Since your ATV cover gets a lot of exposure to the elements, it’s important to take care of the cover to make sure it provides the best protection for your ATV or UTV. One of the things you need to know is how to properly store the ATV or UTV cover.

Before storing your cover for the season, we recommend cleaning it. Brush off any loose dirt and debris, and follow the cleaning instructions supplied by the manufacturer. After the cover is dry, fold it neatly and place it in the storage bag, if included.

Make sure the cover is completely dry before folding it. Any moisture trapped inside the cover during storage can promote the growth of mildew.

Store the cover in a dry, protected area away from sunlight. This will help your cover last longer and save you the expense of buying a new one.

Your ATV or UTV cover needs to be cleaned regularly for the best protection.

Special Precautions

To protect the coating, which in turn protects your ATV, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the cover. The following instructions apply specifically to DuraShield ATV covers, but they also provide general instructions for cleaning most ATV covers on the market.

If the Water-Tec coating (or other special coating) does get damaged, or if it starts to wear off after years of use or exposure to harsh climates, you will need to either replace the cover or re-apply a water-resistant or waterproof coating.

Washing the ATV Cover

Because of the special coatings on your ATV cover, we recommend hand washing the cover for the gentlest cleaning. Use a soft brush and plain, lukewarm water to clean the cover. If you don’t want to hand wash the cover, you can compromise by cleaning the cover in the washing machine with COLD water, NO SOAP, and on the DELICATE cycle. The use of soap or detergent may remove the protective coatings on the cover and may even void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Drying the ATV Cover

After the ATV cover is washed, we recommend letting it air dry. Your other option is to machine dry the cover on a delicate or air only setting. Remove the cover as soon as it is dry. Make sure the cover is completely dry before folding it for storage.

Frequency of Cleaning

How often should you clean your ATV cover? That all depends on the climate you live in and how much the cover will be exposed to the elements. Wash the cover as often as it needs to be washed. The longer you go without washing a dirty cover, the less protection the cover will offer as the material becomes clogged with dirt and other particles.

A trailerable ATV cover is more durable and versatile than a storage cover.

Trailerable ATV covers offer these distinct advantages…

• More versatile than an ATV storage cover – good for both storage and trailer use
• Solid protection for your ATV on an open trailer
• Made from thicker material, which means better protection and a longer-lasting ATV cover
• Cover tie downs included to keep the cover from flying away or flapping wildly in the wind
• Zippered gas tank access makes it quick and easy to fill up on your way to the trailhead
• Available to fit almost any ATV make and model on the market today
• Storage bag included for convenient storage on your ATV or in your vehicle

Click here to find trailerable ATV covers by DuraShield for under $60!

Looking for the best deal on a trailerable ATV cover? Take a look at the ATV cover comparison below for a side-by-side look at several of the top trailerable ATV covers on the market today.

Note: All specifications are based on the manufacturer’s stated price and product description at time of posting.

Hide your ATV on the hunt
with a camo ATV cover.

Sometimes you might be able to ride all the way in to your hunting spot. Other times you may only be able to get part of the way in, but it’s easier and faster than walking the entire distance. Plus you have a quick way to get out in case of bad weather or emergencies.

Once you reach your hunting spot, slip a camo ATV cover over your quad to keep it from spooking the deer and to conceal it from other people in the area. You’ll probably want to hide your ATV in one spot and set up your ground blind in another spot just to make sure the deer don’t catch a whiff of gas or oil from your quad. You don’t want your ATV to spoil the hunt!

FAQs on material thickness for boat covers, jet ski covers, motorcycle covers, ATV covers, and golf cart covers.

What determines the thickness of a cover?

“Denier” is the term used to describe the thickness of a material. The thicker the cover material, the higher the denier.

Are thicker covers better?

Thicker covers are better for outside storage. They’ll stand up better under the wear and tear of rain, snow, sun, and the elements. For inside storage in protected areas, thinner storage covers work just fine.

What is the recommended denier for indoor and outdoor storage covers?

For outdoor storage covers, a thickness of 300-600 denier is generally sufficient. For indoor storage covers, a thickness of 150-300 denier provides adequate protection.

What about breathability?

The thicker a storage cover is, the more difficult it is for air to flow through the cover. Without adequate venting, a thick storage cover will trap condensation inside the cover, possibly resulting in moisture damage. Most manufacturers include a venting system to make a thick cover breathable. The vent allows air and moisture to escape from underneath the cover while preventing moisture from entering.

How much does a quality storage cover cost?

The higher the denier, the more you should expect to pay. If your motorcycle or boat is in a fairly protected area, you may be able to get away with a thinner, lower cost cover. If you store your motorcycle or boat outdoors, invest in a thick, high quality storage cover with vents. It will cost you a little more up front, but the quality of protection will save you money in the long run.

Read the tag on your boat cover, ATV cover, or motorcycle cover, and you’ll probably see terms like “waterproof,” “water-resistant,” and “water-repellent.” You might think they all mean the same thing, but the truth is that there’s a difference between a waterproof cover and a water-resistant cover.

What’s the difference between all these terms? Here’s how Merriam-Webster online defines it:

Waterproof: “impervious to water; especially : covered or treated with a material (as a solution of rubber) to prevent permeation by water”

Water-repellent (also water-resistant): “treated with a finish that is resistant but not impervious to penetration by water”

Breathable, Waterproof Motorcycle Cover with
"Vent X" Venting System

A waterproof cover, on the other hand, is designed to keep out heavy rains. The seams are taped or sealed to keep water from entering through the tiny needle holes in the fabric seams. Although a waterproof cover sounds like the better of the two types of covers, it does have its weaknesses.

First, the time and effort required to waterproof a cover adds to the overall cost. If you choose a waterproof cover over a water-resistant one, be prepared to shell out the extra change.

Second, because of the water-tight nature of a waterproof cover, any condensation that builds up under the cover stays under the cover and can potentially cause moisture damage to your boat or vehicle. That’s why some manufacturers design their waterproof covers with vents to allow the condensation to evaporate and to prevent moisture damage. A breathable, waterproof cover will fully protect your boat, ATV, or other powersports vehicle from exterior and interior moisture.

Also keep in mind that one boat or motorcycle cover may be more waterproof than another, depending on the quality of the fabric and its resistance to water pressure. According to Wikipedia, “water resistance is measured by the amount of water, in mm, which can be suspended above the fabric before water seeps through.” So the more water pressure that a piece of fabric cover can withstand, the more likely it will be to keep your boat or motorcycle dry in heavy rain or snow.

Looking forward to exploring the great outdoors on your quad? Getting your ATV to the trail is the first step. Unless you live along the trail, most likely you’ll need to transport your ATV to and from the riding area.

Loading your ATV requires a certain amount of know-how and safety precautions to protect yourself and your equipment from accidents. Here are a few tips for loading and securing your ATV on a truck or trailer.

If loading onto a trailer, hitch up the trailer to the tow vehicle before loading your ATV. This prevents the trailer from rocking or tipping.

Use ramps with a loading capacity that can easily handle the combined weight of your ATV and any equipment left on your quad. The ground at the bottom of the ramps should be flat and solid, and the angle of the ramps should be gradual, not steep. Attach the safety straps or other safety device to lock your ramps in place.

Riding your ATV up the ramps can be dangerous, and accidents caused by improper loading are more common than you might think. If you choose this method of loading, wear protective gear such as boots, gloves, goggles, and a helmet.

Load your quad in first gear, or the lowest gear possible to mount the ramps. Avoid jerky starts or stops while on the ramps. Never approach the ramps at high speed. This could cause the ramps to buckle or to ram into the back of the trailer or truck.

The safest way to load your ATV is to use a winch. This method allows you to stand clear of the ATV and gives you greater control over speed and precision in loading. With a winch, you don’t have to worry about stalling on the ramps and can stand at a safe distance in case something goes wrong.

Once you’ve loaded your quad, balance the weight over the trailer axle to evenly distribute the load. Set the parking brake on your ATV and secure it to the truck or trailer bed with tie-down straps. Use a total of four straps: two in front and two in back. Ratchet down the straps as tightly as possible. The straps should be tight enough to lock your ATV in place when you try to rock it, and the tires should look like they are under load.

Loop and secure excess strap length to keep them from flapping or dragging. If you are hauling your quad in an open trailer or truck bed, protect it with a trailerable ATV cover with tie-downs to keep it clean of road debris such as sand or salt and to shield it from the elements.