Choosing And Using Atv Ramps

Article Written By: HugoAmblyne

Off-roading is one of the most exhilarating extreme sports. Just ask anyone who's crossed the backcountry on an ATV. It's a thrilling sport, but there's certainly no thrill to struggling with an ATV if you don't have a good set of ramps. You may be completely lost when it comes to choosing and using ATV ramps. While there's no trick to using ramps, it can take some practice before you 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:

Choosing 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 be 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.

Using Your ATV Ramps

First Step: Find a flat and firm surface to park your truck. Make sure the truck or trailer bed is free of all materials and debris. Use the parking brake to secure your vehicle and trailer before you begin the ramping procedure.

Step Two: With the ramp secured on hard-packed ground, position it to the truck or trailer bed at the lowest angle possible. Connect the ramp to the truck or trailer bed. If you are using runners, make sure that the individual ramps are properly spaced to match your ATV's wheelbase. Be sure that the ramp is secure and fits snug.

Step Three: Use safety cables to keep the ramp 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, be sure to use it! There is no better way to draw your ATV up the ramp and on to the truck or trailer bed. If you do not have a winch, you can ride your ATV up the ramp. Do this slowly and carefully with smooth acceleration.

This is the point when the worst accidents can happen, so don't rush it. If you go too quickly or accelerate abruptly, you can fall off of the ramp or crash into the truck's cab. Again, a winch is the safest means of ramping 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.

It's really quite simple to use ATV ramps, once you get the hang of it, but it does require a little practice. Follow each of these steps carefully, and have another person on hand to help whenever possible. Accidents happen quickly and without warning, and it's important to have help available when you need it.

About the Author

Contributor Hugo Amblyne provides material for a variety of web sites, on diesel truck part and trucking job work themes.

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