Riding your UTV in races, cross-country, through forest trails, along beaches, or other remote and wild locations can be tremendous fun, and the last thing you need on your adventurous excursions is a breakdown, flat tire, or getting stuck. It can happen, though and, when it does, you must be ready to deal with all eventualities. Fortunately, UTVs have sufficient storage space and can carry a well-equipped tool kit. You just need to make sure that it is on the vehicle at all times.
Five Essential Items for a UTV Tool Kit
Every UTV enthusiast must have at least these five essential items in their tool kit:
1. Wrenches and Screwdrivers
These are the essential items that should be part of every UTV toolkit. Wrenches and screwdrivers are necessary for many maintenance jobs, from changing tires to fixing spark plugs. You can get an assorted range of flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, T-handle wrenches, and ratcheting wrenches. It is not necessary to buy entire sets of these tools, but you should have at hand the ones that you are likely to need the most for your UTV model. That way, you can always find the right wrench or screwdriver when you want to fix something.
2. Tow Strap
When you are driving out in the wilderness, your UTV could experience engine troubles and break down. You could also get stuck in a ditch, in mud, or in the snow. In such moments, you will realize the importance of having a heavy-duty, superior strength tow strap in your UTV tool kit. You can use it to get yourself and your UTV out of many difficult situations. The two straps are usually of water and UV-resistant polyester.
3. Spare Belts
Hopefully, you are in the habit of inspecting the condition of your UTV’s transmission belt before setting out on your drives. Such regular inspection can shed light on clear signs of wear and tear, and you can change the belt before it is in any danger of wearing out entirely. However, during long or rough drives, even the best-maintained transmission belt may come under pressure from the heat buildup and could break or burn. To counter such a possibility, you need to have a few spare belts in your tool kit. Then you can quickly replace the damaged belt and continue with your ride.
4. Duct Tape
It may surprise you how versatile duct tape can be for temporary repairs in emergencies. You can use it to hold broken parts together, plug broken hoses, or fix other minor issues. You can even use it for non-mechanical purposes, such as taping a splint for a broken bone.
5. Tire Pressure Gauge
It is common to encounter tire-related issues on trail rides. You could drive over a sharp rock or branch and get a puncture. And that is why you need to include a tire pressure gauge in your UTV tool kit. It can help you to assess the correct pressure when you fix a flat tire.
To ensure your UTV tires last a long time, you have to be careful about not over-inflating or under-inflating them. If you pump in too much air and over-inflate the tires, they might wear out more quickly. On the other hand, under-inflated tires can make it difficult for you to drive the UTV and could even cause accidents.
Other Essential Items
In addition to these five items in your UTV tool kit, you need to equip yourself with safety gear when you go out driving. The safety gear can include a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a flashlight, helmets, goggles, boots, gloves, warm clothes, and rain gear. It is advisable to carry replacements for various parts, such as fuses, spark plugs, front and rear axles, ball joints, and tie rods. You should also keep recovery gear like winches, snatch blocks, shovels, pickaxes, and hi-lift jacks.
It will help if you carry sufficient water, food, extra fuel, matches, and lighters with you. You will also benefit from taking along a GPS, a cellphone, and a two-way radio. Furthermore, it is a good idea to inform family members or friends about your whereabouts if you are heading out on a solo trip.