Fender Flares Do More Than Add Good Looks

If you are a confirmed off-road enthusiast, then you understand the benefits of fender flares. However, if you’ve never ventured beyond the edge of the pavement, but want to, or simply want to add great rugged looks to your truck for on-road use, then fender flares are of definite interest to you.

What are fender flares?

In essence, these are additions that mount to the exterior of your wheel wells (the actual mount is inside the well), that extend and expand the size of you fenders. In addition, you have several options on the market that you will need to understand prior to buying a set.

The basic job of fender flares is to protect the sides of your vehicle from mud, rocks, sticks and other debris that might destroy your paint job in seconds, or wreak havoc on your bodylines (dents don’t do much for clean lines!). Of course, they also beef up the look of your ride, giving it a ruggedness that suggests muscularity and masculinity.

Finding the Right Set

Choosing the right type of fender flares is important. For instance, if you have a Jeep, you will need a different type of fender flare set than would someone driving a Dodge 1500 or a Chevy Silverado. Therefore, your first order of business is to find a set of flares that is made to fit your vehicle.

Caution should be exercised here, as well. Some manufacturers sell their flares in sets of four, for obvious reasons. However, other manufacturers sell them in sets of two, which can come as a surprise if you don’t read the fine print. If you don’t want to end up with two, instead of four, make sure that you check out the entire listing from the manufacturer.

Construction Material

Most flares are “plastic,” though you will find several different types, including ABS and polyurethane. You should, however, ensure that any fender flares you choose are UV stable, or UV resistant. UV rays will cause many types of plastic to dry rot over time, which will result in damage to the flares far before they should wear out.

Size Considerations

One of the other major considerations you will need to make is the size of the flares you want. If you are simply seeking a cosmetic fix for your vehicle, then any size will work. However, if you actually need to protect the sides of your vehicle from the ravages of rocks and debris off-road, then you will need to make sure that the flares extend far enough past the lip of the actual fender.

For Jeep owners, flares are a special consideration and will actually extend your fenders out by about three or four inches, in order to cover the entirety of the tire.

Color Concerns

A quick glance at the types of fender flares available will show you that most of them are black. Most companies should provide you with paintable fender flares, though you will find some that can be ordered in OEM colors. However, you should not purchase any fender flares that do not state specifically that they can be painted (unless you intend to leave them black, of course).

Finding a set of fender flares to enhance and protect your vehicle can be accomplished easily, though you will have to ensure that the set you purchase matches your wants and needs. Remember that some sets are purely cosmetic, while others provide tremendous protection in the off-road environment and you will easily find a set to meet your needs.