Knowing how to securely tie down an ATV on a trailer or truck bed is an invaluable skill. It prevents grimace-inspiring damage to the ATV and to other vehicles, possible injury to people, and sometimes trouble with the law.
Ratchet straps are both the easiest and the most secure way to tie down your ATV. You will need two to four of them, depending on the method you'll be using. It may be a good idea to go ahead and purchase four so you are prepared to play around with and vary your options whenever you like.
Most ATVs need ratchet straps that measure one to two inches wide, but the heaviest ATVs may need wider straps.
Make sure to only use high quality ratchet straps in good condition. You don't want them to break while you're attaching them and leave you unprepared for your ride or break while you're driving and do you no good.
Don't try to use rope or any other type of strap. They can stretch, break, or simply not fasten securely. Ratchet straps are also wider than rope and many other straps you may think to try, providing stronger support.
Make sure you have loaded the ATV so that it isn't hanging off the edge of the trailer or truck bed, because no strap is strong enough to handle that.
ATV are waterproof & breathable riding gear
Find out the items that suit your needs
Image from www.polarisatvforums.com
There are multiple ways you can securely tie down an ATV.
You can run four straps through the ATV's wheels and secure the straps tight to the closest tie-down spots.
This is a quick and easy method, but some people worry the straps will damage the wheel rims.
Run four of the straps through tough and secure sections of the vehicle frame and then attach the straps to the nearest tie-down spots on the trailer or truck.
Hook a strap through the front of the ATV frame and pull it back so you can attach it to the back of the trailer or truck. Then run another of them through the back of the frame and attach it to the front of the trailer or truck. This should create an X shape on the sides of the ATV, crisscrossing the straps.
This is a particularly strong method of securing your ATV as the pulling back of the straps holds the ATV down tighter.
Image from www.utvactionmag.com
1. Avoid the Axle.
Don't fasten the straps over an ATVs axle because the force could damage it.
2. What You Want to Achieve.
You want to ensure the ATV cannot roll, shift, fall, or topple even on bumpy roads and in quick stops.
You want to ratchet the straps until you can see them forcing the ATV lower to the trailer or truck a time or two and stop there. Making it tighter is not necessary and could increase the chances of breaking the strap.
Tighten the straps equally. If they are tightened unevenly, the loosest one will allow movement in the ATV that will loosen the hold. You may find your strap completely untied or your ATV moved when you stop, or worse.
3. Where to Attach the Straps.
The truck or trailer should come with built-in eyelets or other tie-down spots. if it doesn't, you can have some welded in without much expense. While you're waiting to add some tie-down spots, you can probably find sturdy places in the truck or trailer to secure the straps.
Make sure any tie-down spots you use are strong and immobile. Don't use a vehicle's bumper, luggage rack, or anything else that isn't 100% secure, strong, and reliable. Even a well-maintained bumper, etc. moves a little and this movement while the vehicle is in transit could also jostle the ATV enough to loosen the straps.
Wrap any excess strap around itself and tie it so it doesn't blow around in the wind and beat up anything.
4. Final Points.
Ensure the ATV is in neutral with the parking brake on.
Many people find that no matter how tight they ratchet the straps, there is still some loosening when they get on the road. You can stop after say about five miles down the road to give the straps a little more tightening.
You can purchase custom ATV chains to securely tie down an ATV and to prevent theft. It requires more expense than ratchet straps, but you might feel more secure with them and consider it a sound investment to prevent the cost of someone stealing your ATV if you'll be leaving the ATV on the trailer or truck bed.
There are also trailer add-ons you can use, curved metal bars that lock over your ATV's front tires. These are great options if you will only be using the trailer the haul your ATV.
SPORTSMAN Black
36 EUR
32.40 EUR
HIT
ENDURO LIGHT Graphite
the most durable
458 EUR
HIT
ENDURO Camogrey
the most durable
657 EUR
ENDURO Graphite
the most durable
279 EUR
HIT
ENDURO Graphite
the most durable
657 EUR
-28%
AQUAMASTER-ZIP LIGHT Camogrey
with central zipper
598 EUR
430.
40 EUR
HIT
ENDURO LIGHT Camogrey
the most durable
458 EUR
-12%
AQUAMASTER LIGHT Red
reliability & comfort
438 EUR
386.20 EUR
NEODRY Black
17 EUR
11.90 EUR
ENDURO Camogrey
the most durable
279 EUR
AQUAMASTER Blue
reliability & comfort
647 EUR
-20%
HIT
AQUAMASTER Red
reliability & comfort
259 EUR
207.20 EUR
-40%
HIT
AQUAMASTER Orange
reliability & comfort
259 EUR
155.40 EUR
AQUAMASTER Red
reliability & comfort
677 EUR
BELT
9 EUR
ENDURO BF Camogrey
bootfoot waders
528 EUR
ALL SEASON Black
62 EUR
ENDURO BF Camogrey
bootfoot waders
329 EUR
MUDWAY Graphite
179 EUR
MUDWAY Camogrey
179 EUR
Explore all
Skip to content
Written by Brent Huntley in ATVs
ATV security can be achieved with little just a little effort, and in some cases, only a little money.
You don’t need an armored vault in your garage just to keep your ATV safe.
Unfortunately, too many ATV owners either don’t worry about ATV security, thinking they don’t need it, or they avoid taking security measures because they think they will be too costly or time-consuming.
In reality, an ATV is more likely to get stolen than a car because it is a crime that is a lot easier to get away with since a stolen ATV can be hidden and/or disguised much easier than a stolen car. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your ATVs. How much money you are willing to spend on it is really up to you and the effort you want to make.
Securing Your ATV
Even if your ATV is locked in an outdoor shed, if someone can break the lock and get it without waking you up, the deterrence level is too low. So, if you have to keep it in an outdoor shed or in a trailer or something similar, you wan’t that location as close to your house as possible so that it is within your sight and hearing. 
If that is not an option, make sure the trailer is locked down very well so that someone cannot come by and break the locks or cut the chains and make off with the trailer. Also, don’t leave the towing gear on the trailer ready to attach. While this may be convenient for your next trip, it is also convenient for a would-be thief.
Of course, don’t forget to put the fuse back in before you try to start it yourself.
This way, people will not be able to back the ATV out of the truck bed or out of the trailer without moving the truck, which is a lot harder task.
You can pick up a decent wi-fi camera for $50. It may not stop someone from stealing your ATV, and the police may not be able to identify the people, but police are a lot more motivated to help if they have some evidence they can use as a starting point. Video goes a long way with getting the investigation to actually happen.
Because of this, you are going to need to to a cost-benefit analysis to determine if the cost is worth it to you. One important consideration is to look at the cost in just adding theft protection to what you would normally get because that may be less of a cost than you think.
The easiest thing to do is make sure they leave their car behind. If they do leave their car behind, make sure you keep it under guard so they can’t sneak back and grab the car when you go inside to wait for their return. Agree on a time they need to be back and call the police if they aren’t back within a reasonable amount of time after the agreed-upon time.Most of these tips are all about using common sense. If people don’t know you have an ATV, they aren’t going to try and steal it. Likewise, if people can’t get easy access to your ATV, they are going to be less likely to try and steal it. Finally, if someone does steal your ATV, you need to have a way to identify it and also want to have insurance money to soften the blow.
My New Favorite Accessory for Winter Riding
Over the past several months, as the weather has gotten cooler, I have been testing out the Venustas Heated Vest for my cold-weather photography.
I wrote all about it over at Photography &...
Continue Reading
link to How To Use An ATV SpreaderHow To Use An ATV Spreader
One of the greatest things about summer is yard work. As the heat and humidity rise, so do the plants and flowers. The advent of technology has made seeding and fertilizing, a job that used to...
Continue Reading
11/18/2021
In this article we will answer the questions:
There are four ways to load an ATV into a trailer:
Nobody ever does this, but this is also possible.
ATV entry into trailer МЗСА 817702.001-05 with plastic cover (body 2.45×1.5 m):
Quad bike entry into trailer MZSA 817717.001-05 (body 3.45 × 1.5 m):
nine0038 Ways:Let's analyze all the methods in a little more detail.
Usually they do it because someone they know does it. It is the same with fastening a boat with a winch on a boat trailer. If you open the instructions for absolutely any winch, you can make sure that it is forbidden to use it for securing cargo, and this can lead to the failure of the winch. You will need to spend both money and time to repair the winch, and the first question in the service center will be about exactly how you used it. The second disadvantage of this method of fastening is that the rear of the ATV remains without fixation.
Also, the friction of the cable on the drawbar harms both the cable and the galvanization on the drawbar. nine0003
There are specialized mounts for ATVs. Previously (years until 2020) SuperClamp ATV/UTV mounts were made in Canada:
Also in Russia, until 2022, Quadrofix mounts were produced (similar to the American ATV Mighty TiTe Tensioner):
Quadrofix is currently out of production, we are selling the last copies.
These fasteners are good for fixing speed, the ability to maintain the ideal weight distribution in the trailer, and aesthetics. Their only drawback is the cost. nine0003
The most popular way to attach an ATV to a trailer. Reliable, cheap and fast enough.
This is how we fasten ourselves. To do this, you will need 2 tie-down straps. Belts 25 mm wide are sufficient, but keep in mind that the ratchet mechanism of wide (50 mm) belts is more reliable.
An example of the correct method of fastening (winding the belt on the shaft is redundant - more on this below):
nine0002
You can also attach the ATV with straps to the wheels. For example, with the help of belts for a car transporter, a "bone" belt, or by passing the belt through rims. These are longer and more easily soiled methods.
If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them - write comments. And of course, we have a whole section with trailers for transporting an ATV, which you can buy from us at a profit.
Tags: ATV trailers
Do I need to register a hitch MZSA trailers update and new modifications.
CommentsNo comments yet
Write a comment nine0002 Top ATVs are designed for driving on difficult tracks.
On their own, they are not able to move along the highway for long distances, because the quadra has a large suspension travel. If you plan to ride away from home, the first thing you need to decide is how to transport the quad bike to the ride location. There are several ways to transport motorcycles. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing the best option, it is important to consider the distance between the start and end points. nine0003
If you need to transport the ATV over a short distance, you can use a private car or use the services of a transport company. But sometimes you have to transport equipment hundreds of kilometers away. In such cases, ATV owners are more likely to opt for the services of professional carriers. It is risky and dangerous to transport bulky cargo on your own.
Transporting an ATV with a trailer is the best option for those who need to transport equipment over any distance. This is a universal solution that allows you to conveniently transport children's, utility, sports ATVs.
But keep in mind that not every trailer will fit. It should be a full-fledged loading platform that allows you to securely fasten the vehicle. The maximum speed of a car with a trailer is 70 km/year, in a built-up area – 60 km/year. nine0003
A trailer for transporting an ATV can be made by hand or purchased ready-made. There are craftsmen who independently make platforms for transporting two ATVs. The work is quite difficult. It is necessary to prepare drawings, sketches, purchase materials. In addition, a homemade trailer must be registered. This will also have to be dealt with.
It is much easier and faster to buy a ready-made trailer. For the transportation of ATVs, platforms of different types are used. nine0003
When choosing a trailer, consider the distance over which you will need to transport equipment, the design features of the ATV, as well as your financial capabilities.
To transport a vehicle from one place to another on a trailer, you first need to secure the ATV. Driving safety depends on this. Fixation with belts for wheels, the seat is not reliable. For proper fastening, you will need two ratchet straps. The work should be done in the following sequence: nine0003
This method is reliable and convenient, allows you to carefully drive an ATV for any distance. Such fixation will not harm the winch or the seat. The wheels do not slip, motor vehicles do not shake the trailer while driving. If the ATV is not fixed or fixed incorrectly, this can lead to a deterioration in its performance, damage to important components and mechanisms. nine0003
Do you have a private car? Why not use it to transport an ATV? A light model (sedan, station wagon, hatchback, etc.) is not suitable for this purpose, since the dimensions of the cargo are quite impressive. Motorcycles simply will not fit in the luggage compartment of such cars. You can transport ATVs in minibuses and pickups. First, the vehicle must be loaded, secured in the body, check the reliability of fixation. nine0003
There are plenty of companies in Russia that provide cargo transportation services.
Transport firms, evacuation services, even private individuals – there is one to choose from. In certain cases, their services are beneficial to the client. ATVs are transported on tow trucks, semi-trucks and cargo vans. When seeking help from the evacuation service, certain nuances should be taken into account.
nine0008 For one-time transportation over a short distance, a tow truck can be used. But if you have to transport vehicles hundreds of kilometers away, it is better to give preference to another method.
A very good solution is to contact a company that deals with cargo transportation. This option is relevant if you bought equipment in another city, and it makes no sense to drive a personal car after it. Such organizations have their own fleet of vehicles. The machine is selected depending on the dimensions of the ATV. For transportation of motor vehicles can be used: nine0003
The choice of a transport company also needs to be approached carefully. A reliable contractor is ready to take on all obligations related to the delivery of motorcycles.
Such organizations operate under an agreement that specifies the terms of cooperation, prices, terms, responsibilities of the parties, etc. nine0003
Another advantage of using a transport company is turnkey work. Specialists work out routes in detail, select a platform for a specific model of motor vehicles, notify the user about the movement of cargo.
No documents are required for the transportation of motorcycles in Russia. It is only important to prove that the ATV is yours. Take with you the contract of sale or donation for this. No insurance or license required. If you are importing a vehicle from abroad or exporting it outside the country, check if the ATV is equipped with license plates. A certificate of registration is also required. nine0003
So, we have considered the most common ways of transporting ATVs over short and long distances. For transportation of motorcycles, you can use:
