The Pros and Cons of Toyota Mud Flaps

Mud flaps, or mud guards, are used in conjunction with your Tacoma’s fender to protect passengers, the vehicle, other cars and pedestrians from water, mud and other flying debris that could be thrown into the air by the rotating tire. Mudflaps are typically made from rubber or other flexible materials that can withstand damage when they come into contact with the road, the tire or flying debris. Mud flaps, also known as splash guards, can be small, molded lips below the back of the truck’s wheel wells, or they may be large, rectangular sheets suspended by the tires. They may also be aerodyamically engineered--a process that uses vents, louvers or shaping to lower drag and improve airflow. Although some mud flaps are the color of rubber, others contain advertisements, art or logos. One of the most commonly recognized symbol on a mud flap is that of the “mud flap girl,” a silhouette of a woman’s figure.

Types of Mud Flaps

Aerodynamic mud flaps feature ventilated slats or louvers to decrease aerodynamic drag, reduce sidespray and improve airflow in order to improve your Tacoma’s fuel efficiency. Another advantage of this design is that aerodynamic mud flats can vent heat. In other words, the improved airflow allows for the fast release of water and air that would otherwise be recirculated from the fenderwell while improving the overall performance of the truck by cooling the brakes and tires. Believe it or not, but there is a difference between mud flaps and mud guards. Mud flaps, well, flap. That is to say they’re flexible and soft. On the other hand, guards are inflexible, hard and better for repelling strong debris. Although mud guards aren’t as likely to twist at high speeds, mud flaps are far superior since their flexibility allows them to better protect against more types of debris.

Benefits of Mud Flaps

You might ask yourself, “Do I really need mud flaps on my Tacoma?” Well, why do people wear bibs when eating lobster? The truth is that, for the most part, things look better when they’re not a complete mess. This is true for you, and it’s also true for your truck. Aside from maintaining appearances, however, there are several other benefits to installing mud flaps. Depending where you live, your area may often experience heavy snowfall, which usually means a generous dumping of sand and salt. Not only does this mean a huge mess on your truck, but it can also mean chipping paint and the potential for corrosion. However, mud flaps are an extremely inexpensive way to protect your vehicle. Also, in addition to wanting to protect your truck, you probably want to be a courteous driver as well. Installing a universal mud flap or a custom-molded mud flap will greatly reduce the amount of vision-impairing debris such as mud and water that your truck could kick up and onto other cars. Let’s break down the pros and cons of installing mud flaps:

Pros:

- Easy to install.

- Cheap.

- They add visual appeal to your truck.

- They don’t negatively affect the aerodynamics (air drag) or mileage of your vehicle.

- They provide a courtesy to other drivers by limiting the amount of debris your tires fling up.

- They provide protection to your truck’s undercarriage, quarter panels and doors.

Cons:

- If you don’t properly install the mudflaps, they could fall off. However, this can be avoided if you take your time during installation to ensure you’re doing it correctly and that they are secure.

- Choosing the wrong mud flap can cause them to rub against the ground. When this happens, the mud flaps will curve back. Not only will this hinder the appearance of the vehicle, but the mud flaps won’t be able to do what they’re supposed to do.

As you can see, the only real disadvantage to installing mud flaps is with the installation process itself. Since some cars and trucks aren’t built for mud flaps, they might not have the holes necessary for installation. In these cases, you’ll need to drill in the holes yourself using the flaps’ manufacturer’s guide as a reference. Even with the small amount of time you’ll put into installing them, the mud flaps will be worth the investment. Once you’ve made the one-time expense, you can rest assured that your Tacoma is protected from damage that could cost hundreds of dollars in repairs.

Universal Mud Flaps vs. Custom-fitted Mud Flaps: Which Ones?

When you hear the word “custom,” you probably think of the best available product that will meet your needs. When all factors are equal, including budget, design and durability, it’s almost always recommended that you purchase custom products over universal products. However, universal-fitting mud flaps are typically less expensive than custom-fitted mud flaps, so if cost is a concern, universal mud flaps can still certainly get the job done. The real difference between universal mud flaps and custom mud flaps is that the latter are specifically designed for your truck’s make and model. For some people, knowing this lends peace of mind that they are using the best product that money can be. In many instances, that piece of mind is worth the additional cost. If you drive, you need mud flaps. Although some people mistakenly believe that only drivers who venture off-road should use mud flaps, mud flaps actually protect your Tacoma from all sorts of dangers--even if you only drive on freshly paved roads. Even on a new road, there’s a good chance that debris will become sucked into your truck’s undercarriage and cause issues. Beyond that, a mud flap also protects your tires, thus improving the grip of your truck as well as the lifespan of the tires. Each type of mud flap has benefits and disadvantages, so think about the type of driving you do and the area in which you live to find the ones that will best suit your truck.