Mudding with Your UTV

Have you been seeing all your friends mudding pictures and wishing you could join them? Now you can! Start by stopping by Big St. Charles Motorsports in St. Charles, Missouri, and checking out our UTVs for sale so you can find one that’s right for you. Then you’ll want to prepare it for action, thrill, and a whole lot of mud. To help you get started, we’ve provided a guide to preparing for this kind of riding in a way that keeps your side-by-side from sustaining damage. You can also let us know if you have any questions or would like assistance upgrading your ride. We welcome all those from St. Louis and St. Peters.

Seal the Airbox

The biggest concern is keeping the mud out of the internal components that can’t get wet. This involves protecting the airbox, which could mean sealing it. Check all the joints from the engine all the way up to the intake. It’ll need a lid without any holes in it, so check out every possible point of leakage to keep the mud at bay.

There are some other areas where you’ll need to make adjustments to protect the engine, but one of the easiest ways to address all these at once is to invest in a snorkel kit. These come with things like extended CVT inlets, extended air intakes, and outlet exhausts. Investing in a snorkel kit can ensure you cross all your t’s and dot your i’s before heading out.

Relocate the Radiator

You also might need to relocate the radiator. Yours might be located in a place where mud can easily seep in, so it needs to be moved. This way, you can ride as hard as you want and still keep your engine cool.

Even after you move it, there are steps you can take to keep it clean. Tape or body modifications can keep out moisture. Remember that a clogged radiator can cause your engine to overheat and kill an afternoon on the trails.

Look at Your Tires

Some UTV tires are better for mudding than others. They’ll provide you with more traction, even in deep pits. They have a deeper tread and a heavier build to really keep you grounded and prevent you from getting stuck. However, these aren’t always the standard tires, so you might need to upgrade.

Install a Winch

If your UTV 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. When you spool it back in, make sure to apply pressure to the cable.

Grease and Lots of Grease

And just a little more grease. The water and moisture can wash off a thin layer, so don’t be afraid to pile it on. You can use dielectric grease on electrical connections and WD-40 to prevent mud from sticking to the nooks and crannies of your side-by-side. Any part you don’t want mud to stick, apply a little grease and it’ll make cleanup easier.

The best mudding rides are only possible with the right tools and that means taking all the steps you need to prepare your UTV. Granted, this can be a lot of work and you might need a little help. If you’d like help from our experienced technicians, stop by Big St. Charles Motorsports and let us know how we can make mudding easier and more exciting.