Must-Have UTV Accessories

Driving a bare-bones UTV without modification is the equivalent of eating a pizza with no toppings.

You need those extra accessories to get the most out of the experience. The challenge is picking the right parts and accessories to maximize the fun of your trail thrill rides.

Do your homework, and you’ll equip your UTV with accessories that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

This is your inside look at the top UTV accessories to maximize the potential of your off-road vehicle.

Importance

The “why” of UTV accessories explained

Hit the trails with a UTV straight from the showroom floor, and you’ll find the experience is rewarding. However, this minimalist approach to riding won’t be everything you imagined.

The addition of accessories makes the most of the ride.

Some UTV accessories enhance form, while others improve function. A combination of both provides balance for maximum fun, performance, and safety.

Even if you don’t add all of the accessories listed below, handpicking a couple will make your vehicle and rides that much more safe and thrilling.

Comfort Accessories

Style and performance are one half of the equation; comfort is the other

UTV expeditions are a blast, yet they also pose some challenges. One of those challenges is the heat.

Riders and their UTVs need fluids. Accessorize with coolant, oil, and water to keep you and your UTV hydrated.

Don’t forget the seat covers!  Covers maximize seat comfort, provide water resistance, and enhance style to boot.

Fun & Entertainment

It’s all about having a good time on the trails

There’s nothing like hearing the growl of the engine when behind the wheel. However, you will reach a point when the sound of the engine gets a bit boring.

Accessorize with a sound system, and you’ll find your outdoor adventures are that much more entertaining. The best sound systems have subwoofers, a sound bar, and multiple speakers for full audio immersion.

Experienced riders favor the LinQ brackets designed for functionality on Can-Am UTVs and even Sea-Doos/Ski-Doos. All you have to do is add the right mounts, and you’ll have a built-in support system for coolers, bags, tools, and more.

The LinQ system is easy to use thanks to its toolless design. Simply twist the grips to connect/remove the accessories, and you’ll be on the trails in no time. 

Don’t forget the cooler! Coolers are essential for safe and healthy riding. Load up your cooler with cold water and other beverages, then head off the beaten path with confidence.

Accessories

Let’s take a quick look at the basic accessories every UTV owner should consider.

A helmet is one of the most important yet overlooked extras. Don a helmet, and you’ll put the pedal to the metal without concern. This essential form of protection keeps your head protected even in the event of a tip and roll.

Speaking of protection, don’t forget to add a fire extinguisher. This way, if you spot any flames from the engine or elsewhere, you’ll have a powerful line of defense within arm’s reach.

Practical Accessories

A pragmatic approach to riding just might save your life

UTV riding is all about fun in the sun. However, it’s difficult to maximize enjoyment while safety concerns loom in the back of your mind.

Add a survival kit and tool kit to your UTV before your next ride. These kits have the potential to save your life or that of a rider, ensuring you can repair/replace broken parts and address wounds while on the go.

A Spare Tire/Wheel, A Winch, and More

Imagine being miles away from civilization on a remote forest or desert trail and you get a flat tire. Your smartphone has no reception bars. No one can hear your cry for help.

What do you do?

If you planned ahead, you would have a spare tire and wheel on board. Spares guarantee you won’t be stranded in a distant space when a tire blows. At a bare minimum, your UTV should have a tire patch kit.

Ideally, you’ll have a spare tire carrier in addition to a patch kit. Be aware that some such carriers are specific to certain UTVs, while others are generic.

A jacklift also has the potential to be a lifesaver. Similar to patch kits, jack lifts can either be specific to models or universal. 

Consider adding a UTV winch. Your winch will help you haul a fellow rider out of a hairy situation.

You can also use a winch for the following:

• Opening gates
• Shifting felled trees
• Trailer loading
• Towing

Speaking of towing, a tow strap will help you make the most of a mess. The strap makes the blow of a busted suspension part that much easier to endure.

Tow straps also facilitate the pulling of the UTV behind a lead vehicle. This way, you won’t be completely dependent on a towing business when disaster strikes.

There will come a time when you burn a UTV belt. Though some critics insist burning a belt is a sign that you aren’t driving with care, it is an inevitability. Moreover, you’ll eventually find yourself in a situation where you are surrounded by mud and end up ruining a belt.

Though deep mud isn’t guaranteed to end in ruin, it is in your interest to take the cautious approach with the addition of a drive belt.

Doors and Bumper

To ride with doors or doorless? That is the question.

Some UTVs, such as the Can-Am, give riders the freedom of driving with or without doors. Even if you have enjoyed riding without doors, you’ll likely find the dirt, mud, and dust from below become an annoyance.

Pick up a couple of doors along with exterior handles for added convenience, and you’ll likely agree the added protection is well worth it.

In addition to doors, a backup bumper will also help when you inevitably strike a stationary object, be it a tree, stump, incline, or other UTV. Other related accessories worth considering include rock sliders, skid plates, and fender bars.

Windshields and Roof Accessories

Check out the UTV windshield selection, and you’ll be impressed. UTV windshields range from glass to power-folding, high-impact, ventilated, and full hard-coated polycarbonate.

Moreover, the addition of a windshield wiper will help clear your windshield of mud and grime during those especially adventurous and rainy outings.

The top roof accessories include:

• Roof racks
• Storage bags
• Electrical switches
• Stereos
• Vents

Accessorize the roof and you’ll make the most of your UTV’s limited space.

Tips & Conclusion

The right accessories ensure your trail rides are exactly as you envisioned

When in doubt, err on the side of over-accessorizing rather than under-accessorizing. As is often said, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Moreover, performance-focused accessories make riding that much more exciting.

Now that you have all of the accessories necessary to ride in confidence, you can take on those tantalizing far-away trails without fear.

FAQs

Q1: Is a fire extinguisher a necessary accessory?

A1: Yes! Add a fire extinguisher to your UTV and you’ll have immediately accessible protection in the event of a fire. Moreover, there is a chance one of your fellow UTV riders will experience a fire. If you have a fire extinguisher handy, you’ll be able to put out the flames in mere seconds.

Q2: Are accessories really worth the money?

A2: Indeed, they are. Spend the little bit of money necessary for accessories, and you’ll complete your UTV for a rewarding and safe riding experience.

Q3: Can the roof be used for extra accessories?

A3: Yes. Add roof mounts to your UTV and you’ll be able to attach a wide array of accessories ranging from storage bags to vents, stereos, and more.

Q4: What is the most important accessory?

A4: There is no single most important accessory. However, a tire patch kit, spare tire, spare wheel, and water cooler are essential accessories for safe riding in the sun.