Chitika

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

ATV Loading Ramps - Which One Is The Right One For You

By Chris Station


With such a big variety of ATV loading ramps being distributed today, it can be a tough thing to get the right one. One good thing is that with so many ramps available, you can easily find the ramp system that will be the best one for your set-up and situation.

First off, think about both how and where you will be using an ATV loading ramp. Will you be loading the quad into a trailer or onto a truck? What kind of ground and weather conditions will you be facing? Are you going to have help when it comes time to load and unload?

After you answer these questions, it will be time to decide on the particular ramp style that'll work best for you. Let's have a look at the four basic types of ATV loading ramps. There are some advantages and some disadvantages for each.

* Bi-fold ramps fold in half widthwise. These ramps are compact which can mean that it's more challenging to try to store them under the ATV while traveling.

* Tri-fold ramps fold in thirds along the width. Many tri-folds come with center tracks which are open. This makes them easy to store underneath the ATV while you're on the move.

* Dual runner ramps are really two separate ramps. They are available in folding and non folding styles. These ramps are made for easy storage under the ATV as long as the ATV has a higher ground clearance.

* Finally, you can find hitch mounted ramps. These attach to a trailer hitch. They can be folded for storage while traveling.

Regardless of which style of ramp you go for, any straight ramp will most likely need some extra length to avoid bottoming out your quad when loading. Avoid this problem by choosing an arched ramp.

When you choose a ramp, be sure that you take into consideration the overall weight that it has to support. The overall weight may include the weight of the machine, any accessories that are attached, the driver, fuel, as well as the weight of any cargo you may be carrying. Be sure to buy a ramp system that not only meets but exceeds the required weight capacity.

Another thing to think about is the overall width of the ramp. Now, you can get by with a ramp that barely fits your ATV, but you'll find it easier and safer to load and unload if you have some extra width to play with.

Just for example, say you've been out mud riding. Chances are good that your tires may not get good traction so the quad might slide around while you are loading. This won't be any sort of problem if you have a ramp that's extra wide.

With so many ATV loading ramps currently available, be sure to take your time checking out all the options before deciding. You only want to do this once so be sure you do it right.




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