ATV Towing on a Trailer

If you have one or more ATVs, you may want to invest in a trailer for hauling them around. Trailers work great for transportation because they are often lower than most truck beds, and you don't have to worry about putting extra wear and tear on your vehicle. There are, however, a few things you should keep in mind before you get started. This brief guide will give you a basic checklist for making sure you stay safe and don't damage your ATV in the transportation process. If you have any questions about transportation when buying a new ATV, keep in mind that the pros at Destination Powersports can answer any questions you might have in person. Our location in Punta Gorda also serves the surrounding towns of Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Florida.

Know your Trailer

The first thing you need to know before you start hauling your ATVs around on the highway is what kind of trailer you're going to be using . The two most important factors you should know right away are: How many axles you've got, and what kind of braking capabilities your trailer has. Smaller trailers with a single axle may not have a brake built into the design, however most double axle trailers have at least one axle equipped with a trailer braking system.

Check Level

Before you load your ATV, you'll need to make sure it's ready to hitch up to the truck. Pick an open, flat spot and level it out using the front jack. You can check the level by eyeballing it, but it's just as easy to measure the deck at the front and back with a tape measure to be sure. When you've got the trailer leveled out measure the height of the hitch and adjust the draw bar on your truck accordingly. You can then drop the trailer onto the ball hitch and continue hooking up.

Hooking Up

Hook up your safety chains in an X pattern beneath the hitch. This ensures you won't bind the chains on a tight turn, and the X shape will catch the tongue of the trailer disconnects from your truck. If you're driving a newer truck hook into the auxiliary light socket and check to make sure your brake and turn signals are functioning properly. Finally with your chains and lights secured and in place, make sure you lock down the catch and insert the safety pin before you lift the jack.

Loading

Now that your trailer is hooked to your truck, you can load up your ATV. using four wheel drive and a gentle throttle application drive each vehicle onto the trailer so that they balance over the axles. This might take a little maneuvering, but you want to balance the load as carefully as possible, as a front loaded or back loaded trailer can cause problems when you drive. The target is to let the hitch support about 10% to 15% of the tongue weight to give you the best driving performance. Next you'll want to tie down your ATVs. Using ratchet straps you'll want to tie your ATV down in a way that compresses the suspension to reduce bouncing on the road.

Driving Considerations

Before you head out, make sure your trailer and truck have properly inflated tires. This will make a world of difference in terms of safety, as well as fuel economy. The bearings of your trailers should also be packed with synthetic grease once a year for proper maintenance. Take some time when you get on the road to adjust yourself to the trailer braking to get familiar with the the trailer brake operation.If you take your time and keep safety in mind, transporting your ATV on a trailer is simple. Don't cut corners, and double check your work, and before you know it you'll be tearing up the trails. If you're in the market for a new ATV, or need replacement parts and accessories, Destination Powersports really is a destination for motorsports in West Florida. Residents of Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral, Florida will find everything they need to get outdoors as soon as possible.