Can-Am Commander and Commander MAX Upgrade Guide (2021+)

The Commander sits between a sport machine and a work machine. It's quick enough to have fun on the trail, and it has a real cargo bed for hauling tools, feed, or a deer. Owners tend to use it for a little of everything, which is why the best upgrades are the ones that make it more useful in more kinds of weather.

Make sure you're shopping for the right Commander

• Generation. Can-Am redesigned the Commander for 2021. Body, cage, and bed parts from the 2011-2020 machines don't carry over. This guide is for 2021 and newer.
• Commander or Commander MAX. The MAX is the four-seat. Roofs, rear windows, and doors are specific to seat count.
• Trim. Trims like DPS, XT, XT-P, and X mr come equipped differently. XT-level trims often have a winch and other extras from the factory. The X mr mud trim is set up differently from the rest, so read fitment carefully on anything that mounts up front.
• Engine. The Commander has been sold with more than one engine size. For most bolt-on accessories, generation and seat count matter more, but some listings do split by engine or trim.

What Commander owners add first

Roof and windshield

If your trim didn't include a roof, start there. A roof and windshield make the Commander comfortable in rain, sun, and cold, and they're the base for lights and a sound bar later. Hunters and farm users often go straight to a full windshield. Trail riders who ride mostly in summer usually prefer a half or vented one. Browse Commander roofs and windshields.

Rear panel and doors

A full windshield without a rear panel tends to pull dust into the cab. Add a rear window and you'll notice the difference on the first gravel road. For cold-weather riding, upper doors or a full enclosure close things up, and pairing an enclosure with a cab heater turns the Commander into a year-round machine.

Bed and cargo storage

The bed is a big part of why people buy a Commander, so make it work harder. A bed box keeps tools dry and locked up, and tie-downs or a rack keep loads from shifting. Many Commanders have Can-Am's LinQ quick-attach points, so check whether an accessory uses LinQ or its own mounts. Inside the cab, door bags and overhead storage handle the small stuff. See Commander storage.

Winch and recovery

If yours didn't come with a winch, it's one of the most useful things you can add, whether you're pulling yourself out of a ditch or dragging a downed limb off a trail. Keep a tree strap, snatch block, shackles, and gloves with it. Never stand in line with a loaded rope, and keep bystanders well back. Shop Commander winch and recovery gear.

Lighting

Early mornings and late evenings are when a lot of Commanders get used. A roof light bar with a flood or combo pattern lights up a work area or a trail, and a rear work light helps a lot when you're loading the bed in the dark.

A sensible build order

1. Mirrors, a fire extinguisher, and basic safety gear.
2. Roof and windshield, then a rear panel.
3. Winch and recovery kit.
4. Bed storage and tie-downs.
5. Lighting, wired through a switch panel.
6. Doors, enclosure, heater, and audio as the seasons call for them.

If you plan to drive it on public roads, street-legal kits with mirrors, a horn, and turn signals are available, but the requirements vary by state and even by county, so check your local rules before you buy.

Build the Commander around how you actually use it, whether that's chores, hunting, or trail days. Save it in My Garage on the Ride Hub so parts show fit by year, then shop the full Can-Am Commander accessories collection.