Driving down the interstate you take the first exit leading to your favorite camping spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From that point on it is a thirty minute drive on winding, hilly roads before a final quick egress to a quarter mile long dirt path. With ease your SUV takes each hill and holds every curve with little strain on your engine or transmission. Before long you approach your final turn, slow down, and shift your SUV into four wheel drive.You delicately slip the front tires off of the pavement followed by the truck's rear end and begin the nastiest, but most exhilarating journey of all: the washboard jaunt from roadway to camping spot.

Over potholes and thick brush you finish the final leg of the trip and within minutes you pull into your private site overlooking the serene, broad valley below.Driving an SUV gives you a chance to explore far flung areas that no other vehicle can possibly take you to, except for a four wheel drive truck. Your vehicle has been made for off road adventuring and only with the most difficult surface will it be able to prove its worth.Perhaps the only drawback with driving off road is the profuse amount of dirt, debris, and brush you must encounter.

Yes, you'll climb over and through all of the muck, branches, and logs that are in your way, but your SUV will certainly look as if it has been through a war zone.This isn't a problem if you can wash everything off, but if you are going to be gone awhile, then all of that dirt can take its toll on your vehicle's finish.Fortunately, there are some worthy solutions out there to help you minimize harm to your vehicle's finish. Short of wearing a car cover for the entire trip ? certainly not recommended ? you can install some nifty aftermarket parts to help you limit dirt and avoid most scratches.

For example, mud doesn't have to have its way with your vehicle and it can be easily limited with a set of Power Flow mud flaps in place. Power Flow mud flaps are made of a sturdy composite material to resist harmful UV rays and the chalking that commonly occurs after long term use.Power Flow mud flaps are available in a universal size or custom sized for your particular model. Either way, mud flaps will protect your vehicle's body and keep you from climbing in and out of a mud streaked cab. Add in a set of Kleen Wheels brake dust shields to keep your tires and wheels looking good around town too!.Brush guards can come in handy as well, especially if you must travel through thick underbrush on the way to your off road destination.

Why risk scratches or damage to lights? Install a brush guard on the front of your SUV or truck to protect the entire front end.If you are accustomed to putting your SUV or truck through rigorous paces, then only a set of high quality brakes makes sense. Powerstop brakes are an industry leader in cross-drilled rotors which help to improve brake ventilation. The end result is dramatically lowered rotor temperatures to help prevent warping. Use them in conjunction with your favorite brake pads to achieve maximum braking capacity.

Your SUV or truck is too valuable to take off road without making important preparation first. Install mud flaps, brake dust shields, a brush guard, and update your brakes to give your vehicle the maximum protection that it needs and deserves.

By: Matthew Keegan