Emma Radebaugh Do you want to take your SUV or truck off-roading and get some mud on it? There are few things as fun as mudding in 4×4 on a wet day. To make sure you make the most out of mudding, check out these useful tips for preparing your car for mudding!
The Tires
Tires will have the most significant impact on the success of your trip. You need to have quality off-road tires. If you have street treads, you won’t be able to find grips in the rougher areas. Some drivers have even decreased their tire pressure to increase the surface area that the tire touches with each rotation. This toes a fine line, so be very cognizant of your exact tire pressure when messing it.
Car Lift
You don’t need to get your car lifted like a monster truck. You don’t even need to lift it at all if you don’t want to. However, you must understand how much clearance you have beneath your car. Also, be aware of how high the exhaust and spark plugs are off the ground because if they get flooded, you will stall out.
Lifting your car will help address these problems, but investing in a skid plate to shield the car’s belly or raising your exhaust to tackle high water levels are also solid options.
Optional Upgrades
As recently mentioned, a skid plate or an exhaust with high clearance are great optional upgrades for mudding. However, those upgrades barely scrape the surface of endless possibilities. People commonly install light bars to help with visibility in the brush. In addition, installing rubber floor mats in place of carpet mats will make the clean-up process much more manageable.
One of the most valuable upgrades is the installation of a winch. A winch will be a crucial tool in getting out of any sticky situations. If you get stuck in the mud, you can tie to any nearby tree or bolder to pull yourself free.
Spare Parts
Part of mudding is being out in remote locations. Therefore, you need some basic car repair gear on you. You’ll need a spare tire with the tools to change one, including a tire jack, nut key, and wrench. You’ll also want to bring jumper cables with a battery to run it off. After that, don’t forget gas, oil, and anything else you think will help with common repairs for your car.
Survival Bag and First-Aid Kit
Again, you and your passengers will most likely be isolated. So, bring a survival bag with a few days’ worth of rations and a tent in case the car breaks down and you are stuck out there. You’ll also need a first-aid kit for any medical emergencies.
With these useful tips for preparing your car for mudding at your disposal, you are one step closer to getting off the road and shredding up the trails.
