Mud flaps?
markplace
12-08-2003, 07:29 PM
Please don't treat me like a red-headed step child, (I'm not red-headed, but I am a step child so I'm half way there in general) but after searching a bit about Xterra mud flaps that are now rubbing against my new tires, I'm curious why I would leave them on. Are they primarily for looks? Something about cleaner lines on the designer blueprints? Are they really adequate for stopping rocks from hitting tailgater windshields or preventing mud from caking on the doors? I noticed that some of you all broke them? I would guess that's from dragging them accross rocks at extreme angles. Do you put them back on after an offroad ride? I've seen quite a few pictures of xterras without them. Are they posing or is there some good reasons for this?
markplace
12-08-2003, 08:09 PM
Well, while reviewing my last post my ex-Seattle cop boss looked over my shoulder and said, "uh, you know, it's illegal to run without flaps. Just so you know..." I guess that's why we have them.
evergreen
12-08-2003, 08:32 PM
you can always get the flexible ones from xterraparts.
markplace
12-08-2003, 11:01 PM
Actually I didn't want to know where to get some more, I wanted to know why or if they were beneficial.
evergreen
12-08-2003, 11:10 PM
they are good for keeping "some" dirt off the rig and they do help from kicking rocks up. i have seen the solid flaps break before, and alot of people are using the flexible ones i mentioned before. most people i know take them off and leave them off, imo it makes for a cleaner look. i've talked with a few cops in seattle and most say the mudflaps are required only if the tires extend outside the wheel wells.
markplace
12-08-2003, 11:49 PM
OK, after a bit of "interrogation" of my boss, I got him to tell me that he never really cared that much about the fender flares and mud flaps RCW unless it included other greater infractions.
OffroadX
12-09-2003, 02:08 PM
The flexible (Canadian) front flaps haven't been available for over a year and probably never will...
The flaps aren't required, they are not factory equipment, but factory accessories. Not even the SE has them standard, though most dealers add them prior to sale. If you are ever hassled for not having them, you have an airtight case to argue it.
Brent
The flaps aren't required, they are not factory equipment, but factory accessories. Not even the SE has them standard, though most dealers add them prior to sale. If you are ever hassled for not having them, you have an airtight case to argue it.
Brent
ChuckH
12-09-2003, 02:51 PM
The plastic bodywork that the mudflaps attach to satisfy the law on a stock or even moderately modified Xterra. I'm not positive, but I think WA State law says the mudflaps can be no higher than 18 inches off the ground so you are fine...that's what it is in Oregon anyway and we usually have pretty much the same laws. If you put incorrect offset wheels on and your tires stick out then you will need flaps that go all the way around the fenders. In any case, as Brent noted, if the regular mudflaps were required by law they would come that way from the factory.
I never have had mudflaps on my Xterra. I refused to pay for them from Nissan and then never felt I needed them. They do help keep dirt off the side of the truck, but I don't find that's a huge problem anyway and a little dirt is important to maintain my image! :D
OK, here's what I found...
"RCW 46.37.500
(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."
Basically that means that if you have stock tires then your flaps can be up to about 15 inches off the ground, going strictly by the law.
And for those interested in WA State lighting laws...
RCW 46.37.180
Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
(1) Spot lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the windshield, or any windows, mirror, or occupant of another vehicle in use.
(2) Fog lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than twelve inches nor more than thirty inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of twenty-five feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the above requirements may be used with lower head lamp beams as specified in RCW 46.37.220.
(3) Auxiliary passing lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary passing lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twenty-four inches nor more than forty-two inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of RCW 46.37.220 shall apply to any combinations of head lamps and auxiliary passing lamps.
(4) Auxiliary driving lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than sixteen inches nor more than forty-two inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of RCW 46.37.220 shall apply to any combination of head lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
RCW 46.37.270
Number of lamps required -- Number of additional lamps permitted.
(1) At all times specified in RCW 46.37.020, at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every motor vehicle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
(2) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than three hundred candlepower, not more than a total of two of any such additional lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
So in short, you can have two driving lights and two foglights but you can't have more than 4 lights on at any one time. Are you listening Rrdstarr? :disappoin Any lights beyond that or above the noted distance from road would be offroad lights and need to be covered while on the highway.
I never have had mudflaps on my Xterra. I refused to pay for them from Nissan and then never felt I needed them. They do help keep dirt off the side of the truck, but I don't find that's a huge problem anyway and a little dirt is important to maintain my image! :D
OK, here's what I found...
"RCW 46.37.500
(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."
Basically that means that if you have stock tires then your flaps can be up to about 15 inches off the ground, going strictly by the law.
And for those interested in WA State lighting laws...
RCW 46.37.180
Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
(1) Spot lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two spot lamps and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the windshield, or any windows, mirror, or occupant of another vehicle in use.
(2) Fog lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than twelve inches nor more than thirty inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of twenty-five feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the above requirements may be used with lower head lamp beams as specified in RCW 46.37.220.
(3) Auxiliary passing lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary passing lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twenty-four inches nor more than forty-two inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of RCW 46.37.220 shall apply to any combinations of head lamps and auxiliary passing lamps.
(4) Auxiliary driving lamps. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than sixteen inches nor more than forty-two inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of RCW 46.37.220 shall apply to any combination of head lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
RCW 46.37.270
Number of lamps required -- Number of additional lamps permitted.
(1) At all times specified in RCW 46.37.020, at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every motor vehicle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
(2) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of intensity greater than three hundred candlepower, not more than a total of two of any such additional lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
So in short, you can have two driving lights and two foglights but you can't have more than 4 lights on at any one time. Are you listening Rrdstarr? :disappoin Any lights beyond that or above the noted distance from road would be offroad lights and need to be covered while on the highway.
markplace
12-09-2003, 07:23 PM
Well with that said, I think you might find a very nice full set of flaps and hardware in the "Junkyard" section soon. I think the only real harassment I'll get is from the Boss until I quote "his" RCW's back to him. Thanks Chuck.
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