If you’re the proud owner of a brand-new side by side, you probably want to take your new ride out on the trails and go mudding as soon as possible. However, before you take your new ride for a spin, make sure you have some basic safety equipment installed.

Winch Systems

Many off-roaders will tell you that one of the most important things to do when you get a brand new UTV is to consider having UTV winches installed. You could spend hours waiting in a ditch if you don’t have the proper equipment to get out. UTV winches give you the ability to anchor yourself to a tree or some other sturdy object and pull your UTV out of the muck. While you might think that a winch isn’t necessary for your first ride, you’ll think it’s worth its weight in gold once you’re stuck in the middle of a trail.

Safety Harness

If you like to take your SxS out for high speed racing, consider having a good safety harness installed in your ride. An SxS can reach pretty serious speeds.  If you are taking turns at high speeds, you run the risk of possibly overturning your vehicle. First-time riders who aren’t used to the weight of their vehicle are especially at-risk for losing control. With a good safety harness in place, you can remain in your vehicle in the unfortunate event that a crash does occur.

You want to prevent your new ride from being damaged and make sure you can ride as long as possible. Winches and safety harness are an excellent place to start.