No not at all, I went through really deep sand to get close to the water for the pictures. I never used any drive modes either. Using only 4WD and traction off.
No I can still run my soft cover under it. Go to tyger sport bars site, they are made for the soft bed covers. I only mount mine if I’m throwing luggage in the back but I do most my driving off road so I don’t want the dust and Louisiana sun wearing my soft cover. But I use the soft trifold one.