Tips for Loading your ATVs and UTVs With your Trailer

Four wheelers are incredible vehicles for hitting great trails and tearing up some dunes. Whether you own an ATV and want to get it around to the best locations for riding, or you have a UTV that you need to get around for hunting or other activities, you’re going to need a functioning trailer to get your four wheeler from place to place. Triton Trailers are ideal for hauling ATVs and UTVs, but even with a good trailer, it’s important to know best practices for preparing the trailer, loading it, and towing it properly on the road. Regardless of your experience with towing trailers, Sky Powersports Lakeland has put together a list of useful information for anybody looking to move their four wheeler around a lot. If you’d like to learn more, or want to check out our selection of ATVs, UTVs, other powersports vehicles, or Triton Trailers, visit us in Punta Gorda near Fort Myers and Cape Coral, Florida.

Checking the Trailer

When deciding on the type of trailer that you need, keep in mind what you need. Ask yourself if you should have an open or enclosed trailer, one with one or two axles, and whether or not you need brakes on one axle. For a smaller load with just one or two ATVs or UTVs, a single axle trailer can do just fine, although your drive might get a little bouncey. If you’re going to carry larger loads of four wheelers, get a dual axle, as dual axle trailers included brakes on one of the axles, making it easier to bring your heavy trailer to a stop when you brake.

Leveling

It’s important to make sure you’re level before driving your four wheeler into the trailer, so you should take some time to examine the front and back with a tape measure. You might be able to do it by eye, but using a tape measure to check front to back and side to side is the only sure fire way to get it right. After it’s level, match up your truck’s draw bar to the hitch, and then all you’ve got to do is drop the trailer on the ball hitch before hooking up.

Hooking up

No matter what you’re hauling, safety chains are required for any trailer. You should cross the chains in an X so that they don’t shorten on tight turns. Also, while you’re at it, hook into the electrical wiring harness while you’re at it and check the brake and turn signals. Then just lock the latch, insert the safety pin, and you’re ready to load your trailer!

Drive your Four Wheeler on up

For driving your ATV or UTV into the trailer, be sure to still be cautious and safe while riding up the ramp. Although it’s a short maneuver, you still need a helmet, and navigating your four wheeler to sit over the axle can be tricky. Also make sure that you have an ATV ramp that’s the appropriate length, because if you’re ramp’s too short, you’re risking a disastrous roll-over.

On the Road

After loading up, you’re finally ready to hit the road! Trailers might seem difficult to haul at first, but if you follow basic safety guidelines, you’ll be successful and worry-free in no time. Be aware that trailer’s brakes respond much slower than your truck’s brakes. Leave plenty of following distance between yourself and the car in front of you, because if they come to a sudden halt, you’ll need ample time to fully stop. Take care when cornering, too, as your center of gravity is pushed farther back when you tow a trailer. On the whole, going slow, taking your time with difficult maneuvers, and being courteous to other drivers will save you a lot of heartache in the long haul.

And now you’re ready to tow your four wheeler! With an ATV or UTV, there are a few things to pay attention to when hauling them on the road, but you can be confident in your trailer if you just follow the recommendations listed above. Probably the most important thing to have for convenient towing is a good trailer, so come on over to Sky Powersports Lakeland and ask us about our Triton Trailers! These trailers are specially designed for moving powersports vehicles, so if you plan to spend a lot of time hauling your four wheeler around, a Triton Trailer is the perfect fit for you.