Side by sides: a practical guide

Side by side utility vehicles are also known as UTVs, SBSUTVs or SxS. They are increasingly popular as a replacement for quad bikes because of their enhanced safety features. They are vehicles which can carry passengers, travel off-road, tow a trailer, carry small cargo or equipment and manoeuvre around obstacles and over rough terrain. They have a steering wheel, pedals, harness seat belts, doors, a cargo net, a crush protection device (CPD), and most have a tray back for carrying small loads at the rear of the vehicle.

This publication is a guide to safely using side by side utility vehicles including the pre-start safety check, routine servicing, driving on slopes or through sand, water and mud, loading and towing, and when loading and unloading the vehicle from the back of a truck or trailer.

Contents

1. Side by side utility vehicles and their use

2. Safety

3. Perform a pre-start safety check

4. Drive a side by side vehicle

5. Driving on slopes

6. Sand, water and mud

7. Towing and loading

8. Transporting the vehicle

9. Servicing the side by side utility vehicle

10. Care for the environment

11. What is a Safe Operating Procedure Statement (SOPS)?

12. Check your skill

Further reading