Rust is common in Dodge trucks because of its exterior manufacturing material. However, the deep penetration of corrosion can ultimately damage the metal parts.
Why Do Dodge Trucks Rust So Bad? Dodge trucks rust so bad because of metal straps, absence of rust protection layer, lack of fluid film, poor quality of paint, use of low-quality steel, and aging. The corrosion is due to poor maintenance, parking in humid areas, use of low-quality metal in the undercarriage, frequent trips to coastal areas, and exposure to road salts.
The corrosion problem on pickups increases due to mileage and the climate conditions of your living place.
Metal straps
Many people complain that their trucks become rusty and look bad. The main reason for corrosion is the presence of metal straps.
These straps are used as an anchor to attach different things. These are also beneficial for securing the fuel tanks accurately.
The metal material of this strap becomes corroded when it comes to exposure to humidity.
In addition, the leakage of fuel from the tanks due to different reasons also causes the problem.
The issue most commonly comes in the 2009 to 2012 model of these vehicles. The metal straps also cause problems due to exposure to salty conditions.
You can fix this problem by spraying the rustproof liquid on these straps to reduce the damage.
Absence of rust protection layer
People face this issue after a few years of buying new pickups. The main reason for rust in new trucks is the absence of a rust protection layer.
May companies rustproof their new vehicles to decrease the damage to the metal exterior.
Instead, the manufacturing companies use undercoating in the latest models, which are wax-based liquid.
It is helpful to create a barrier between its surface and moisture. The application of these coatings decreases the risk of cracks and maintains the smoothness and shine of the exterior.
The Dodge trucks are not pre-applied with an undercoating layer to make them protective. You can resolve this issue by using undercoating on your vehicle.
You can purchase different types of undercoating sprays from the market to do this process.
Poor quality of paint
Most of my friends who use this truck complain that the paint layer blistering occurs after some years.
The paint blistering is a severe problem because it can affect the overall appearance of your vehicle. The scraping off shows that the company uses low-quality paints to coat the exterior layer.
The paint starts to blister due to exposure to heat from the sun and the hot environment.
The cracks also come in the paint, which can cause metal exposure to the outside environment.
The bubbles start to form on these shiny and low-quality paints. In addition, the metal layer becomes rusty when it comes in contact with water and oxides.
The corrosion is a fast process, and it starts to spread on the whole surface in a few days and eat away all the metal.
You can only resolve this issue by painting your vehicle with high-quality paint that is not affected by heat and water.
It is better to use vinyl paint because it is durable and long-lasting.
Use of low-quality steel
The automobile company uses steel to manufacture the exterior structure of their pickups.
The steel is hard and provides a furnished appearance but contains a high sulfur level. The presence of sulfur compounds makes these vehicles more prone to get rusty.
After several complaints, the company also started to use the zinc coating to reduce the effect of sulfur compounds.
In addition, most of their vehicles are made of low-quality steel materials that can cause paint to peel off.
The corrosion is also common due to reused steel in manufacturing exterior frames.
The company can only fix this issue by preferably using galvanized steel or high-quality aluminum for manufacturing different parts.
Poor maintenance
People commonly care for and maintain their cars more than pickups.
These are used for towing and need regular maintenance for their longevity.
In addition, people also use them to drive on rough roads and under extreme environmental conditions. Scratching is common in these vehicles while driving on busy roads.
You should cover this scratch with paint as soon as possible to decrease the chance of corrosion. Moreover, it is also necessary to wash them after long road trips.
You should also examine their exterior and interior surface.
For example, remove the floor mats once a month to remove dust and decrease the chances of rust on the interior side.
Contact with road salts
The Dodge trucks are at higher risk of corrosion because people use them for towing purposes and travel in challenging areas.
Many people in America live in areas where the roads are covered with snow during winter.
It is challenging to drive on these surfaces because of slipperiness issues and bad traction of tires.
These roads are applied with rad salts to melt the ice and make it clear for driving purposes.
When this road salt comes in contact with the metal surface, it can erode the lower surface of the truck.
You should wash your vehicles with pressure water after driving through these areas.
It is also better to apply undercoating once a year to decrease its chances.
Low quality of metal in the undercarriage
The company also uses the low quality of metal underneath the surface of these pickups.
As a result, the undercarriage of vehicles is at more risk of becoming rusty because of their more contact with the road.
In addition, the undercarriage is not painted, which can increase their exposure to moisture or road salts.
The companies do not paint this surface to save their money and overall cost, which is damaging.
You can fix this issue by using rubberized undercoating on the lower side to protect the chassis structure and increase its durability.
Frequent trips to coastal areas
Many people use their pickups for road trips to coastal or beachy areas. These areas have a more salty environment which can badly affect the low-quality steel or metal material.
Most automobile manufacturing companies use lightweight steel material to decrease the overall weight and increase fuel economy.
This steel is not good because it becomes corroded early compared to aluminum or high-quality steel material.
You should apply oil-based undercoating to your vehicle before going on long trips. Also, avoid parking it near the beech to protect them from moisture and salt.
No use of fluid films
The fluid film is the corrosion protective spray applied on different latest models of trucks to make them rust-resistant.
It is most commonly applied on metal locks, doors, and hinges of vehicles to decrease the chances of rust.
It is also suitable for undercarriages and rear bumpers to decrease salt water and salt air exposure.
You have to apply this layer after every 34 to 36 months.
Parking in humid areas
People often do not choose a safe area for parking their trucks on the road. The unsafe parking under the trees causes humidity on your vehicle’s surface.
In addition, people also stay on the roads during the rainy season to enjoy the weather. The long-term exposure to rainwater makes the metal rusty.
Furthermore, people do not have covered shades in their homes for safe parking, which is problematic.
It is also necessary to wash and completely dry your pickups before parking them for a long time. It is also good to use covers for protection from dust and water.
Driving on muddy roads
Brine is the liquid material most commonly used on roads during the winter season.
Therefore, the roads are treated with this liquid material before the arrival of the winter season.
Applying this liquid is essential to reduce the bonding of ice on the road surface.
As a result, the underneath of your pickup becomes rusty when this road brine comes into contact.
In addition, driving on muddy roads also causes splashes to come on the lower surface.
Sometimes people do not pay attention to cleaning the undercarriage and removing the dust.
The long-term exposure to mud can make this surface corroded and produce cracks in the chassis structure.
Aging
Many people complain that these pickups rust when they become old.
However, long-term driving in humid areas can decrease the strength of metal materials and make them more corroded.
In addition, the dents and scratches on the old vehicles also cause this issue.
The fluid film and rust-proof layer also get damaged when trucks become old.
Moreover, the issue also occurs due to scrapping off the paint layer.
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