Safely Towing Your Four Wheeler

Before you can conquer the trails on your four wheeler, you’ll need to get your 4 wheeler to the trails. Unless you live right next to the woods, you’ll need to transport your ATV. Throwing it in the back of your pickup is not a secure method of transportation and can easily damage your truck bed. A much better strategy is to tow it. The process of towing a quad is straightforward, but you will want to make sure you have a firm understanding of it before attempting. We created a beginner’s guide to safe towing of your 4 wheeler below. For all your ATV needs, visit Joe’s Cycle Shop. We are near Jackson, Tennessee.

Towing Preparation

Now isn’t the time to play it by ear. You’re taking a large vehicle towing another large vehicle on the road. You’ll want to review the process enough to be confident in your ability to tow. Then you will want to get ready to tow by checking your tow vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating. This number tells you how much weight your vehicle can tow. The weight of any cargo and passengers is included in this value, so keep that in mind.

Connect the Trailer

For this step, you’ll want to find as flat as ground as possible. Trying to load an ATV onto an uneven trailer will make the process harder than it needs to be. Work smarter, not harder, by starting on flat ground.

Next, you’ll want to set up the trailer tongue so it rests above the ball hitch. Back up slowly until the latch is below the tongue. Then put the tongue on the ball joint and secure it. Arrange the tow chains into an “X” formation under the tongue. Attach the chains to the tow vehicle (this is a safeguard if the trailer gets unhitched).

Loading Your Four Wheeler

Your owner’s manual will give you specific instructions on how to position your ramp for easiest loading. After you read through it, align your ATV with the ramp. Ride up it slowly. Here you are trying to walk a fine line. You want to get enough momentum to get up the slope without shooting into the cargo bay.

Once the quad is inside the cargo bay, you’ll need to position the weight with intention. The best ratio is 60% of the weight in the front, 40% in the rear, and 10% on the hitch. If you put too much weight in the front, it can strain your tow vehicle if you put too much weight in the back, it could snap the hitch.

Driving While Towing a Quad

Your tow vehicle will handle differently due to the extra weight of the 4 wheeler. You’ll need more time and distance to bring the vehicle to a full stop. You’ll need to take corners at different angles. You’ll require more space to make a lane change. This is why you’ll need to practice driving the trailer with the extra weight of the four wheeler. Get a feel for how your vehicle handles in a controlled environment (like a large parking lot or low-traffic neighborhood) before heading out on the road.

When you are ready to hit the road, drive defensively. Leave plenty of space between you and other cars. Change lanes and turn slowly. Stay cautious and stay safe.

For all your ATV needs, visit Joe’s Cycle Shop. We offer a range of new and used ATVs. We also operate parts replacement and service departments to fix up your ride. We proudly serve those in Jackson, Memphis, and Humboldt, Tennessee. We also serve those in Corinth, Oxford, and Olive Branch, Mississippi.