ATV Fun in the Mud

Answer 1

Planning on getting down and dirty with an ATV? These tips should help in any muddy situation and make it a lot more enjoyable. Owners of ATVs are going to come into contact with a mud hole at some point. It’s an unavoidable and, actually, an often sought after experience. Knowing how to handle it will get a 4-wheeler to the other side and put a smile on the rider’s face.

Do a little before mud prep work. Don’t head out with worn-out tires. Tread gives tires traction, and mud demands it. Spray ATV surfaces with some type of lubricant to help with clean up afterward. WD-40 works extremely well. Skip the seat for obvious reasons. Spraying with WD-40 helps keep mud from sticking and makes clean up so much easier.

Here’s the trick to crossing that mud hole. Once the ATV has started to go through it, don’t stop! Keep a steady speed and let the momentum carry the ATV through. Stay loose and be ready for the ATV to move around. Don’t go to fast or a loss of control could happen. Going to slow could bog the vehicle down. The key to not getting stuck is to not stop. If the worst happens and the ATV stops moving, try rocking by shifting body weight and turning the handlebar until the wheels grab. While rocking, slowly give it some gas, but not too much, until traction is found. Giving too much gas will just spin the tires and dig the ATV in deeper. Another good idea is to try keeping one wheel on solid ground if at all possible.

Going mudding with a friend is always a good idea. If one ATV gets stuck, another ATV is there to pull it out. Also, keep in mind that letting the smaller ATV go first is best. It’s easier for a larger ATV to pull a smaller one out. Definitely don’t forget the tow rope.

Finally, never put the ATV up dirty. Wash it and grease the bearings. Do that, and it will always be good to go for the next mud party.