Towing With Your ATV
If you’re a passionate ATV enthusiast, you know just how thrilling it can be to take your vehicle out to explore a new trail and gain some valuable riding experience. On the other hand, maybe you’re someone who prefers to use your quad for heavy-duty tasks. Whatever the case is, we can all agree that ATVs provide hours of recreational fun and are also extremely useful when you need the help of a powerful machine. However, you’ll probably reach a point where you need to tow your ATV.
Oftentimes, four-wheelers are too large to fit in an average pickup truck bed, which means you’ll need a trailer. If you’ve never towed an ATV, there are some important guidelines you’ll want to follow. Your local ATV dealer, Holzhauer Pro Motorsports, has covered the basics below. If you need further assistance or you’re in the market for a new quad, be sure to stop by our dealership near St. Louis, MO! We’ve got plenty of great ATVs for sale that you don’t want to miss out on. We’re conveniently located in Nashville, IL near Carbondale, Mount Vernon, and Salem.
Make A Plan
First and foremost, you need to make a plan so you’re prepared. Make sure that your trailer and your tow vehicle can handle the weight you plan to pull. You’ll also want to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed from left to right and taper it off from front to back. This means that 60% of your cargo’s weight should be at the front and the remaining 40% should be toward the back. Prepare to hitch your trailer by making sure you’re on flat, even ground.
Hook Up Your Trailer
As we mentioned earlier, many ATVs are too big to be carried in the bed of a pickup truck. If this sounds like your situation, then you’ll need to use a trailer. You’ll want to first hook up the trailer, which will make the hitching and loading process easier on you. Line up the trailer tongue so it’s sitting right above the height of the ball hitch.
Next, you’ll want to back up the tow vehicle until the latch is directly underneath the trailer tongue. Lower the tongue onto the ball joint and ensure that it’s securely set. Lastly, you’ll want to cross the tow chain under the tongue in an X shape and hook them up to the tow vehicle. Set up the brakes and lights, whether they be independent or need to be hooked up to your tow vehicle, you don’t want to skip this step.
Level & Load Your Trailer
Now that you’ve got it situated, you can proceed to load your ATV. Set up your ramp accordingly and allow yourself plenty of distance to get up the ramp. Your goal is to avoid overshooting the target and bumping into the back of the tow vehicle, so you need come at the ramp perfectly straight. Once you’ve got the ATV loaded, strap it down as securely as you can. Ratchet straps are an ideal option because they allow you to compress the suspension and reduce the amount of motion that’ll occur. Perform a final check by giving your quad a good shake from all sides. If you notice it gives or wiggles at all, tighten the straps or add more of them.
Drive Safely While Towing
You’re well on your way to towing with your ATV! Keep in mind that there are some basic safe driving practices you’ll want to familiarize yourself with. First of all, you need to take it slow and easy. Avoid traveling at speeds that exceed 60 mph because trailer trailers aren’t built for this. Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you, which is important because coming to a stop won’t be quick or easy in most cases.
Use your mirrors to maximize your range of vision and account for blind spots. Allow yourself a wide berth when taking corners. Avoid passing other vehicles if you can. While this type of driving can feel sluggish and frustrating, it’ll help you stay safe and keep those around you safe so you can avoid accidents as you tow valuable equipment behind you.
If you’re still looking for the perfect four-wheeler, we can help. Stop by your local ATV dealer, Holzhauer Pro Motorsports, near St. Louis, MO today! We’re located in Nashville, IL near Carbondale, Mount Vernon, and Salem. Our staff would be happy to show you our inventory, which includes some incredible ATVs for sale.