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There are several ways to tie down All-Terrain Vehicles and many reasons to do it. The best way to determine what kind of knot or technique you should use all depends on your ATV’s size, the type of terrain it will be driving over, and how far it will be traveling.
In this guide, we’ll review the importance of making sure your ATV is secure and how to ensure that it’s safe while you’re driving down the road.
Bottom Line Up Front
The bottom line is that if you’re going to be towing your ATV anywhere, the most effective and safest way to tie it down is with ratchet straps. They’re heavy-duty, strong, and secure. However, if you’re not going far or over rough terrain, rope may suffice.
Why You Should Tie Down Your ATV
There are many reasons why you should tie down your ATV. The first reason is so the vehicle doesn’t move while you’re transporting it. Even the slightest movement of your ATV could cause trailer sway, which is a dangerous condition. It can also put unnecessary wear on your ATV’s tires or braking system.
The second reason you should tie down your ATV is to protect it from theft. Any time you’re not around, always make sure that someone is watching your ATV. If you have a friend who will be with the vehicle, even better. You want to ensure your ATV is secure when you leave it, otherwise anyone can easily put it in neutral or remove the ignition key and drive off.
Tying down any loose equipment on your ATV, such as a back rack or cargo box, can help to make sure that nothing falls off your vehicle during the trip. Pay particular attention to anything that may be riding loose or may get jostled loose on the road. You don’t want to lose your cargo box or other items on the trip.
Tying down an ATV can also reduce wind resistance if you need to bring it along for a long drive. The last thing you want is your ATV taking up too much space in the bed of a truck, so be sure that it’s tied down securely. Of course, there are other factors that can determine how much space an ATV will take up in the truck, but generally speaking, you should have plenty of unused bed space for anything else you’re bringing along.
Tying Down Your ATV for Transport
First, let’s discuss the different ways to tie down your ATV. There are a couple of different ways to tie down your ATV safely and securely. First, you can place a skid plate under the ATV for protection against any possible road debris or damage from a moving object.
Second, you can secure it with ropes, straps, or chains that are attached to your trailer’s cross members. The top center portion of the vehicle should have a strap secured to the cross members. Then, you’ll attach each lower corner of your ATV to the trailer with another strap that is firmly attached to the ground or floorboard of your vehicle. To reduce wind resistance even further, you can also install a fairing over the back end of your ATV.
Lastly, for extra security, you can engage the parking brake while your vehicle is tied down. Simply engage your ATV’s parking brake, and slide rails underneath the tire on either side of the axle to make sure it doesn’t roll forward or backward while you’re driving down the road.
Securing it with Rope
Tying down your ATV isn’t always as easy as it sounds. There are several different ways you can attach ropes and straps from one object to another. In fact, there are over four hundred knots you might use to tie down your ATV.
It depends on the type of terrain you’re traveling over, how large the vehicle is, and whether or not you’ll be traveling very far with it. There are several different kinds of knots that people use to secure their ATVs . These can include: A clove hitch knot, a taut line hitch knot, a figure-eight knot, or a square knot.
While it isn’t the most effective method of tying down your ATV, using rope to tie it down is easy and requires little skill in order to execute properly. It’s important you purchase high-quality rope that won’t snap while you’re driving on the highway. The best materials you can use include nylon rope, polypropylene, and polyethylene. All of these materials are known for their strength and ability to hold objects secured tightly.
Before you begin tying your ATV down with a knot, it’s important that you find the spot where the rope will go over. This spot is usually referred to as the “load” because it is where you can attach cargo to your ATV.
Next, you’ll need to find the spot where the knots will be placed on either side of your ATV. This location is referred to as a “lead.” Next, choose what kind of knot you would like to use and follow the knot-tying steps below.
1. The Clove Hitch Knot
If you want to tie down your ATV with a clove hitch knot, here’s how:
- Pull the end of your rope underneath the load and out behind it.
- Wrap the rope around the frame two times.
- Thread the end of your rope underneath the loop and then over the load.
- Put your second lead through the loop of your first rope and pull it tight.
- Use a pair of pliers to tighten the knot. You might also want to put a couple of pieces of tape around it so you can be sure that it’s extra secure.
2. The Taut Line Hitch Knot
Here’s how to use a taut-line hitch knot:
- Tie your first half of the knot around the lead.
- Tie your second half of the knot around the load itself.
- Next, pull one side of the rope to tighten it into place. Don’t pull on both sides or you could loosen the tie instead.
3. The Figure 8 Knot
If you want to use a figure-8 knot, here’s how it works:
- Make a loop with your rope. Make sure that the end of the rope is on the inside of the loop.
- Take one end of your rope and push it through the front part of the loop. It will look like an 8 now.
- Thread both ends of your ropes underneath and over top of the load.
- Tighten your knot by pulling on both ends of your rope.
4. The Square Knot
Lastly, here’s a quick way to tie a square knot:
- Make an “X” out of one end of your rope by crossing it over itself. Make sure that the end of the rope is on the inside of the “X.”
- Next, bring the second end of your rope underneath and then over top of the first one. It will look like an “X” again.
- Now that you know how to tie down your ATV using a variety of different knots, it’s time to get out there and secure it with some rope before hitting the road!
Securing it with a Tow Strap
Rope isn’t the only way to secure your ATV. You can also use a tow strap if you’d rather. There are both nylon and fabric tow straps available in many different sizes. These are perfect for securing the load without snapping when the road gets bumpy.
If you’re bringing along an ATV that’s smaller in size, you can use a tow strap with hooks on both ends to attach it to the front and back of your vehicle. If you’re bringing along a larger ATV that’s difficult to tie down, then you can use ratchet straps instead.
It’s important that you always secure your load before moving at high speeds, however. Even if you have the best strap available, it’s still not safe to drive at high speeds. It’s also important that the straps are tightened securely so they don’t come loose while you’re driving.
Here’s how to use a rachet strap:
- Place the handle of the ratchet strap with hooks on it into one of the notches located at the end of your tow bar.
- Wrap it around your ATV and attach it to your front or back bumper using a hook.
- Pull down on the handle and turn it so that more of the strap is pulled out.
- You can repeat these steps on the other end of your ATV to keep it secure at both ends.
Securing it with a Chain
You can also use a chain to tie down your ATV. This is a great option if you want something extra tough and durable to keep your ATV in place.
Never use the same chain as the one that’s attached to your vehicle, however. Instead, secure it with an industrial-grade chain that has links at least 38 millimeters wide. Make sure that it’s long enough so that both ends will fit tightly around the front and back wheels of your ATV.
It’s also important to make sure that you place the chain somewhere where it won’t touch hot parts like your engine. If it gets hot, then there’s a chance that it could break or cause damage to other parts of your vehicle as well.
Here’s how to use a chain:
- Wrap the free end of the chain around something steady that it won’t slip off of.
- Attach your other end to your bumper or front axle using a hook. Make sure that your ATV is secure so it doesn’t fall over while you drive.
- Now, pull on both ends of your chain to tighten them down. If there’s too much slack, then take a pen and slip it through the chain loops to tighten them.
- You can continue to do this until your ATV is tight enough that it won’t move around at high speeds.
Product Recommendations
If you’re looking for the best way to tie down your ATV, these options are excellent choices.
RhinoUSA Heavy-Duty Ratchet Straps
RhinoUSA heavy-duty ratchet straps are perfect for securing your ATV. They have a rugged design that’s built to last and are made of durable nylon material.
They’re perfect for camping, hauling motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis, kayaks, and other recreational vehicles.
RhinoUSA Tow Strap with Hooks
The RhinoUSA tow strap is made of high-quality nylon, and it’s available in a variety of different lengths. This strap is perfect for securing your ATV at the front and back ends.
It has a hook that fits into a tow bar, and it’s also available with a tow hook for use on both front and rear ends of your vehicle.
RhinoUSA Heavy Duty Chain
The RhinoUSA heavy duty chain is designed for use with ATVs, and it’s available in different lengths.
It’s made of 38mm x 128mm dimensions, which makes it incredibly strong and durable.
With this chain, you’re sure to have the best possible way of securing your ATV safely.
Royal Blue 10mm x 25m Rope
The Royal Blue 10mm x 25m rope is another option for tying down your ATV.
It’s made of durable polyester material and has a breaking strength that’s over 1,000 pounds.
It will keep your ATV stable while you’re traveling.
Iron Age Off Road Security Cable Lock
The Iron Age off road security cable lock is an accessory that can be used to secure your ATV. It’s made of tough, durable steel cables for reliable performance.
There are no connectors included with it, but luckily there are adapters available that can be used with it.
Make sure that you’re using the right type of lock for your ATV. The ones designed for motorcycles are smaller and usually have a different type of connector.
FAQ
If you plan to take your ATV with you, you’ll need to know how to secure it. These frequently asked questions should help you figure out what to do.
Answer: Use a tow strap or chain to tie your ATV securely to the back of your vehicle. Make sure that the straps are tight enough so that there’s no chance of it falling off while you’re driving.
Answer: Yes, they work great. You can use them to tie it down at both ends, or you can use them to strap the entire ATV down.
Answer: No, you’ll need to secure it somehow. This includes using ropes or straps to make sure that there’s no chance of your vehicle falling over while you drive.
Answer: Place them under your ATV so that they’re not touching hot areas like the exhaust system. This will prevent them from breaking due to overheating.
Answer: You could use a chain instead of a strap to tie your ATV down. This is a great option if you want something tough and durable to keep your ATV in place.
Answer: Use an industrial-grade chain that’s at least 38 millimeters wide and wrap both ends of the chain around your front or back wheel like you would with a strap. Make sure that the chain links are small enough to fit through the wheel notches.
Once you have both ends of your chain around your wheel, pull down on them to tighten them against your ATV. If there’s too much slack, slip a pen through the chain loops to tighten it down even more.
Your ATV should now be secure enough that it won’t move around when you drive.
Final Thoughts
While these are some of the best ways to secure your ATV, they’re not all equally effective. Using rope is the easiest, but the least secure. Using a tow strap is the most secure, but it can break if you drive at high speeds. Using a chain is somewhere in between and it makes a great alternative to a tow strap.
You should always remember that driving no matter what’s on top of your vehicle can be dangerous, so driving with your ATV on a trailer should never be attempted if the roads are wet or if there’s a chance of rain. It can also be dangerous to drive on bumpy roads, so you’ll want to find an off-road path instead.
