Tips For Towing Your UTV
If you’re the outdoorsy type, you likely have a wide range of outdoor interests, from camping to powersports to just hanging out with your friends. If you’d like to combine the first two activities, you may be wondering how to take your UTV along with you. Side by sides are fun and useful machines that can enhance any trip and become a life-changing investment. If you want to utilize your UTV to its highest potential, you’ll probably have to tow it at some point.
Most side by sides are too bulky to fit onto a pickup truck bed so you’ll probably have to use a trailer to tow yours. If you’ve never towed a UTV before, there are some guidelines you’ll want to follow. We at Polaris® of Gainesville like to help our patrons make the most of their vehicles so we’ve compiled some tips for towing your UTV. When you’re ready to look at side by sides for sale in Alachua, Florida, visit us at our dealership to see the models we have in stock.
Plan Ahead
Now that you’ve decided to take your UTV along for some powersports thrills, you need to have a game plan in mind so you can ensure a smooth trip. The first thing you need to figure out is if your tow vehicle can handle the weight you’ll need to haul for your trip. You’ll also want to evenly distribute the weight from left to right and taper it off from front to back, with 60% of your cargo’s weight placed toward the front and 40% toward the back. Before you start the process of hitching your trailer, make sure your vehicles are on level and even ground.
Hook up the Trailer
Since your UTV probably won’t fit in the back of your pickup truck bed, you’re going to have to use a trailer to haul it from one place to the next. Before you load the UTV, you should hook up the trailer as it makes the hitching and loading process easier.
Place the trailer tongue so it’s sitting above the height of the ball hitch, then back up your tow vehicle until the latch is directly beneath the trailer tongue. Lower the tongue onto the ball joint and make sure it's securely set. Finally, cross the tow chains under the tongue in an “X” shape and hook them to the tow vehicle. This stops your trailer from cutting loose in case it becomes unhitched at some point. Finally, set up your brakes and lights, whether they’re independent or need to be hooked up to your tow vehicle.
Level & Load Your Trailer
Now that the rest of the rig is ready, it’s time to load your UTV. You’ll need a ramp for this so set it up following manufacturer’s guidelines. Give yourself enough distance to get up the ramp without overshooting your target and bumping into the back of your tow vehicle. Go up the ramp perfectly straight.
Now that you’ve got your UTV loaded, you have to secure it so it isn’t damaged in transit. Ratchet straps are a great option because they allow you to compress the suspension and reduce the amount of movement. Whatever option you use, after it’s done, shake your UTV from all sides to see if anything gives. If you notice anything off, either tighten the straps or add some more.
Safe Driving Practices
Once you’re all loaded up and ready to go, there are some basic safe driving practices you’ll need to know while towing a full trailer. The first safety practice is to drive at moderate speeds. Avoid traveling faster than 60 mph as trailer tires are not built for high speeds. You should also leave plenty of room between your vehicle and other vehicles on the road as it takes a longer time for a big unit to come to a stop.
To increase road safety, ensure your mirrors are clean and well-adjusted. They should maximize your range of vision and make up for your blind spots. Give yourself a wide berth while taking corners and avoid passing other vehicles if it can be helped. As long as you remain a proactive driver, you should be able to avoid mishaps and keep yourself and other motorists safe. Remember your side by side is a worthy and expensive investment, so you should be careful when transporting it.
We hope this guide helps you take your UTV along on all your powersports adventures. It may take some practice to get the hang of proper towing, so don’t get disheartened if you don’t get it right away. If you’re looking for UTVs for sale near Gainesville, visit Polaris® of Gainesville and we’ll give you a tour of our inventory. We proudly serve those coming to visit us from Lake City and St. Augustine, FL.