Mudflaps on my Truck - New to pulling Containers

Discussion in 'Intermodal Trucking Forum' started by Lunchman, Aug 31, 2014.

  1. Lunchman

    Lunchman Bobtail Member

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    Ok - So just leased on with a really good small company, I own a 2003 T600 with a pre-emissions Cummins and have been pulling Reefers for the last few years. This last week was my first taste of Containers and all went rather well, except for my mudflaps.

    I have some really nice 3 Light chrome flaps on the back of the truck and found out the hard way the container chassis does not clear them when I turn sharp. My passenger side is still ok, caught the top of the light on the end of it and was able to easily fix it. Driver-side is destroyed though, I seemed to have caught that one in such a way to it bent it 90 degrees back, i.e. straight back and in line with my truck.. Arg.. Took a few lights and wiring out with it.. ARG!!!!

    This mess happened this last Saturday, so no drivers around at the term to ask about it, and since am so new, I don't really have anyone to call atm. I do have the I70 truck stop just down the road and would like to fix this up over the weekend so I can run Tues when we go back to work.

    So looking more closely at this, and the fit of these trailers, am uncertain on what to do. My 5th is a ridged mount, no slider, so I can't just move it all back.. Am considering a slider, but funds are tight right now and I really don't want to do it unless I start having trouble getting through the scales. Several of the guys in our small fleet don't have sliding hitches and claim they do just fine, the guys with them say they couldn't do the job without them.. *boggle*

    Does anyone have any recommendations to fix this? I really like the look of the current units I have, plus I do bobtail quite a bit and feel good about all the extra lighting back there (brakes and turn signals).

    Any pictures/suggestions would be great..

    /Lunchman IMG_2601.jpg IMG_2602.jpg IMG_2603.jpg
     
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  3. JJKid

    JJKid Medium Load Member

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    you're going to experience broken mudflaps from time to time with containers. better off just getting some plain rubber ones that do the job.
     
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  4. Lucar

    Lucar Road Train Member

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    Take those nice light bars off and get those easy steel rod removable. You can take them off and put them on whenever and save the others.
    Good luck with the container stuff. Have a backup plan.
     
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  5. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Go back to the stock type steel bar with the curled end spring effect mud flap mounts , easy to remove if needed as well as flexible
     
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  6. boneebone

    boneebone Road Train Member

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    I believe most Drivers who run Cans use the Angled End Mudflap Brackets to clear the Can Chassis. I pulled a 53' Can for a local delivery once and didn't have a issue, but the next time I pulled one that was going Interstate last year I couldn't because on tight turns the Straight Brackets I have (similiar to yours) would've hit the Chassis, so I refused the load and the Shipper transloaded the product into a 53' Dry Van instead.

    My fifth Wheel can slide but I didn't want to deal with it, plus it wouldn't have helped it anyways.
     
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  7. Lunchman

    Lunchman Bobtail Member

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    Huh, well sounds like the best options here is to go cheap.. ROFL.. Not very often I find that's the correct answer. I'll go see what the I70 stop has laying around.. Was wondering about the angled ends of some of the hangers I've see, bet that would work perfect.

    Although, I've never seen any hangers that are easy on easy off.. Anyone have a link or something to some such?
     
  8. Lunchman

    Lunchman Bobtail Member

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    Can you expand some on the backup plan?
    From what I know and having an acquaintance hauling for the same carrier, the money seems really good (2500/week after expenses) and no shortage of freight.. Am not sure what the reasoning for the backup plan is.. I am located in the Kansas City area, so really no "ports" to speak of, just rail.
     
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  9. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    I see so many guys running 'cans' they don't even have Mudflaps.
    Thought they were required.
     
  10. Lunchman

    Lunchman Bobtail Member

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    I run home each night bobtail - so, am not really interested in debating with a trooper as to what the laws might/might not be. Plus they are cheap enough, no reason to screw around.
     
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  11. boneebone

    boneebone Road Train Member

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    The Spring Steel Mudflap Hangers can be taken on and off in seconds with a Cotter-Type Pin.

    Try www.bettshd.com or www.fleetengineers.com

    They're not going to be anything fancy and chrome, but you're not going to tear up your truck either.
     
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