How to Fit PolyWard HGV and Lorry Mudflaps: A General Fitting Guide
PolyWard HGV mudflaps are aesthetic mudflaps designed to be fitted to the front of the cab and behind the rear drive axle wheels of a lorry or HGV. They are sold in pairs for both front and rear sets, and are available in two sizes to suit each position. This guide covers the general fitting process, mounting options, and what to check before and after fitting.
Front vs rear: sizes and positions
PolyWard HGV mudflaps come in two sizes for two distinct positions on the vehicle:
Front mudflaps – 18cm x 60cm These mount directly below the front edge of the cab, one per side. On most modern HGV’s, there is an existing mudflap mounting position here. Either a bracket welded to the chassis or a clamp bar running below the cab front. The front mudflaps are the most visible on the vehicle and the most impactful aesthetically. On a well-prepared show truck they sit at eye level when the truck is parked and face-on.
Rear mudflaps – 36cm x 64cm These mount behind the rearmost drive axle wheels of the lorry, one per side. The larger size is intentional; rear mudflaps need more coverage given the speed and volume of spray thrown up by dual rear wheels at motorway speeds. Most lorries have an existing rear mudflap hanger bracket or bar behind the drive axles which these bolt or clamp directly to.
Check your vehicle before ordering to confirm which positions have existing mounting hardware. Most modern HGV’s have both front and rear mounting points as standard, but older trucks or vehicles that have had bodywork changes may have missing or non-standard brackets.
What’s in the box
PolyWard HGV mudflaps are sold as a pair; two mudflaps per set. No brackets or mounting hardware are included. You will need to source fixings appropriate for your vehicle’s existing mounting system, or use the universal brackets available separately if your truck does not have existing mounting clamps or brackets.
For vehicles without existing mudflap brackets, PolyWard’s universal mudflap brackets and fittings can be used to create a mounting point.
Mounting methods
HGV mudflap mounting varies significantly between truck makes and models. The two most common methods are:
Clamp mounting: Many HGV’s have a horizontal bar or rail below the cab front and behind the rear axle specifically for clamping mudflaps. The mudflap is secured to this bar using U-bolt clamps or proprietary clamp hardware. This is the simplest mounting method, with no drilling required, and the mudflap position can be adjusted along the bar before the clamps are fully tightened.
If your truck has clamp bars, you will need U-bolt clamps of the correct diameter for the bar. Measure the bar diameter before ordering hardware.
Bracket mounting: Some trucks use a fixed bracket welded or bolted to the chassis. The mudflap bolts directly to this bracket through pre-drilled holes. If the existing bracket holes don’t align with the mudflap, additional holes can be drilled through the mudflap. We design our mudflaps so that no graphics or text are at the topmost edge, to leave space incase holes need to be made. Make sure to mark the position carefully before drilling and use a bit sized to the bolt you’re using.
If no bracket exists, a universal bracket can be fitted to the chassis or cab apron using existing bolt holes or self-tapping screws into suitable mounting points. If you are unsure about drilling into the chassis or cab structure, have the brackets fitted by a workshop.
Tools you’ll need
- Ratchet and socket set or Allen/hex keys for bracket bolts
- U-bolt clamps sized to your vehicle’s mounting bar if using clamp mounting
- A drill and suitable bit if drilling new holes through the mudflap or fitting new brackets
- A torque wrench for final tightening mudflaps on vehicles doing motorway speeds need secure fixings
Positioning front mudflaps
Hold the mudflap in position below the cab front before fixing. The mudflap should hang vertically, not angled forward or backward. Check the bottom edge clears the ground by a safe margin when the cab is at its lowest point, either fully loaded or with suspension fully compressed.
On most modern lorries the front mudflap position is fairly prescribed by the existing bracket or clamp bar location. If you have adjustment, the standard position is centred on the front face of the cab, sitting just below the cab apron line.
Positioning rear mudflaps
Rear mudflap positioning requires a little more care. The mudflap should hang behind the rearmost drive axle tyres with enough clearance that it doesn’t contact the tyres at any point in normal operation including full suspension compression under load.
One practical tip: check the clearance with the vehicle fully loaded rather than empty. A fully laden tractor unit sits significantly lower than an empty one and the effective clearance between the mudflap bottom edge and the ground reduces accordingly. A mudflap that clears the ground by 150mm empty may sit much closer under full load.
The mudflap should also not swing forward far enough to contact the tyre when the vehicle brakes hard. If the mounting is on a clamp bar with no anti-rotation stop, consider whether additional securing is needed to prevent the flap from swinging forward under deceleration.
After fitting — what to check
Once the mudflaps are fitted, do a walk-around check before moving the vehicle:
- Both mudflaps hang vertically with no forward or backward lean
- All clamps and bolts are fully tightened, a mudflap that comes loose at motorway speed is a hazard to other road users
- No contact between the mudflap and the tyre at any steering angle on the front, and no contact at the rear under normal suspension travel
- Ground clearance looks adequate for the vehicle’s loaded condition
Include mudflaps in your regular vehicle walk-around checks. Check that fixings remain tight and the mudflap material shows no signs of cracking or tearing, particularly around the fixing holes.
A note on compliance mudflaps
PolyWard HGV mudflaps are primarily aesthetic products. They are designed to look good on a well-presented HGV or show truck. They are not spray suppression devices in the regulatory sense and are not intended as a replacement for DVSA-compliant spray suppression equipment on vehicles that require it.
If your vehicle requires spray suppression mudflaps for compliance with DVSA roadworthiness regulations, those are a separate product category with specific size and material requirements. For more information on HGV mudflap legal requirements see our HGV mudflap legal requirements guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do PolyWard HGV mudflaps come with brackets or fixings?
No, the mudflaps are sold as a pair only. Fixings depend on your vehicle’s existing mounting system. Most modern lorry / HGV units have existing clamp bars or bracket points that accept standard mudflap hardware. If your vehicle doesn’t have existing mounting points, universal brackets are available separately.
Which size do I need — 18x60cm or 36x64cm?
The 18x60cm pair is much better suited for the front of the cab, mounted below the cab apron on each side. The 36x64cm pair is for the rear, mounted behind the rearmost drive axle wheels. Many owners fit both sets for a complete look. See the full range at PolyWard HGV mudflaps.
Can I fit these myself or do I need a workshop?
If your vehicle has existing clamp bars or bracket points the fitting is straightforward. Basic mechanical competence and the right fixings are all that’s needed. If new brackets need to be fitted to the chassis or cab structure, having that part done by a workshop is advisable.
Will these mudflaps suit my truck for a show?
Yes, these are designed for looks, so are a great fit for show trucks. The King of the Road design in particular is a popular choice at Truckfest and similar events. For more on preparing your truck for shows, see our show truck preparation guide.
Do these count as spray suppression devices for DVSA compliance?
No. These are aesthetic mudflaps. If your vehicle requires DVSA-compliant spray suppression equipment, that is a separate requirement. See our HGV mudflap legal requirements guide for detail on what compliance requires.
See the full range of PolyWard HGV mudflaps — available in front and rear sizes, multiple designs including King of the Road, English flag designs, and more. UK-made with free UK delivery.