Must I have fenders?

[jdarkoregon]

Jim, pretty tear! How sad that the fenders don't hold up under normal travel conditions. What gauge metal are they? I'm sure Dave will think before using that particular style of fender.

How about spraying the underside with a good thickness of Undercoating?

Darn pretty tear

John

[Tripmaker]

I don't know if anyone has found a solution to the problem I have encountered with my $12 steel fenders but... They pick up a lot of road stones and the paint chips. I run on a lot of gravel roads and often repaint the fenders every other trip.
I have had suggestions to put a piece of rubber on the front but I think I will keep painting them until I can get a stainless steel set.

Just a thought as you consider you fender solution Dave

Maybe have the front sprayed with Rhino Liner? Possibly the inside too that would make it quieter as well. Those stones hitting the fenders must make a racket.

[Claw]

Thanks for the compliment John.

The fenders are just off the shelf steel fenders for multiple applications from a farm store. I am not sure of the gage but they are strong enough.

Tripmaker, I have not really noticed the noise but then when you run on gravel there is a certian amout of given road noise. The front of my tear doesn't chip so I believe the hardness of the steel behind the paint causes it to chip when stones hit it. Maybe the quality of paint is an issue, all I use is a cheap gloss black enamel. Rhino lining is good stuff, I also thought of a fabric bra or making my mud flaps bigger on my pickup.
I know that Camp Inn put stainless steel fenders on their trailers because of chipping issues.