ATV and Side-by-Side Storage Guide for South Dakota Riders

ATVs and side-by-sides are practically a necessity in southeast South Dakota — hunting access, farm chores, trail riding, and hauling everything from fence posts to deer carcasses. But when the season ends (or between heavy-use periods), proper storage keeps your machine running right. Here’s the complete guide.

Why Storage Prep Matters

A four-wheeler or UTV that sits neglected for months develops problems that cost real money:

• Fuel system issues — old gas varnishes carburetors and clogs injectors
• Dead batteries — a battery that sits discharged sulfates and won’t hold a charge
• Flat-spotted tires — sitting in one position for months creates permanent flat spots
• Corrosion — moisture attacks electrical connections, brake components, and frame welds
• Rodent damage — mice love nesting in air boxes, seats, and wiring harnesses. This is rural South Dakota. Mice are a guarantee, not a possibility.

Spending 2-3 hours on prep saves hundreds in repairs. Every time.

Pre-Storage Checklist: ATVs

1. Wash It

Get all the mud off. Mud holds moisture against metal and accelerates corrosion. Pressure wash or hose down the entire machine, paying attention to: - Suspension components - Frame rails and underside - Radiator fins (if liquid-cooled) - Brake calipers and rotors - Around the engine

Let it dry completely — run it for 10-15 minutes after washing to evaporate moisture from the engine and exhaust.

2. Fuel System

Option A (preferred): Fill the tank completely with fresh fuel and add fuel stabilizer (Sta-Bil or similar). Run the engine for 10 minutes to circulate treated fuel through the entire system. A full tank prevents condensation inside the tank.

Option B: Drain the fuel system completely — tank, fuel lines, and carburetor float bowls (if carbureted). This is more work but eliminates fuel degradation entirely.

Do not: Leave a half-full tank without stabilizer. The air space allows condensation, and unstabilized fuel goes bad in 30-60 days.

3. Oil Change

Change the oil and filter now — not when you take it out of storage. Used oil contains acids and combustion byproducts that corrode engine internals during storage. Fresh oil protects the engine while it sits.

4. Battery

• Remove the battery from the machine
• Clean the terminals with a wire brush and terminal cleaner
• Charge fully and connect to a battery tender/maintainer
• Store indoors at room temperature — cold kills batteries

A quality battery tender ($25-40) pays for itself by extending battery life 2-3x. Don’t use a standard charger — it’ll overcharge and damage the battery.

5. Tires

• Inflate to the maximum sidewall pressure (not your normal riding pressure). Over-inflation during storage reduces flat-spotting.
• If possible, elevate the machine on jack stands or blocks so tires aren’t bearing weight. This completely eliminates flat spots.
• UV protection — if stored where sunlight hits them, cover tires or the whole machine.

6. Lubrication

Grease every fitting — suspension, steering, driveshaft, pivot points. Check your owner’s manual for all grease points. This prevents corrosion and keeps components moving freely.

Also: - Lube throttle and brake cables with cable lube - Spray pivot points and hinges with a dry lube or light penetrating oil - Apply dielectric grease to electrical connectors to prevent corrosion

7. Coolant (Liquid-Cooled Machines)

Check coolant level and condition. If it’s been more than two years since you changed it, do it now. Make sure the mixture is appropriate for South Dakota winters — a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water protects to approximately -34°F.

8. Air Filter

Clean or replace the air filter. A dirty filter sitting for months can harbor moisture and attract pests.

Plug the airbox intake with a clean rag or foam to prevent mouse entry. This is critical.

9. Exhaust

Plug the exhaust outlet with a rag or steel wool. Mice enter through exhaust pipes and nest inside mufflers. They chew wiring, insulation, and anything they can reach from there.

Pre-Storage Checklist: Side-by-Sides / UTVs

Everything above applies, plus:

Cab and Interior

• Remove trash, food wrappers, and any organic material — food scraps attract rodents faster than anything
• Clean seats and surfaces — vinyl cleaner on seats, wipe down dash
• Check cab seals if you have a full cab — damaged seals let moisture and pests in
• Remove any soft storage bags or fabric items that mice would nest in

Windshield

• Remove poly windshields if possible — they scratch easily and warp when stressed
• Glass windshields can stay but should be cleaned and the cab ventilated

Bed

• Remove all cargo from the bed
• Clean the bed — standing water in a utility bed promotes rust
• Lubricate the dump mechanism if equipped

Doors and Enclosures

• Leave doors slightly ajar for ventilation if stored indoors — prevents moisture buildup
• Full soft enclosures should be removed, cleaned, dried, and stored separately to prevent mold

Where to Store Your ATV or Side-by-Side

At Home

If you have a dry, enclosed garage or outbuilding, that works. Cover the machine with a breathable cover (not a tarp — tarps trap moisture). Elevate if possible.

The problem: most garages in southeast SD are already full. Between the pickup, the lawn mower, hunting gear, and everything else, there’s often no room.

In a Storage Unit

This is where most ATV and UTV owners in the Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman area end up. Here’s what you need:

ATV sizing: - Most ATVs fit in a 10x10 unit with room for gear - Larger ATVs or those stored with a trailer need 10x15

Side-by-side sizing: - Standard UTVs (Polaris Ranger, Can-Am Defender, etc.) need 10x15 minimum - Full-size crew cab models need 10x20 - If storing with a trailer, measure your total length and add 3 feet for access

What to look for: - Drive-up access — you need to ride or push the machine in and out - Ground-level entry — no ramps or steps - Wide door — standard 8-foot doors work for most ATVs; side-by-sides may need wider

Lock N’ Leave It Storage locations in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman offer drive-up units perfect for powersport vehicles.

Outside Under a Cover

Last resort. A quality cover designed for your machine, staked down against South Dakota wind, on gravel or concrete (not dirt or grass). You’ll still deal with moisture, UV damage, and limited rodent protection.

Rodent Prevention — Take This Seriously

Rural South Dakota + stored vehicle = mice. It’s not if, it’s when. Mice cause thousands of dollars in damage:

• Chewed wiring harnesses — the most expensive repair. Mice eat wire insulation for the soy-based coating used by many manufacturers.
• Nesting in air boxes — restricts airflow, destroys filters
• Seat and insulation damage — they shred materials for nesting
• Contamination — droppings and urine on surfaces, in cabs, and in engine compartments

Prevention measures: - Plug exhaust and airbox openings (mentioned above) - Mothballs around (not on) the machine — the smell deters them - Peppermint oil cotton balls in the cab and engine bay - Dryer sheets in the cab, under the seat, and in storage compartments - Snap traps around the perimeter - No food anywhere near the machine — ever - Irish Spring soap shavings around the machine (sounds crazy, works for some people)

Check on your stored machine monthly if possible. Early detection prevents expensive damage.

Spring Recommissioning

When it’s time to ride again:

1. Check for rodent damage — inspect all wiring, hoses, belts, and seats
2. Remove exhaust and airbox plugs
3. Reinstall battery (should be fully charged from the tender)
4. Check tire pressure — they’ll have lost some over winter
5. Check all fluid levels — oil, coolant, brake fluid
6. Start the engine and let it idle for 5-10 minutes before riding
7. Test brakes in your driveway before hitting the trail
8. Inspect the belt (CVT machines) for cracks or glazing

Keep Your Ride Ready

Your ATV or side-by-side is too valuable — and too much fun — to let it deteriorate in bad storage. A few hours of prep and a dry, secure storage space protects your investment and means you’re riding, not wrenching, when the season starts.

Lock N’ Leave It Storage in Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman has drive-up units sized for ATVs and side-by-sides. Contact us to find the right fit for your machine — and keep your ride ready for whatever southeast South Dakota throws at it.