My schemes may come to fruition in the next month or two, getting my 1st wheeler. However, the vehicle to carry or pull the ATV is Toyota 4X2 4 cyl longbed . I can fit my buddie's xplr400 in the bed without too much trouble. I need some help in determining if it would be better to get a trailer or just get some ramps and carry the machine. What are the +/- of both? A big truck may come later.....but first things first!

 

I understand where you are coming from, I went through it not too long ago. I like to put it in the truck, and here's why. I have always been able to secure it a little better in the truck and it doesn't bounce around as much as a trailer. It is easier to keep an eye on it while travelin, and depending on the size of the trailer, you can go faster with it in the bed, some trailers don't like high speeds. But the ramps do get to be a pain, especially when the truck sits up as high as my last one. The trailer is easier to load it in. Other than, besides it is easier to go long distances without a trailer, I guess it's just up to you.

 

Well, if you plan on taking a buddy or someone riding with you, then get the trailer so that they can take their quad too. I like trailers better because you can have room to put your other gear, like food, clothing, firewood, etc. for if you're staying for at least a day. But, you might get better gas milage if you put it in the truck. So, I guess it's up to you.

 

tktmsa,

It would kind of help to know where you're at in the country. Are you a "flat lander" or "mountain folk"? Remember that when you pull a trailer, you are not only pulling the weight of the quad, but the weight of the trailer as well.

If you're the "mountain folk" type, the weight of the quad and trailer will seriously slow you down on up hills and give you a thrill on the down hills. I just recently discovered this as I bought a 6' x 14' enclosed trailer. While it tows nicely on I-80, on the back roads it really gives the little 302 (5.0L) in my Bronco a work out. While not exactly the slowest thing on wheels up hill (semis have that honor around here) it doesn't exactly fly up them either.

IHMO, keep it in your truck bed.

 

Just replaced the back window in my truck. Drove the ATV in a little to far. I'm getting a trailer.

 

BLH,
I have almost done the same thing. I have an S-10 and was loading up my quad and I went a little to far. Luckily it was this summer and it was warm, so I had the sliding windows open in the back and I didn't break the window. Although it did push/bend the back of my cab a little and now my sliding windows are now a little tougher to close.
I guess you win some and you lose some. Oh well!! lol

 

Also depends on what trailer you get. if it is a cheapo it will not pull worth crap. I made a Trailer for My Sportsman 400 out of an old pop-up Camper. Welded stronger metal on all corners and it is solid. It pulls like it isn't even their even with the Sportsman on it. I'm pulling it with a 1990 GMC S-15 V6 4.3 liter engine. and it is rock solid. I like it because it is fun to ride over the humps were the wheels are. I'll take pics tomorrow.Don't get a cheap one if you have the money get the little more expencive one you will be happy you did. my buddy with a YZ125 bought a trailer from lowes and we took it on the interstate and it fell apart! The Rod that holds the gates up fell off, the licines plate fell off, everything not welded on fell off. And it was empty!!!
just my $.02.
Later.


P.S. sorry for the mis-spelled words it is 2:00AM here and I'm tired

 

I use a 10x8 aluminum snowmobile trailer, Its liight, will hold 2 quads and all my junk and my brothers junk for a long weekend and I can still pull it by hand behind the house[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Definitely consider storage for a trailer. One thing I like about my 4x8 flatbed trailer is that I can pull it behind my ATV once we get to the river where we ride. That way, we can get chairs, coolers, etc to our campsite in one trip and also have a place to sit.

 

My dad about took out the rear window on his pickup once, loading the ATV and driving it in a little too far. Now we put a couple of $6 ammo cans in front, and drive the ATV up agains them, stops the front of the ATV about 4-5" away from the window. As a bonus, you can strap them on your racks, and have waterproof boxes to haul your stuff around to your campsite or wherever. We got the long ones (maybe 24-26" long), and just let the front wheels bump up agains them. Also, be sure to tie it down good, too.

If you get a good trailer, you won't have that to worry about, plus you can pull the trailer behind the ATV for yard work, chores & such. Just keep in mind it will take more power to pull, and makes parking maneuvers more difficult.