Choosing And Using Atv Ramps

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.

When it comes to choosing and using ATV ramps, some people are absolutely lost. There's really no trick to using ramps, but it can take practice to get the procedure just right.

The following guidelines can help to walk you through the process and prepare you for the ramping experience. Follow these steps, and you should enjoy a fairly uneventful experience.

Choosing ATV Ramps

Use common sense as your rule of thumb. In other words, buy a ramp that is wider than your ATV. Be sure to take careful measurements BEFORE placing your order. If you're buying wide-runner ramps, use the width of your ATV's wheelbase as reference of the ramp's width. If you prefer a single-runner ramp, make sure the width distance is at least as wide as your tires.

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.

Safe Use of 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.

Second Step: Secure the ramp on hard-packed ground, position it at the lowest possible angle, and then connect the ramp to your truck or trailer bed. When using runners, make sure that each ramp is properly spaced to match your ATV's wheelbase. Double-check that the ramp is secure and has a snug fit.

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.

At this point, the worst accidents can happen. Don't rush it. Accelerating abruptly or riding too quickly can cause you to fall off of the ramp or crash into the back of the truck cab. To be safe, buy a winch to ramp your ATV, particularly if you have no previous ramping experience.

Sixth Step: Fasten your ATV securely. Once loaded, use extreme care to be sure that your ATV is secured to the trailer or truck bed.

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.

Article Source: http://www.rightarticle.com

Contributor Hugo Amblyne contributes articles to several web sites, on Mazda truck part and trucking job work subjects.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated