How to Trailer an ATV: Loading, Strapping, and Towing Safely
A complete guide to safely loading, securing, and towing an ATV, including ramp technique, proper strap angles, and pre-trip trailer checks.
How to Trailer an ATV: Loading, Strapping, and Towing Safely
To trailer an ATV safely, load it in low gear at a slow, steady speed using ramps rated for its weight, then secure it with four tie-down straps angled outward from the front and rear frame points — never the suspension or handlebars. Getting this wrong is one of the most common ways ATVs get damaged (or riders get hurt) before they even reach the trail. This guide walks through the full process from choosing a trailer to a final pre-departure check.
Choosing the Right Trailer and Ramps
Match your trailer's weight rating comfortably above your ATV's actual weight, including any accessories or racks you've added — don't cut it close to the trailer's maximum GVWR. Ramps should be rated for your ATV's weight and long enough to keep the loading angle shallow; steep, short ramps are a leading cause of tip-backs during loading. Aluminum ramps with a grip or cleat surface hold up better in wet conditions than bare metal.
Step 1: Position and Secure the Trailer
Park the tow vehicle and trailer on flat, level ground whenever possible. Chock the trailer wheels and make sure the trailer is fully connected to the hitch with safety chains crossed underneath before you attempt to load — a trailer that shifts during loading is dangerous.
Step 2: Set Up the Ramps
Attach ramps securely to the trailer bed, checking that they're locked in place and can't slide sideways under load. Center them to match your ATV's wheelbase, and if you're using two separate ramps rather than a single wide ramp, double-check the spacing matches your tire width exactly — a ramp that's even a couple inches off center is a common cause of an ATV sliding off during loading.
Step 3: Load the ATV
Approach the ramps straight-on, in a low gear, and maintain slow, steady throttle all the way up — momentum changes halfway up a ramp are what cause stalls and rollbacks. Keep your body weight forward and centered, and be mentally ready to safely bail off to the side if the ATV starts to tip rather than trying to save it by leaning. Once fully on the trailer deck, shift into park or engage the parking brake immediately.
Step 4: Strap It Down Correctly
Use four separate tie-down straps, one from each corner of the ATV's frame (not the suspension, racks, or handlebars) to a solid anchor point on the trailer. Angle each strap outward at roughly 45 degrees from the ATV rather than straight down — this triangulated pattern prevents both side-to-side and front-to-back shifting. Tighten straps until the suspension compresses slightly, which indicates the ATV is genuinely locked to the deck rather than just resting on it.
- Front straps: Attach to the lower frame near the front axle, angled forward and outward toward the trailer's front corners
- Rear straps: Attach to the rear frame, angled backward and outward toward the trailer's rear corners
Step 5: Do a Full Pre-Departure Check
Before pulling away, walk a full loop around the trailer and check: all four straps are tight with no slack, the ATV doesn't rock more than an inch or two when pushed by hand, trailer lights and turn signals are functioning, the trailer hitch pin and safety chains are secure, and tire pressure on both the trailer and tow vehicle looks correct. This two-minute check catches the vast majority of towing problems before they become highway incidents.
Common Trailering Mistakes
- Strapping to the wrong points: Suspension arms, plastic fenders, and handlebars are not rated to hold an ATV in place and can be damaged or fail under load.
- Straps not angled outward: Straight-down straps do little to prevent side-to-side shifting; the 45-degree triangulated pattern is what actually locks the ATV in place.
- Overloading the trailer's tongue weight: Loading the ATV too far forward or backward on the trailer changes tongue weight and can make the tow vehicle handle unpredictably, especially at highway speed.
- Skipping the rock test: After strapping down, always push on the ATV by hand to confirm it doesn't shift — a strap that looks tight can still be improperly anchored.
Towing to the Trailhead
Once loaded, drive conservatively — braking distance and cornering behavior both change with a loaded trailer. Recheck your straps after the first 10-15 minutes of driving, since initial road vibration often reveals any strap that wasn't as tight as it seemed in the driveway. This is especially important before longer hauls to trails covered in our Colorado trail listings or other multi-hour drives found on our full state directory.
Unloading Safely
Unloading mirrors loading: chock the trailer, remove all four straps completely (don't try to back down with any strap still partially attached), and back down the ramps slowly in low gear with your weight centered, ready to counter-lean if the ATV shifts unexpectedly on the ramp surface.
Gear That Makes Trailering Safer
- A set of ratchet tie-down straps rated for ATV weight, rather than cheaper cam-buckle straps that can loosen over rough roads
- A dedicated ATV loading ramp set with a grip surface for wet or muddy trailhead conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest way to load an ATV onto a trailer?
Use ramps with a shallow enough angle that the ATV's undercarriage won't scrape, approach in low gear at idle speed, and keep your weight balanced and ready to bail off if the ATV starts to tip.
How many tie-down straps does an ATV need for trailering?
Four straps is the standard minimum — one from each of the front and rear frame points, angled outward at roughly 45 degrees to prevent the ATV from shifting side to side or front to back.
Should I strap down the handlebars or suspension when trailering an ATV?
Strap the frame, not the suspension components or handlebars. Straps on suspension parts allow the ATV to bounce and shift during transport, and handlebar straps can damage steering components.
Do I need a specific type of trailer for hauling an ATV?
A basic open utility trailer with a solid deck and load rating that comfortably exceeds your ATV's weight is sufficient for most single or double-ATV hauling; enclosed trailers add security and weather protection but aren't required.