The Polaris owners manual says to tie down from the frame. I have been using ratchet straps over the front and rear racks on my 800 Sportsman. I also, as insurance wrap the winch cable around a front brace on my trailer, hook it on the bar on the bottom front, and tighten it down. Is there any good reason to tie down to the frame instead?

 

I use 4 ratchet tie-downs, one on each corner of the trailer. I hook onto the brushguard brackets on the front and the trailer hitch on the back. If you hook onto something else besides the frame maybe that part could come unbolted or break off. ??? I don't know.

 

I'd imagine it is because the frame is the sturdiest part of the ATV. The frame with not fall apart or break under hard braking of the towing vehicle. Just my thoughts =)

 

jumbo frank ties town the same way i do except i use an x pattern, front to back, back to front same side works really well.

 

Honda suggests using the racks, as they are pretty sturdy.

I wouldn't recommend using the winch. If you hit a bump and the ATV's suspension compresses and rebounds, it can jerk the winch line and put a shock load on parts that they weren't designed for.

 

Good point about the winch. Especially after I saw all the posts about how bad the Polaris winches are! Bought 2 more ratchet straps and now tie down from the frame.

 

I'm thinking about replacing my pos polaris winch with a ratchet strap? It sounds sturdier and more reliable. What do ya'll think! LOL!

 

Seriously, though, I always tie down to the frame. I have seen rack extenders and other parts bend when tied down. Besides, the suspension is likely to "self adjust" while bouncing down the road, causing your tie downs to loosen or worse, come undone.

 

i think the best way is to strap to the frame and to never compress the suspension, because i guarantee when you hit a bump, the suspension will compress even more and on the rebound things may get hairy.

 

I tighten up the straps enough to compress the suspension because when I didn't have it that tight and I hit a bump a strap fell right off.