Believe it or not, taking the time to install high quality mudguards and mud flaps on your ute or 4×4 will probably be among the most practical upgrades that you ever make. No matter if you’re at the worksite, on the highway, or off roading, no other accessory does more to protect your vehicle’s underside from rocks, asphalt, and other rubbish that your tyres are endlessly kicking up.
It’s when you’re on the highway, however, that their main purpose of protecting other vehicles, motorcyclists, and even pedestrians from the same kinds of dangerous road debris really comes into focus. There’s an unmistakable aesthetic value to them as well, though. A duo of polished alloy mudguards can give your vehicle a look that’s just as powerful as it is practical, which is why there’s no better time than now to give them proper consideration.
Premium Quality Ute Mudguards Mean Maximum Protection
Regardless of whether you use your ute for work, play, or a little of both, if you’ve already had it fitted out with a one-of-a-kind ripper tray, then a pair of premium quality aluminium tray mudguards needs to be the next accessory you think about. The thin, widely spaced sheet metal mudguards that are probably on your rig now aren’t very affective, making the reasons for needing to install a pair of proper replacements that much clearer.
The road debris that your tyres kick up at highway speeds can have incalculable consequences, including:
· Damaging the bonnet, cracking or shattering the windscreen of a following vehicle;
· The potential for a following vehicle to lose control after being stuck by kicked up debris; and,
· Potentially traumatic injuries to motorcyclists or pedestrians.
Make no mistake: Australian Design Rule (ADR) 42/03 is very precise about the requirements for the size, fit, and placement of mudguards and mud flaps for both on and off-road vehicles. And, if you’re driving an ute without tray wheel guards, you’ll eventually get stopped, your vehicle defect-noticed, and possibly towed. That’s why when it comes to protecting your vehicle and other road users, nothing less than maximum coverage, wheel arch styled guards will do.
Aluminium Mudguards for Utes that are Built to Last
Reducing the danger from flying debris is the name of the game with arch styled ute mudguards, and measuring 1090mm (W) x 570mm (W) x 440mm (H), a pair of 310mm deep mudguards satisfies that requirement perfectly. These durable, deep-type mudguards are built to last, and their construction features include:
· Marine grade 3mm aluminium flat plate construction;
· Full TIG-welded joints;
· Light weight (5kg each);
· Slotted mounting points; and,
· Pre-drilled holes for mud flaps.
There aren’t any sharp edges on these aluminium tray guards, and their lightly flared arches are designed to accommodate tyres up to 35”. In short, these mudguards offer practical public protection from thrown-up stones, mud, ice, snow, and water that even exceeds the legal requirement.
Installing Mudguards Will Save You Money
Although protecting the public is the most compelling reason to buy ute mud guards, the protection they afford you is just as significant. Mounting a pair of ute tray guards on your vehicle benefits you directly by:
· Protecting your precious caravan, boat, and other trailer from costly paint and sheet metal damage;
· Protecting chassis and tray mounted wiring and fittings from salty and oxidizing wheel spray; and,
· Protecting protective chassis coating and sealant layers from being chipped away.
Well-designed aluminium ute tray mud guards can be significant cost and headache savers that work to your advantage just as much as they do for the public’s. And if you’re concerned about how they look, being practical doesn’t have to be unattractive.
Custom Looks that Meet Your Most Practical Needs
You can buy arched tray guards with either a polished flat alloy, or textured Mannex® black powder coated finish. Their neutral appearance allows them to go well with any body colour or tray finish, and the light curvature along their upper lip provides a touch of elegance that isn’t found on most aftermarket mudguards.
The fact that these easy to install tray mud guards won’t rust or corrode from prolonged exposure to salt and other chemicals also means that they’re going to maintain their good looks for a long time. The mud and dirt that you pick up when you’re off roading isn’t going to lead to a long-term corrosion problem.
Custom aluminium tray mudguards also integrate perfectly with a full lineup of corresponding, standard and tapered under tray tool boxes. Ideally, mudguards and under tray boxes should be mounted at the same time to ensure the best fit, but with these mudguard’s slotted mounting points, you always have a small margin of adjustability to fit your vehicle out the way you want it, within the timeline that you want to do it.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, on and off-road debris and tyre kick up are hazards that every ute and 4×4 owner want to avoid. They can damage your vehicle, obliterate the front end of a boat or caravan if you’re towing one, and have potentially tragic consequences even on anyone who’s beside or behind you.
Premium aluminium mudguards allow you to protect your vehicle, other road users, and pedestrians from the dangers of road debris. They’re more than just a legal requirement: they’re a practical, good looking mod that benefits everyone.