Mud Flaps or Whiskers

We have Rock Tamers and they work great.

Mud flaps to save the trucks paint. Whiskers to keep the road debris off the trailer

After several adult beverages, I figured how to drop the Rock Tamers under the rear bumper, and out of the way. They still work quite well protecting the front of the fifth wheel.
They are a hand full when coupled with a trailer hitch system.

Ditto on Rock Tamers.

I used them for a while during my RV transport days in 2015. Eventually I figured out that they were the source of my lower fuel MPG while running empty. The made about a 2 mpg drop in my "running empty" (non towing) fuel mileage.

Rock Tamers are nice because they are adjustable in and out and up and down. You can also pivot them towards or away from the back of the truck.

Bedlam wrote:

deltabravo wrote:
Mudflaps on the wheel openings and then add a Rock Tamer flap system to a ball mount hitch.

X2

X3 except I have the Road Wing system. It has saved the front of my trailer.

deltabravo wrote:
Mudflaps on the wheel openings and then add a Rock Tamer flap system to a ball mount hitch.

X2

Mudflaps on the wheel openings and then add a Rock Tamer flap system to a ball mount hitch.

On my previous truck and previous camper I had both mud flaps on the wheel wells and a Rock Guard that attached to the "bumper" hitch. I never knew how well that combination actually did work to help protect rocks and stuff from hitting the trailer until we had a winter trip. The photo below was taken right after we crossed (going Eastward) the Appalachia Mountains in West Virginia and finally got out of the snow.

The evidence on the trailer spoke volumes to me. Judge for yourself: You can see the Rock Guard in the first photo on the back of the truck:







The thing I DID NOT like about the Rock Guard was the fact it attached to the hitch. When removing the hitch from the receiver, it had this 8 foot wing attached to it, making it very, very difficult to store anywhere, especially if removing it at the camp site.

Next truck and next trailer I got an Equal-i-zer WD hitch and the Rock Guard would not work with it. But the new truck does have mud flaps, which helps a lot.

So, if it makes any difference with mud flaps only or both, here's a couple photos from this March (2017) when we took off and busted through some snow and gunk with our current trailer and truck (no Rock Guard). Here again, judge for yourself:





With the Outback TT and no Rock Guard, but mud flaps on the truck, after almost 4 years now, I don't see any rock "dings" on the trailer nose camp. (personally, I don't think the Rock Guard is necessary when you have mud flaps.)

I would suggest mud flaps, when towing on dirt, or especially gravel. The best ones are quality made, and sized to actually afford protection. Mine are similar to what Cummins pictured, and are custom fitted/drilled for each truck model. Mine are Luverne brand luvernetruck.com, about $200+ for a set. Many truck selling dealerships carry them.

You can see mine on profile page, as the truck pic can be expanded for close up.

Jerry

DuraFlap makes great quality flaps. Customize if U want, I did.