Mud Flaps on the back of the truck - Pulling Containers.. Part-2

No welding or drilling is allowed on frame rails.

 

Every time you mount a tool box, pump, blower, or any other accessory onto the truck, a drill is going to be involved. No way around it. You just keep your holes on the vertical portion of the frame, and at least an inch or two from the top or bottom and you'll be fine. Use hardened bolts (grade 8) the proper size for the holes to secure whatever it is you are bolting on.

 

Carriage bolts have a square shank that fits into a square hole so that you only need 1 wrench. I hate the silly things, though, because after they have been in for a while, the nut backs off until the square shank can slip out of the square hole and then you've got nothing to keep the bolt from spinning as you are trying to get the nut off.

They may have also gotten a "rough" appearance over the years if the bolts that were in there had worked loose and were wearing on the frame. Had that issue with my side box, and I used a unibit to open the hole up a little bigger rounding it out again and I just used bigger bolts.

 

The square and round holes are punched in the frame before it is heat treated. You can drill into the web of the Frame rail not into the flange. . Take care not to heat up the frame when drilling, use plenty of cutting oil and a sharp bit. Start small bit and work bigger.
My first truck I bought as a tandem and I cut the second axle and frame off to make it a single drive axle. I used a torch to cut off the end and to put holes in frame for new equipment. Never had an issue with the frame cracking. But was told by a couple mechanics never to overheat frame cause that can weaken the flange and that is what makes the strength of the frame. Never ever alter the flange.

 

TO add. Putting brackets on the back to install mud flaps is not going to affect the structural integrity of the main frame. Your weight is transferred from hitch to axles. Not even close to your work area. I have even welded my mud flap brackets on.

 

These work great: http://www.iowa80.com/DirectionsWEB/webcart_productDisplay.php?itemid=119478

Like I said before, mount these up in the usual place and only hang mud flaps in 'em when you don't have a trailer. Stow the flaps in a side box, under the bunk, or strapped to the catwalk when you've got that container chassis behind you. Don't need 'em on the truck at all if you have a trailer.

If you do it right, these won't interfere at all with your "nice" mudflaps if you should decide to pull something else that is compatible with them again...just mount these new brackets out of the way of where the "nice" ones were so this new bracket won't interfere.

 

It is due to high load.