ATVs and UTV's What accessories are essential?

[mdwest]

In another recent thread I posted a link to a cargo hauler I recently picked up for my UTV.. It makes a world of difference with my buggy.. Not only does it give me a lower level place (less lifting) to put game than the tilt bed, its easier to clean up, and leaves me the entire bed space for hauling other stuff (packs, rifles, etc..) without having to worry about keeping them from getting covered in deer blood, poop, fur, etc when coming out of the field..

Ive got a Polaris Ranger 570 mid sized buggy.. Its been just about perfect for my needs as a basic vehicle.. plenty of power to get wherever I want to go, even in the worst conditions I care to get out in.. more speed than I'll ever need.. reliable.. comfortable... etc.. and can haul myself, another hunter, all of our gear, and a couple of animals out of the woods without much effort..

All of that said... I've begun the process of pimpin' my ride.. and adding on some accessories that I haven't found absolutely necessary (been running the basic buggy for 4 years at this point and had no problems), but that I think will make it even better and/or reliable..

I added a 20" Rough Country LED light bar this past weekend to the roof... while the headlights give me enough light to get around at night, there have been times I wished I had a bit more visibility both while driving, and while parked and trying to see something (clean a deer at dusk, etc).. the light bar is compact.. but I'd guess provides almost 4x the amount of lumens I had previously...

Ive also got a small UTV winch added on.. just 2500lbs.. but I think that's more than what I'll ever need.. I don't go "mudding" with the vehicle.. and dry weight on the vehicle is 1700lbs.. it should be more than enough for self recovery if I ever need to do that.. especially with the snatch block added (takes winch capability to 5000lbs).. .


Im now thinking about other things I might like to add.. Ive considered a pair of the hard plastic kolpin gun cases mounted to the vehicle for transporting the rifles (right now I just throw them in the bed of the buggy in a soft case), and maybe some sort of a hard, lockable box that I could keep "stuff" in (handheld flood light, some basic tools, tarp, etc) that would mount to the bed...

Who else has what accessories for their UTV's and ATV's that they cant live without.. help me further pimp my ride...

 

[Ravensview]

Tire repair kit, charged up jump box, shovel, saw and axe, small fire extinguisher, first aid kit just off the top of my head

 

[mdwest]

Tire repair kit, charged up jump box, shovel, saw and axe, small fire extinguisher, first aid kit just off the top of my head

first aid kid is always in my pack... but putting another small kit in the buggy (in that box mentioned above) wouldn't be a bad idea at all...

I keep a jump box in the glove compartment currently.. thankfully I've never needed it.. but.. its there just in case..

fire extinguisher, and a small saw and axe arent a bad idea at all... (more justification for that lockable hard box!)


this is the sort of thing Im talking about for a bed box:

https://www.amazon.com/kemimoto-Upgraded-Waterproof-Compatible-2013-2021/dp/B08TW721N1/

 

[John the Electrician]

On a ride through the wooded trails at our land, I was talking to my wife about insurance on our UTV and that our home/auto didn’t cover it adequately. Within five minutes, a stick got wedged against the muffler and caught fire. All we had was a half empty can of Coke.

Luckily it was more smoke than fire. We had a fire extinguisher strapped in back before the day was over.

 

[meigsbucks]

My ATV has a front basket rack. A front storage compartment contains TP, a first aid kit, whistle, survival blanket, two methods of starting a fire (matches and a striker type), a folding knife, a flashlight and spare batteries.
The back storage compartment contains, a tow strap, tire puncture repair kit and rope.

 

[Ravensview]

On a ride through the wooded trails at our land, I was talking to my wife about insurance on our UTV and that our home/auto didn’t cover it adequately. Within five minutes, a stick got wedged against the muffler and caught fire. All we had was a half empty can of Coke.

Luckily it was more smoke than fire. We had a fire extinguisher strapped in back before the day was over.

Yep, we carry fire extinguishers on all of our work atv’s, have had two catch on fire from debris on the muffler.

 

[RLL]

Air, tow strap, flat tire kit and water for an overheating engine. If that doesn’t do it, a long walk it is…

 

[Doug3006]

A gimbal drink holder!

 

[slam8031]

I have a hard metal roof on my 1000xp with rear facing lights and side facing lights I placed a heavy duty bumper with back up Lights and a rear winch In the south we tend to have a bit more mud issues.

 

[jduckhunter]

First thing I did was take the 24" tires off and put 27" 8 ply tires on. Gives me a little more ride height and puncture protection. Added a rifle scabbard

to the roll bar along with a spare tire, 100' heavy duty rope, 2500# winch on the front bumper and the hitch haul on the rear bumper was a no brainer. Also on board is a 12-volt air compressor, scissor jack, tire repair kit, fire extinguisher and a litter for those downed critters that you just can't drive to. Oh, and plenty of bungee cords in varying lengths along with a small tarp to keep things clean and secure.

 

[Trophyhunter01]

12v air compressor, loop strap.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Forget the tire repair kit. Buy the heaviest ply tire you can get (8 is best) and run 1/2 gallon of slow moving sealant in each one. The green slime that Walmart sells is ok but a tire shop should have better stuff.
The sealant is expensive but they can reuse it when you replace the tires. It will have to be a big hole to let that stuff out.

 

[wesheltonj]

A little late now, but A/C is not a bad accessory in Texas.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

In Zimbabwe we have one of a very few Polaris Rangers. Equipment is as follows:

1. Winch (I do not know the capacity).
2. Small permanently mounted air compressor.
3. Small LED light bar
4. Hunters seat easily removable.
5. Overhead Rifle Rack
6. Tyre Slime (sealant)
7. Small hydraulic jack
8. Tool Kit
9. Snatch block & strap
10.. Side mounted rear view mirrors. (really helps to see how close that mad cow elephant is getting).
11. Fire extinguisher
12. Batonka Ax

One note never expect your winch to either pull or lift what it is rated for. First your winch is probably rated like most with 2 wraps around drum as you wind your pull rating decreases with each wind. Second most little UTV batteries and alternator cannot really properly power a winch.

All of our cruisers have UTV winches mounted just below our rifle racks. Unless a snatch block is used none of our small winches are capable of loading a buffalo. For buffalo we normally use our front 9,000 lb. winches with a overhead roller.

 

[Tgood1]

Cabelas carries a soft gun case that straps to the roll bars immediately behind the seats. Holds 2 rifles and clips on. Very handy. I use a tool kit that also has plenty of spare fuses. Quality windshield that is vented. May look into a cell phone booster as well. During the summer we easily do 100 mile rides on Saturdays so yeti cooler capable of holding 2 days worth of beer and a couple bottles of water

 

[Philip Glass]

I have many ATVs. My Ranger crew is pretty tricked out with roof with stereo, LEDs all around, and high rack. The most important thing is 8 ply tires. I use GBC dirt commander (bias ply) and grim reaper (radial) depending on the vehicle. I also only use Schaeffer oil companys tire sealer. There is not one better but I think you have to buy a 5g bucket of it. All other sealers fail.

 

[AZDAVE]

So far I see most folks have listed the same things I would recommend. If your rig is going to mostly be used in the Texas and similar terrain you are going to be set up well. The two other type terrain that I would consider are the western desert and mountain type hunts. I would beef up the survival kit to include water filter, small shelter, little heat tab stove, 2 gal water and gas cans, highlift jack, 50-100 ft of good rope, and a spare tire.

 

[RLL]

I have many ATVs. My Ranger crew is pretty tricked out with roof with stereo, LEDs all around, and high rack. The most important thing is 8 ply tires. I use GBC dirt commander (bias ply) and grim reaper (radial) depending on the vehicle. I also only use Schaeffer oil companys tire sealer. There is not one better but I think you have to buy a 5g bucket of it. All other sealers fail.

Good tires are a must out here where the mesquites are endemic. I run the Tensor Regulator A/T, the 8ply Radial has served us well.

Never used the Schaefer tire sealer but Genesco Tire Co, has a great sealer product we use in cart and tractor tires. Has to be bought by the 5 gal pail as well.

 

[jduckhunter]

Forgot to mention a quality, bullet proof windshield. Mine saved my face a few times from flying rocks and stones. Rear view mirrors come in pretty handy. Also here is an example of why I suggest the winch and litter.

We used the litter to carry the deer to an accessible spot and then with the push of a button I was able to bring the deer and my young hunting companion both up and out of that ditch.

 

[Nyati]

A shovel.