The ATV Loading Ramp

The right way to load, haul, and secure your ATV starts with an ATV loading ramp.

When you decide to head out on the trail for a day of riding, the first thing you have to do is get your quad to the trail head. You’ll want to load, haul, and secure your ATV securely to transport it safely. Start with a specially designed ATV loading ramp and read on for more information.

There's a right way and a wrong way to go about loading your quad. If you aren't careful, you just may put both your equipment and yourself at risk. Here's the right way to load and secure your quad onto a pick-up or trailer.

If you are loading onto a trailer, make sure that you hitch the trailer to the tow vehicle before you load your quad. That way the trailer won't rock or tip during the loading process.

There's are reasons why it's important to only use ATV loading ramps to get your quad on and off your vehicle. It's a matter of both safety and convenience. Using the right ramp protects both you and your equipment and it's a lot easier especially if you're on your own.

Use only an ATV ramp with a loading capacity that can handle the combined weight of the four wheeler, and any equipment attached to it. Remember that if you ride your ATV into place, your weight has to be counted into the total as well.

It’s not really safe to load by riding up the ramp, although lots of guys do it. Loading this way causes more accidents than you'd think. So, if you do use this loading method, wear the same protective gear that you'd use when you ride. That includes helmet, goggles, gloves, and boots.

When you load, try to use the lowest gear possible to climb the ramp. Avoid jerky stops or starts while going up the ramp. Never approach any ramp at high speeds. If you do, it’s possible that the ramp could buckle or ram into the back of the pick-up or trailer.

Using a winch to load your ATV is the safest way to load. Winching lets you stand clear of the quad while at the same time giving you more control over the speed and allowing for more precision in loading.

After your ATV is safely loaded, balance the weight over the truck or trailer axle, so the load is distributed evenly. Then set the parking brake on the four wheeler before securing it to the bed of truck or trailer by using tie down straps.

Be sure to use two straps in front and two in back. Ratchet them down as tightly as you can. You will want the straps to totally lock the ATV in place to the point where the tires appear to be under load.

Then take some time to loop and secure excess strap lengths so they don't end up flapping or dragging or generally getting in the way. After that's all done you are ready to hit the road and head for your favorite destination with your ATV.

Lastly, loop and secure excess straps to keep them from dragging or flapping while you are on the move. That's it. You are now ready to head out to your destination with your ATV.