Minimizer poly fenders are specifically designed to withstand harsh elements and direct ice and snow away from open areas of the trucks and trailers.

“Minimizer fenders come down farther over the wheel, and are therefore able to deflect the ice and snow much more efficiently,” said Steve Hansen, sales manager for Minimizer. “The fenders are also made from a material unique to the poly fender market that resists breakage and directs snow and ice away from the rig. And they’re lightweight, which is a big plus.”

“Ice adds weight, and we’re very weight conscious,” said Wayne Meerdink of Orange City, Iowa, owner of Meerdink Inc., a fleet of 14 rigs that haul grain and feed ingredients year-round. “For every pound we’re able to take off the weight, we save a dollar a month per truck. Overall weight is the number one reason we went with poly fenders. They weigh about 8 lbs., and the stainless steel fenders weigh closer to 50.” Meerdink also said, “The steel fenders couldn’t withstand the ice and mud from gravel roads.”

Roger Krosschell pulls a grain hopper with poly fenders near Chandler, Minn., and agreed the added weight from ice buildup simply isn’t cost effective. “Before I put on poly fenders, the ice buildup under the trailer added about 1,000 lbs. to my load,” he said. “It just didn’t make sense to haul around an extra 1,000 lbs. I don’t get paid for that. Now, with poly fenders on both the truck and trailer, the ice buildup is less than 100 lbs., and that saves me money.”

Poly fenders also help prevent rusty axles, wheel-wells and trailers, another problem that plagues truckers in the winter. Mud, rock chips and ice get up under the trailer and can sit there all winter, rusting out the trailer. Poly fenders prevent that buildup from happening, the company said.

Spray Control Systems Inc., which manufactures truck fenders, toolboxes, customized mud flaps, and bracket kits for trucks, can be reached at 800.248.3855 or at http://www.minimizer.com/.