How to Prepare Your ATV for Mudding

Mudding is one of the most enjoyable pastimes for many ATV riders. Splashing through the mud puddles and getting yourself and your quad dirtied up makes for a thrilling adventure. However, you’ll want to make sure that you’re properly prepared and that you’ve done what you can to protect your vehicle from being damaged as you ride.

The experts at Altus Motorsports have created this brief guide to mudding with ATVs to help you get ready. If you’re still shopping for the perfect four-wheeler, visit our dealership in Altus, Oklahoma, to explore our wide range of ATVs for sale.

Seal Up Your Airbox

The internal components of your ATV are at risk of being clogged with mud and water if you don’t take the time to protect them. This can result in expensive repair bills, so seal up your airbox before you head out to help prevent this from happening. This will involve inspecting all the joints to make sure that nothing can get in your airbox, which should have a lid on it for more protection. In fact, some riders even choose to invest in special ATV snorkel kits for riding in deeper puddles. These kits have extended air intakes and CVT inlets as well as outlet exhausts to keep the crucial components of your quad dry and intact.

Relocate the Radiator

One component that’s likely to be damaged by mudding due to its placement is the radiator. Usually, you’ll find a radiator mounted above the front rack, but you should relocate it so that it’s further away from muddy water. This will ensure that your engine remains cool and functional as you ride.

You should do whatever you can to keep your radiator clean. A clogged radiator will only make your engine overheat and possibly do permanent damage to your ATV. You could use tape or modify the radiator body to prevent moisture from seeping inside.

Mudding Tires

If you’re going out mudding, then you’ll want to have tires that are designed to handle slippery, thick puddles. The all-terrain tires that come factory-standard on your quad may not be entirely suitable for mudding. They don’t have a good enough grip and you’ll likely get stuck too often to enjoy yourself. That’s why it’s beneficial to have mudding tires that are often bigger and come with paddle-shaped knobs for providing you with better traction even in deep pits.

Safety Gear

Having the right gear is important no matter how you’re riding your ATV, and mudding is no different. You need a helmet that adequately protects your entire head and is crash-test certified. We suggest you get a full-face helmet such as a motorcycling helmet, but you can also wear a motocross helmet with a pair of goggles for eye protection. You’ll be facing a lot of flying mud and debris, so you want to make sure you aren’t temporarily blinded by it as you ride. Make sure you wear gloves, sturdy boots, and durable clothes that cover all parts of your body.

Mudguard Kits

Think of a mudguard kit as a mud-flap for your ATV. These kits are especially helpful if you’re traveling with a group of quad riders. Mudguards are plastic fender extensions that will reduce the amount of spray that’s kicked up behind your quad as you ride. They can even protect your ATV to a certain extent, so it’s a great investment for everyone.

Install a Winch

If your ATV does get bogged down and stuck, you’ll want a winch to get you out. You can attach it to another rider or a nearby tree to pull your vehicle out of a sticky situation. If you don’t have a winch, we highly recommend getting one installed. If you do have a winch, inspect the line for damage before you head out on the trails. You don’t want to find out too late that your winch is of no help to you.

Apply Grease

Your ATV is bound to get dirty and wet when you ride through mud, but you can protect the inner components by lubricating the electrical connections. Dielectric grease is ideal for this purpose as it will help keep away moisture. You should unplug the connection first before applying the grease so you don’t get a shock. This isn’t a very difficult task to do and dielectric grease is reasonably affordable.

You can go a step further and use marine-grade dielectric grease, which is not only water-resistant, but it will also allow your bearings and pivot points to last longer. Another lubricant you’ll want to have on hand is WD-40. Spray the throttle, hand grips, and brake levers to prevent mud from getting into the vehicle and sticking in places that will be very hard to clean out later on.

We hope that this guide will help you to prepare yourself for your next mudding adventure. If you are still in search of the perfect mudding quad, stop by Altus Motorsports to check out our incredible selection of ATVs for sale. We are conveniently located in Altus, OK, and we proudly serve all those in Amarillo, TX.