ATV camping is the ultimate experience. After all, you can go many more places – and further off-grid – with an ATV than you can with a car, truck, or SUV.
But heading way off the grid with your ATV doesn’t necessarily mean you have to rough it. In fact, you can have a pretty luxurious camping trip, even though you’re using a small vehicle with little room for gear. That’s where an ATV camping trailer comes in…
Having a trailer behind your ATV changes the whole game. With room for gear, a place to sleep, and amenities for cooking, you can bring many of the comforts of home to your wilderness destination. An ATV camping trailer is just part of the equation, though. Read on for additional tips to level up your camping experience with your ATV!
Table of Contents
- Optimize Your ATV for Carrying Gear
- Fuel Management for Extended ATV Camping Trips
- Portable Power Solutions for ATV Camping
- ATV Camping Tire Selection and Pressure Adjustments<
- Winch Usage and Recovery Gear
Optimize Your ATV for Carrying Gear
Image Credit: SNO Trailers
The success of any ATV camping trip relies heavily on your ability to carry enough gear without sacrificing performance. This can be tricky since ATVs aren’t designed for massive storage capacity. However, with the right approach, you can load up all the essentials without slowing down your ride.
The Ideal Camping Trailer
Image Credit: SNO Trailers
One of the best ways to increase your carrying capacity without bogging down your ATV is by investing in a purpose-built trailer for ATV camping. I recommend the SNO Trailers Recon, an excellent companion for off-the-grid adventures.
As I discuss in my SNO Trailers Recon review, this trailer is designed to handle off-road conditions while carrying significant weight, making it perfect for hauling tents, coolers, and even firewood. Its durable build ensures that it can take on rugged terrain, while its compact size makes it easy to tow behind your ATV without affecting maneuverability. I mean, check out the specs of this bad boy:
- 9’ 6” long
- 4’ 11” tall
- 4’ 10” wide
- 600 pounds dry
- 2,000-pound suspension load
Like I said, this trailer is compact and capable of carrying a lot of gear!
The Recon Has Amenities Galore
Image Credit: SNO Trailers
But this isn’t just a metal box on wheels that you tow behind your ATV. SNO Trailers has outfitted it to be the ultimate ATC camping trailer. For example, the Recon comes equipped with a front utility box for storage and a huge rear compartment for additional storage that has a door on either side of the trailer for access. Heck, you can even add a fridge and fridge slide to the rear compartment to keep your food nice and cool for the duration of your ATV camping trip.
What’s more, this trailer has a complete electrical system, onboard water, and propane tank holders, that way you can charge your devices, wash dishes (and yourself with the optional shower), and have hot water as well!
I could go on and on about the Recon, but I’ve already done so in the review linked earlier. So I’ll just say this: If you have an ATV and you enjoy extended off-grid camping trips, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better ATV camping trailer than this one!
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Fuel Management for Extended ATV Camping Trips
Photo by bbernard via Shutterstock
When you’re out in the wild, the last thing you want is to run out of fuel miles away from the nearest gas station. Extended ATV camping trips require careful fuel management, especially if you’re exploring remote areas where refueling options are limited or non-existent. So, what does that look like?
Carry Extra Fuel Safely
Image Credit: SNO Trailers
Invest in secure, rugged fuel containers such as Rotopax that mount directly onto your ATV or trailer. Not only do these containers provide extra fuel storage, but they also lock tightly to prevent spills, which is essential when navigating uneven terrain. Be mindful of the weight distribution—mount your fuel low and close to the center of your ATV to avoid tipping over on technical trails, as shown above. The Red Rotopax shown above is as low as possible over the rear bumper of the SNO Trailers Recon.
Know Your ATV’s Range
The type of terrain you’re tackling will also impact fuel consumption. For example, sandy or muddy terrain forces your ATV to work harder, burning fuel faster than it would on solid ground. Make sure to factor this into your planning.
Use apps like Gaia GPS to track your route and estimate mileage between refueling points. As an added precaution, always carry a small siphon in case you need to transfer fuel from one vehicle to another.
Portable Power Solutions for ATV Camping
Image Credit: InergyTek
In the modern age of camping, portable power is more than a luxury—it’s a necessity. From keeping your GPS charged to running portable fridges, having a reliable power source is essential for any extended ATV camping trip.
When I’m on an extended ATV camping trip, I rely on the Inergy FLEX 1500 Tactical portable power station to provide me with the juice I need to charge my devices. This beast of a power solution can handle everything from charging your devices to powering lights and small appliances. It’s rugged enough to withstand the bumps and jolts of off-road travel, making it a rock-solid option for ATV camping.
This Thing is Next-Level Rugged
Image Credit: InergyTek
In fact, this power station elevates the standard for “rugged”…
For example, this thing is waterproof, dustproof, and is good to work in temperatures down to -22 degrees Fahrenheit. Heck, this thing comes with an EMP shield (though you need to buy an additional accessory to make it work). But, hey, if you’re really concerned about electromagnetic pulses or lightning strikes frying your power station, this is the one to get since it can be protected from those things.
Image Credit: InergyTek
The FLEX 1500 also comes with expandable battery options, which means you can add more capacity if you’re heading out for a longer trip. If you’re on a short ATV camping trip, one 1,000-watt battery might do the trick. But if you’re staying longer, two, three or more batteries might be necessary (this system is expandable to 96 batteries!).
And since it’s compatible with solar panels, you can keep your power station charged throughout your adventure, ensuring you never run out of juice for your electronics. Charge it up on AC power at home before you leave, deploy compatible solar panels when you’re at camp, and you’ll have all the power you need for your ATV camping trip. That’s also true given the wide range of power outputs available to you:
- 6 115VAC 60Hz grounded outlets
- 2 65W USB-C ports and two USB-A ports
- 2 5.5×2.5mm DC outputs for using Basecamp LED lights, which are also available from Inergy
- 2 15A cigarette lighter ports, both of which have 13.8V regulated DC output
Not bad, right?
ATV Camping Tire Selection and Pressure Adjustments
Tire selection is a critical factor in ensuring a smooth ride and getting the most out of your ATV on different terrain. Whether you’re crossing sand dunes or rocky trails, having the right tires and knowing when to adjust pressure can dramatically improve your experience.
Tire pressure, in particular, can make or break your ATV camping trip. Low tire pressure increases traction on sandy or muddy terrain, while higher pressure reduces rolling resistance on hard-packed trails. The MORRFlate TenSix PSI Pro Gen 2 is the perfect portable air compressor for making on-the-fly adjustments in situations like these. Why? Well, it’s simple…
This compact yet powerful compressor allows you to inflate or deflate tires based on the terrain you’re tackling, and its multi-hose setup makes it easy to adjust front and rear tires quickly and simultaneously. With 10.6 CFM at 0 PSI and 6.5 CFM at 30 PSI, it has plenty of inflation power to help you get your ATV tires to the proper PSI.
A Duty Cycle That Allows You To Inflate a Lot of Tires
Moreover, the TenSix PSI Pro Gen 2 has an 80 percent duty cycle at 0 PSI, so you can run it for 45 minutes straight followed by a 10-minute break. In that time, you can inflate the tires on six to eight vehicles. Nice!
This air compressor is ready for tough environments, too. It has a stainless steel outlet hose for better heat dissipation and heat sinking, aluminum heat sinks, and internal aluminum cylinders. It also features a purge valve to release the internal pressure when you’re done airing up your tires and improved piston rings, too.
On top of all that, the TenSix PSI Pro Gen 2 has an automatic PSI feature that enables you to dial in the desired PSI and let it do its thing. There’s no more hand-wringing over whether you’ve achieved the proper air pressure – just set it and forget it and let the TenSix do its thing!
By carrying a compressor like the TenSix PSI Pro, you can extend the life of your tires and improve fuel efficiency, while also giving yourself the flexibility to adapt to ever-changing trail conditions.
Winch Usage and Recovery Gear
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No matter how much experience you have, getting stuck is a part of ATV camping—especially if you’re navigating rough or unpredictable terrain. That’s why every advanced ATV camper should have a winch and recovery gear as part of their standard setup.
Master Your Winch
A heavy-duty winch is your best friend when your ATV is in the mud or caught on a rocky slope. Invest in a winch with a capacity that exceeds the weight of your ATV. My recommendation is to pair the winch with essential recovery gear such as snatch blocks, tree straps, and a heavy-duty tow rope. These tools will give you the leverage and strength needed to recover your ATV safely, even in the most challenging situations.
Practice Makes Perfect
Before you set out, practice using your winch and recovery gear…
Knowing the right techniques and safety measures is crucial, especially when you’re in a remote area where help isn’t easily accessible. Keep a pair of gloves handy to protect your hands from sharp cables, and always double-check that your winch is secure with a solid anchor point before you start pulling.
Sounds simple enough, right?
Photo by anatoliy_gleb via Shutterstock
ATV camping is an exhilarating way to explore the great outdoors, but it requires careful planning and the right equipment to ensure your trips are smooth, safe, and enjoyable. By following these simple tips, you’ll be ready for whatever the trails throw at you. These tips, learned from years of off-road camping, will not only enhance your ATV camping experience but also make each trip more adventurous and memorable!
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