Narrow road, body and paint damage during Elk hunt

[Oakman]

Hello everone,

We’ve got an upcoming elk hunt that starts with a long, one way, brush lined dirt road. I’ve taken this route twice already and paid for it, an expensive paint and body scratches confirmed. The road ends in a turn around and open area (where we’ll set up our basecamp), then it’s a couple of miles hike into our hunting zone. Totally worth it for the remoteness, but I want to better protect the truck on this run.

Any advice on guarding against pin stripes, branch scuffs, chips, or scratches? What gear or routines have worked for you?
Thanks in advance

 

[D_wit22]

Rental truck with insurance

 

[LCguy]

Wear 'em! We call them New Mexico Pinstripes and they are a point of pride around here.

 

[bozeman]

If you know 'where' the scratches are from previous hunts, what about a 'wrap' or magnetic sleeve/logo for those key areas on your vehicle?

 

[Plainsman79]

Is renting or borrowing a SxS or ATV and then using the haul trailer to get all your stuff in/out an option?

Might be cheaper in the long run rather than fixing body damage to your truck.

 

[Oakman]

Is renting or borrowing a SxS or ATV and then using the haul trailer to get all your stuff in/out an option?

Might be cheaper in the long run rather than fixing body damage to your truck.

Good idea.
We have camping gear and supplies for few days, renting side by side for day in then a day out will be cheaper, definitely, I'll look into that.

 

[Oakman]

If you know 'where' the scratches are from previous hunts, what about a 'wrap' or magnetic sleeve/logo for those key areas on your vehicle?

Never heard of this one, how dose the magnetic work?

 

[180ls1]

Some companies make magnetized "armor" now specifically for this.

You could also wrap your truck, or part of it. Maybe just order some and DIY it after watching youtube vids.

 

[Maxhunter]

Why don’t you trim the brush back with snippers or a chainsaw or is it too time consuming?

 

[Poser]

Use some painters tape and tape cardboard panels on the side of your truck?

My personal strategy is to drive old vehicle and not care.

 

[Oakman]

Why don’t you trim the brush back with snippers or a chainsaw or is it too time consuming?

I am sure the 3 miles road need more than couple of guys and a tool
bless your heart

 

[cnelk]

Ponderosa Pinstriping

Unique to each vehicle

 

[Jason Snyder]

Option 1: buy a buffer and get good with it
Option 2: don’t care
Option 3: get a SxS
Option 4: walk

 

[rideold]

I got nothin' for you. I drive a 20+ year old truck with a warm patina of hunting "wear" on it.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Ever since I started taking off my Texas plates after I park, my truck has a lot fewer scratches on it when I return.

 

[shootnrun]

Dont worry about the scratches. Walk. ATV. Stock. Helicopter. Hunt somewhere else.
Best ideas I can come up with. I have a nice truck. But its also a tool. What's the point of having a 4wd truck if it isn't allowed to leave pavement?........

 

[wytx]

Why don’t you trim the brush back with snippers or a chainsaw or is it too time consuming?

FS gets kind of snippy when you start cutting down live trees, it can be expensive too.
ATV or just go for it. Wrap might help though.

 

[Maxhunter]

FS gets kind of snippy when you start cutting down live trees, it can be expensive too.
ATV or just go for it. Wrap might help though.

I usually just trim the deadfall’s on the road.

 

[Norcal18]

https://a.co/d/9LQH7Fp

 

[flyfisher117]

Those magnetic pads are cool and work decently. But dust does get under them and that will wear on your clear coat horrible. They have to be applied to a squeaky clean body panel and if driven a lot it’s best to remove and clean periodically. May not be an issue if you’re only driving in and out one time.

I took our ‘16 Silverado down a similar road one time. That paper thin clear and paint scratched just looking at branches. My ‘06 Toyota you can hardly tell it has traveled that road many many times.