Flaps or Flares?

[mauiCTD]

Any recommendations on the following?



I have an 05 SRW 3500 and live in a muddy area. I'd like to protect the rockerpanels and such from the usual dirt and mud kicked up. Right now I have stock 265/70(?) tires which I may upgrade to 285 or 305 down the road.



Aside from paint rubbing issues (which I believe can be fixed with 3M clear tape) and appearance, what offers the best alternative to keep the mud off the truck?



My thought would be flaps now and if I go to larger tires flares later. I haven't seen any photos with both on a truck - would that be a belt and suspenders solution?



Thanks

 

[silverram03]

Why not go with both? See my gallery

 

[RKerner]

Get Both

Flaps, especially stock ones, are ok to marginal in mud or gravel road conditions. Once you turn the wheels, you can cover the whole side of the truck with smegma in a short time. I will be getting flares soon so some of the washing maintenance can be reduced and to minimize rock chips. Silverram's ATS flares are on my short list, as are Bushwacker OE Style. Also,if you don't have running boards, think about Line-X or Permatech or some type of tough, color coordinated application of this stuff to the bottom 6-8" of the body and doors from behind the front wheel and ending underneath the rear bumper. This will prevent most stray rock chips.

For deep mud or clay, I suggest removing the mudflaps. If you ever pinch one backing up, you'll know what I mean. The metal behind the rear wheel is kinda thin.

 

[DocDetonancour]

I'd definetly go with all three, flares, flaps, and boards. Good luck, Doc

 

[RBrunson]

Check my readers rigs to see full length flares with running boards incorperated, don't have mud flaps yet but the flares do a good job. Sorry I don't know the brand, I bought the truck used and they came on it. Click on pictures twice for for a really large view.

 

[mauiCTD]

Thanks for the comments.



I'm leaning towards the PowerWagon flare look but can't find who makes/sells them. The ATS flares painted look sharp but are they wide enough? Other posts mention the bushwackers are difficult to mount.



Doc do you have any photos of your truck I can see because it's the same color as mine.



Regarding line-x/rhino liner (maybe this should be a separate post), I was thinking of spraying the rocker panels, but also thought of pulling the carpet and spraying the interior floor. Anyone see anything like that?



Time to go wash the mud off again... .

 

[JVolpe]

I have not seen one up close, but someone posted that the Power Wagon flares were just like Bushwacker flares. On mine the Extend-A-Fender flare looked almost silly. Even with 315s they did not look right.



Look at this thread for pics of my truck with the Bushwacker flares.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128686

 

[RKerner]

has anyone ever seen a real 2005 Power Wagon at a dealer?

I have not seen one up close, but someone posted that the Power Wagon flares were just like Bushwacker flares. QUOTE]



I have been waiting for over 5 months for confirmation that the Power Wagon flares are available. At the dealer last month, they still don't have a Power Wagon parts book and the flares that used to be in the accessory book are "discontinued". Oh well, time to get over it and get aftermarket stuff.

 

[JVolpe]

My dealer has one listed in inventory on his web site. I may drive by tomorrow and see it. Online window sticker shows fender flare option.

 

[JVolpe]

I have the Husky molded flaps, just like the Mopar molded flaps except the come with the 3m clear tape. They seem to be doing a good job so far on the rocker panels. Driving in the Houston road construction is worse than off road in Big Bend.

 

[JVolpe]

I stopped and had my oil changed today. The dealer has two Power Wagons on the lot, both with the fender flares. They look very much like the Bushwacker street flares. Attach the same way and only ride against the fender without any tape or method to secure against the fender.



Parts department spent a while trying to find a part number. They were not listed in any of the 05 parts catalogs or option packages. Since they are new the parts guy said that the current inventory is probably all on production vehicles. He said that eventually they will show up with a part number, but even then it may be a while before there are any in inventory to order.

 

[GCross]

Why not go with both?

Yeh! Why not, thats what I did. I had the flaps originally and had to remove them to instal the Bushwackers, then I put them back on.



-George-

 

[Matt400]

Flaps will do more for you with stock wheels IMO. I have flaps and 285's. . work real nice. Flares are great for aftermarket wheels that stick out any at all. I will do both if I end up with a non factory offset wheel.

 

[JVolpe]

I agree, if I get wheel offset that makes the tires stick out of the fender wells then I will add fender flares and flaps. Until then the flaps do a pretty good job even on the 315s.