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By CJ Rena Johnson
What to Pack for
Emergency ATV Repairs
It happens to us all at one point or another.
Somewhere along the way, something breaks, comes
loose, gets lost on the trail, or goes flat.
Sometimes a great ride turns into a disaster. In
order to prevent this, you must be prepared.
Always try to have what you need with you to
take care of those emergency ATV repairs.
The first thing you want to do is check your ATV
for any problems or issues before you head out
on the trail.
Checklist before heading out:
- Check for leaks
- Check tire pressure
- Check fuel level
- Check oil levels
- Check brakes
- Check throttle
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention
beats a pound of cure, so be sure to do regular
maintenance on your ATV. This way you can head
off many problems that might otherwise occur
several miles out in the woods.
Check for Packed Mud or Debris:
One issue that people might not think of is
keeping the quad clean. Dried dirt caked in on
moveable parts of an ATV can change their status
to unmovable. This can potentially cause all
sort of problems out on the trail, sometimes at
the worst possible moment. Imagine a stuck brake
going up a steep hill (causing the engine to
drag and not being able to make it) or worse
yet, one that does not engage properly when you
need it going down a steep hill or if a deer
runs across the trail in front of you. Always
thoroughly clean your quad as soon as possible
after a day’s ride to prevent any of these
problems.
What to Take With You:
No matter how well prepared you are problems do
arise ,and they are far more likely to become
apparent out on the trail than when the ATV is
neatly stowed away in the garage. So in
preparation for the unexpected, always try to
have with you the following items:
- Communication device (two-way radio, cell phone)
- Whistle (can be heard a lot better than a shout)
- Water
- Snacks/Food
- First Aid Kit
- Tire Plug Kit and Valve Stem Tool
- “Fix a Flat” or CO2 Cartridges
- A tool kit with the most common ATV tools needed
including screwdriver, pliers, wrenches,
sockets, and a spark plug wrench. (Check with
your manufacturer or owner’s handbook to find
out if you need metric or standard.)
- Extra Spark Plugs
- Knife
- Flashlight
- Tow Straps
- Cable Ties
- Electrical Tape
- A pocket, wire, or folding saw
- Matches
- Trail Map
- Walking Shoes (you never know when an old pair
of sneakers will come in handy!)
- Finally, I always have tissue paper of one sort
or another with me for those emergency stops!
- A friend--always utilize the buddy system
whenever possible.
Two of my favorite places online to find items
that I keep in my ATV bag are:
http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/tools.html
http://www.modernoutpost.com/gear/emerg.html
This sounds like a lot to carry with you on an
ATV, but it will all fit very nicely in almost
any of the common ATV bags you can find at any
off-road dealer or supply shops.
As always: Decide now to have an awesome day and
an awesome ride!
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