ATV Towing Tips

Think about it: At highway speeds, a sudden swerve or an unexpectedly large pothole could turn your off-road vehicle into hazardous road debris. Gust-prone bridges and idiots who forget to use their turn signals can go from being mere annoyances to white-knuckle stress inducers.

So we've put together some tips for towing an ATV that will enhance the safety of you and other drivers and your own peace of mind.

­Any tough job becomes much easier when you use the right tools. To learn about towing equipment that makes hauling an ATV easier, go to the next page.

Given the unusually bulky form of all-terrain vehicles, it's no wonder that an entire industry has arisen to help enthusiasts with the task of transporting ATVs. In the next two sections, we'll take a look at some of the specialized ATV towing gear that makes the "getting there" a bit less stressful and a lot safer. Towing trailers for hauling equipment come in a wide variety of sizes and flavors -- small, large, single-axle, multi-axle, open, enclosed, partially enclosed and so forth. Some are general purpose. But the ones we're particularly concerned with are specialized ATV trailers.

­What sets apart trailers designed for ATV towing from other towing equipment? Well, typically, ATV trailers have low decks for easier loading. They often have foldaway ramps to further ease the loading and unloading process. They're built to withstand the weight of ATVs, which can tip the scales between 300 and 500 pounds apiece.

Finally, they feature numerous strap handles for placing the heavy-duty straps you will want to keep your ATV from sliding around.­ Be sure to consider what additional equipment for ATV towing you might need along with the trailer. A drop hitch attachment and other towing gear can remove some of the sloppy driving feel when you are pulling a trailer. Some ATV trailers have metal frame or mesh sides that serve as containing walls when folded up, then function as a wide, handy loading ramp when folded down. ­On the next page we'll learn about ramps and tie-downs.

Ramps

To get your ATV off of the asphalt and onto the trailer or pickup bed, you will need a ramp, or perhaps a couple of them (called dual runners), depending on their width. Ramps for loading ATVs and motorcycles are commonly made of aluminum because of its high strength-to-weight ratio. The array of choices for this piece of ATV towing equipment alone can be confusing: You must choose from arched ramps, bi-fold ramps, tri-fold ramps, heavy duty and other classifications.

But if you choose to ferry your ATV on a specially designed trailer, the decision is likely to be easy -- ATV trailers tend to have the ramps built-in.

If, however, you use a pickup bed or a general purpose trailer to transport your ATV, you must at the very least be sure the ramp will support the ATV's weight. While you may never require an extra heavy duty 6,000-pound capacity ramp, it is a good idea to allow a cushion of several hundred pounds.

Expect to pay around $200 for a light-to-medium capacity ATV loading ramp with about a 1,000-pound rating.

­ Use a winch, if possible, to load your ATV, especially if you are transporting it in a truck bed. Otherwise, ride it up the ramp slowly in low or four-wheel drive gear. Pay particular attention to steering straight ahead and mind the edges of the ramp. Tie-Downs

With an expensive toy like an ATV, tie-down straps are not the place to skimp and cut corners. Several manufacturers offer complete tie-down kits that include heavy-duty nylon webbed straps with ratcheting cams. These kits allow you to eliminate all slack in the straps when you secure your ATV to the trailer. The tires should be squished down upon the deck of the trailer and appear as if the ATV is carrying the weight of a rider. The ends of the straps may have simple metal S-hooks, or the more reliable "snap hooks," which click onto the trailer's anchor points and remain closed. As always, follow the manufacturers' instructions with any equipment for ATV towing that you purchase.

For more resources on towing an ATV, go to the next page.­