Rhino covers are not what you tuck around a rhinoceros before he goes to sleep at night. Anyone into utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) will immediately recognize that Rhino is one of the premium brands of UTVs available, made by Yamaha. Although they look like the offspring between an ATV and a tank, Rhino utility terrain vehicles lack a roof and need protection from the elements – hence why they need to be covered up sometimes.

Will Any Sheet Do?

Thinking that they are saving money, some Yamaha Rhino UTV owners just throw any old sheet over their toys. These can be anything from plastic tarpaulins to painter’s drop cloths. Although they are different, all of these improvised Rhino covers have one thing in common – they don’t work.

A good UTV cover needs to be both waterproof and breathable so that condensation doesn’t build up. This is a big problem with all plastic covers – they will keep out the outside moisture but then form moisture inside, which basically makes them useless. There are some Rhino covers called “dust covers” that are only meant to be used for a short time because eventually condensation will develop. But they still can be good in emergencies.

Types Of Covers

There are basically three kinds of accessories marketed as Yamaha Rhino covers. The first is a cargo space cover, made to fit over an area that could be storing an ice chest. The second are seat covers which just protect the sheets. But the main type of Rhino cover is what actually covers the entire vehicle. Sometimes they even come with their own bag to help make storage easier when you want to play with your UTV.

Rhino UTVs have a large square cage over the seats which can make getting a properly fitting vehicle cover a bit difficult. A common car or even ATV cover may not work because of the bulk of the cage. If the Rhino cover can’t reach to the bottom of the wheels, it’s not much good. This is why some Rhino owners prefer to get a custom cover made, although there are commercially available Rhino covers from specialty shops and online sources.

The Perfect Fit

Good Rhino covers – customized or not – should fit the vehicle snugly. They also need to be secure in order to do their job protecting from damaging sunlight and rain. Many Rhino covers come with nylon straps to help keep them in place, even during a high wind. Some can be secured around an ice chest rack (if the Rhino happens to have one). The best Rhino cover also comes with a warranty, too.

Although utility terrain vehicles are tough, they do need a little help from you to keep them in good order. Covers for your UTVs are necessary to help preserve and protect your valuable motor toy from the elements. But not all UTV covers are alike. They can differ greatly in material and function – not just in color. Think about the UTV cover you have for your vehicle now. Be honest – is it a blue plastic tarp lashed on with an old bungee cord?

Perhaps someone told you that kind of UTV cover is all you need. But is it doing what you think its doing? Before you go shopping for a new UTV cover, here is what you need to know.

Sizes

Be sure you measure your UTV before fitting it for a cover. Don’t just assume that all ATV covers or covers for any old quad will fit your particular vehicle, especially if you have a custom job or one fitted with special tires. Measure the nose to rear bumper and the height of your tires. If your rear tires are higher than the front ones, get a separate measurement.

UTV covers are roughly made in three general categories – for two-seaters, for 4-seaters and for covering just the cargo space or the space of a trailer you may want to have your UTV haul.

Function

Ideally, you want a utility terrain vehicle cover that is going to be as tough as your UTV. You want it to protect against the sun and dirt, but also be breathable enough to not produce mold or rust if you have to keep the vehicle under cover for a long stretch of time. For long-term storage in inclement weather, get the best cover you can afford. You need to be sure the UTV cover is not only water resistant but breathable.

However, if you use your UTV often or just need something for a sudden summer squall, then a waterproof vinyl sheet will make a good enough cover for the short term.

Little Extras

Sometimes you can come across UTV covers for sale that have a little extra to make them stand out from the average quad sheet. These can include having a bag to store the UTV cover in or having an extra nylon trap to help secure the cover to your UTV, especially if you don’t have a light bar or a rear ice chest rack to help keep the UTV cover in place. You can’t get any of that with a bungee cord and a blue plastic tarp.

When you decide to get the best UTV cover on the market take a look at www.toyboxcovers.com.