Fender Flares 101 with TrailFX

Once you understand the real-world value of fender flares, they become a modification that you never fail to miss. Like a lot of people, I assumed they were just for styling purposes when I was new to the automotive scene. But as I learned the value of bigger wheels and tires and the damaging effects of road debris, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that fender flares serve an actual critical function.

Why Do I Need Fender Flares?

In most jurisdictions, in order for a vehicle to be considered street legal, you must have a fender that covers at least the tread or full tire. This is because fenders don’t just protect your own vehicle from flinging mud and rocks. They also keep that road debris from hitting other vehicles on the road as well. And the bigger the wheels and tires, the greater the amount of road muck you’re flinging. Hence, the addition of fender flares.

But the laws (and their enforcement) vary wildly from state to state when it comes to fender modifications and aftermarket fender flares. For example, here in my home state of Pennsylvania, a vehicle must have fenders that “provide at least as much coverage of the wheel as original equipment,” and fender flares are allowed as long as they don’t exceed 3 inches. Break those rules and you might not pass inspection.

But what’s going down in Pennsylvania may not exactly apply to your neck of the woods, and this variation in regulation can really make a mess for both law enforcement and truck builders alike.

Your best bet is to always read up on your local laws, but for a quick reference on what is legal in your state when it comes to fender flares and other off-road related modifications, I recommend checking out Lift Laws.

Fender Flare Buying Guide

With all of that said, let’s get down to the main characteristics you should consider when shopping for fender flares.

Width & Height

A good jumping off point, the size of your fender flares is not only affected by local regulations, but also the size of your wheels and tires. Upgrading to a bigger package means those stock fenders won’t do much to stop flying road debris from hitting the vehicles behind you.

Width is simply determined by how far the flares protrude from the vehicle and height is how high the flares span in relevance to the wheel well opening. A higher flare can come in handy if you’re trying to hide wheel well rust or body damage.

Style

This simply refers to the look of the flare. When shopping, you’ll find fender flares generally fall into one of four style categories: OE, Street, Extended, and Pocket/Rivet/Bolt.

OE style flares are pretty straightforward. Smooth-bodied, they complement factory trim and moldings with a stock styling.

Street style fender flares are very similar, although they usually sport a lower profile that really complements lowered suspensions.

Pocket/Rivet/Bolt style flares have become very popular lately, since they offer a nice rough-and-rugged aesthetic with simulated bolts. These flares also add more wheel-coverage protection and are generally very simple to install.

And lastly, Extended style flares offer just what you’d expect—extra extension. Heavy-duty and well-suited to beefy tire packages, these are popular among off-road enthusiasts.

Installation

It’s worth noting that the style of the flare does not dictate the method of installation. We mention that Pocket Flares have “simulated” bolts because despite often being referred to as bolt-on, these flares do not feature actual bolts that secure them to the body.

More often than not, you’ll find that “bolt-on” flares use a simple no-drill installation, which allows the user to fasten the flares at factory-mounting locations with the addition of double-sided tape to reinforce the bond. Some flares may require a little more elbow grease and, in some cases, some drilling or cutting.

Construction

The construction of your fender flares plays a big role in its durability. ABS plastic and polyurethane are the most popular materials used and each has its own pros and cons. Generally, ABS is a little more brittle than polyurethane, but what it lacks in flexibility, it makes up in chemical and heat resistance. Additionally, ABS is usually more affordable and it is significantly easier to paint.

TrailFX Fender Flares

Fender flares are a pretty well-dominated market, but the TrailFX product line has seen solid success in a crowded segment.

Offering wide bolt-on style flares for most popular domestic and foreign models, TrailFX fender flares are constructed of a rugged UV-resistant ABS plastic that isn’t going to fade over time or blast apart on impact. These flares are designed to provide an easy, no-drill installation and sport stainless steel rivets and jam nuts, with a smooth or textured finish.

For JK and JL Wrangler models, TrailFX added steel fender flares to the catalog last year. Built for functionality and style, the flat-style flares feature a 1.5-inch tubular frame for added strength and a black powder coat finish for extra protection. JL flares include an integrated LED Turn Signal and Marker Light, and both styles employ an easy installation requiring minimal drilling to existing factory mounting points.

Whether you want rugged protection on the trail or extra styling points on the street, TrailFX fender flares have you covered.