ATV Fun & ATV Trail Riding
ATV trail trip checklist
Unless you don't care whether you're stuck in the middle of an ATV trail unawares, you can ignore our warning. Otherwise, before you hit the ATV trails, checking if your ATV is in mint condition is essential. In fact, we'd say it's a life-saver. Do the check a couple of days before the actual ATV trip because in the event that you find out that something needs replacing on your ATV, there's still time to run to the mechanic to get the fault fixed. It would be too late for you to perform the quick checkup the night before you actually plan to ride the ATV trail.
First of all, there's the visual check that you must perform. Just take a quick look outside and inside of the ATV. This might take a good few minutes only depending on how well you know your ATV. Just look around, shake a few things here and there to see if there's anything unusual about your ATV. If there's noise, note it down and you'll come back to it later on. If it makes you feel better, take a short ride around the yard to see if it feels different, unusual or under-performing.
These parts of the ATV should be thoroughly inspected; the axles and differentials, battery (see if they're damaged, leaking), brakes, belts and hoses (see if there are holes or unusual cracks), frame of the ATV, cooling and heating system, gear, the engine as a whole (spark plys, carburetor, wires, PCV valve, etc), exhaust, muffler, lights, nuts and bolts (tighten all the nuts and bolts as you go along), steering (check if its in alignment, wheel bearings), tires (air pressure is important and get a spare, please), wipers and suspension.
We feel that we should also list down all the tools that you may need during your ATV trip, so, here goes. Anyway, just pack as you need depending on how intense you intend to ride the ATV, the terrain and condition of your ATV.
The air pressure gauge, grease for those creaky and stuck moments, wench (life-saver), hammer (oh, what would we do without it?), pocket knife (you don't know what you need to cut during emergency), screwdriver, pliers, tape (not the cassette kind. The sticky and electrical kind, if you please), nuts and bolts of various sizes, socket set, super glue, baling wire. Please feel free to add on if you think anything is missing.
And last but not least, do bring along your sense of humor and enthusiasm. Have fun!