HOW TO KEEP SAFE ON YOUR UTV
Every day, more people are discovering why UTVs offer as much fun as you can have on four wheels. These fast, powerful, lightweight vehicles are not only major fun to drive under any conditions, they’re also extremely useful when it’s time to get to work. Whether you’re heading out on a hunt and need a way to pull your game out of the bush, or you’re ferrying supplies around a construction site, these vehicles are incredibly useful.
No matter what you use your UTV for, it’s crucial to practice safety techniques. Here at Campers RV Center, we’ve developed the ultimate guide for safe UTV operation. If you need parts or service for your UTV, don’t hesitate to stop by our location in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Maintaining Your UTV
The first step to safe UTV operation is to have a well-maintained UTV. Before you head out, always take a walk all the way around your vehicle to make sure things are in order. Look at the tires to make sure they’re inflated. Look underneath the UTV to see if brush has become lodged in the engine bay or any other sensitive areas. Make sure there are no leaking fluids. In addition to taking a walk around, you’ll want to set up a regular maintenance schedule for your UTV. Whether you perform this yourself or take it into a shop with trained technicians, it’s important that your UTV has functioning brakes, sufficient fluids, and a charged battery. If your UTV has a windshield, make sure it is free of cracks and debris. A dirty windshield will make driving unsafe.
Safe Operation
Once you’ve made sure your UTV is safe to ride, you should focus on safe operation. There are many elements that go into safely operating a UTV, but most of them come down to three points: prepare as much as possible, maintain awareness, and know your limits. Preparation is key to being safe on a UTV. It’s important to never ride in a new area alone. This will give you someone who can help you should you have a vehicle malfunction or crash. You should familiarize yourself with the area you’re heading into. This can include looking at maps, studying trails, and learning about the region’s topography. Make sure to carry water, a few tools, and emergency supplies just in case the worst happens. Always wear appropriate safety equipment and clothing, such as helmets, goggles, and gloves.
When you’re actually driving your UTV, you should always maintain awareness of your surroundings. One quick lapse in judgment can lead to a world of problems. This means you should only drive sober. Drinking or doing drugs are the best way to ruin your ability to maintain awareness of your surroundings.
Finally, you have to learn your limits and abide by them. If you’re unsure of your surroundings, consult a map or retrace your path until you know where you are. Don’t push the limits with speed, especially if you’re new to driving a UTV. Don’t ride at night if you don’t know the region. Using common sense isn’t enough; you should actively be more careful than you think you need to be.
Mastering Tough Terrain
The final element to safe UTV operation is continuing to improve your driving skill sets. In practical terms, this means getting to know how driving on sand feels as opposed to driving in mud, or driving on a gravel-covered construction site as opposed to a dirt path. You’ll also want to learn how much weight you can load into your UTV and how to load it in. You’ll also need to learn how fast you can responsibly take corners, and what types of terrain are best to avoid. All of these skills come through practice, and the best way to practice is to be cautious and safe from the beginning.
Hopefully this guide has given you a few things to consider before taking off on your UTV. If you’re currently considering buying a UTV, stop by Campers RV Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. We proudly serve the area of Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe, Louisiana, as well as Marshall, Longview, and Tyler, Texas. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will get you outfitted with the perfect UTV and everything you need to use it safely.