6 Utv Side-By-Side Cargo Storage Solutions That Keep Your Gear Secure

You’ve loaded the UTV with fencing staples, a chainsaw, two bags of feed, and a shovel, only to find everything has shifted into a chaotic pile by the time you reach the back pasture. A well-organized UTV isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about efficiency and protecting your investment in tools and supplies. The right cargo system transforms your side-by-side from a simple transport vehicle into a mobile command center for your farm.

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Choosing the Right UTV Cargo System for Your Farm

There is no single "best" cargo box or rack for every hobby farm. The ideal setup depends entirely on your daily chores. What works for a small livestock operation will be completely different from what a market gardener needs.

Start by asking what you haul most often. Are you moving bags of feed, loose soil, or firewood? Or is your bed typically filled with valuable tools like chainsaws, drills, and fencing equipment? Do you need weather protection for sensitive items, or just a way to contain bulky gear? The answers will guide you toward a system that solves your specific problems instead of creating new ones.

Consider the tradeoff between security, capacity, and flexibility. A permanent, lockable system offers great security but reduces your ability to haul oversized items on a whim. A simple drop-in cargo box is great for bulk materials but offers little in the way of organization. The goal is to match the system to your 80% use case, not the once-a-year task.

DECKED Drawer System for Weatherproof Tool Storage

For anyone carrying expensive tools into the field, the DECKED system is the gold standard for security and organization. It’s essentially a heavy-duty, weatherproof toolbox that integrates directly into your UTV’s cargo bed. It features two full-length, lockable drawers that slide out for easy access.

This system shines for its ability to protect your gear. Power tools, veterinary supplies, and other sensitive items stay dry, dust-free, and secure from theft. The top deck remains fully functional, rated for a significant load, so you can still haul feed bags, coolers, or hay bales on top of the drawers. It effectively creates a two-tier storage system.

The primary consideration is that this is a semi-permanent, premium solution. It’s a significant investment and requires a proper installation. It also raises the floor of your cargo bed, which can be a drawback if you frequently haul very tall, bulky items. However, for protecting several thousand dollars worth of tools from weather and theft, the tradeoff is often well worth it.

SuperATV Cargo Box for Hauling Heavy-Duty Gear

Sometimes you just need a big, tough container. The classic hard-sided cargo box, like those from SuperATV, is a simple, rugged, and highly effective solution for containing bulk items and protecting your UTV’s bed. It’s perfect for hauling things that would otherwise scratch, dent, or make a mess of the factory bed.

Think of it as a durable, removable tub. It’s ideal for moving loose material like mulch, gravel, or compost. It’s also great for containing firewood or keeping multiple feed bags from sliding around. Most are made from thick polyethylene, feature a water-resistant seal to keep contents dry, and are lockable for basic security.

The main limitation is the lack of built-in organization. It’s one large space, so smaller tools can get lost at the bottom. It also consumes the entire bed, unlike a modular system. But for pure, simple, and easy-to-clean hauling capacity, a high-quality cargo box is tough to beat.

Kemimoto Cargo Bag for Flexible, Soft-Sided Space

Not every storage need requires a heavy-duty box. Soft-sided cargo bags offer incredible flexibility for lighter gear. They are perfect for stashing items you want to keep handy and protected from the elements, like rain gear, first-aid kits, gloves, or tow straps.

The biggest advantage is versatility. These bags are easily installed and removed with simple straps, meaning you can take your gear with you when you leave the UTV. Multiple internal dividers and external pockets help with organization, and the soft sides can accommodate oddly shaped items better than a rigid box.

Of course, a soft bag has its limits. It offers minimal security against theft and is typically water-resistant, not fully waterproof in a downpour. You wouldn’t want to store sharp tools like pruning saws inside without protection, as they could damage the fabric. Think of a cargo bag as a mobile work bag, not a permanent toolbox.

Kolpin Rhino Grips for Securing Long-Handled Tools

Long-handled tools like shovels, rakes, and post-hole diggers are notoriously awkward to transport in a UTV bed. They slide around, get tangled, and take up a surprising amount of space. Kolpin Rhino Grips are a specialized solution designed specifically to solve this problem.

These are essentially heavy-duty, ratcheting clamps that mount to your UTV’s roll cage or bed rails. You simply place the tool’s handle in the rubberized grip and clamp it down. The tool is held securely in place, vertically or horizontally, preventing it from bouncing out on rough terrain or damaging other gear in the bed.

Rhino Grips are a complementary piece of a larger storage strategy. They don’t replace a cargo box, but they excel at freeing up valuable bed space by getting long, awkward items up and out of the way. They are also an excellent, safe way to transport a rifle or shotgun for property management or predator control.

Hornet Outdoors Cargo Racks for Bulky Equipment

When you need to carry more than your cargo bed can handle, the solution is to build up. Cargo racks are designed to expand your UTV’s carrying capacity by adding a second level of storage above the bed. This is the answer for hauling bulky, oversized items that won’t fit inside a box.

A cargo rack is perfect for things like a couple of hay bales, a large cooler for a workday, or even a spare tire. Many designs allow you to still use the bed space underneath, effectively doubling your functional cargo area. They are typically made of steel and mount securely to the bed rails or frame.

The key consideration with a cargo rack is weight distribution. Placing heavy items high up will raise your UTV’s center of gravity, which can affect stability on steep hills or off-camber trails. It’s crucial to load them thoughtfully and use high-quality tie-down straps to ensure everything stays put. A rack is for maximizing space, not for organizing small items.

ROTOPAX Mounts for Secure Liquid Transportation

Carrying fuel or water in a standard can is a recipe for spills and frustration. They slide, tip over, and leak, creating a mess and a potential hazard. The ROTOPAX system is a purpose-built solution for transporting liquids securely on a UTV.

ROTOPAX containers are incredibly durable, thick-walled plastic containers designed to be mounted, not just placed in the bed. They use a proprietary mount that allows you to lock the container to your roll cage, cargo rack, or bed wall. This system ensures your fuel, water, or other liquids stay put, no matter how rough the terrain gets.

This is a safety and efficiency upgrade. A leaking gas can is a serious fire hazard, and a spilled water container can mean a wasted trip. By securely mounting these containers, you eliminate that risk and also free up the floor of your cargo bed for other gear. It’s a specialized tool that solves a very common farm problem.

Key Factors: Installation and Material Durability

When choosing a system, don’t overlook the practicalities of installation. Some solutions, like a soft bag or Rhino Grips, can be installed in under 15 minutes with basic tools. A full drawer system or a complex cargo rack, on the other hand, might be a more involved project requiring a few hours and a bit more mechanical confidence. Be realistic about how permanent you want the installation to be.

Material quality is non-negotiable. Farm equipment lives a hard life, exposed to sun, rain, mud, and cold. A cheap plastic box made from thin, non-UV-stabilized material will become brittle and crack after a season or two. Look for products made from thick, roto-molded or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for hard boxes, powder-coated steel for racks, and heavy-duty, UV-resistant nylon for bags.

Ultimately, investing in durability pays off every single time. A well-built cargo system will withstand daily abuse, protect your gear, and won’t need to be replaced next year. It’s better to buy one good system that lasts a decade than a cheap one that fails when you need it most.

The most effective UTV is a modular one, with a storage system tailored to the rhythm of your farm. Don’t look for a single product to solve every problem; instead, combine solutions. A main cargo box for bulk gear, a set of grips for your essential tools, and a secure mount for fuel can create a setup that saves you time, protects your equipment, and makes every trip to the field more productive.