I am 20 years old and new to this. My dad who grew up in chicago used to go all the time. My question is: is it true that mud and sand can cause damage to your truck including your paint and different joints and things like that?
Brandon

 

I'm not sure what you're asking exactly. Mud and sand itself won't cause any harm to your vehicle.

However, leaving mud/sand on your vehicle can trap water and accelerate rust, which might cause problems down the road. Rocks and sand could also potentially damage seals, shock boots, etc if it gets in there and wears on moving parts. Your best bet is to just clean your truck regularly after offroading and avoid leaving a bunch of debris on it for a long period of time.

 

Clean your truck and don't worry about it

 

Offroading will wear out your truck quicker. Mud and sand will wear down seals and trap moister causing rust. Even if you clean your truck, there is a lot of places that are hard to reach or that you will miss. It is a lot of fun, but it will wear out a vehicle faster.

 

This is correct. If you play in the mud prepare to pay the price no matter how good you clean it. after hitting a very large mud hole and getting stuck over the axles and having your diffs and bearings sit in it no cleaning will help after driving it home. I've been mudding for years. You will always have premature wear no matter how good you clean it.

 

Buy a quad/4 wheeler. Lots more fun and cheaper to repair.

 

Can't agree more on this.

 

Take your truck out onto the closest two-tracks you cand find, slam through the mud holes while laughing your head off with your buddies, break something then limp it back home. Spend a few hours and dollars fixing your truck then repeat all of the above the next weekend. 20 years down the road, the money you wasted doing it will be forgotten but the memories will always bring a smile!!!!

 

He's right. Every trip out in the woods is like running another 1000 miles worth of wear on the suspension. Sand is gonna be gritty, etc, but its all in good fun. Think of all the joy that the woods bring.

Look at it this way, are you gonna keep it for 5 years, or 20 years?

 

It's not very fun getting stranded with a failed wheel bearing, Trust me. and it could be all prevented by not mudding in your DD