I guess I am the last to know

[stiles watson]

I got stopped by the Texas State Highway Patrol because I didn't have mud flaps on my dually, so I guess I am the last to know it is a matter of statute in Texas. It is probably true in other states too, but not in North Carolina where I bought the truck.

Funny, he followed me about 10 miles before stopping me. I guess he was bored and just looking for something to do. At least he only issued me a warning citation. A U-turn back to the town I had just passed through and a stop at a Ford dealership solved the problem. Can you believe I went to NAPA, O Reilly, AutoZone and Tractor Supply and none had mud flaps.

[Icehouse]

That's news to me too. We have a dually and until recently didn't have mudflaps either. Bernie only put them on because we THOUGHT we were going down the Alcan. Thanks for the info. Just goes to prove you learn something new on here everyday!
Tammy

[ole dude]

Just bought a new dually in Texas, mud flaps required, not included in the price with the truck,put on as extra fee. Each place I shopped trucks handeled the flaps as an extra fee. Go figure.

[Delaine and Lindy]

Sorry for your meeting the THP, at least you just got a warning. If anyone else needs a set of nice Mud flaps, I must warn you their a little pricey. They are no drill just remove existing nuts and bolts and install. I have had three sets and they are awesome. And the warrant is excellent. Flying rocks are a problem in Texas, each winter we go to the RGV we have gotten cracked/chipped windshield. GBY....

[stiles watson]

Yes, they are a bit pricey from the dealer. Because the ones I bought had the dealer's logo on the side viewable from the rear, I talked the parts man down $25 to be advertising for Dick Scott Ford. They were pre-drilled and had a good instruction sheet and attachment hardware. Even with the logo, the polished aluminum looks good. I have thought about drilling out the six rivets and turning the aluminum plate around. But right now I have bigger fish to fry.

[TLightning]

I got mine at www.autoanything.com to keep the road crud off the Montana...never would have guessed it was a law in some states.

[bsmeaton]

Hey Stiles,

I guess its not just the Colorado legislators that try to run your life (puffer law). Texas is a little fantasy land too.

I suppose its also law to have those stupid chrome cowgirls or Yosemite Sam on the flap?

[hazmic]

Stiles, was there any regulations on size ,how far from the ground or any thing like that? Also what about out of state trucks? Really interesting. And I thought only Iowa had stupid laws.

[tbhd]

We're in the RGV right now and didn't know it was law. Fortunately, we have them on the old Ford. Unfortunately, we also got a big stone chip in our windshield here. Thanks for the information. Does anyone know if this only applies to duallys?

[stiles watson]

The ones I have, of course, are wide enough to shield both wheels. They hang about 9" below the fender well which leaves it about 9' above the road surface. I have not read the regulation concerning them.

I was going to put them on at some point to protect the front of Monty, but it had not risen to top priority until the warning. These are fairly stiff being about 1/4" thick and stiffened by the polished aluminum plate covering the last 7" of the bottom of the mud flap. I think they will do a good job of controlling the spit back from the tires. I have seen some that seemed no stiffer than floor mats. They seemed to just flap in the wind.

[stiles watson]

Yes, the officer said it applied only to multi-wheeled axles.

[bsmeaton]

My axle has multiple wheels.

[Bruce Lenhardt]

So does mine. It has two!!!

[ole dude]

Chrome Longhorns---

[tom41]

View My TinyFx

Got mine!!

[Charlie]

A word of caution.....watch for low spots when backing. The flaps will catch under the wheels and will get torn off.

[Waynem]

Yep! Thought everyone knew that!
The flaps really keep the rocks from flying. I wish they were on every vehicle. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop that rock from coming out form the side of the tire as it just barely hits it, flys up and hits the windsheild. I pulled the 5th out of the TV yesterday and noticed about 5 marble sized rocks in the bed of the truck. I have never hauled anything in the back like that so they must have come off of the road.

Page 15-13 of the Texas DMV Handbook:

"9. Mud Flaps. All trucks and trailers with four or more tires on the rear axle
must be equipped with safety guards or mud flaps behind the rear wheels.
These flaps must reach to within 8 inches of the surface of the highway and
are for the purpose of preventing the slinging of mud and slush. This provision
does not apply to pole-trailers or to a truck-tractor when it is being operated
alone and without being in combination with a semi-trailer."

[bsmeaton]

quote:Originally posted by Waynem

Page 15-13 of the Texas DMV Handbook:

"9. Mud Flaps. All trucks and trailers with four or more tires on the rear axle
must be equipped with safety guards or mud flaps behind the rear wheels.
These flaps must reach to within 8 inches of the surface of the highway and
are for the purpose of preventing the slinging of mud and slush. This provision
does not apply to pole-trailers or to a truck-tractor when it is being operated
alone and without being in combination with a semi-trailer."

According that the handbook, Stiles was wrongfully stopped unless he was pulling the trailer.

[Waynem]

I read it as all trucks with four or more tires on the rear axle (Dually) need to be equipped with safety guards or mud flaps. The exception is a pole trailer or truck tractor under certain conditions.

A dually is not a truck tractor or pole-trailer.

[bsmeaton]

I guess I thought "truck-tractor" meant a truck or tractor. I know what a tractor trailer combo is, and what a truck is, but a truck-tractor is new to me.