Camping Made Easy With An Atv Cargo Rack And Bag
By Jesse K. Taylor
Taking your for an overnight camping trip is a great way to get away from it all. With your all-terrain vehicle, you can avoid the crowded campgrounds and find hard-to-access camping sites that offer one-of-a-kind views and a total escape from civilization. With an drop rack and bag, you can do just that.


The best way to pack your utility quad for a camping trip is to use front and rear racks and a rack pack. Tailgate style or drop racks make for easy loading and unloading and give you extra space to stash your cargo. An luggage bag fits nicely on the front or rear of your quad and helps keep your cargo clean and dry. Make sure your rack bag is waterproof to seal out rain, water, mud, sand, and dirt.

Pack items that are as lightweight as possible. The following list will give you a basic idea of what to pack. Depending on how much you like to rough it, you may want to leave some of these items behind.

• Lighting (flashlight and batteries or lantern and fuel)
• Shelter (tarp or tent and sleeping bag)
• Emergency supplies (first aid kit)
• Repair kit for your (tire repair kit, basic tool kit, etc.)
• Shovel
• Recovery gear
• Extra fuel
• Cell phone
• Maps and GPS unit
• Food and water (including a water purification system for emergencies)
• Cooking supplies
• Matches or fire starter
• Clothing and toiletries
• Rain gear
• Garbage



bags

Pack heavier items towards the bottom of the rack as a base; then pile lighter items on top. Lightweight, bulky items (like sleeping bags) you can strap down on top of the load with bungee cords, but seal them in a plastic garbage bag first in case of rain. Try to include items that can serve more than one purpose in order to cut down on extra luggage and weight. Also, keep items that you need to access frequently at the top of your bag.

Balance the load out from the front rack to the rear rack and from side to side. Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's rated load capacity. In some models, the rear capacity is double the capacity for the front of your quad. Check the load capacity of your racks as well. Try not to stack the load too high. You want to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

Place the rear cargo as far forward as possible on your drop rack, and keep the front cargo clear of the handlebars. Leave enough room to easily turn the handlebars. With a heavier load, your may handle differently, so drive with caution until you get a good feel for what your quad can handle under load. Avoid steep grades and uneven terrain that could cause your quad to tip.

With an adequate amount of planning ahead, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your trip in the backcountry. Remember to pack out what you pack in, and leave your campsite cleaner than you found it.

Copyright 2009 Gorilla Winches. You Want In? We'll Get You Out. Get free shipping on all Gorilla ATV drop racks and rack bags at www.gorillawinches.com.

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