ATV Sheds: Protect Your Quad Or 4-Wheeler

If you own an ATV or several ATVs, then you fully understand the importance of keeping this valuable and expensive investment safe and looking its best!

Now the question is how?

This article offers you some effective ways to properly protect your ATV against bad weather and unwanted “admirers”. Plus, tips for how to store your ATV in an ATV shed during its off-season.

Let’s get started!

Can You Store An ATV In A Shed?

Absolutely. In fact, an ATV shed provides one of the most economical and effective ways of keeping your prized joy ride safe and well-maintained. A shed’s floor is strong and fully capable of housing multiple ATVs. Plus, ATV sheds come with a lock and key for maximum protection against burglars.

If there is not enough room in your garage or you cannot afford to invest in a garage, then an ATV storage shed provides you with an immediate and budget-friendly solution.

What Is An Ideal Shed Size For An ATV?

The smallest ATV shed size that you should go with is a 10×10. A 10×10 provides just enough space for storing one ATV. For a bit more room, choose a 12×10 shed. If you are wishing for storage space for two ATVs, go with a 12×20 shed.  

Since there is a size limit for your ATV shed, certain sheds, like plastic resin sheds, are a lot harder to find since their sizes tend to stay below 8×10.

Now that you have an idea of the ideal sizes for an ATV shed, let’s discuss available ATV shed ideas and discover your top pick!

 Types of ATV Storage Sheds

The following offers you 5 different types of ATV storage sheds starting with the least expensive. Plus, the pros and cons of each option.

1.     Heavy Duty Plastic Tarp “Shed”

A heavy-duty plastic tarp ATV storage shed is a built-in, shed-like canopy with heavy-duty steel framing and no flooring. It is secured to the ground with heavy-duty pegs. This type of ATV shed is ideal for one ATV.

Pros:

• Cheapest option (most budget friendly)
• Effectively protects your ATV(s) from moderate weather conditions
• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Burglar friendly (easily cut through)
• Lacks a real floor
• Vulnerable to pests & animals’ habitation
• Structurally weak against severe weather conditions
• NOT a 10+ years storage solution

Check out the following heavy-duty plastic ATV shed and see if this ATV storage shed is the right fit for you.

2.     Metal Sheds

Higher quality metal ATV sheds are built entirely out of galvanized steel. This type of ATV storage shed comes in second for being the most budget-friendly.

Pros:

• Resists mold and warping
• Extremely durable
• Effectively protects your ATV against extreme weather conditions
• Burglar-Proof
• Long-lasting
• Low maintenance

Cons:

• Less aesthetically pleasing
• Prone to rust (although galvanized steel resists the longest)

If you are wishing for a metal ATV shed for one ATV, check out the following ATV storage shed.

3.     Wood Sheds

Wood ATV sheds are built with wood framing and either natural wood or engineered wood siding. They are very structurally sound and able to be easily customized. Wood sheds are a bit more expensive than the previous two ATV storage shed types.

Pros:

• Most aesthetically pleasing
• Very structurally sound
• Easily customizable
• Burglar-proof
• Long-lasting
• Wood is a good insulator

Cons:

• Prone to mold and rot
• Susceptible to pests
• Requires some maintenance
• More expensive

Check out the following wooden ATV shed if you prefer the quality and natural beauty of wood.

If you want more headspace inside your ATV storage shed, the Maxibarn offers an excellent interior space and height.

4.     Vinyl Sheds

Vinyl ATV sheds are usually wood framed with vinyl siding. This combination creates an extremely durable structure with a low-maintenance exterior. Vinyl sheds are the most expensive option for protecting a single ATV or UTV.

Pros:

• Low maintenance
• Structurally strong
• Appealing appearance
• Resistant to rotting, pests, and rust
• Burglar-proof
• Long-lasting

Cons:

• Susceptible to dents
• Expensive
• Fading of siding color over time

Check out the following vinyl ATV shed and see if this is the type of ATV storage shed that fits your desired criteria.

5.     Garage Shed

The garage ATV shed is a much larger-sized shed with an overhead garage door. Typically, a garage shed’s size starts at 12×20. This type of ATV shed is ideal for storing more than one ATV and/or space for additional storage.  Thus, due to its larger size and space capacity, this type of ATV shed is the most expensive.  

Typically, this type of ATV shed is either wooden, vinyl or metal.

Pros:

• Houses more than one ATV
• Comes with an overhead garage door
• Very structurally strong and sound
• Burglar-proof
• Long-lasting

Cons:

• Expensive
• Takes up more yard space
• *

NOTE: * For reference of the cons of either a vinyl, wood, or metal ATV garage shed, review the lists above.

How to Prepare Your ATV for Storage Inside a Shed During Its Off-Season

Once you finally have a secure and weather-safe place for your ATV, here are some tips for how to prepare your ATV for extended storage during its off-season.

1.     Maintain the Battery

Usually, an ATV’s off-season is during the winter and one of the problems that arise with storing your ATV away for long periods at a time is that the life of the ATV’s battery decreases.

To help maintain a healthy battery lifespan (and to be able to easily start your ATV again in the spring) hook your battery up to a battery tender. Without stealing too much energy, a battery tender can keep your ATV’s battery charged and fresh even if you do not drive your ATV for 3 or 4 months.

Here is a highly-rated battery tender to consider.

2.     Thoroughly Clean

Right before storing your ATV(s) away, give them a good washing. Leaving mud and dirt on your ATV can cause corrosion. So, grab a hose, some safe soap (if needed), and a soft rag and give the needed areas of your ATV a thorough cleanse.

Rinse, pat dry, and use WD-40 on the metal pieces, especially the exhaust pipe. If you wish, you can add a protectant to any of the plastic parts on your ATV.

3.     Change the Oil & Filter

It is wise to make sure to change the oil inside your ATV to avoid the old oil from solidifying.

Also, you should change or clean the oil filters.

4.     Manage Existing Fuel in the Tank

Gas left inside the tank for an extended amount of time needs special attention. Depending on whether your ATV has a metal or plastic gas tank, this attention will differ.

If your ATV has a metal gas tank, then fill the tank full of fresh gas and add some fuel stabilizer.

If your ATV has a plastic gas tank, then empty the tank entirely.

5.     Fill the Tires with Air

Lastly, make sure your ATV’s tires are filled with air.

Tires lose air over time and ensuring your ATV tires are full will help keep them from being flat when you finally decide to go riding again.

For more details and tips on proper storage of your ATV(s) check out this super helpful article, ATV/UTV/SXS Storage Tips.

Conclusion

Hopefully, the above information helped you nail down the right ATV shed for your prized ATV(s).  Proper storage of your ATV is SO worth it.  

Here’s a fun fact. Once you have an ATV storage shed of your own, you will never look back! If you have any questions, just contact us!

If you are in the northeastern part of the USA, check out our company, Sheds Unlimited. We offer a wide range of sheds for sale and many of them make great ATV/UTV sheds. We will bring your selected shed directly to your home and place it in your desired location.

We welcome you to visit our shed building facility in Lancaster County and get a first-hand view of the ATV sheds, prefab one-car garages, and other storage buildings in our lineup. We also offer double-wide modular garages. If you’re interested in learning more about double-wide garages, click here.

Wishing you many happy joyriding moments ahead!