is an understatement.

 

Since that incident I realized how those dings in the gel coat of previous boats got there. 

 

Within a month I had a brush type mudflap arrangement across the back of my Suburban.  Since then I have received far less chips and damage to my rigs and they always look like new.

 

So you make the call, is it worth keeping your tow rig looking cool if it trashes your boat and trailer?

 

ciao,

Marc Marcantonio

Permalink Reply by Robert Beeler on February 24, 2011 at 8:30am

That sucks Marc.. I bought a camper last summer. I was heading up to fish lake and hit the gravel road just stressing out big time. new I have a Boat and I'm thinking twice about putting a rock gaurd/Big mud flap. Mike keep your comments to your self . If you have nothing nice to say. Don't say anything at all.