Side-by-side utility task vehicles (UTVs) from Honda, like the Honda side x side ATV, and other manufacturers are a highly popular choice for both work and play, thanks in no small part to their extraordinary versatility. Unfortunately, those traits also make them a hot target for thieves. It's no wonder that ATV and UTV thefts are on the rise in many areas of the United States, as people often leave them out in the open unattended.
If you want to lower your chances of your UTV being stolen, take a look at the following tips and tricks:
Lock It Down
Making your UTV immobile is one way of stopping casual theft. This is as simple as removing the fuse and its spare from the circuit controlling the electric starter or creating a hidden cutoff switch for the fuel pump. Another way to keep thieves from getting any ideas is to drape a heavy-duty chain through and around the wheels and axles.
If your UTV has drilled brake rotors, Outdoor Life suggests slipping the locking shaft of a small pad lock through one of the holes to keep the machine in place. However, you'll want to be careful to avoid damaging the brake rotor in the process. It's possible to substitute a small length of cable lock, which is usually covered with a protective plastic covering to prevent damage.
While the above measures ward off casual thieves, more determined crooks may be willing to hoist or lift the machine onto a flatbed or into a waiting pickup truck, especially if you have a particularly expensive or in-demand UTV. In this case, you may want to invest in a stolen vehicle recovery system. Such systems can be used to track down your vehicle after it's been stolen. It may also help law enforcement officials find and bust the people responsible for the theft.
Out of Sight, Out of a Thief's Mind
There's no other tempting target than a UTV that's in plain sight, especially when there's no one else around. Instead of leaving your ride front-and-center while you're at home, you should wheel it into your garage or shed. Don't forget to keep those doors closed, as you don't want to give crooks a tempting preview. As an added security measure, some people have even gone as far as installing anchors in their concrete garage floor. The concrete anchor attaches to the UTV, rendering it immobile to would-be thieves.
If you don't have a shed or a garage to hide your UTV in, the next best thing is to keep it in the back yard, safe from prying eyes. Cover it up with a heavy-duty tarp and keep it physically bolted or chained to a strong structure attached to the house itself.
Don't Forget About Your Trailer
Keeping your UTV locked up in an enclosed trailer is one way of keeping thieves' eyes off of your prized machine. But a thief's attention could just as easily turn towards the trailer itself. Given that few trailers offer effective anti-theft provisions from the start, a thief can easily "hook and book" – leaving your trailer as well as your gear missing in action.
The All-Terrain Vehicle Association recommends using a high-quality tongue lock to prevent easy hookups from happening. Next, you can follow that up by looping some heavy chain or a cable lock through the axle and wheels. These measures are designed to completely deter some lazier thieves, while giving the more dedicated ones a much harder time.
The ATVA also recommends installing a car alarm within the trailer itself. Such an alarm can be hooked up to an ordinary 12-volt automobile battery located inside, giving thieves yet another reason to leave your trailer alone.
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