A system for protecting the body and frame of a vehicle from flying debris, particularly during a tire blowout includes a mounting apparatus configured to secure a protective shield, which may be a protective plate and/or fender, to an axle of a vehicle. In embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted to the axel via a mounting apparatus, and the fender may further be mounted to the mounting apparatus and/or protective plate. In some embodiments, the protective plate may be mounted directly to the axel, and the fender may further be mounted to the protective plate, whereby the plate may serve as the mounting apparatus.

Vehicle tie down assemblies may be provided for securing cargo and/or accessories at vehicle front ends. The tie down assemblies may be mounted to a vehicle fender without obstructing the opening and closing of the vehicle hood. Exemplary vehicle tie down assemblies may embody a multi-piece design that establishes a pass-through for receiving various tie downs. The tie down assemblies may additionally include one or more bolt assemblies for mounting accessories.

Vehicle tie down assemblies may be provided for securing cargo and/or accessories at vehicle front ends. The tie down assemblies may be mounted to a vehicle fender without obstructing the opening and closing of the vehicle hood. Exemplary vehicle tie down assemblies may embody a multi-piece design that establishes a pass-through for receiving various tie downs. The tie down assemblies may additionally include one or more bolt assemblies for mounting accessories.

A mud flap mounting assembly and system is disclosed. A vehicle body and mud flap are provided as part of the overall system. Advantageously, a toollessly-operated mud flap clamp assembly is provided. The mud flap clamp assembly includes a plurality of mud flap clamp units installed on the vehicle body. Each of the plurality of mud flap clamp units includes a flap clamp bracket, a flap pressure plate, and a flap clamp. Each flap clamp bracket selectively engages a first side of the mud flap, and each flap pressure plate selectively engages a second side of the mud flap. Each flap clamp is operable to a first position such that a clamping force is applied to each respective flap pressure plate and such that the mud flap is frictionally engaged with and retained by each respective flap clamp bracket and each respective flap pressure bracket.

A mud flap mounting assembly and system is disclosed. A vehicle body and mud flap are provided as part of the overall system. Advantageously, a toollessly-operated mud flap clamp assembly is provided. The mud flap clamp assembly includes a plurality of mud flap clamp units installed on the vehicle body. Each of the plurality of mud flap clamp units includes a flap clamp bracket, a flap pressure plate, and a flap clamp. Each flap clamp bracket selectively engages a first side of the mud flap, and each flap pressure plate selectively engages a second side of the mud flap. Each flap clamp is operable to a first position such that a clamping force is applied to each respective flap pressure plate and such that the mud flap is frictionally engaged with and retained by each respective flap clamp bracket and each respective flap pressure bracket.

A mudflap-integrated aerodynamic member for improving aerodynamic characteristics of a motor vehicle is described. The motor vehicle includes a vehicle body, a front wheelhouse, and a frame. The mudflap-integrated aerodynamic member includes a mudflap portion configured to attach to the front wheelhouse and cover at least a portion of the front wheelhouse and an elongated air strake attached to and projecting from the mudflap portion. The elongated air strake includes an elongated strake body extending longitudinally with respect to the vehicle body from an outboard edge contiguous with the mudflap portion to an inboard edge adjacent to the vehicle body.

A mudflap-integrated aerodynamic member for improving aerodynamic characteristics of a motor vehicle is described. The motor vehicle includes a vehicle body, a front wheelhouse, and a frame. The mudflap-integrated aerodynamic member includes a mudflap portion configured to attach to the front wheelhouse and cover at least a portion of the front wheelhouse and an elongated air strake attached to and projecting from the mudflap portion. The elongated air strake includes an elongated strake body extending longitudinally with respect to the vehicle body from an outboard edge contiguous with the mudflap portion to an inboard edge adjacent to the vehicle body.

A vehicle includes a fender, a storage compartment, and a first retaining wall. The fender has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a through hole connecting the inner surface and the outer surface. The storage compartment has a bottom plate. The bottom plate of the storage compartment is located at a side of the outer surface of the fender and at least covers the through hole. The fender is located below the storage compartment in a top-bottom direction of the vehicle. The first retaining wall is disposed on the outer surface of the fender and surrounds at least a portion of the through. A portion of the first retaining wall is closer to a front of the vehicle than the through hole in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.

A vehicle includes a fender, a storage compartment, and a first retaining wall. The fender has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a through hole connecting the inner surface and the outer surface. The storage compartment has a bottom plate. The bottom plate of the storage compartment is located at a side of the outer surface of the fender and at least covers the through hole. The fender is located below the storage compartment in a top-bottom direction of the vehicle. The first retaining wall is disposed on the outer surface of the fender and surrounds at least a portion of the through. A portion of the first retaining wall is closer to a front of the vehicle than the through hole in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.

A first loop-shaped structure section is provided on a forward side of and closely to a damper support section so as to have a loop shape in a vehicle elevational view. A second loop-shaped structure section is provided around a rear-gate opening portion so as to have a loop shape in the vehicle elevational view. A third loop-shaped structure section is provided to extend continuously along a lower side wall part interconnecting lower wall parts of the first and second loop-shaped structure sections, a side wall part of the first loop-shaped structure section, an upper side wall part interconnecting upper end portions of upper wall parts of the first and second loop-shaped structure sections, and a side wall part of the second loop-shaped structure section so as to have a loop shape in a vehicle side view.