4runner slide door protection against harsh vegetation

[calimero]

Last time I went off road in Utah (with a rental vehicle :naughty, We had issues trying to avoid vegetation scratches on the side of the vehicle.
Does anybody have a solution (thick plastic film) to protect the sides from harsh/scratching vegetation that we can find in those dry areas.
Thanks
Eric

 

[trey99ek]

Clear film.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

 

[nb rob]

I keep a set of fiskars hand pruners in my driver door. When the trail gets a little too nasty, I get out and trim stuff that's sticking in to the trail. Everyone gets to have a break, and make fun of me while I do it.

I call them my favorite piece of offroad gear.

I should mention though, I've got a LOT of pinstripes. One man's harsh vegetation is another man's carwash

 

[cjdewese]

I keep a set of fiskars hand pruners in my driver door. When the trail gets a little too nasty, I get out and trim stuff that's sticking in to the trail. Everyone gets to have a break, and make fun of me while I do it.

I call them my favorite piece of offroad gear.

I should mention though, I've got a LOT of pinstripes. One man's harsh vegetation is another man's carwash

^This, pinstripes are bound to happen if you go off road and part of the experience, but if it gets too bad, out come the sheers.

 

[vtecturtle]

free pin striping! part of the game. Unless its a full blown branch i dont bother

 

[dweh54]

See if someone can cut some thin magnetic pieces that fit the doors and fenders.

Rugged ridge makes something like that for jeeps.

Pros...cut down on trail pinstriping.

Cons...need to clean the body panels really well so you don't get micro scratches due to trapped dirt.

 

[calimero]

First: thanks for all of your feedbacks
I looked into clear film option. One can find easily scotch guard films for the front but not the side doors (I may not have been looking long enough).

The Fiscars option is one of the option envisioned.... or the machete.

The magnetic panels is also a good option as long as one cleans up the paint before applying as mentioned.

I understand that scratches may be part of the off-road driving experience but if I can reduce it as much as possible, that would be better.

 

[e60ral]

the film you get done at a place that wraps vehicles, it's not off the shelf patterns they will wrap and cut. look for companies that do vehicle vinyl wrap and places that do tinting.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Trail clearing tools

In addition to a pair of cut-off lobbers, or long handle clippers, carry a small hand-held tree saw. Look for a saw with a 12" or 14" serrated blade and a single handle. I always carry work gloves in the truck too.

I cleared a road in the desert that had smoke tree branches hanging over the road. It took me about 15 minutes to cut back and clear two sticker ridden trees but then I could drive right through. I threw the branches under the tree where over time it will turn into mulch for the tree.

I've done hiking trail maintenance on a local trail where fire burned everything in 2009. Some of the work is building rain diversions for erosion control and the rest is cutting back new growth from the trail. It was amazing to me how much erosion occurred after the fire scorched all the ground cover and brush away. I carry and use the tools I listed above.

 

[Judd94]

Go get your 4R ceramic coated and never worry ever again

 

[e60ral]

if i could only carry one tool to clear brush it would be a bush axe. keep it sharp and it can do anything from mowing tall grass to chopping trees. i don't care enough about pinstriping to carry mine, but it was a life saver when i surveyed.