Atv Ramps: How To Choose And Use
By Hugo Amblyne

If you've ever crossed the backcountry on an ATV, you know that off-roading is one of the most thrilling of all the extreme sports. You may also know that there's no thrill to moving your from your suburban garage to the back roads without the use of proper ramps.

Some people are absolutely lost when it comes to choosing and using 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 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.

Buying the Right 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 ramp sizes are preferred for smaller pickup vehicles, while longer ramps are used with larger trucks. Check the capacity of the ramp and the load of your before you pay for your new ramps. If you suspect that your is heavier than the ramp's load capacity, you may want to pair up two ramps to allow for greater load capability.

Safe Use of Ramps

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.

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: Use safety cables to keep the ramp tightly supported against the trailer bed.

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

Step Five: If you have a winch, use it! This is the best way to draw your up the ramp and on to the truck or trailer bed. If you don't have a winch, you can ride your up the ramp. This must be done slowly and carefully with smooth, slow 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 the ATV. Once your has been loaded, secure it carefully to the truck bed or trailer.

Once you get the hang of it, using ramps is really quite simple. Still, you'll need practice to get it done right. It's always best to have another person with you, just in case. Follow each of these steps and have a friend standing by in case of accident.

By: Hugo Amblyne

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Columnist Hugo Amblyne writes for numerous web magazines, on used truck part and driver job themes.