A truck is a significant investment. Not only are trucks more costly than most vehicles, but trucks get worked harder than most as well. A truck must be durable, long-lasting, and reliable. Adding certain parts and accessories to your truck can help keep your truck performing well and help prevent costly unwanted repairs. Rock guards, for example, help to protect not just your truck, but the vehicles and cargo behind you. And when compared to the damage you could cause without a rock guard, you might consider adding one to your truck today.

What is a rock guard?

Rock guards and mud flaps are accessories that can be added to a truck, semi, or motorhome. They are fairly common and there’s a good reason for that. Rock guards and mud flaps can come in all shapes and sizes but are fitted to the back of your bumper or tires. They are designed to protect your truck, the vehicles around you, and whatever it is you’re towing behind you.

There is a difference between mud flaps and rock guards, however. As seen by the folks at Agri-Cover, mud flaps are attached to the rear of your truck for protection, but typically cover just your wheels. Rock guards, on the other hand, typically come in one solid piece that attaches to the rear of your truck and spans the length of the bumper or your wheels. Both options serve the same purpose. Larger construction trucks or semis may even have guards to protect the front and sides of the truck.

According to Uni-Vue, you’ll find rock guards of mostly two types: rubber and metal. While stainless-steel and aluminum offer strength and a certain level of high-quality aesthetics, heavy-duty rubber options are resistant to weather, extremely durable, but also flexible enough to withstand strong hits.

But there are also a few other types, with brush-like bristles to slow down fast-moving debris and rubber rock guards that come with ribbon-like slits.

The benefits of having a rock guard on your truck

Your truck is in constant contact with a variety of elements on the road. And its heavy, bulky size makes flying debris even harder to control. Both mud flaps and rock guards work as an aide to your fender, which doesn’t extend below your tires. It works to create a barrier between your wheels and tires, undercarriage, as well as what’s behind you.

Even if you’re not towing anything behind you, it can help protect the vehicles around you and behind you from rocks, mud, and other hazards you may kick up in your big truck. They can also protect your own truck from damage in the undercarriage, as well as from hazardous materials like salt and other chemicals.

And if you’re towing something behind you, rock guards can help protect your cargo. Your rock guard can catch debris and material as it comes from under your truck before it hits the windshield or body of that cargo you’re hauling. You can even personalize your rock guard to match your interest or promote your business.

Comparing the cost of prevention over damage

There are a large variety of guards for trucks, made of various materials and varying in price. But even Camping World can find quality rock guards for less than $100. Even at a few $100, it is an investment that could pay off in the end.

The protection could save you from repairing damage caused to your boat, RV, etc. Windshields, bodywork, paint, and more could cost you thousands of dollars. In fact, the people at Custom Glass Solutions claim that “replacing an RV windshield can cost $1,000-$5,000.” And because rock guards protect your truck as well, they can help the mechanical parts of your truck last longer.