Looking for Trailer

[dustin85]

I am looking to buy a 2 place snowmobile trailer to haul my atv and my sled. I would probably haul my atv more often. What are the pro's and con's of a tilt bed vs drive-on/off ramp style? Thanks!

Dustin

[Dave]

Frequently, once you drive an ATV up a tilt bed, you slide back down; tires are usually muddy/snowy.

[KatoMike]

I have a tilt bed trailer (4x8). I wish I had a bigger trailer but I have not had a problem with the atv sliding backward once I am on it (it tilts forward once the weight is far enough forward so it really is never an issue). You do need to remember to put the pin before you drive away though (to keep it from tilting when you accelerate). I have forgotten to do that a couple of times.

[aczr2k]

Look at a Floe, drive on drive off ramp and tilt bed all in one trailer.

[SomethingFishy*]

I have an 8'6" x 1' v-front drive on drive off trailer from Newmans, it's the sled bed model. It has been a good trailer. It hauls the 2 sportsman 500's and my Otter Lodge and Otter Cottage at the same time.

[huntnfish]

I have an 8'6 by 10' from Newmans that I haul my two ATV's with, but it is a tilt. I bought ramps right after I bought it but haven't used them because I haven't had a problem loading them with it tilted. I do like the idea of a drive on trailer a little better but the ramps are more of a hassle than swinging the release in the front.

Off the subject, what does everyone use to secure their ATV's when they are on this type of trailer? I have been using straps in the front and back and that seems to tak more time than I want to spend getting them secured.

[Bob Horn]

huntnfish, here is what I used last year. Heavy duty ratchet straps. Two on the front and two on back. The ones on back are tied to the sides to help from shifting.

[Dave]

huntnfish, google search Fulton ATV Locks, Hasty Hitch and retractable cargo straps ( I forgot the company name). They work pretty well and are easy to use.

[dustin85]

I just bought a 8'6 x 10' triton tilt.

[Gus]

The biggest con of a tilt bed trailer is trying to load two machines by yourself. Get one up and the bed tips over making it hard to load the second...or get one up, only to have it slide back down when you try to get the second one on thus causing too much weight in back making it impossible to tilt.. or.... yup, I don't like my tilt bed all that much. Too much messing around for me. I'd buy a drive on/off in a heartbeat the second time around.

[Mark Christianson]

As far as what I use to secure the ATV's:

I put D-rings on the bed of the trailer.

2 on the front and 3 on the back. I'll take pics of it tomorrow if I have a chance and post the pics. It works awesome.

I hook up the winches to the front rings, and just use a cinch or ratchet strap on the backs of the ATV's.

As far as tilt beds and loading 2 ATVs:

Buy a ramp

I can load 2 ATV's by myself in less than a minute on my 8.5x10 tilt bed. I never tilt the bed. Lay the ramp on, drive one up, move the ramp over and drive up the other one. You won't be disappointed.

[Dave]

Be careful, as some winches do not have a mechanical brake and may loosen its hold over time.