Utah and Mud Flaps

[daveb]

Originally Posted by TwinStick

This whole law enforcement thing scares me to death. Sooo they can videotape us during a traffic stop, but we can not videotape them ? Hmmmm, this just breeds unjust deeds BY law enforcement. Do as I say, not as I do ? Sounds more & more like an oppressed society to me. Another 20 years of this crap & I wont even want to live in the USA at all. Did you know some states laws say that you can not alter the manufacturers bumper heights of frame heights at all, 0, non, notta, zip ?

http://www.liftlaws.com/

I got to agree, I hate it when law enforcement cracks a whip. Problem is the country is slowly allowing or even demanding rules on the minorities (like us 4x4 folks) as we slowly loose more and more rights. I go to jail because I just had a couple and got nailed by some idiot with a cell phone stuck to the side of his head? Who is the real problem on the road? Don’t get me wrong I’m not advocating drinking and driving but a couple of beers shouldn’t be the issue, it’s how good you’re driving skills are. And I don't even care about the phone either; if you're a stupid driver you're a stupid driver. Priorities are messed up. I find it hard to believe that the cops are so worried about mud flaps like it's some kind of major hazard to the public. We are slowly becoming a democracy and that's going to mess up the US. Some laws are absurd, other have merit. Mud flaps on a SMB is ludicrous IMO. But it's true, some states say you can't even modify the exhaust or even the wheels. Stupid laws by stupid people. I feel the HP should be less assertive when dealing with those out of state...maybe, maybe a polite warning unless it's an obvious infraction on some kind of monster rig....like Ujoints! Just kidding.

[pjpvi]

So, how about them mudflaps?

What mudflaps?

[billwilson]

Sent an email to Bushwacker
they got back to me same day
per Bushwacker the "Kickback 4x4" ones are for trucks w/ flairs and big tires

suggested:

http://store.actionaccessoriesllc.com/p ... StoreFront

they have some good stuff

i like these too:

[Nomadcat]

Just screwed a pair of Dee-Zee flaps on the back. I hate the way they look, but I'll leave them until I'm done with this trip.

Are they required on the front, as well, in Utah?

[daveb]

wonder if there is some kind of rule on how thick the flap material has to be? I plan to make some kind of make shift setup.

[billwilson]

Originally Posted by Nomadcat

Are they required on the front, as well, in Utah?

second that

[Nomadcat]

check out number 6. it would appear to be the rears only:

PLT Safety Inspection Manual January 1, 2007 30
ALTERED VEHICLES - Continued
C. RAISING VEHICLES
1. Check the braking and steering system components.
a. REJECT when:
1) Braking or steering systems have been altered, modified,
disconnected or changed in any manner that may impair
the safe operation of the vehicle.
2. Check vehicle lift. (Utah Lift Law UCA 41-6a-1631)
a. REJECT when:
1) Frame height is greater than 24 inches on a vehicle with a
GVWR less than 4,500 lbs.
2) Frame height is greater than 26 inches on a vehicle with a
GVWR of 4,500 lbs. and less than 7,500 lbs.
3) Frame height is greater than 28 inches on a vehicle with a
GVWR of 7,500 lbs. or more.
*NOTE: Vehicle must be on a flat surface and unladened for all
measurements. Frame height measurement is from the ground to
the bottom of the frame and should be taken on the left side of the
vehicle under the driver’s seat. If the door certification plate has
been removed, the vehicle shall be considered to be 4,500 lbs.
3. Check the body lift above the frame. (Title 41-6a-1631 UCA)
a. REJECT when:
1) Lowest part of body floor is raised more than 3” above top
of frame.
4. Check vehicle for front and rear axle blocks. (UCA 41-6a-1630)
a. REJECT when:
1) Axle blocks have been added to the front axle.
2) There are stacked blocks on the rear axle. The stacking of
axle blocks is prohibited. (UCA 41-6a-1631(g))
3) There are stacked frames.

PLT Safety Inspection Manual January 1, 2007 31
ALTERED VEHICLES - Continued
5. Check vehicle wheel track. (UCA 41-6a-1631)
a. REJECT when:
1) Tire tread protrudes beyond the original fender or fender
extenders.
*NOTE: Fender flares or fender extenders are required to cover both front
and rear tires when wheel track extends beyond the vehicle body.
2) Spacers are used to increase wheel track width.
*NOTE: Custom wheel adapters are not spacers.
6. Check for mud flaps when vehicle has been altered. Mud flaps are
required on the rear wheels of all vehicles that are altered from their
original OEM specifications. This includes the addition of larger tires and
suspension lift kits. (UCA 41-6a-1633)
a. REJECT when:
1) Fenders do not cover the top 50% of the tire
2) Mud flaps are not present when required.
3) Rear mud flaps are not as wide as the tire.
*NOTE: From the rear, mud flaps must hang down to the center of the axle.
7. Check for headlamp height
a. REJECT when:
1) Headlamp exceeds 54 inches in height measured from the
ground to the center of the low beam.

[Steve_382]

>>>
7. Check for headlamp height
a. REJECT when:
1) Headlamp exceeds 54 inches in height measured from the
ground to the center of the low beam>>>

Haven't figured out the quote stuff yet, but has anyone checked their headlight heights. Fixing that would be a lot more difficult than screwing a mudflap on. Just asking...

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by Steve_382

>>>
7. Check for headlamp height
a. REJECT when:
1) Headlamp exceeds 54 inches in height measured from the
ground to the center of the low beam>>>

Haven't figured out the quote stuff yet, but has anyone checked their headlight heights. Fixing that would be a lot more difficult than screwing a mudflap on. Just asking...

That's when you air down your tires!

[yvrr]

Originally Posted by Nomadcat

a. REJECT when:
2) Spacers are used to increase wheel track width.

You can put on mudflaps, but note that spacers are not allowed so we're screwed anyway....assuming they can figure that out.

My frustration with such "standards" is that they are aimed at the extreme 4x4 conversions (12" lift kits, ladders to reach the doors, etc.) but impact the owners of vehicles like ours. The purpose of mudflaps is to minimize the amount of water thrown up by the tires which can create a problem for drivers in an adjacent lane. We have all driven next to 18-wheelers during a rain storm and have found it nearly impossible to see the road ahead. Those trucks have mud flaps but they are not that effective. I seriously doubt that that any water thrown up by our rigs makes it to the adjacent traffic lane nor onto anyone other driver's windshield...