Road salt season: what’s your approach to protecting your truck’s underbody?

[electruck4x4]

Salt can be rough on any vehicle, EV or ICE. Some owners rinse regularly, others apply coatings, and others just trust the factory protection.

What’s been your strategy in past winters? Planning any changes this year?

— Team Electruck

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[Jonger1150]

Isn't the underbelly pretty much encapsulated?

 

[electruck4x4]

Isn't the underbelly pretty much encapsulated?

It’s, covered, but not water tight.

 

[SteveInBend]

It’s, covered, but not water tight.

If the R1T and R1S have an advertised water-fording depth of 42.7 inches doesn't that imply they are water-tight?

 

[Time2Roll]

If the R1T and R1S have an advertised water-fording depth of 42.7 inches doesn't that imply they are water-tight?

That just means the interior is safe from salt.

 

[CrazyOne]

Frequent washes are the most important. When I used to live in Utah, I would go to car wash and spray lots of water under the car. I still have the car and it doesn't have any significant rust.

Every 1-2 weeks would be good.

I heard good things about lanolin films. Rubber undercoat is a big no. It makes things way worse.

In Western WA, there is no road salt to worry about.

 

[GreggVA]

Frequent river crossings!

 

[Acoustic71]

Time to pull out the old rust bucket and put the R1T out of harms way.

 

[Yossarian]

The 20" wheel/tire combo on my R1T was available only as an All Terrain package that included the underbody shield. I'm under no illusions that it's watertight. I just hope that since the shield prevents me from rinsing the undercarriage, something that I would typically do frequently given the overuse of road salt in my part of the world, Rivian gave some thought to anti-corrosion measures during the design and manufacturing processes.

 

[CrazyOne]

The 20" wheel/tire combo on my R1T was available only as an All Terrain package that included the underbody shield. I'm under no illusions that it's watertight. I just hope that since the shield prevents me from rinsing the undercarriage, something that I would typically do frequently given the overuse of road salt in my part of the world, Rivian gave some thought to anti-corrosion measures during the design and manufacturing processes.

Afaik, underbody shield only protects the battery pack.

 

[Rade]

Every week or so, running the truck through the car-wash with a good under-body spray.

 

[Time2Roll]

I worry about the slots I cut for the running boards. The under frame cladding is not water tight but still opens the area for more exposure. Not really a concern unless I travel out of my area.

 

[IGR]

Isn’t it entirely made out of aluminum?, what is there to rust besides breaks, driveshaft? Plus it’s watertight in all right places: interior, electronics, battery… I don’t really see anything anyone can do to improve here…

 

[lefkonj]

It’s, covered, but not water tight.

Sorry but wouldn't the ability to submerge the underbody completely in water make it 'water tight'. That just doesn't make sense to me. If going through a muddy bog doesn't impact it why would salt on a road?

I am sure in certain road conditions you would want to rinse it more often but for me it will get a nice wash soon and the rain and puddles will help as well.

 

[tkauftheil]

Nothing. It’s all aluminum under there. On nice days I’ll wash and place the rain style sprinkler underneath moving it around as I wash. But I do that in the warm seasons too.

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