ATV ramps: how to choose

If you've ever cruised the backcountry on an ATV, you already know that off-roading is one of the most thrilling of all the extreme sports. What isn't extremely thrilling, however, is trying to transport your ATV from the suburban garage to the back roads without the use of proper ATV ramps.

Some people are absolutely lost when it comes to choosing and using ATV ramps. There's really no trick to using ramps, but it does take a little practice to get the procedure just right.

The following guidelines will help prepare you for the ramping experience, and walk you through the process. By following these steps, you should have a fairly uneventful experience:

How to Choose ATV Ramps

The most common rule of thumb is really common sense. The ramp must be wider than the ATV. Take careful measurements BEFORE you place your order. Having said that, on a wide-runner ramp, the width of your ATV's wheelbase should used as the reference of the ramp's width. On the other hand, if you prefer a single-runner ramp, the width distance should be at least as wide as your tire.

Standard ATV ramp sizes are used on smaller pickup vehicles. Longer ramps are intended for larger trucks. Before paying for the ramp, be sure to check the capacity of the ramp and the load of your ATV. If you think that your ATV is heavier than the load capacity of the ATV ramp, consider the pairing of two ramps to enhance the overall load capability.

How to Ramp Your ATV

Step One: Park your pickup truck on a flat and firm surface. Clear the truck or trailer bed of all materials, and secure the vehicle before beginning the ramping procedure. Use your vehicle's parking brake, and be sure that the trailer is secure.

Step Two: With the ramp located on hard-packed ground, position it to the truck or trailer bed at the lowest possible angle. Connect the ramp to the bed. If using runners, make sure that the individual ramps are properly spaced to match the wheelbase of your ATV. The ramp should fit snugly and be secure.

Step Three: Install the safety cables with the ramps tightly supported against the trailer bed.

Step Four: Double-check the load capacity of the ramp and the current weight of your ATV. Remove any additional heavy gear from your ATV to prevent overloading (and damage to your ramp and ATV).

Step Five: If you have a winch, use it! This is the best way to draw your ATV up the ramp and on to the truck or trailer bed. If you don't have a winch, you can ride your ATV up the ramp. This must be done slowly and carefully with smooth, slow acceleration. This is when the worst accident can happen; so don't rush it. Going too quickly or accelerating abruptly could cause you to fall off of the ramp or crash into the truck's cab. Again, using a winch is the safest way to ramp your ATV, particularly if you have no previous ramping experience.

Step Six: Secure your ATV. Once the ATV is loaded, carefully secure it to the truck bed or trailer.

Using ATV ramps is quite simple once you get the hang of it, but it does require a little practice. Follow each step carefully, and utilize the help of another person whenever possible. Accidents can happen quickly and without warning, so it's important to have help available should you need it.

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