One of the absolute best things you can do with an ATV is take it out to an off-roading area to go mudding. While it’s not for everyone, thrill-seeking enthusiasts love powering through mud and splashing through puddles on a winding trail that’s bound to get their ATVs nice and filthy by the end.

Before you take your ATV out and cover it in grime, though, it pays to do some prep work to make sure that you and your ATV are ready for the messy ride to come. You can’t just take your ATV out and start mudding without ensuring that you and your vehicle have what’s needed to prevent injury or damage. Fortunately, that’s why we’re here.

Cool Springs Powersports in Franklin is your Tennessee ATV dealer. Here are some of our top tips for preparing to go on a mudding adventure.

Get The Right Gear

Having the right safety gear is crucial for any ATV ride, but it’s especially important on such slippery terrain. Wear a well-fitting helmet that protects your head in the event of a crash or impact event; the helmet should have a high crash-test rating and be suitable for extreme sports riding. If the helmet lacks a full face mask to shield your face from mud, debris, sand and bugs, then invest in a pair of snug goggles that can keep your eyes clear so you can see the road ahead.

Wear durable clothing that you don’t mind getting muddy to the off-roading area. Your clothes should cover all of your body, so long sleeves and pants are essential. A sturdy pair of riding gloves with good grip and a pair of ankle boots with good tread can complete your ensemble.

Install a Snorkel Kit

When you go mudding, your ATV is at risk of taking on moisture through the exhaust pipe or another small opening. It’s very easy to halfway submerge your ATV in water while mudding and you don’t want to end up ruining the engine. Snorkel kits are designed to protect the engine and exhaust by providing extended air intakes and CVT inlets along with outlet exhausts that will keep the necessary parts of your engine dry while you’re coasting through puddles.

Put on Mud Tires

The standard tires that come on your ATV are great for everyday off-road riding, but they may not have the traction necessary to get a grip on wet terrain. Mud tires are specifically designed to be larger and offer you more surface area so you’re less likely to sink down into the mud quickly. The lugs are spaced far apart to help with this, too. These tires can also be used on the drier sections of trail as well because they provide a good balance of riding features for both mud and dirt paths.

Buy a Mudguard Kit

You’ll probably also want to invest in a mudguard kit for your ATV, especially if you plan to ride with a group (and you should never ride your ATV alone anyway). These kits contain plastic fender extensions that serve as mud flaps to prevent the mud and spray you kick up from hitting people behind you as well as protecting your machine a little better.

We hope these tips help you to enjoy all your mudding adventures this fall. Seeking ATVs for sale near Nashville, TN? Browse our website to take a look at our vast selection of new and used ATVs for sale at our dealership in Franklin, TN. Cool Springs Powersports proudly serves the greater Nashville metro as well as the cities of Franklin, Clarksville, and Spring Hill, TN!