Sand rocks, but you don’t want it in your teeth! We’ve assembled our 4 top accessories to keep sand and dust out of your side-by-side when you’re taking on the dunes. Read on to get ready for the sandbox!
Everybody loves an open cab—until your face holes are full of dust. What is it about the particular construction of a UTV that makes it such a dust magnet, anyway?
In the side-by-side world, we call the dust and sand blowing into your rig’s cab “swirl”. Swirl happens because most UTVs (especially sport ones) come with no windshields, short wheelbases, and either half doors or no doors at all. All that open area creates unexpected airflow patterns that inevitably suck all the dust right into your face.
Oh, and most people don’t go slow in a UTV in those dusty conditions either. If you’re hitting the dunes, you came to fly—but that means you’re kicking up way more dust and sand to throw into the blowing wind. You’re probably thinking, “Okay, but how do I defeat the swirl?” Well, like most battles, you need the right equipment!
Lots of riders get by with a face mask or buff and some sand goggles. However, that kind of thing isn’t for everybody and only protects the guy that remembered to bring them along. If you’re anything like us, you’d lose your head if it wasn’t attached (at least that’s what my mom says), so remembering a set of goggles might be a hassle. Let’s go over some upgrades that will stay fully attached to your rig.
If you’re looking for a way to help prevent sand and dust swirl, a half windshield can get the job done. They block just enough wind without interfering with visibility. They also offer some protection from blowing sand and debris. A half windshield redirects airflow up and overhead, but the shifted wind direction may still fill your bed or your rear-row passengers up with dust.
You’ll probably still want goggles and buff in this situation, but a half windshield may change the airflow just enough to make you more comfortable, especially if you’re piloting a 2-seater.
The trick to keeping sand and dust out of your side by side’s cab is to manipulate airflow out, across, or away from you and your passengers. A powered flip windshield lets you do just that!
The super strong actuators lock into whatever position you leave them in, so you can customize the airflow. Depending on the wind and the terrain, you may need to manipulate the windshield to manage the way the air moves through. You’ll be in total control while you combat the swirl!
One thing is for sure—a front windshield alone will have you choking on dust in no time at all. It creates horrible suction that vacuums the dust from your tires right into the cab.
But! Add a rear windshield and you’ve completely changed the game. A full front windshield and rear windshield work together to move air across the cab, which leaves behind less sand and dust. That’s because the air makes a straight path past the cab and doesn’t leave as much debris behind.
If you want ultimate protection from sand and dust, you want a full cab enclosure for sure. A roof, front and rear windshield, and upper and lower doors make for an unbeatable combo. Your cab will basically be impenetrable—well, that might be an overstatement. But you’ll kill the swirl and keep the majority of sand and dust out for a way more comfortable ride.
Plus, a full cab enclosure is great for all-weather riding too. So when you’re done rolling around in the sandbox and ready for winter riding, you’ve already got your basics covered.
We’ve laid out our top picks to protect you from the swirl. What will you choose—ultimate cab protection or a mouthful of dirt? That choice seems obvious, but there’s some nuance to it. It all depends on your riding style and how many types of terrain you take on. No matter how you chose to battle the swirl, SuperATV has you covered. See you on the sand!
