thanks for posting. read up on 4wheel drive sites about "rock rings" . These are similar in design. some love em.... some hate em. IMHO think its your typical topography that dictates that as well as who is trailer queens and who drive home. Lot of water/mud and they cake up with mud.... hence why some are like this set.... and sides are open.....but still happens. Others it is rocks get jammed in them... other complaints are thick twigs... while they get in less often.....the one's that do, make more damage as they roll into the grove. Driving home issue is likely from wheels being off balance from stuff jammed into the ring.
sooooo??? guess it is personal preference. Id like some..... maybe add a way to bolt on an old tire sidewall to it........ mining trucks do similar..... the extra side wall protects real sidewalls from rock cuts. Id worry about over heating real sidewalls though on hwy.. so make them removable??
below is examples. they are usually plastic... my idea was to just make it out of old tire(s)