Dirty vs. Clean: Show Us Your Ranger After a Weekend Adventure!

[TreadAuto]

The weekend is finally here!

Whether you're planning a trail run, a camping trip, or an off-grid escape, we all know how it goes. And the trail always follows you inside. The floorboards. The back seat. The cargo area. Covered in mud, wet gear, and dirt—proof that you actually went off the grid.

So, we have a question for you as you head out: When you roll back into the driveway on Sunday night, what’s your move?

Do you tackle the cleanup the second you get home, or do you let the mud sit for a bit?

Drop your weekend plans below (and let us know your post-trip cleaning routine)!

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[Lion77]

From Memorial Day weekend this year, driving on gravel roads in the countryside in MI at the in-laws, then it rained, then it dried out and baked on like cement...fun times getting it off, but hey, I bought it for off-roading.

Plus I know if I ever get bored with Shelter Green I can always paint it gravel tan! But to answer the question of, do I leave it or clean it right away, I usually un-pack everything first, then take it to the car wash.

If I let it sit, my son will draw pictures on the side of the truck and scratch the paint up big time, so I clean it to avoid having permanent 6-year-old artistic renderings embedded in my paint.

Order:

1. Unpack and get the wife and kid back in the house.
2. Wash the truck exterior.
3. Clean up the mess inside which usually isn't too horrible unless we are out walking around in muddy terrain (this past memorial, the grass was well grown on grandpa's river front property, so not too muddy).

 

[scuba mike]

Before.

 

[superj]

My truck is always dirty from highway travels

 

[TreadAuto]

From Memorial Day weekend this year, driving on gravel roads in the countryside in MI at the in-laws, then it rained, then it dried out and baked on like cement...fun times getting it off, but hey, I bought it for off-roading.

Plus I know if I ever get bored with Shelter Green I can always paint it gravel tan! But to answer the question of, do I leave it or clean it right away, I usually un-pack everything first, then take it to the car wash.

If I let it sit, my son will draw pictures on the side of the truck and scratch the paint up big time, so I clean it to avoid having permanent 6-year-old artistic renderings embedded in my paint.

Order:

1. Unpack and get the wife and kid back in the house.
2. Wash the truck exterior.
3. Clean up the mess inside which usually isn't too horrible unless we are out walking around in muddy terrain (this past memorial, the grass was well grown on grandpa's river front property, so not too muddy).

Awesome story! That dried mud definitely sounds like a chore to clean off. Smart move getting it washed quickly to avoid your little artist’s permanent truck artwork haha. Thanks for sharing!

 

[skytrucker]

drove home In the rain and it’s basically clean outside now…and it’s been really dry, so there’s little to stick to the truck….
BUUUUT….how’s everyone dealing with trail dust/dog mud in the interior? if I was in my own garage I’d likely go at it with some compressed air and a super soft cloth…but how bout on the road or in camp etc….dyou just leave it till home? (I’m on a 2 month, 4000 mile summer “trip” we’re really living away for the summer)

 

[cb4017]

Getting ready to head home the next morning after a day of desert exploring and off roading. It's obvious why I bought this color.

 

[G L Rockwell]

As long as the interior is spotless I'm content with a dirty exterior. The full frontal PPF prevents the bug from eating the paint so, no worries.

 

[JJT]

Waiting in line for a well-deserved wash after an awesome day on the trails.

 

[Brito]

If she isn’t clean, the trip isn’t over. It would be like Mr. Rogers not changing into his comfy shoes and sweater. It’s just wrong. Next up- Palo Duro Canyon.

 

[RaptrJr]

Usually stays pretty dirty

 

[superj]

If she isn’t clean, the trip isn’t over. It would be like Mr. Rogers not changing into his comfy shoes and sweater. It’s just wrong. Next up- Palo Duro Canyon.

I want to hit Palo duro sometime. It sounds awesome

 

[TreadAuto]

If she isn’t clean, the trip isn’t over. It would be like Mr. Rogers not changing into his comfy shoes and sweater. It’s just wrong. Next up- Palo Duro Canyon.

Great shots! That Ranger looks awesome out on the trail. Love the scenery too!

 

[Lion77]

If she isn’t clean, the trip isn’t over. It would be like Mr. Rogers not changing into his comfy shoes and sweater. It’s just wrong. Next up- Palo Duro Canyon.

Where did you get the Red outlined Raptor decal? I de-badged mine as I did not care for the overly thick "bubble" style Raptor from the factory and the white outline didn't match anything else on the truck, but I've been wanting to find a better looking graphic to replace it.

What I really want to do is fine one with Code Orange outline and gun metal grey fill in to match the Method Titanium Grey wheels. Trying to tie together the color scheme of my particular truck with decals, but still looking.

Shelter Green truck with Titanium Grey wheels (Method 705's), they are similar in color to the fenders / bumpers, but a little bit lighter grey. I figure the Code Orange outline with a grey fill in would match up well. Then I planned to do the Code Orange fill-in for the Raptor badge on the back and get a small code orange raptor badge for the grille.

 

[Brito]

I want to hit Palo duro sometime. It sounds awesome

I’ll do a post about the trip when we get back. We’re not going until October so we don’t spontaneously combust.

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