Tips for Hauling an ATV

With the warmer weather quickly upon us, everyone is ready to bring out the toys and play. What better way to enjoy nature and the summer air than using an ATV? ATVs usually aren’t cheap or delicate toys to play with, which is why you should always handle them properly. If you’re hauling an ATV for the first time, you’re in luck because we put together some key pointers to keep in mind. At Tropic Trailer, we want to prepare you as much as possible for any adventure, so you can focus less on preparing and more on having fun.

Choosing Your Trailer

Before even embarking on an adventure, you need the proper equipment to do so, including an appropriate trailer. The trailer needs to be sturdy and reliable enough to tow the adequate weight. At Tropic Trailer, we have specific trailers that are fit for hauling ATVs to your destination. These trailers will come with a foldaway ramp for easy loading and unloading. The height, width, and tires on our trailers are fit for your ATV necessities. In addition to the proper trailer, you’ll also need suitable straps to secure your ATV. We’ll get into that a little bit later but for now, focus on finding the appropriate trailer first.

Plan It Out

There’s much preparation that goes into hauling heavy vehicles like ATVs. For a smooth arrival, you need to establish a game plan. It’s essential to keep in mind to distribute the balance within the trailer correctly. One side can’t be heavier than the other, or else you’ll put too much stress on a single tire - which could result in a tire popping. About 15-20% of the weight should rest towards the front of the trailer - above the axle. You also need to consider if you will be hauling more than one ATV. The weight needs to balance out between the two to minimize risks.

Level It Out

One of the most critical steps you should take is to level your trailer before actually driving the ATV into position by simply moving your trailer onto level ground, so the ramp is at the right height. Flat ground is necessary to ensure that you can distribute the weight correctly on the trailer. Once you’ve leveled the trailer, it’s time to load up! You want to back your ATV up far enough so that you can straighten out before hopping on board. Keep in mind how long and high the ramp is so you can calculate the speed needed to load properly. It may take some practice, so you’ll want to start slow to be safe. It’s always better to roll down the ramp than put too much pressure and ram into the trailer. After your ATV is safely on the trailer, you can move onto straps.

Straps

Let’s revisit strapping and securing the trailer; it’s important to do it the right way, or else you might as well not do it at all. Things will be bumping and moving around, and you want to ensure that you don’t have an expensive accident. Investing in some reliable, sturdy straps will be worth it in the long run. Tropic Outdoors carries a large selection of straps for most trailer types. Our recommendation is the logistic straps available on our website, TropicOutdoors.com, which can support up to 3,000 lbs., so you can rest easy that your precious cargo isn’t going anywhere.

Preparation is Key

When going on trips such as these, you always want to make sure that you have backups and spares of equipment. It’s always a good idea to bring a jack and spare tire. Should an accident occur on the road, you want to have a jack and spare tire on hand. Getting a flat tire in the middle of your road trip could end your fun really quick. If you decide to bring a spare tire, keep it at the front of your trailer, as it can also serve as a soft cushion to brush up against when you’re loading your ATV onto the trailer. Your spare tire as a cushion not only protects any accidents from occurring but also helps distribute weight properly.

Having equipment as valuable as ATVs, it’s worth putting in the time and effort into proper transportation. Tropic Trailer understands the importance of reliable equipment, which is why we offer a wide selection of trailers. We are prepared to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Don’t let a lack of preparation or proper equipment be the result of a costly mistake.