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Disconnected flap

Yahoo Message Number: 73247
While driving across South Dakota yesterday, the left side of my mud flap came loose and was dragging along the highway. Fortunately, a motorcyclist (there are thousands around here right now) signalled to me to pull over that there was something wrong. The flap detached at the left hinge - that is, the pin in the hinge is gone. Due to the dragging on the highway some of the lower portion of the left side of the flap is now worn down. I dis-attached the other side and stowed the flap. I don't know if I will need a new flap or whether this one is still usable.
Has anyone had a similar experience?

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Tom Oelsner

2006 Intrigue 12060

drtomo@... (504)452 4545

Re: Disconnected flap

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73251
Hi Tom - Glad you caught it before it went flying off... If you did not see the recent postings on removing mud flaps, you might want to read back a few days, or search. Many people remove them on purpose. I'm thinking I'll remove the flap from our 04 Allure too. Sure, it looks good from the rear, that nice Country Coach, but I've noticed much more road gravel ends up at the base of our toads window, then I ever saw with our Bounder. The Bounder had one of the skits on it, but the bottom was a good four inches higher then this solid one.

I'll run a few trips without it, and see how it goes.

Best of luck,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Disconnected flap

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73252
I had the same exact event with the same end results. I tied up the damaged end with haywire and a piece of # 12 electrical wire to get me off the freeway and then had a welding shop install a new machined bolt.
Later I had a machine shop cut the damaged COUNTRY COACH metal end off 45 degrees top and bottom plus matched the cuts on the opposite end and replaced the rubber mat with a new heavier one. Also I reduced the height of the mat by about 2 inches. I replaced the bolts again with stainless steel threaded bolts, used non-castellated torque nuts on both ends of the bolts and did not weld the bolts in place as original. This was a bit less expensive than if I would have purchased a new flap and assembly from one of the many suppliers that are available.
Mine failed at about 5000miles and have put another 15000 miles without failing again. Of course CC was long gone, so there was no warranty to fall back upon.

Roy Simmons

2008 42 ft. Intrigue #12234
 

Re: Disconnected flap

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 73262


Thanks Smitty and Roy.

I have been following the thread about flaps prior to this and also in the past. Yet I am still not sure what the consensus is. I have a brand new Jeep Cherokee Overland as toad and would prefer not to get it beat up. But is it going to be better with or without the flap. 
Incidentally, the flap incident occurred in 100 degree temperature - when I reached the mountains outside Rapid City a few hours later it did not prevent my engine temperature from maxing at about 208 on the upgrades - so I doubt that removing the flap helps cool the engine. 
Thanks again.


Tom Oelsner 2006 Intrigue 12060 drtomo@... (504)452 4545