Best Tools For ATV and UTV Owners

Derrek Sigler
by Derrek Sigler

ATV and UTV owners need to have a good selection of tools to keep their machines running right and we want to talk about the best tools for the job.

If you’ve owned an ATV or a UTV for any amount of time, then you know that you’ll have to perform a few routine maintenance tasks on the machine if you want it to keep running at the level you expect it to. Things loosen up, fluids need to be changed, parts changed – the list goes on. While standard household tools are pretty handy, there are a few tools that are either specialized for working on ATVs, or are just so handy that they make life easier on you enough so that you really should have them in the garage. Here are our picks of the best tools any ATV or UTV owner should own.

Table of Contents

1. Editor's Choice: Accu-Gage Low Pressure Tire Gauge

ATV and UTV tires run at a lower pressure than those on your truck. However, just the same as on your truck, you don’t want to go for a ride with wonky tire pressures. It can lead to weird handling, flat tires and even accidents. Have a decent low-pressure tire gauge handy. If it has a bleeder valve, that’s even better. That way you can easily check to see that your tires are ready for the ride, and even lower the pressure quickly if you’re planning a ride in sand or snow. It’s cheap insurance against expensive issues.

2. Pit Posse T-Handle Wrenches

Ever been into the mechanics’ area at your local shop, or at a race? The guys who wrench for a living all have a lot of T-handle wrenches handy. The reason is, they work really well. While you may not need a whole set, get the size wrenches you use on a regular basis. One thing that I’ve found about T-handles that has held up for quite some time – they are harder to lose. I know I should knock on wood or something, but I’m always losing sockets and even open-ended wrenches. I have yet to lose the T-handles.

3. Orion Motor Tech Tire Plug Kit

It doesn’t even have to be a fancy kit, but you need a tire plugger. How many times have you run into a flat tire? If you say never, then you haven’t been riding long. Sooner or later, you’re going to have a flat, and that can ruin your day’s plans quick. The type of terrain we use ATVs and UTVs in is bound to put even the toughest tire to the test. Get a tire plug kit and keep it where you know it will be.

4. Tusk Racing Ratchet Spark Plug Wrench

You’ll find out pretty quick that the spark plugs in your ATV are not the same as those in your car. The sizing is different and you’re going to likely go through more of them that your car. Most factory tool kits have a spark plug wrench in them, but you should have a good one for the garage too. A ratcheting one makes quick work of swapping out plugs.

5. Milwaukee Cordless Impact Wrench

I’m not going to lie. I didn’t know just how important a cordless impact wrench would be until I got one. Think about it. Your machine was undoubtedly put together using power tools. Taking it apart for service and back together is going to require power tools as well. You’ll find you appreciate having one handy, especially when bigger maintenance issues come up

6. ACDelco Digital Torque Wrench

We believe all ATV and UTV owners need a good torque wrench. Your machine was built to specific tolerances, and deviating from them can cause issues and problems you don’t want. Make sure everything is tightened to factory specifications before you ride. A good torque wrench is exactly what you need for that.

7. Tusk Axle Wrench

Try as you might, your regular wrenches won't do you a lick of good on your axle nut. While you likely won't use an axle wrench too regularly, you'll be glad you have one when you need it. This wrench set from Tusk will work with both 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets for extra leverage and they pack away small, so they won't take up too much space in your toolbox.

8. Moveland Fasteners

When you have to strip away the plastics off your ATV or UTV, you are going to need a tool to remove the fasteners...and some replacement rivets for when you put the plastics back on. The good news is you can get a big pile of rivets/fasteners for a very small investment and the one linked below also comes with the removal tool.

Even if you don't think you'll ever use all these on your ATV or UTV, they can also come in handy if you do repairs on the interior of your car or truck.

Recent Updates

April 22, 2021: Added new recommendations: axle wrench and body fasteners.

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Derrek Sigler
Derrek Sigler

Derrek's love for all things ATV started when he was a mere 11 years old, growing up on his family farm. His mom gave him and his sister a choice - get a horse, or a three-wheeler. The sister wanted the horse, and Derrek wanted the ATV. Luckily he won out, and was soon burning up the trails on a Yamaha Tri-Moto 200. By the time he was 14, he had saved enough of his own money by working on the farm and in his folks restaurant to buy a new 4-wheeler. That happened the day he and his mom were driving past the dealership and saw 1987 Banshee. His mom had no idea what he was buying, and he never looked back. He's been riding ever since, and been writing professionally for many years. He has ridden all over North America and been behind the controls of just about every machine out there. And yes, he still has his 1987 Yamaha Banshee.

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