Towing your ATV
Time to hit the road with your ATV? Looking for some of the best trails in the state? In the country? Now’s the perfect time to be exploring different areas for ATVing as it’s not particularly cold anymore, but it’s not too hot yet. However, most trails have to be reached via paved roads first and ATVs can’t legally drive on most paved roads (plus it would take a while to travel a long distance).
Most of us need to tow our ATVs to another location before we can use them. If this is the case, then read through some of the tips Mountain West Trailers, LLC has provided so you can safely get your four wheeler where it needs to go. If you need the trailer to tow your machine, then stop by our location in Heber City, Utah, near Salt Lake City, Provo, Wasatch, and Summit County.
Weight Distribution
The first step to simplifying this process is to have some solid visualization before getting started. One of the most important parts is to ensure you have the right weight distribution. This will prevent your trailer from hugging one side of the road and keep all trailer wheels firmly planted on the road. You’ll want to employ the 60/40 rule for this: 60% of the total weight needs to be in the front half of the trailer, toward the hitch, with the remaining 40% of the total weight tapering off the back. In fact, about 10-20% of the overall weight should rest as close to the hitch as possible.
Hook Up your Trailer
With all that in mind, it’s time to get started. First, you’ll want to hook up your trailer. You’ll want to consult your owner’s manual for this, to find out exactly how to hitch your unit, but we can give you some basics. You’ll probably want to start by raising the tongue so it’s sitting just above the ball height. Then back up your tow vehicle until they line up, and then lower the tongue until the two parts connect. Finally, secure the latch with the ball joint and connect your tow chains. These are set in place to prevent your trailer from rolling away, should it become unhitched while you’re driving.
Loading your ATV
When the trailer is ready, it’ll be time to load your ATV. First make sure you’re on flat, level ground. That will just make this task easier. Also make sure your ramp is in place, whether that means attaching it or lowering it from the trailer.
When it’s time to drive onto the trailer, give yourself some space to get a head start. You won’t want to mess with the accelerator or brake too much when you hit the ramp, so try to use momentum as much as you can. Also, try to minimize the angle of the ramp so you don’t need to use too much momentum to climb it. If you have more than one ATV, load them one at a time so you can mess with each as needed.
When your machines are loaded, make sure they’re secured so they don’t roll around during transit. We recommend using ratchet straps, as these press down on the suspension so it all but eliminates movement. Keep in mind, you’ll probably want to practice a few times before you feel comfortable loading your machines quickly.
Once you’ve completed this step, you should be ready to hit the road. But while you’re practicing, you may have noticed a trailer repair that needs attention sooner rather than later. For all your regular maintenance and repairs, schedule a service appointment with Mountain West Trailers, LLC. We’re in Heber City, Utah, proudly serving Salt Lake City, Provo, Wasatch, and all of Summit County.