What is an ATV Cab Enclosure?
An ATV cab enclosure is an essential piece of kit that fits over the top of your quad and creates a waterproof, weatherproof shield. The windows are plastic and transparent to allow you full visibility from all angles. Most enclosures come with bars that attach to the racks already fitted on your quad.
You can find some that are custom made for your type of machine or you can get universal types that should fit most ATVs. These bars create a frame that gives the enclosure some shape and allows the material to be fitted or stretched around them. Some are attached with velcro, metal poppers or string ties.
They are usually adjusted to be as tight as a drum so there are no wrinkles in the front or side screens that could affect your visibility. Doors with zips are included on each side for access, and there are often windows or vents that can be opened if the cab is getting too hot. Depending on your choice of cab enclosure, there may be little extras like pockets for your equipment or doors that can be completely rolled up or zipped out.
Soft Cab Enclosures
Most ATV cab enclosures are made from strong, weatherproof material like heavy-duty nylon with a weatherproof coating. Some contain PVC and many are double zipped for extra resistance against wind.
Many have windshields that have been reinforced or are made from acrylic to stand up to wind, rain, or even snow. The material is usually thick enough to be waterproof and can protect you from the sun’s UV rays.
Hard Cab Enclosures
If a material based cab enclosure isn’t given you enough protection, you can also opt for a hard shell version. The whole structure is technically more solid than a soft cab enclosure and the windows tend to be made of safety glass. Glass doesn’t wrinkle and can be easier to see through than acrylic which could scratch.
The cab itself and doors can be made of metal or coated polycarbonate. A hard cover could also be useful if you want to tighten security as you can lock the cab just like a car, making it harder to steal and allowing you to leave some things inside if you like. You can even add some windshield wipers for added visibility in relentless rain.
Adding a cab enclosure to your ATV turns your open quad bike into an enclosed buggy that will keep riders, and passengers if relevant, cozy and comfortable. This way, you can spend longer on your quad and get tough jobs done when the weather is not on your side.
What Can I Do With a Cab Enclosure?
There are many uses for both the soft and hard type of cab enclosure. Both will protect you from the wind, rain, and cold weather. They can also be helpful in hot weather when biting insects can make trail riding a pain. If you need to use some small hand tools and can’t store them onboard, the pockets in a cab enclosure could help you out.
Similarly, if you are out working all day, keeping important items such as keys or your mobile phone might be safer in the pockets of a cab enclosure than in your jacket where it is more likely they will fall out or get wet.
Why Should I Get One?
ATVs or quad bikes are most commonly open-topped vehicles which allow you to hop on and hit the trail with the breeze in your face. Nothing could be better when the weather is hot and you are riding alongside pals, chatting away. But nothing could be worse in the rain and snow when you need to tow a trailer some distance, maybe to take food to animals a couple of fields away.
At times like these, you need a cab enclosure that will protect you from the elements and keep you warm. It can be difficult to see with the wind and rain in your face, forcing you to travel at a snail’s pace. With a cab enclosure, you can maintain visibility and be able to travel much more quickly.
Some ATVs are needed for yard work all year round, and many riders put in many hours behind the handlebars which is when a cab enclosure is a necessity. Even leisure riders can make use of a cab cover so they can carry on their riding whatever the season.
Competition riders don’t take time off when the weather is bad, but they might reach for a cab enclosure to let them stay out for longer and stick to their usual speed.
What Are the Best ATV Cab Enclosures Available?
1. Raider Universal ATV Cab Enclosure
This universal cover is advertised as fitting most makes and models and reviewers have commented on how well it fits and how easy the instructions are to follow. Nice and light at only 17 pounds, it can be taken off and stored easily.
It is made of 420 denier nylon which is tough enough to keep out even the worst of the rain without leaks. It has great visibility with clear plastic windows on all four sides. It’s slick black color also looks great whatever color your quad happens to be. Check out pricing and more info on the Raider Universal ATV Cab Enclosure with this link to Amazon.
2. Classic Accessories Quad Gear UTV Cab Enclosure
This version is designed specifically to fit a Kawasaki UTV by fitting over the roll cage. The doors can be taken off if you need to get on and off quickly or to give you some ventilation when the weather is hot.
The ProtekX Extreme fabric will protect you from the sun’s UV rays as well as wind and rain. It’s also tough enough to put up with some scratches from brambles and briers without being torn or scarred.
It has also been known to fit a Coleman quad as well as a Yamaha. Classic Accessories make a range of different enclosures to fit other brands of ATV. To get more info on Classic Accessories Quad Gear use this link.
3. Intruder QuikCab Convertible ATV Cover
In classic camouflage colors, this ATV cover is suitable for most machines. It attaches to a tubular frame and its 6oo denier material will protect you from all weather conditions you could meet.
The clever design means it folds away into itself so can be stored onboard. Taking only seconds to put up means its great for those sunny days when a sudden shower can catch you out. Because it stretches over both front and rear racks, it also keeps your equipment safe and dry. To get more info on the Intruder QuikCab Convertible ATV Cover use this link to Amazon.
Sum It Up
Soft cab enclosures are a cheaper and lighter option, ideal if storage space is of a premium. Alternatively, if you use your ATV every day and needed the added protection of a hard shell enclosure, you might need to check if your manufacturers make a model specific to your brand of machine.
If a cab enclosure seems like it might be more than you need, maybe you could get away with just an ATV Windshield. To see more gear I’ve tried and tested for you, check out the Recommended Gear section of this site.