No mud flaps on 2007 Rangers?

[Bill]

The CHP pulled me over. The first thing the officer said was, "nice truck. Looks good without the mud flaps, but you have to put them back on."

The problem is I never took them off. They weren't on there when I bought the truck, and I'm in one of those states that requires them.

Anyone else have a Ranger from the last several years with or without them?

I guess I'll call the dealership to see what is going on with this.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

If the truck was legally sold new in your state without mud flaps then you cannot be given a ticket for not having them. Obviously either the dealer ordered a truck built for another state and forgot to install mud flaps or that cop was giving you a bunch of BS.

 

[Bill]

I'm aware of that.

I called the CHP. There is no absolute rule, but I was told that they look at vehicles where 50% of the tire is exposed toward the back, which would cause a lot of water to fling off of the tires and on to windshields of other vehicles behind me.

I didn't get a ticket. This officer was reasonable. There is also no splash guards behind and in front of the rear tires. I've noticed quite a few F150's without mud guards. All the Rangers I've seen have them. A parts website I was looking on mentioned that they aren't installed on the 4 cylinder models, which is a mute point since they are required regardless of engine size.

 

[ranger_veazey]

ok first of all what the hell is CHP...

 

[Slingblade]

ok first of all what the hell is CHP...

Possibly County Highway Patrol

lol


Chris

 

[Norelec]

My 07 came with mud flaps. I'd say your dealer forgot to put them on.

 

[ranger_veazey]

i took mine off already like 3 mounths ago ... its not illegal in texas lol thats a meesed up law

 

[06yellowranger]

My '06 came with them, I don't think it's a law to have them in PA, but it keeps me from spitting gravel on my truck as much(live on a country road)

ok first of all what the hell is CHP...

Judging from the fact that he lives in California, I'd say it's probably the California Highway Patrol

 

[krugford]

I prefer mudflaps myself. The keep the rocks and stuff from chipping up the your paint and the windshield of the car behind you.

 

[warhawk]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that CHP is California Highway Patrol. Since Bill is from Cali it makes seems the most plausible to me. I actually caught myself reading CHiPs to myself when I read his posts.

 

[HAPPY_RANGER_GUY]

Mudflaps are a good thing.

T.

 

[JohnnyO]

Depends on the model. Some have them, some don't. If it is truly illegal not to have them, then Ford should know that and put a set on for free.

 

[Bill]

CHP = California Highway Patrol.

The dealership is working with me. I'm the first they have had that has been pulled over, but they have had many people come in concerned about the possibility of being pulled over for not having mudflaps. I had a copy of the Vehicle Code and they are going to forward a copy of it to Ford.

The dealership seems to think Ford opted to not install them because people were taking them off. The new ones look kind of goofy, but the older ones on my 95 look ok. I'm going to try to figure out if the 95 style will fit on a 2007. The dealership stated they will order them for me at no charge.

Other states requiring mud flaps:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2001/rpt/olr/htm/2001-r-0344.htm

 

[LearjetMinako]

, Nice link. Only one problem. Hardly anyone follow that mudflap law here in Oklahoma. So many trucks that I see with oversized tires and no mud flaps. I leave my Ranger's splash flaps on, because I like the style and they are factory equipment.

 

[Bill]

It appeared to be the same thing over here. There are plenty of trucks running around without mud flaps. Every so often someone in state government will recall a law that hasn't been enforced, then the CHP does a crackdown, which is probably what happened, or is about to happen this fall when it starts raining.

I prefer mudflaps too, but I prefer the older style.