mud flaps (i just got pulled over)

[lx450landcruiser]

So After 4 years of successfully driving all over the contry like this I got pulled over today. The cop tried to get me for everything he could but of the 3 infractions he tried to cite me for only the mud flaps was legit. So now I have 15 days to get some mud flaps and have them inspected by the police. I have a home made rear bumper so obviously theres no quick solution (I dont want the ugly solution) What have some of you done? Hes telling me the flap has to be as far down as mid axle on the truck


old photo attached below

 

[malottki]

Say what? I have never heard of being cited for not having mudflaps..

I would say get som small angle iron tack it on drill a few hole and buy ya some fancy rubber and attach with some stainless bolts.

 

[MoJ]

A couple of these and a few screws should do the trick.

You might want to carefully review your state regulations on the mudflap requirement. I would guess it's only required for vehicles of a certain height or certain load capacity...ie commercial trucks.

Edit: If you're in WA....looks like it's pretty straight forward.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.37.500

Ridiculous....thousands of vehicles do not have flaps.



RCW 46.37.500
Fenders or splash aprons.

(1) Except as authorized under subsection (2) of this section, no person may operate any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer that is not equipped with fenders, covers, flaps, or splash aprons adequate for minimizing the spray or splash of water or mud from the roadway to the rear of the vehicle. All such devices shall be as wide as the tires behind which they are mounted and extend downward at least to the center of the axle.

(2) A motor vehicle that is not less than forty years old or a street rod vehicle that is owned and operated primarily as a collector's item need not be equipped with fenders when the vehicle is used and driven during fair weather on well-maintained, hard-surfaced roads.

 

[-Spike-]

If it were registered in Az it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Ebag333]

Yup legally ya need 'em.

Bolt some on, get your fix it ticket signed off, then pull 'em off.

FWIW Oregon has similar laws, I haven't been hassled over no flaps even by a cop who pulled me over and was nit picking.

 

[NLXTACY]

Unless its changed, CA is 12" from the ground. Kinda how I measure my....




























drapes

 

[lx450landcruiser]

If it were registered in Az it wouldn't be a problem.

thats a good point. the truck is registered in AZ. he tried to cite me for having a euro license plate on the front of my truck but i told him im from AZ (rear plates says so) and that in AZ we have no front plate. He let that one go (nothing he could do) any one know the mud flap law in AZ?

 

[Tools R Us]

IIRC the AZ statute says trucks must have mud flaps, the description on my title is station wagon, so it's not by legal definition a truck!

 

[aclos3]

I have a fantastic rock chip and small DENT on my hood from a piece of gravel thrown up by the rear tire of a big lifted pickup truck without mud flaps. The hit was so loud I know just knew it was a serious scratch and was very tempted to follow this guy and collect for the damages. I too thought the mudflap law was a bit nit picky until that happened.

 

[Ebag333]

I have a fantastic rock chip and small DENT on my hood from a piece of gravel thrown up by the rear tire of a big lifted pickup truck without mud flaps. The hit was so loud I know just knew it was a serious scratch and was very tempted to follow this guy and collect for the damages. I too thought the mudflap law was a bit nit picky until that happened.

The difference is that most of our 80's have more coverage on our rear tires from the rear bumper alone than a lot of those lifted pickups.

I always think it's ridiculous when I see a truck driving around where the entire body is above the top of the tires.....

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I've been talked too about the lack of mudflaps on my truck, but never ticketed... My old 4Runner, however, was pulled over weekly and ticketed on a by-monthly basis. The best thing about that was my ex-wife daily drove it! LOL

 

[Brentbba]

Unless its changed, CA is 12" from the ground. Kinda how I measure my....

drapes

So basically if you've lifted your truck, or like me shortened the mudflaps a couple of inches, you 'could be' ticketed in the Republik?

I shortened mine by about 2" to 'help' with them not getting caught on a rock. I suppose since they are still on, most officers wouldn't notice that they've been shortened.

 

[luk4mud]

I think Utah requires annual (or so) vehicle inspections, which includes a check for mud flaps on most or all 4x4 vehicles. My Utah friends typically weld a hollow steel bar in the apprpriate spot, then slide a smaller but longer bar inside it with an attachment point. Oiula! Removable, yet functional and legal mud flaps.

 

[lx450landcruiser]

I too have a large chip in my windshield and understand the need to have some regulation on mud flaps. with that said I have a 2 inch lift and 33s, not exactly a huge truck. Also the huge chip i have in my windshield was from a stock ford pick up so wheres the line at?

 

[Romer]

Sorry to hear that Mike. I took the flaps off both my and Sarah's truck. I wonder what the laws in Colorado are?

 

[maniacv]

Sorry to hear that Mike. I took the flaps off both my and Sarah's truck. I wonder what the laws in Colorado are?

I looked, I found 10" from the ground, but didn't know if that applied to passenger cars or not. The CRS were vague.

 

[Tools R Us]

I too have a large chip in my windshield and understand the need to have some regulation on mud flaps. with that said I have a 2 inch lift and 33s, not exactly a huge truck. Also the huge chip i have in my windshield was from a stock ford pick up so wheres the line at?

The majority of the debris damage that I have had was from junk falling off, mud turds, rocks, bolts, etc, falling out of beds, off of the undercarriage, etc. An object hitting the ground at highway speed has a high probability of bouncing up, whether it hits a mud flap first or not. Mud flaps and fenders are most effective at reducing spray, a visibility thing. That's why places with lots of slop driving generally have tighter regulation than drier places.

 

[Michael Hanson]

The police are looking for revenue. My daugter got a 200.00 ticket for wearing her seat belt the wrong way in Frisco,Texas north of Dallas,see how much money we spend in Frisco from now on! Mike

 

[warpdriv]

Anyone know how long the ones Mr. T puts on the Tacos? I've been thinking about putting a set on.

 

[Lka1988]

I think Utah requires annual (or so) vehicle inspections, which includes a check for mud flaps on most or all 4x4 vehicles. My Utah friends typically weld a hollow steel bar in the apprpriate spot, then slide a smaller but longer bar inside it with an attachment point. Oiula! Removable, yet functional and legal mud flaps.

Utah requires mudflaps on any vehicle that's been modified. Non-stock tires (i.e. MT's) and leveling kits count. It's retarded.

That being said, I think it's REALLY funny when I fail a street queen with the typical 8" lift and 37's for no mudflaps, and they totally freak out about it. Mudflaps are like $30 at the auto parts store.

Hell, I told a guy he could use floormats, so he happily pulled a pair out of his truck and bolted them in place.