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UTV and ATV Storage Guide—What’s in Your Cargo Box?

By Megan Randall | Behind The Wheel on June 16, 2021
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One of the most sacred and cardinal rules of off-roading is to never travel empty-handed. If you want to stay safe, fed, and watered, you’ll need to bring some items along for the ride—spare parts, beverages, and a backup map, just to name a few.

So hopefully you already have some of this stuff in your machine. But do you have a place to put that stuff that will keep it from rolling around the floor of your cab or flying off the back of your ATV?

There’s a better solution than milk crates and bungee cords, and that solution is a heavy-duty cargo box. Cargo boxes are the safest, smartest, and most convenient way to keep your gear dry and secured.

But what can you fit in your cargo box? Let’s take a look.

SuperATV Rear Cargo box fro Kawasaki Teryx 4
Sure, you could throw all of your gear into the bed of your side-by-side. But there’s no guarantee it will still be there when you stop for a break. A custom-fit cargo box will keep everything safe and dry.
Photo by SuperATV

What to Put in Your ATV/UTV Cargo Box

Having a reliable, heavy-duty cargo box will make any ride easier. But exactly how much stuff can you cram in that thing?

UTV and ATV cargo boxes come in a few different sizes, depending on your machine or personal preference. On four wheelers, the box can go either on the front or the rear end—or both, to maximize your storage! And most side-by-side storage units install in the bed. Some boxes take up the entire bed while others are smaller, leaving you with room on the sides to store larger items (think fishing poles, folding chairs, etc.).

Most SuperATV cargo boxes come in 30L or 50L capacities, and they act as both coolers and storage boxes. For Teryx riders, we also have a larger 67-quart cargo box.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can store in your cargo carrier, regardless of which size you go with. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when you’re packing for your next off-road adventure!

SuperATV Rear Cargo box installed on Can-Am Maverick X3
What should you keep in your cargo box? We’ve got some suggestions! Check out this list of off-road necessities and start filling up that box.
Photo by SuperATV

Food and Drinks

Your machine runs on fuel and you run on beef jerky. So it’s important to have plenty of both on hand when you’re riding! Whether you’re packing a few snack or multi-course off-road meals, we recommend keeping your food and drinks in a cargo box. They’ll stay clean and dry while your machine is tearin’ it up.

  • Water (lots of it!)
  • Soda or sports drinks
  • Sandwiches
  • Beef jerky
  • Energy bars
  • Trail mix
  • Candy
SuperATV Rear Cargo box fro Kawasaki Teryx 4
Staying hydrated is key, especially on long summer rides. Make sure to keep plenty of fuel on hand—both for your machine and for yourself!
Photo by SuperATV

Tools and Spare Parts

Nothing ruins a ride quite like a torn axle boot or leaky tire. Since you can’t know in advance what kind of problems you may run into on the trails, we recommend keeping some basic tools and spare parts in your machine at all times. Keeping them in a cargo box will keep your tool kit from flying out when you hit unexpected bumps.

  • Basic tools
  • Spare parts (ball joints, belts, axle boots, tie rods)
  • Tire repair kit
  • Extra fuel
  • Extra oil (at least one quart is recommended)

Safety and Emergency

You know what they say about pretty much anything—safety first! These are things you hope to never need, but you’ll be really glad you have them if you do. Whether you’re injured, lost, stranded, or all three (yikes), here are some must-haves that will get you home safely. And keeping them securely in your cargo box will make sure they stay in perfect working order.

  • First-Aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Zip ties and/or duct tape
  • Tow strap
  • Utility knife
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Fire starter
  • Trail map (in case your GPS unit fails)
  • Toilet paper (leaves can be brutal on your rear end—especially if you’re riding in the desert… lookin’ at you, cacti)
Survival Kit
It’s better to prepare for the worst than sit back and hope for the best! Keeping an emergency kit in your ATV or UTV is the best way to stay safe while riding.
Photo by Where 2 Wheel

Clothing

Even if you’re not planning an overnight trip, we recommend keeping some dry clothes in your machine every time you ride. Creek crossings, surprisingly deep mud holes, or unexpected rainfall can leave your clothes soaked and make for an uncomfortable ride home. Of course, these items should be stored in your cargo box—they won’t do you much good if they get wet, too!

  • Change of clothes
  • Warm socks
  • Spare gloves
  • Extra layers, depending on the season
  • Towels

Miscellaneous Gear

For hobbyists, UTV and ATV cargo boxes offer a great way to store and organize your gear. If you’re riding to a fishing or hunting destination, your off-road packing list will look a little different than most. Keeping those necessities in a cargo box will make sure nothing gets lost while you’re traveling to the pond or campsite.

  • Tackle box for fishing
  • Weapons and ammo for hunting
  • Tarp or sleeping bag for camping
  • Toolbox for work

Important Items

Our last category isn’t super exciting, but it’s one of the most important. This is the stuff you don’t want to leave rolling around on the floor of your cab, because if it happens to fall out while riding, you’ll be S.O.L. Store these essentials in your cargo box to ensure they stay put while you’re off-roading.

  • Cell phone with charger
  • Wallet
  • Car keys
  • Important papers (vehicle registration, fishing/hunting license)
  • Anything else that can’t get lost or wet
SuperATV Rear Cargo box fro Kawasaki Teryx 4
From quick trips to long weekend rides, you should never go off-roading empty handed. Make sure your cargo box is stocked with the essentials before hitting the trails.
Photo by SuperATV

You Need a SuperATV Cargo Box

There are plenty of UTV and ATV storage solutions on the market. But if you want something that’s guaranteed to keep your stuff safe and dry, there’s really only one option—a SuperATV cargo box.

All of our cargo boxes are made with rubber seals, heavy-duty latches, and built-in cup holders. Our 30L and 50L boxes even have a drain plug for easy cleanup and insulated walls, so they double as a cooler that will hold ice for days at a time.

When it comes to wild off-road adventures, we’ve seen it all. So we know how important it is for these cargo carriers to be extra durable. They’re heavy duty and regularly withstand rollovers, heavy hits, and more, so you don’t have to worry about your stuff getting banged up.

For even more storage options, check out our cargo racks and bed enclosures. They’re perfect for securing larger objects, like spare tires, and make it easy to maximize your storage space.

However you want to store and organize your gear, SuperATV has something that can help. Each rack and box is custom fit to your machine and installs within minutes. At last, it’s time to kiss those milk crates and bungee cords goodbye.

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