Mud Flaps

[rames14]

I searched and most of the posts are over ten years old. What is everyone using to protect their rig? Mud Flaps, Rock Tamer?

[Rondo]

I've got Rock Tamers on our tow vehicle and would not be without them.

[Carl n Susan]

Rock tamers for me too. They have saved the paint on the front garage. Make sure they just clear the pavement when the Montana is attached.

[DutchmenSport]

Consider the direction of the tail pipe. I had a Rock Guard I tried on my current Chevy and did not take into consideration which position the exhaust tail pipe faces. It faces straight to back. It melted my Rock Guard (now called Rock Tamer).

I see the Ram Laramie (in Google search photos) has the exhaust pipe to the side of the truck. You will probably have better success with your truck.

Consider these mud flaps attach to the hitch you have to have insert into the receiver of your truck, make sure the hitch has no slop in it. On my current truck, it has the larger receiver with an insert for all my hitches. The insert has slop, and there is slop between the insert and the hitch. Slop is OK when towing a travel trailer, there's so much weight on it, you never know there's some slop. But attach tow arms that float and they could have excessive rocking up and down. So, if you are going to have good success with this style of mud flaps, make sure that receiver hitch fits good and tight.

I had mud flaps installed in the wheel wells behind behind all 4 sets of tires. This also works pretty well. No matter how hard you try, your trailer is still going to hit hit with road debris flipping off passing cars and trucks, running both directions. No mater what you do, this cannot be avoided. But at least your own vehicle is not pulverizing the trailer.

Good luck!

[RMcNeal]

I too have the Rock Tamers. I initially put on the no drill mud flaps from Weather Tech. The first time I went through a mud hole during hunting season, I lost one. Never did find it. The nice thing about the Rock Tamers is how they mount to your hitch. I can easily remove them when I'm not towing the rig. I store mine on the hitch on the back of our 5er when I don't need them on the truck. They really look nice too!
As Dutchmen said, pay attention to your exhaust. My Ford F350 exhaust has a turn to the right and doesn't put the exhaust directly towards the mud flaps. I have read of some other trucks, like Chevrolet, exhaust directly out the back and the heat can melt the mud flap.

[RickyRobert]

After the selling dealer reimbursed me $450 to have the front panel repainted due to their delivery vehicle not having adequate protection, I went with the Tier 4 model of Towtector ( http://towtector.com/tier-4-maximum-...h-heat-shield/ ). Need to specify the Tier you are after, the width (SRW 78" vs. DRW 96"), ground clearance, the hitch receiver tube size, and engine exhaust details. Thousands of miles later, including many gravel roads into/within campgrounds, and not a mark to be seen! BTW, also have RAM's mud flaps all around, but many stone throws originate from the steering wheels, the stones bouncing their way back down the middle (I'm sure that you have heard the pings underneath, and may even have a few dings down the sides.) Check out their videos.

[DQDick]

Had rock tamers on the old truck, but the new one came with really nice mud flaps and I've used them since I got it with no difference.

[Camp CA]

Originally Posted by rames14

..............What is everyone using to protect their rig? Mud Flaps, Rock Tamer?

I have WeatherTech mud flaps on the front and rear tires since they have a clean look, custom fit, no drilling is required and installs in minutes. I also have WeatherTech front hood protector. Both are god value for money.

[DadsHemi]

I have the WeatherTech front and rear, works for me. I don’t off road so no worries there.

[Jamesb]

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

Consider the direction of the tail pipe. I had a Rock Guard I tried on my current Chevy and did not take into consideration which position the exhaust tail pipe faces. It faces straight to back. It melted my Rock Guard (now called Rock Tamer).

I see the Ram Laramie (in Google search photos) has the exhaust pipe to the side of the truck. You will probably have better success with your truck.

Consider these mud flaps attach to the hitch you have to have insert into the receiver of your truck, make sure the hitch has no slop in it. On my current truck, it has the larger receiver with an insert for all my hitches. The insert has slop, and there is slop between the insert and the hitch. Slop is OK when towing a travel trailer, there's so much weight on it, you never know there's some slop. But attach tow arms that float and they could have excessive rocking up and down. So, if you are going to have good success with this style of mud flaps, make sure that receiver hitch fits good and tight.

I had mud flaps installed in the wheel wells behind behind all 4 sets of tires. This also works pretty well. No matter how hard you try, your trailer is still going to hit hit with road debris flipping off passing cars and trucks, running both directions. No mater what you do, this cannot be avoided. But at least your own vehicle is not pulverizing the trailer.

Good luck!

If you ever experience slop in your hitch, get one of these hitch stabilizers. It takes 100% movement out of any hitch. We use it on our heavy bicycle rack. Inexpensive fix.

[suny07]

Hi,

I got longer mudflats from Duraflap https://duraflap.com.

Its not perfect, but way better the OEM length and style and easy handling for sure.

Mike

[ChuckS]

I bought a set of Rock Tamers in 2007 when we bought the new GMC.. Still doing a superb job.. Keeps most of the junk off the front end of the fifth wheel and especially when towing on forest dirt and gravel roads

[TCmontana]

So I have 2020 high country with a SWR diesel. Where did you get an add on piece for redirect the hot exhaust?

[rames14]

Mark, etrailer carries a heat shield. https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...4aAnWjEALw_wcB

[JandC]

I've got a 21 F350 dually with the larger receiver. I noticed when shopping for Rock Tamers that you have a choice between a 2" and 2.5" receiver. I am guessing I would need the 2.5" one plus wouldn't it extend/adjust the flaps out further?

I had a set back in 2012 for my "new then" F350 but can't remember the details.

[JandC]

Also, if the OP doesn't mind me squeezing in another question. For those of you who have ordered them in the past year or so, where did you get them? I don't want to place an order and have to wait for a month to have them delivered. I doubt there is anywhere in central Florida to purchase them over the counter.

[RMcNeal]

I ordered mine on Amazon. I have prime so they showed up quickly. Also, your receiver should have an insert (mine came with the truck) that reduces the hitch to 2". If not, you can buy one or go with the 2 1/2". Either way, how far they extend is controlled by how long your hitch is, not the size of the tubing. Mine sits about 1" from the rear bumper and doesn't touch it even if I push on them.

[rames14]

Based on this thread, I will be getting a set of Rock Tamers. If I go 2 1/2”, I need to buy a new ball mount (current ones are 2”). The larger one I would think would be more stable. I have found a wide range of pricing. RV dealer says $422, Amazon is $269. Still a month away until we will have our new Montana, so I will probably wait a couple of weeks.

[Carl n Susan]

I have a large assortment of hitches of the 2" variety. Rather than buying another one at 2 1/2" just for the Rock Tamers, I ordered them in the 2" form and use an insert in the receiver to adapt to the 2" hitch

[JandC]

Thanks for info. Ordered through a friend from Amazon Prime and are suppose to get them Saturday.