Although one of the main things that you might love about driving a pickup truck is the fact that you can take it mudding, you do still have to worry about damaging the undercarriage of your vehicle. Even though trucks are typically lifted higher off of the ground than cars and are overall better able to handle the mud, it's still a good idea to follow a few tips to prevent damage to your beloved pickup truck.

Add an Undercarriage Coating

Having the undercarriage of your vehicle coated will help protect it from rust, which can be caused by the moisture and mud that the bottom of your vehicle comes in contact with when you are off-roading. You should be able to have this done at the dealership or at a shop that specializes in body repair and accessories, such as ValuGard. Let them know what you will be using your truck for so that they apply the right type of coating. Also, make sure that you follow the proper care instructions after having it put on, such as staying out of the mud for a few days to allow it to completely dry. Otherwise, it might not work properly at protecting the undercarriage of your truck.

Ensure It's Properly Lifted

Although the bottom of your truck is obviously going to come in contact with mud when you're off-roading regardless, lifting your truck can help. Consider having a suspension lift done on your vehicle -- just make sure that you have it done by a professional, since doing it yourself can cause permanent damage if you don't know what you are doing. It's also a good idea to keep a set of off-road tires on your truck.

Clean it Regularly

Driving your truck around when it's covered in mud might seem like a medal of honor when you're around others who like to go off-roading, but leaving the mud on the bottom of your truck -- and elsewhere on your vehicle -- can cause rust and other damage. After a dirty day in the mud, it's a good idea to spray your truck off -- including the undercarriage -- to get rid of any mud and residue that might cause rust or that might otherwise damage your vehicle. For caked-on mud, you may want to take your vehicle to a do-it-yourself car wash bay so that you can use the power washer for a better clean.

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