Securing an ATV at the lease

[Graysonhogs]

I just bought a used ATV and I would really rather not trailer it back and forth. I hunt at a friend's ranch plus an adjoining place we lease. We have not had thief problems but of course it is always possible if not inevitable. Buying a storage container is not in the budget right now. I know that a determined thief with the right tools will get it no matter what I do (will have insurance for that) but I'm looking for the best way to thwart casual crooks. I have considered buying one of those locking boots people put on trailers that immobilize one wheel and cover the lug nuts but they look a bit flimsy. There is chain that can't be cut with bolt cutters ($10/ft!) I could buy some of that but under the carport where I plan to keep it there is nothing to chain to. Is there a way to chain it to itself so it can't be rolled? I guess I could dig a big hole and fill it with Quickcrete and anchor the chain to that. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
If a professional thief hits us it I can file an insurance claim - I just want to make stealing it as difficult as possible for wandering meth-heads

I wouldn't waste my money on a cut proof chain. As mentioned, rats would be my concern.

[RonRon]

A DeWalt cordless grinder can cut through any chain or lock that is made,...…..you need to get it out of sight. You might consider parking it in the brush, covered with a canvas, camo tarp.

[Hart8]

A used cargo trailer,hitch lock,and a chain run through a wheel.If it's not a very attractive cargo trailer,you'll never have a thing to worry about.Found one on C.L.several years ago,cheap.Kept corn in too.It was handy at the place.

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[76aggie]

John, I third the point about the rats. Those little critters can make short work of your buggy. I have to trailer mine for 6 hours and hate it but it really beats the alternative. After I retire, I will get a storage container, but for now I just suck it up and trailer it.

[HunterU]

Is it not an option to load it in the bed of your truck?
That would be best and you don't have to trailer it.

I do this during season. Strap my cooler to the back of it and one on the tailgate.
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[justletmein]

Are you able to build a small utility shed, out of sight out of mind? That may help with mice too depending on how well you build it. You could also get a nice cover for it and go park it out in the brush where nobody would know to look.

[alien_scones]

Rats and mice have done some serious damage to atvs at the camp when left out.

Cargo trailer with a ramp. Sprinkle snake away at the lower door seam keeps little critters out.

A well hidden trail camera looking over camp also helps. Everyone loves tracking down a perp.


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[TA_Fab]

I take a wheel with me if I think it’ll be a problem. Could also take the battery.


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[bbqfan5909]

Like many have said, just due to rats chewing on wires is why I trailer my UTV back and forth.

[bubba joe]

i chain mine to my camper

[cvanbrunt]

Was my first thoughts also. Had them do $1400 worth of damage to my grizzly. Upgraded to a UTV and bought a cargo trailer to store it in for that reason.

They hit my ranger... was going to have to replace the entire harness as Polaris uses 1 piece harness but the mechanic had some extra plugs from old harnesses he took out. $100 later I was on my way.


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[Arrowsmith]

If I did not have an indoor secure area or if I could not trailer it I would hide it away from camp in the timber with a camo tarp over it. Rats can be a problem in some areas and not in others. We hunted around Thurber for about 20 years. The ranch trucks and atvs never had any rat chewing damage.

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[jerp]

When Googling the rat/mice problem with ATVs I saw lots of people saying to use mothballs, dryer sheets, peppermint oil and a product called FreshCab. There were just as many people saying none of those worked for them. The most inventive idea was a guy who said he parks his quad on top of some kind of wire mesh attached to a solar fence charger. I wonder if that would work?

[2B4Him]

At my old lease, we were lucky to have not had a single theft in the 11 years I was there. One guy left his Ranger out there all the time. Another left his 4-wheelers during the season. I carried mine in the bed of my truck each trip.
The guy who left his 4-wheelers bought two big shipping crates with doors on them. He locked the ATV's up in there (granted, anyone with a crowbar could take the door off quickly).
He had $500 worth of mice damage to his wiring once, and another $350 another time.
For some reason, the Ranger sitting under a covering was never attacked by the rodents.
Mice also chewed up the little air tube in the gas tank on my ATV stored inside my barn at home.

[BrianL]

The most inventive idea was a guy who said he parks his quad on top of some kind of wire mesh attached to a solar fence charger. I wonder if that would work?

Hmmmm...