To hit the trails for an off-roading adventure, you’ll need to understand how UTV trailering works. UTV trailering is an integral part of the off-road experience since UTVs aren’t allowed on city streets or highways.

Not only are streets and highways high-traffic areas, but it would be dangerous to ride a UTV on public streets since UTVs don’t offer the same protection as motor vehicles.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to learn how to safely load and secure a UTV for safe transportation to your off-road destination. Your only other option is to pay someone to transport your vehicle for you. While this could work once or twice, it would get expensive if you off-road often.

Your best bet is to learn UTV trailering. The good news is that it’s not that hard. Once you’ve learned how to, it will become second nature; just part of the process of having outdoor fun.

In today’s guide, we’re walking you through UTV trailering. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to ensure fun, off-road adventures for years to come. And stay tuned to the end, where we share some pro tips.

Loading Your UTV Onto A Trailer

You’ll need to load your UTV onto a trailer attached to another vehicle. The trailer will safely transport the UTV, while the vehicle will transport the trailer (with your UTV inside) to your off-roading destination.

You have three types of trailers: utility trailers, car-hauling trailers, and enclosed trailers.

Utility Trailers

A utility trailer is your most basic option. You can pick one up at your local home improvement store. Utility trailers are open-air and only have one axle. They have rails on three sides to ensure that your UTV is safely strapped down for transportation. We don’t want it flying off your trailer on the highway! These trailers generally have enough room for you to tie down some equipment.

Car-hauling Trailers

You’ll pay more for a car-hauling trailer, but many UTV owners think they’re worth it. It depends on how often you plan to go on adventures. Car-hauling trailers can transport more than one UTV. They’re a great option if you own several UTVs and plan to go off-roading with friends.

Car-hauling trailers are equipped with at least two heavy-duty axles, raised flat decks, and ramps for loading and unloading your UTVs.

Enclosed Trailers

Enclosed trailers are your most expensive option since they're enclosed, as the name suggests. You’ll drive your UTV into the trailer. It’s much like parking your UTV in a shed; only this is to transport it instead of storing it.

Enclosed trailers come with four walls, a floor deck, and a ceiling. If there are lots of storms where you live, an enclosed trailer will provide the protection you need.

Know Your Weight Limitations

You should know some essential things before you load your UTV onto a trailer for the first time, and one of those things is respecting weight limitations. It’s not a good idea to pack more onto a trailer than is recommended. The trailer will come with a manual that provides that information.

Keep your payload in mind when you load your UTV onto the trailer. The trailer’s tongue weight counts as part of your payload. Calculate your UTV’s weight, the trailer’s tongue, and all of your chains to ensure you aren’t going over the weight limitations.

Safety Chains Are A Must

Even if you use an enclosed trailer, you’ll still want to chain your UTV down. Otherwise, it will bump, roll around, get damaged, and cause damage. Be sure to properly connect everything, too. If anything is loose, it could come apart, especially on a 75 MPH highway. That’s the last thing you want!

Pro Tips:

It will probably take you a few tries to get UTV trailering right. Don’t feel bad, though! It takes a few shots to get the hang of anything new. But once you’ve got it down, we have the following pro tips to help your UTV, trailer, and connecting parts last for as long as possible. These are our eight pro tips!

1. Wheel straps are your best bet for tying down your UTV. If you don’t have wheel straps readily available, we recommend using soft straps and carabiners. These will ensure that your UTV doesn’t come loose if you hit a big bump.
2. Put PVC plumbing pipes over your L-pins to prevent them from breaking from the wear and tear of dirt roads.
3. Bring extra hitch pins with you just in case yours breaks. Trust us; it happens all the time.
4. Purchase a cover for your winch. You might not need to use it very often, but keeping it covered will ensure that your winch is in good condition when you do–like if your CVT belt breaks.
5. Use combination locks instead of tailgates or hitch pins.
6. Wrap a towel around your tie-down so that it won’t rub against your UTV’s powder coating or bodywork.
7. Does your UTV have a soft roof without an enclosed trailer? We recommend taking it off before trailering so it doesn’t get damaged or destroyed.
8. Use ratchet jackets to prevent the tie-downs from rubbing against and damaging your UTV’s powder coating and bodywork.

TerraRider UTV Windshields & Accessories

UTV trailering isn’t too complicated once you get the hang of it. The most challenging parts are deciding what type of trailer you want to get and learning how to secure your UTV to the trailer.

TerraRider UTV Windshields & Accessories is here to help! We have all the parts you need to successfully and safely trailer your UTV to your favorite off-road destinations.

We’re conveniently located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We invite you to stop by our store if you’re close by. But we also offer free shipping for all purchases made in the U.S. You can view our inventory on our website or call us at 801.923.6347 to order. We’ll be happy to help!