How to Protect a Monster Truck

Owning a monster truck is a serious commitment and an expensive one, too. The average cost of owning a truck is about $150,000. Monster trucks can't be driven on roads and require hauling. You might think that's pretty expensive for a car you can't even drive outside of an arena, but those that follow the Bigfoot wouldn't change a thing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Repair the painted outer fiberglass frame of the truck. During a show, these bodies will typically dent, scratch and crumple. Often you'll need to bang them back into shape and replace such things as fenders, lights and vinyl decals and touch up the paint.
2. Keep many spare parts on hand. Each truck usually has two or three backup engines and a spare transmission on hand. Monster trucks typically go through eight tires a year--tires you have to cut by hand. Don't forget to have extra fenders, vinyl decals, lights and so forth; they take a beating too.
3. Make sure you conform to the Monster Truck Racing Association (MTRA) requirement that each truck carry on board, at minimum, a 2.5 lb fire extinguisher.
4. Flush the fuel tank when you've finished racing your monster truck for the day. The fuel many monster trucks use has an alcohol base; if left to sit, it will corrode the engine. Use cop oil and run it through to lube the engine after you've flushed it.
5. Wash your truck. After all the mudslinging in the arena, it's going to need a bath! Since it has a fiberglass body, use a mild liquid soap to prevent further scratching.
6. Haul your baby away in a 40-ft. semi truck. That's what it takes to transport many show Monster Trucks. If you can't find a big rig, then you can use a trailer instead.

Tips & Warnings

• It takes approximately 50 hours to cut tires by hand. When cutting treads, be sure to consider how the driver races and conditions of the track.
• Many haulers are custom built for the Monster Truck.
• There's no way to keep a monster truck in pristine condition if you use it in a race. But the crowds are pretty far away, and they won't be able to see minor dings and nicks.
• A hatch in the bottom of the truck bed is the best way to get in and out.