How To Prepare an ATV For Shipping

A motor vehicle built for usage on various terrains and which moves on tires with low tire pressure is referred to as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The driver rides an ATV in a way similar to a motorcycle: sitting upright, straddling the seat, and using handlebars to control the vehicle's steering.

In most jurisdictions, it is against the law to operate an ATV on public roadways, in contrast to motorbikes, which can be legally driven on all roads. Therefore, a shipping provider is often required to move ATVs across locations.

This article offers some pointers on preparing your ATV for safe and secure transportation.

First Things First

Whether you move the automobile yourself or use a hired transportation firm, there are some fundamental safety measures.

First, take down the measurements of your ATV. Measuring up is necessary regardless of whether you plan to move your ATV yourself or hire specialists to do the job for you.

Next, go through the following very important steps:

• Turn off the fuel valve and run the engine until it stops. This will purge the fuel line of any residual fuel. Check to see that the battery has been charged all the way and that the tires have the appropriate amount of air in them.
• If you are transferring your ATV over a significant distance, be sure that the gasoline tank is completely empty. When you hire pros, the transporter will let you know if your tank may be a quarter full or a half full before they begin their work. Check to see that there are no cracks or leaks in the fluid system.
• It is important to remember to remove any personal belongings and attachments, such as detachable gas cans for ATVs, to ensure that these things do not go missing during the transit process or cause any harm to the vehicle being used for transport.
• Put any side mirrors away, and either lower the antennas or take them off entirely.
• Remove extra radio equipment.

Preparation for the Moving Firm

You will have to transfer the responsibility for your ATV to a third party if you decide to have it moved by a company since you will be paying that company to do the job.

You will need to take some additional steps to be ready for the relocation and to ensure that all of your insurance policy requirements are satisfied. This is necessary before you can make any claim should the situation arise.

Check with your shipping provider to see what kind of insurance coverage they offer, and then check with your insurance company to see whether they cover the ATV while it's being transported.

You have a responsibility to ensure that the insurance coverage is sufficient to pay for the total cost of replacing the vehicle in the event of serious damage.

You'll need evidence (usually photographic) of your ATV's condition before it begins its voyage to make a claim on the damage that may have occurred while in transit.

Give your ATV a complete and thorough cleaning. Then record a series of images that show the vehicle from every angle. To complete this stage, you might want to use a video.

Be careful to take pictures of any dings, scratches, or other damage your ATV already possesses. Make sure that these films and photos are branded with the current date, and then store them with a third party.

In addition, you should capture any performance or technical issues your car is experiencing. If there is anything that might have an effect on the ATV's ability to carry people or goods, let the transporter know.

Check that they have the correct set of keys and ensure they know of any peculiarities regarding its operation.

Getting Your ATV Ready to be Transported on a Trailer

If you plan to transport your ATV yourself, follow these procedures to make sure that your all-terrain vehicle is correctly secured on a trailer.

To begin, ramps or loading sleds will need to be utilized so that your ATV can be loaded into the trailer. Then, to prevent the all-terrain vehicle from rolling about, engage the parking brake and consider using brake chocks.

Utilize tie-down straps to safely fasten the all-terrain vehicle to the rails of the trailer. Using ropes is not a good idea since they might become overstretched during transportation.

Make use of straps that include a ratchet and hook system whenever you can. This will allow you to pull the straps as tightly as feasible. In order to prevent the leftover portion of the strap from flapping in the wind or becoming entangled in the wheels, secure the flap tightly.

If you are traveling a long distance, have a large ATV, or anticipate windy conditions, you may want to consider adding extra anchoring methods, such as trailer tray hooks or wheel chains, in addition to the three straps that go across the ATV.

This should be sufficient to keep the ATV in place. However, before embarking on the highway, it is essential to give the secured ATV a brief test drive on the road.

During this run, you should ensure that the ATV is not moving, that any surplus straps are fastened, and that the trailer lights are operational.

Trip advice:

• Tire In Front Of Bed - If you have a spare tire, place it at the front of the truck's bed if you are hauling something in the back of your pickup. When loading the ATV, you may press right up to the tire without worrying about your quad crashing through the truck's back windshield.
• Tie Ramps To Truck - Secure your seatbelt and fasten the loading ramps to your vehicle. It appears as though you could simply toss them in the back, and they would be OK. And they'll probably be alright most of the time. However, the lighter weight of these more recent aluminum ramps makes them vulnerable to being blown out of the rear of a truck if you're driving quickly enough.
• Bring A Jack And Spare Tire - You most likely already have this if you're transporting in a truck. Bring a jack and a spare tire for the trailer if you're towing, though.
• Placement - When loading more than one ATV onto a truck or trailer, position the smaller ATV at the front. This only makes it simpler to monitor things while driving. You can tell the smaller machine is contained by the larger machine if you can see it in the distance. Even better, place a flag or other brightly colored object on the farthest back quad and use it as your only means of navigation while driving.

The State of the Weather and the Safeguards Available

You may reduce your expenses by using an open-air mode of transportation, such as a trailer.

Remember, though, that using this mode of transportation puts your ATV at risk of being damaged by corrosive road debris or the salt spread on the roads during the winter.

If any of these things bother you, you should consider protecting your ATV with an appropriate cover while it is being transported. This may be a huge canvas or a tarpaulin, depending on the situation. Ensure that everything is properly fastened and that it will not move about or make a distracting noise while traveling.

An alternative method that offers an additional layer of defense is transporting your ATV in a crate.

The best choice would be to use the crate that came with your ATV. However, if this is not an option for you, you can either buy a crate specifically designed for your ATV or inquire with the transportation company of your choice about the possibility of receiving one free of charge.

Making The Best Decision

There are advantages and disadvantages associated with transporting your ATV yourself as opposed to hiring a professional transporter.

These include the amount of money you have available to spend, your available time, and the distance involved. All of these will play a role in determining your decision.

It may be difficult to let go of control of your ATV and entrust it to a shipping firm, but it can be equally as difficult to bear the burden of transporting it securely on your own.

At A-1 Auto Transport, we make it our business to stay up to date on the latest developments in the freight industry. So if you're thinking of transporting an ATV to make your life easier, we're here to help make the move of your vehicle smooth sailing.

Contact us anytime to learn about our comprehensive range of shipping services.