Camping Made Easy With an ATV Cargo Rack and Bag

Taking your ATV for an overnight camping trip is a- Matches or fire starter
great way to get away from it all. With your- Clothing and toiletries
all-terrain vehicle, you can avoid the crowded- Rain gear
campgrounds and find hard-to-access camping sites- Garbage bags
that offer one-of-a-kind views and a total escapePack heavier items towards the bottom of the ATV
from civilization. With an ATV drop rack and bag, yourack as a base; then pile lighter items on top.
can do just that.Lightweight, bulky items (like sleeping bags) you can
The best way to pack your utility quad for astrap down on top of the load with bungee cords,
camping trip is to use ATV front and rear racks andbut seal them in a plastic garbge bag first in case of
a rack pack. Tailgate style or drop racks make forrain. Try to include items that can serve more than
easy loading and unloading and give you extra spaceone purpose in order to cut down on extra luggage
to stash your cargo. An ATV luggage bag fits nicelyand weight. Also, keep items that you need to
on the front or rear of your quad and helps keepaccess frequently at the top of your ATV bag.
your cargo clean and dry. Make sure your rack bag isBalance the load out from the front rack to the rear
waterproof to seal out rain, water, mud, sand, andrack and from side to side. Check your owner's
dirt.manual for the manufacturer's rated load capacity. In
Pack items that are as lightweight as possible. Thesome ATV models, the rear capacity is double the
following list will give you a basic idea of what tocapacity for the front of your quad. Check the load
pack. Depending on how much you like to rough it,capacity of your ATV racks as well. Try not to stack
you may want to leave some of these items behind.the load too high. You want to keep the center of
- Lighting (flashlight and batteries or lantern and fuel)gravity as low as possible.
- Shelter (tarp or tent and sleeping bag)Place the rear cargo as far forward as possible on
- Emergency supplies (first aid kit)your ATV drop rack, and keep the front cargo clear
- Repair kit for your ATV (tire repair kit, basic toolof the handlebars. Leave enough room to easily turn
kit, etc.)the handlebars. With a heavier load, your ATV may
- Shovelhandle differently, so drive with caution until you get
- Recovery geara good feel for what your quad can handle under
- Extra fuelload. Avoid steep grades and uneven terrain that
- Cell phonecould cause your quad to tip.
- Maps and GPS unitWith an adequate amount of planning ahead, you'll be
- Food and water (including a water purificationable to relax and enjoy your trip in the back country.
system for emergencies)Remember to pack out what you pack in, and leave
- Cooking suppliesyour campsite cleaner than you found it.