Essential UTV Camping Gear

Camping with your UTV is an exciting and worthwhile challenge, and packing all the necessary gear is part of that challenge! Your vehicle has limited storage space, so it’s much more like backpacking than car camping. The following gear guide from Sky Powersports Cocoa can help you stick to the essentials, so read on to learn more.

Space Saving Tips

There are various upgrades you can add to give your UTV more storage capacity, but packing light is still going to be your best strategy. Every accessory adds extra weight that can slow down your vehicle and reduce your fuel efficiency. Scale down your camping kit as much as possible by leaving behind luxuries and picking up travel-sized versions of essential products, like toiletries.

Shelter

While some people love nothing more than sleeping under the stars, the rest of us prefer some form of shelter at night. That poses a problem for UTV camping, as bulky tents and sleeping bags are going to crowd out all your other supplies. Cabin rentals are a great solution if they’re available at your destination. If not, look for a small one-person backpacking tent. You can also find lightweight sleeping bags and sleeping pads designed for backpacking.

Clothing

Clothes are important, but you may not need as much clothing as you think. Most items can be worn multiple times before washing, and you might even have the opportunity to hit up a laundromat along your route. Keep in mind that moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics will keep you comfortable for a long time and they require very little drying time.

Make sure to check the weather forecast before your trip in case you need to pack any additional layers. Lightweight raincoats are a smart choice for wet weather, and a good pair of wool socks goes a long way toward keeping you warm. If you don’t want to be stuck in your riding boots for the whole trip, pack a pair of low-profile sneakers or flip-flops to wear around your campsite.

Food

Eating out for every meal probably won’t be possible or practical on your UTV camping trip, but staying well-nourished is a matter of necessity. After all, riding your side-by-side is a full-body workout! Maximize space efficiency without sacrificing nutrition by packing calorie-dense and highly portable foods like peanut butter, trail mix, protein bars, and freeze-dried packet meals. Once again, backpacking gear is going to come in handy here, so find yourself some lightweight yet sturdy utensils for campsite food preparation.

Odds and Ends

Smaller supplies that are no less essential include your basic toiletries, first-aid kit, mini tool kit, and device chargers. We recommend storing these items in one or two small bags to keep them organized, so you won’t have to go fishing around in your cargo box to track down a band-aid.

We hope this guide improves your UTV camping experience! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask our friendly staff at Sky Powersports Cocoa. You’ll find u conveniently located in Cocoa, FL. We welcome all our customers coming from Palm Shore and East Orlando.