A waterproof ATV cover fits correctly when it clears your machine’s length, width, and height without being overly loose.
The right waterproof ATV cover sizing guide starts with one honest truth: engine size tells you almost nothing. A 450cc sport quad and a 450cc utility ATV can differ by a foot in length. The only reliable way to get a cover that actually stays on and keeps water out is to measure your machine and compare those numbers against the manufacturer’s chart — not against the CC rating in the model name.
How To Measure Your ATV Correctly
Take three measurements with a tape measure on level ground, and record the maximum numbers. This takes about five minutes and turns a guess into a precise fit.
- Length: a straight line across the longest point, front to back. Don’t follow body contours, and don’t pull the tape around bumpers.
- Width: the widest point, which is almost always across the tires. Include side mirrors only if the cover’s chart says to; most charts exclude them.
- Height: ground to the tallest point, usually the top of the handlebars or the roof of a cab. Exclude flexible antennas.
Accessories change the math. A winch, front rack, spare tire carrier, or windshield adds length or height, and a cover that fit the bare machine may split or sit awkwardly with those attached. If the chart says to include them, measure with them on.
ATV Size Bands: What The Charts Actually Show
Most waterproof cover manufacturers sort their products into size bands built around length, since that’s the dimension that varies most between models. The numbers below come from current manufacturer charts and show how much the bands differ between brands.
| Manufacturer Size | Fits ATV Length | Example Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| AT2 | 82″–86″ | Honda FourTrax Rancher, Yamaha Kodiak 450 |
| AT3 | 86″–96″ | Polaris Sportsman 570, Yamaha Grizzly, Kawasaki Brute Force |
| AT5 | 96″–110″ | Can-Am Outlander Max, Polaris Sportsman XP |
Other manufacturers use their own bands: one chart lists ATV-M at 65″ x 40″ x 34″, an ATV-L at 84″ x 40″ x 34″ that’s now marked discontinued, ATV-XL at 89″ x 47″ x 40″, and ATV-XXL at 100″ x 47″ x 48″. Another lists a Large cover for machines up to 82″ long with dimensions of 82″ x 48″ x 31.5″, and an XL for ATVs up to 87″ long at 87″ x 49″ x 36″.
The lesson is that “large” means something different at every brand. When your ATV falls between two sizes, choose the larger one. A slightly loose cover sheds water and stays put once strapped down, while an undersized one leaves edges exposed and pools water instead of shedding it.
Waterproof Fitment: Why Size Matters More Than The Fabric
A waterproof cover protects only the surface it actually touches. An undersized cover stretches tight over the handlebars, leaves the front tires or rear rack exposed to rain, and tears at the seams from the strain. An oversized cover billows in the wind, shifts constantly, and eventually abrades against the plastics or blows off entirely.
Most universal covers made for the US market are sold by dimensions, but a few systems fit by wheelbase or nose-to-rear-axle distance — especially side-loading or rear-loading covers. If a product page asks for that number instead of overall length, measure from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle and use that figure. For side-by-sides, some manufacturers cap width at 60″. If year/make/model isn’t in a selector tool, manual measurement is the fallback, and it’s worth doing anyway to catch accessories the selector won’t know about.
After you’ve picked the right band, installation is straightforward: stretch the cover over the machine, tuck the elastic hem under the tires or body, and secure every strap. A properly sized cover should sit snug across the top with the hem reaching past the tires. If you already know your measurements, our roundup of the best waterproof ATV covers tested compares the leading brands side by side.
FAQs
Should I buy a cover based on my ATV’s CC rating?
No. Engine displacement doesn’t predict physical size, since sport quads and utility machines with the same CC rating can differ by a foot in length. Always compare your measured length, width, and height against the manufacturer’s sizing chart instead of relying on the model’s CC number.
What if my ATV’s measurements fall between two cover sizes?
Choose the larger cover. A slightly oversized cover still fully protects the machine and secures with the elastic hem and straps, while a smaller one stretches tight over handlebars, leaves edges exposed to rain, and strains the seams. Err on the roomier side when no exact match exists.
Do I need to include a winch or spare tire carrier in my measurements?
Yes, when the sizing chart says to. A winch adds length to the front, and a spare tire carrier extends the rear. Measure with accessories mounted so the cover clears them. Flexible antennas are the common exception — most charts exclude them from height since they fold down.
References & Sources
- Formosa Covers. “ATV Cover Sizing Chart.” Provides the AT1–AT5 size bands and example vehicle fits.
- CoverStore. “How to Measure an ATV.” Details the straight-line measurement method for length, width, and height.
- Nelson-Rigg via FortNine. “Nelson-Rigg Cover Size Chart.” Lists CC-based and dimension-based ATV cover fitment bands.