Exterior hi-lift mounted all the time?

[ree]

Can a hi-lift ride on the outside of the truck all the time without one of the soft/hard cases in northern climates? Or is this just going to ruin it very quickly with salt and sand? Or is it okay so long as I clean and lightly grease it from time to time?

I've had mine a few months and it's come in very handy helping others out, even on road. So I want to have it on hand all the time. It's been living in the cargo area behind the second row seat backs, but I need to reclaim the interior space for some other gear.