SAFE ATV TOWING TIPS
If you can tow your ATV, a whole world of new riding locations will open up to you. From coastal dunes to mountain trails, you can explore the areas both near your home and farther out. But before you can hit the road, you’ll need to get your ATV onto a trailer, and this can be somewhat tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
As ATV enthusiasts, the staff here at Campers RV Center understands the benefits of being able to trailer your own ATV. That’s why we designed this short guide to teach our customers how. If you’re still in the market for your first ATV, stop by Campers RV Center to see our selection. We’re located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and we proudly serve the areas of Bossier City, Ruston, and Monroe, Louisiana. Stop by our dealership and service center today!
Correct Weight Distribution
One of the first things you need to master when learning how to load your ATV is learning correct weight distribution. A correctly loaded trailer will allow you to have more control as you drive. It will behave more predictably, and it will be less likely to have a tire blowout or other major problem.
In a correctly loaded trailer, the weight should be distributed evenly from left to right so that the tires on one side aren’t supporting more weight than the tires on the other side. You’ll also want the majority of the weight centered over the front axle on the trailer. There are multiple reasons for this. First, the farther back the weight is loaded, the less stable the trailer will be when you’re driving. Second, if the weight is placed farther back on the trailer, the front of the trailer will potentially lift and cause the trailer to become unhitched from the tow vehicle. Conversely, if you put the weight too far forward, it will actually lift the nose of the tow vehicle, which will reduce the tow vehicle’s ability to brake and steer. The ideal balance will result in about 10-20% of the trailer’s total weight resting on the towing hitch.
Hitch Your Trailer
Once you’ve planned out the way the weight will rest in your trailer, you’ll want to hitch up the trailer and get it ready for the road. Start by reversing the tow vehicle back towards the trailer hitch. Measure the height of the ball joint compared to the height of the hitch then raise the hitch until it’s an inch or two higher than the ball joint. If you’re using a hitch dolly, pull the trailer forward until the hitch is directly above the ball joint. If not, reverse the tow vehicle until it’s in the correct position. Then, lower the hitch onto the ball joint and engage the safety latch. Cross the safety chains in an “X” pattern under the hitch, then connect the wiring harness. Test out the brakes and turn signals in the tow vehicle to make sure they work correctly.
Load Your Trailer
When the trailer is connected, you’re ready to load it up! Drop the ramps, if they’re attached to the trailer, or place them on the end of the trailer if they’re not. Make sure they are securely connected to the trailer and are resting on solid ground. Then, pull your ATV around and aim it at the ramps. You’ll want to give yourself enough of a run-up to allow you to gain enough speed to get up the ramps. Make sure you don’t hit the ramps at high speed, though, or you could end up launching off the front of the trailer! If you have to load multiple ATVs onto the trailer, get them all on board before strapping them down. Strapping down your ATVs is important for keeping them secure, but it also helps with making your trailer handle more predictably. Use ratchet straps and put enough tension on them to compress your ATV’s suspension slightly. This will make them less bouncy and reduce movement.
Hopefully, this short guide taught you a few things about loading your ATV onto a trailer. Stop by Campers RV Center if you’re looking for your next ATV. We proudly offer Can-Am ATVs from our Shreveport, Louisiana location. Stop by if you’re in nearby Bossier City, Ruston, or Monroe, Louisiana, as well as Marshall, Longview, or Tyler, Texas.