Picture this: you've just purchased or financed an ATV that promises thrilling adventures across untamed landscapes. But there's a hitch—where do you park this rugged beast when not conquering the wild? Not everyone has the luxury of a spacious garage or a handy shed, making outdoor storage the only viable option for many, especially during winter. Properly storing your ATV outside is not just about finding a spot under the sun; it's about ensuring your ride remains in peak condition, safeguarded from the elements that can degrade its value and performance. Whether you have one ATV or multiple ATVs, their care and protection are paramount.

Choosing the Right ATV Cover

When parking your ATV outdoors, the choice of cover is more than just an afterthought—it’s an essential decision that impacts the longevity and condition of your vehicle. Especially when you need to store your ATV outside in cold temperatures or during the winter, choosing the right heavy duty ATV cover becomes crucial.

Avoiding Standard Tarps

While plastic tarps might seem like a convenient choice when you are looking to store your ATV outside, however they have several downsides that can adversely affect your vehicle:

• Moisture Trapping: Plastic tarps block air circulation, allowing condensation to accumulate beneath the cover. This creates an ideal environment for rust on metal parts and promotes the growth of mildew on various materials.
• Heat Accumulation: On sunny days, plastic tarps can create an intense heat trap. This excessive heat can damage sensitive electronic systems, degrade seat materials, and lead to the premature aging of plastics and rubbers.
• Lack of Security: Plastic tarps offer minimal security. They can be easily removed or tampered with, providing little deterrence to theft or vandalism. Unlike specially designed ATV covers with lock mechanisms, tarps do not affix securely to the vehicle, leaving its exterior vulnerable.

The Benefits of a Breathable, Heavy-Duty, Waterproof ATV Cover

After understanding the drawbacks of plastic tarps, it’s clear why investing in a quality cover is crucial:

• Enhanced Air Circulation: A breathable cover ensures air can freely move around, allowing your ATV to breathe during storage.
• Effective Condensation Control: By allowing moisture to evaporate or drain, a good ATV cover can reduce the risk of long-term damage from corrosion and mildew.
• UV and Heat Protection: Quality covers provide an extra layer of protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays and excessive heat, which can cause parts to degrade and paint to fade over time.

Investing in a high-quality, breathable, waterproof cover is not just about covering your vehicle; it’s about providing comprehensive care that extends its life and helps to fill the gap between storing in a garage versus storing your ATV outside. Moving on, we'll have a look at the impact of WD40 in prolonging your ATVs life in outdoor storage.

Chemical Protection Against Corrosion

A can of WD40 is your best friend when it comes to maintaining your ATV’s condition, making it a crucial component of proper ATV storage. It’s perfect for protecting metal components from rust and moisture, and it also helps preserve plastic components and rubber seals from drying out and cracking in adverse conditions, especially during the winter months.

WD40 Advantages:

• Moisture Barrier: Creates a protective barrier on metal parts to repel water and prevent rust. This is extremely effective in the cooler winter weather.
• Plastics and Rubber Care: Helps keep plastic components and rubber seals from drying and cracking, especially useful in cold or sunny weather.
• Versatile Use: Effective on various parts, preventing dirt and moisture-related wear.

Application Tips:

For the best results with WD40, always do a spot test on a small, inconspicuous area first, especially on plastics, to ensure compatibility. When applying, use a light spray to cover surfaces without soaking them, as too much can attract dirt and grime.

Fluid Management for Long-Term ATV Storage

When storing your ATV for the winter or any extended period, it's crucial to manage your fluid systems properly to prevent issues when you're ready to hit the trails again. Here's how to ensure your fuel system stays in top condition:

Preparing Your Fuel System:

1. Add Stabilizer: Pour the recommended amount of fuel stabilizer into your gas tank. This additive prevents fuel degradation that can gum up and cause issues upon startup. If you have a metal fuel tank, consider a stabilizer with corrosion inhibitor for your best defense.
2. Run Your ATV: After adding the stabilizer, start your ATV and let it run for a few minutes. This circulates the stabilizer that you just added to your gas tank through the fueling system, ensuring it reaches all parts.
3. Tank Top-Off: Fill the gas tank completely to minimize the air space in which condensation can form, reducing the risk of liquid buildup that can lead to corrosion in a metal tank. This is especially important during the winter months.

Managing Your Oil System:

• Change the Oil: Before putting your ATV into storage, it's advisable to change your oil and filter. Dirty oil can contain contaminants that may cause corrosion and diminish lubricating properties over time. Fresh oil ensures better protection and maintains lubrication during storage. If you're storing the ATV for less than five years, a fresh change is sufficient. For longer storage, especially in varying temperatures, consider draining the oil to avoid degradation and caking. Also, it's beneficial to add a bit of fresh fluid to the cylinder and run your ATV to coat the cylinder head, providing extra shielding against rust. This way your rig will be ready for the spring!
• Consider the Type: Synthetic oils are recommended for long-term storage as they better withstand the degradation process compared to conventional oils. When it's time to drain and replace your fluids, opting for a high-quality synthetic can be a crucial step in maintenance.

By taking these comprehensive steps, you're not just preserving the fuel but also safeguarding the engine, fuel system, and internal components against the adverse effects of long-term storage. This dual approach ensures that the fluid systems in your ATVs are optimized for long periods of inactivity, reducing the chances of any mechanical issues when it’s time to ride again.

ATV Battery Maintenance

Keeping your ATV's battery in excellent condition isn't just smart—it's essential for ensuring your vehicle is always ready to hit the trails, especially going into the spring after a long storage period during the harsh Canadian winter months.

Storing the Battery

When you're not exploring the outdoors, store the battery from your ATV in a stable, cold-resistant environment. Extreme temperatures, especially cold, can drastically reduce battery life. By maintaining the battery in a controlled environment, you ensure it retains its charge and remains unaffected by temperature fluctuations. This practice is crucial for any ATV owner who helps their vehicle withstand the off-season.

Understanding Battery Charging Options

To keep your battery in optimal condition, there are a number of charging options to consider. Here are a few types of battery tenders and their benefits:

• Trickle Chargers: Provide a consistent, low-level charge to maintain the battery's optimal charge without the risk of overcharging. A trickle charger is most effective on a quality, newer battery.
• Battery Maintainers: These chargers include testing functions to monitor battery health and ensure it is always ready to perform.
• Jump-Starters: These high-powered chargers are intended to boost and bring a dead battery back to life. They are generally a last resort, however, as they may cause damage when compared to a standard battery tender.
• All-in-One Units: The best option, if you can afford it. There are charging units that act as a trickle charger while also maintaining and even boosting your battery. This is especially helpful if you plan on storing your ATV outside for long periods.

Regular use of the right type of battery tender can significantly extend your battery’s life by preventing sulfate build-up, a common cause of early battery failure. Moving forward, let's have a look at some additional care methods for outdoor storage.

Additional Measures for Storing Your ATV Outside

To ensure your ATV is ready to perform after storage, employing a comprehensive set of protective measures is crucial. Here’s how to cover all bases effectively:

Comprehensive Protection Strategies

• Axle Stands: Use axle stands to lift your ATV tires off the ground. This simple yet crucial step prevents tires from getting flat spots and maintains your tires integrity, ensuring they remain in perfect condition. Be sure to set up your stands in an area that is fully flat to prevent tipping danger.
• Cleaning Your Tires: Speaking of your tires, proper tire care can prevent dry rot; a weather to the sidewalls that happen when tires begin to break down. A mild water-based cleaner or even soap and water can be effective in treating your tires. Ensuring proper inflation of your tires is also crucial.
• Muffler Plug: Inserting a muffler plug into the exhaust pipe of your ATV helps to block it from becoming a cozy winter home for rodents and an accidental receptacle for debris. Always remember to remove this when winter is over before your next ride.
• Air Filter Maintenance: Regularly check and clean or replace the air filter to prevent engine suffocation from dust and dirt, which can reduce performance and increase fuel consumption.
• Spark Plug Checks: Inspect and replace spark plugs as necessary to ensure efficient ignition and optimal engine performance. This helps in avoiding rough starts and misfires.
• Drive Chain Care: Keep the drive chain cleaned, adjusted, and lubricated to ensure smooth riding and gear shifting, thus extending the life of your transmission.
• Cover Up: Protect your ATV with a good quality, heavy-duty cover to shield it from snow, sun, and rain. A waterproof cover also prevents moisture buildup that can lead to rust and corrosion.
• Fluids Check: Before the onset of winter, ensure all fluids are topped off and check the antifreeze levels to guard against freezing temperatures.
• Rodent Deterrence: Place rodent repellents around the ATV storage area to prevent pests from nesting in or near your vehicle.
• Regular Checks: Of the few tips we have offered to consider, this may be the most important. When you're storing your ATV for several months ensure that you regularly check in on it. Starting it and letting it work can help keep the fuel lines moving.

Implementing these strategies not only preserves the life of your ATV’s components but also ensures a trouble-free start to your riding season. When you safely store your ATVs outside, whether under a cover or in a garage, you should feel absolutely confident that they are protected entirely.

Considering Other ATV Storage Options

If you typically store your ATV outdoors due to space constraints or convenience, it's worth exploring alternative storage options that can offer better protection and potentially extend the life of your vehicle. Here's a look at various solutions that can fit different needs and budgets:

Alternate ATV Storage Solutions

• Temporary Shelters: Opt for a temporary shelter if you're looking for a quick and affordable way to protect your ATV from the elements. These can range from simple, weather-resistant canopies to more robust fabric-covered frames, providing a decent level of security against rain, winter snow, and sun.
• Permanent Structures: Consider building a small shed if you're seeking a more durable solution. A stable structure such as a shed not only offers superior shelter from all types of weather but also secures your ATV from theft or vandalism.
• Storage Facilities: If outdoor conditions are too harsh or if you prefer not to store your ATV at home, a storage facility can be an excellent alternative. These facilities offer secure, controlled environments that protect from the elements and reduce potential wear and tear, though they may come with higher long-term costs and less accessibility.

Evaluating Storage Costs Versus Benefits

Evaluate the initial investment against the long-term benefits of each storage option. Temporary shelters might require less upfront cost but may not offer the same level of protection or durability as a garage or permanent shed. Meanwhile, storage facilities, while more secure and professional, could become a more expensive option if used over many years.

Exploring different storage solutions for your ATV is essential, especially when the usual outdoor storage might expose your vehicle to damaging elements. Investing in proper storage not only safeguards your ATV but also enhances its longevity and performance, ensuring it’s always ready for your next outdoor adventure in the winter and spring.

Taking the time to store your ATV properly can make a significant difference in how well your ATV is preserved during the off-season. Whether you choose a temporary shelter, build a new garage, or rent a space at a storage facility, each option offers unique benefits that can keep your ATV in prime condition for years to come. Here’s to making the most out of every ride with a well-maintained ATV!

For more ATV info, check out our other posts:

ATV Financing: Your Guide to Getting the Best Loan Options in Canada

Buying an ATV with High Mileage: Tips, Tricks & What to Expect

Protecting Your ATV from Theft: Essential Tips and Tricks