I got a Cabela’s Fall 2010 catalog today. When I had time to get into it I went straight for the ATV stuff where some new merchandise caught my attention. Thought I would share what I found. And while we’re on the subject I also made a list of decent ATV/UTV stuff from across the web.

CABELAS
New – Synthetic Rope for winches. 3/15” x 50’ - $49.99
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

New – Rugged Ridge ATV Recovery Kit. Includes snatch block pulley, 15’ recovery strap, tree truck protector strap,
D-ring shackle, and a tire repair kit with 10 plugs - $69.99
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

New – 2” Solstice Solo LED Off-Road Lamps. Euro, Flood or Spot beams available. $119.00
Solstice accessories available – handlebar mounts $39.00, Spotlight handle $39.00
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... 20147&rid=

New – ATV Rider Dust Mask. $24.99
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

New – Thumb Assist for Throttle. On sale now. $9.99
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

ATV Cab Enclosure – Black $189.99, Camo $229.99
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

ATV Rearview Mirror – Fits on ends of handlebars. $14.99
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true


NORTHERN TOOL & EQUIPMENT COMPANY
44 Inch Trailmower - $999.99 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200322969
44 Inch Finishing Trailmower - $1,299.99 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200330707
60 Inch Trailmower - $1,499.99 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200311307
ATV Broadcast/Spot Sprayer - $159.99 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200347991
12-Inch 12-Volt Linear Actuator - $159.99 http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200333245
4-inch and 8-inch actuators are also available. All are rated for over 1300 lbs.
I could use these to raise & lower & angle the snow blade, to raise rear implements or lifting power for a dumping trailer.

The next accessory for me is a fuel pack and following advice I got here at R.Q. will likely choose a Rotopax product.
Rotopax offers a 4 gallon gas pack for $99.95 http://www.rotopax.com/4-Gallon-Gasoline.html
And now offers a 3 gallon gas pack for $79.95 http://www.rotopax.com/3-Gallon-Gasoline.html
A variety of mounting options are available http://www.rotopax.com/Mounting-Hardware/


Gene

I'd like to say... dump the thumb assist for the throttle. The longer lever makes it easier to accidentally hit it while you're jockeying around.

If that rear-view mirror uses a velcro strip to wrap around the end of the handlebar, forget it; I've seen it in action and it won't stay in place. For a better rear-view mirror solution, you can get a 2" or 3" convex mirror intended for use in the corner of a truck's side mirror and Velcro it to the back of your left glove. Anytime you want to see behind you, just lift your left hand off your handlebar. Then you don't have a permanently-mounted mirror that can get whacked by branches, or broken when you tip or roll your quad.

Make sure the Cabela's synthetic winch cable comes with everything you need to attach it to your winch drum, and a loop to attach a hook or D-shackle to the other end.

I would add 2 more D-shackles and a 2nd 15' tug strap to the recovery kit. I suspect you can put your own kit together for less money.

And you can build your own snatch block. Here's mine, which also provides me with an additional D-shackle if needed.



Make sure your 15' tug-straps have loops sewn into the ends, and do not have hooks. Erickson makes good straps. Btw, a 15' strap attached to your front rack with your buddy at the other end can prevent your quad from back-flipping on steep climbs, and is a lot easier and safer than having somebody trying to hang on to your front rack.



It doesn't look steep, but it's steep. Too much throttle would lift my front end.

Also... 10 tire plugs is not enough! We've used over 20 plugs at one time in one tire (two holes). I recommend carrying at least 40 plugs. Add to the plug kit: a pair of needlenose pliers to remove whatever is stuck in the tire, and a pair of side cutters (wire cutters) to trim the plugs once installed.

Get the 4-gallon Rotopax. That will almost double your range. Also get the mounting kit (you'll need 2 mounts). Save the four heavy-duty Velcro strips that come with the RotoPax and use them for bundling up your two 15' straps, tree saver, and synthetic winch line extension that you'll eventually buy, because 50' is sometimes not long enough. One of our guys dropped his quad down a cliff; it took a Rhino's 50' winch cable and a quad's 50' winch cable working in unison, my 30' tug strap, my two 15' tug straps, my tree saver strap, and my recovery chain to reach his quad. That was a fun multi-hour recovery that involved numerous disconnects and reconnects and tying off his quad while re-routing the cables and straps around the various trees and boulders. Don't get me wrong; I actually enjoy the challenge of a difficult recovery, but it was a tough haul!

Greg

Greg,

You're right about the prices, Cabela's isn't cheap. And price doesn't necessarily reflect quality. I don't have any of the listed accessories - the new catalog just stirred my imagination. Back in the days when I was into firearms a friend of mine was a licensed dealer. If I had a certain make and model in mind I would go to a large popular gun shop maybe 40 miles away where I could usually find a similar model on display. I would examine its looks and feel. Hold it to my shoulder etc. If I liked it I would go to my friend who would order me one and in the end I would save a sizable chunk of money and he still made a profit. That's what I do with Cabela's. BTW - I still like guns but the economy prevents me from shooting like in the past.

What you said about the recovery kit is pretty much the same thing - make my own.
I will take your suggestions about the homemade snatch block, recovery kit, tire repair stuff and glove mirror (clever idea).

A fuel pack is my next accessory for sure and will definitely go for the Rotopax 4 gallon.

Gene