UTV Transport – Everything You Need to Know

Your Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV), also known as a side-by-side vehicle, is ideal for exploring rugged terrain during off-road adventures. But now, you need to transport it over a considerable distance. As well as the vehicle handles all types of terrain, it isn’t suited to be driven thousands of miles over highways and byways.

You need a UTV transportation service to do the job for you.

The problem is that you may not have used a side-by-side shipping service before. You don’t know what these services are, how they work, and how much they will cost.

That’s where this guide comes in.

We’ll answer the key questions you have about shipping UTV and similar vehicles, in addition to explaining how the costs work and what you need to do to prepare your vehicle for a side-by-side transport service.

The Types of UTV Trailer

A UTV transporter usually uses a trailer to tow your vehicle to its destination. This trailer attaches to the rear of a commercial vehicle so it can be pulled from Point A to Point B. Your UTV sits on the trailer in a secured position to ensure it doesn’t slide or fall off during the journey.

Your carrier may provide three options for trailers.

Utility Trailers

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship a UTV, start your search with carriers that use utility trailers. As the name implies, utility trailers serve multiple functions. They’re usually open-air trailers with a single axle supporting a sturdy all-purpose platform. Most have rails on the sides, which provide tie-down points for any cargo loaded onto them.

While opting for this type of trailer means you save money, it also places your UTV at greater risk. The open-air nature of the trailer means your vehicle is exposed to the elements. Rain, snow, and hail can cause issues, as can debris from the road. Furthermore, the single-axle design of utility trailers isn’t as sturdy as trailers designed specifically for transporting vehicles.

Open UTV Hauling Trailers

The next step up from a utility trailer is an open hauling trailer with more protective measures. It will typically have two axles, creating a stable ride more suitable for long journeys than utility trailers. They may also have raised flat decks, which elevate your UTV away from the road, and built-in ramps that make loading your vehicle easier.

Though they’re more stable than utility trailers, open hauling trailers leave your UTV exposed. Shipping side-by-side vehicles in these trailers may result in damage caused by debris or the elements.

Enclosed Trailers

By far the safest option, enclosed trailers have walls and a ceiling that completely protect your UTV from the elements. This makes them ideal for transporting UTVs over tricky terrain or through inclement weather. Outside of significant accidents, nothing should be able to harm the vehicle once it’s in an enclosed trailer. Think of it like storing your UTV in a portable garage.

Unfortunately, those searching for the cheapest way to ship a UTV may find the price of using an enclosed trailer prohibitive. Granted, you may only pay a few extra cents per mile for this type of trailer. But those cents soon add up to a lot of dollars if you need to schedule a long journey.

Key Considerations When Using a Trailer to Ship a UTV

There are two critical considerations that a UTV transporter must account for before you allow it to ship your UTV:

1. Weight Distribution
2. Securing the Vehicle

Weight Distribution

Trailer sway can occur if the carrier fails to load your UTV correctly. At best, trailer sway results in your vehicle getting damaged due to minor collisions. At worst, trailers swaying at the wrong moments can cause fatal accidents.

Poorly distributed weight is one of the leading causes of trailer sway.

Assuming the carrier attaches the trailer to their vehicle correctly using an appropriate hitch and safety pin, you must confirm that they understand how to load your UTV properly. Generally speaking, most of your UTV’s weight needs to be ahead of the trailer’s axles. If most of the weight sits behind the axles, you get a “tail wagging” effect that leads to swaying. This happens because the trailer’s weight is moving almost independently of the trailer.

Quiz your UTV transportation company about how it will account for your vehicle’s weight. Look elsewhere if the carrier isn’t clear about how it loads your UTV onto a trailer.

Finally, bear in mind that vehicles and trailers have weight limitations. Ask your carrier to prove that their equipment is designed to handle your vehicle’s weight. This includes hitches, tie-down straps, and the trailer and towing vehicle.

Securing the Vehicle

If your UTV isn’t secured tightly to the trailer, it will slip, slide, and potentially roll. All of these issues can lead to significant damage. Carriers prevent this by using straps to tie your UTV down.

The key here is that the straps used aren’t worn down. Even a slightly worn strap is at risk of fraying or breaking when tasked with securing a heavy weight. UTVs can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. That sort of weight places enormous pressure on straps that are already showing signs of wear and tear.

Ask your carrier to demonstrate the quality of the straps they will use. It’s also worth confirming that the driver has access to backup straps in case something goes wrong.

Beyond the condition of the straps, you need to know how many the carrier uses and how they’ll tie your UTV down. Ideally, the company will use a minimum of four straps, which allows them to secure each of your UTV’s corners. This covers the possibility of the UTV moving forward, backward, or side-to-side. Any other straps used for the UTV’s center offer additional support, though they’re not essential.

How Much Does UTV Transport Cost?

Several factors affect how much you’ll pay to ship your UTV:

• The vehicle’s weight
• How far you need to send your UTV
• Fuel costs
• The time of year
• Any additional insurance you require

Weight and distance are both relatively straightforward. The heavier the vehicle, the more you’ll pay. The reason being, more care is needed to transport the UTV. Plus, heavier loads force towing vehicles to expend more fuel, meaning your UTV transport company has to spend more money to transport your vehicle. Similarly, more considerable distances require your carrier to use more fuel and dedicate more time to the task, leading to additional costs.

Rising fuel costs may result in a carrier increasing its per-mile charges. Thankfully, some companies may reduce their charges if fuel prices go down, though it’s not a good idea to rely on this possibility if you’re searching for the cheapest way to ship a UTV.

Demand is a crucial issue related to the time of year.

Most people prefer to use shipping companies during the summer as the weather creates less risk. As such, carriers tend to charge more during warmer months because they know they’ll have more demand. Choosing to ship your UTV during fall or winter creates more risk but may secure a lower price.

Finally, any insurance you require beyond the liability and cargo insurance your UTV transportation company already has adds to the cost. How much is entirely dependent on the policy you take out.

The Average Cost to Ship a UTV

Though the factors mentioned above can vary the amount you pay for shipping, we can provide some general costs based on past deliveries.

For a 500-pound UTV shipped from Los Angeles to Denver, we have previously charged $605 for the 1,020-mile trip. This works out to a little over $0.59 per mile.

A similar 1,035-mile trip from Miami to Washington D.C., where we shipped a 1,000-pound UTV, cost $771. This created an average cost per mile of about $0.74. As you can see, the weight of the vehicle has an effect on the average cost to ship a UTV.

Please note that these prices are general estimates that don’t take your specific needs or service type into account. Contact us directly for UTV quotes tailored to your requirements.

How to Choose the Right UTV Transport Company

Now you know the basic steps for transporting a UTV, you need to find the right UTV transportation company for the job. The following quick tips will help you do that.

Tip No. 1 – Collect Several Side-by-Side Quotes

Collect quotes from three-to-five companies before comparing them to the average figures presented in this article. Cut any company that charges significantly above those average prices from your list. Do the same for any company that is much cheaper than the average. Such companies either provide poor service or implement hidden fees.

Tip No. 2 – Check the Reviews

The best carriers will highlight their reviews and encourage you to check them on social media or Google. That’s because they’re confident that the reviews you’ll see demonstrate that they provide stellar services to clients. Of course, be wary of any carrier with negative reviews. A recommendation from a third party is always more powerful than a sales pitch from a transportation company.

Tip No. 3 – Ask for the Carrier’s USDOT Number

Companies that operate commercial vehicles need to have a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Ask for this number and check it using the FMCSA’s online database. You can use this tool to check carriers based on their name, MC number, or MX number. The FMCSA database helps you quickly determine if a company is operating legally.

How to Prepare Your UTV for Shipping

After scheduling UTV transportation, your next step is to prepare your vehicle for shipping. This protects you if anything happens to your side-by-side vehicle during transit. It also helps your transportation company provide a more efficient service.

Step No. 1 – Clean and Document Your UTV

Give your UTV a thorough clean to remove any dirt or grime from the bodywork. You’re doing this to reveal any scratches, dings, or dents the vehicle already has. Once your UTV is clean, take photographs of it from every angle, including close-ups of any existing damage. Be sure to create a written checklist of every issue you find. Date these records and make copies for you and your transportation company. You may have to use these documents if your UTV is damaged during transit and you need to prove the damage wasn’t pre-existing.

Step No. 2 – Remove Loose and Personal Items

Transportation companies usually don’t take responsibility for loss or damage to any loose or personal items left in or on your UTV. Remove everything that isn’t directly attached to the vehicle to ensure you don’t lose it.

Step No. 3 – Prepare the UTV and Create Instructions

Depending on your delivery type, your shipping company may need to drive or push your UTV onto a trailer or shipping vehicle. Inflate the tires and leave a quarter-tank of gas to ensure the company can operate the UTV for brief periods if necessary. You may also create a small list of instructions for operation before handing the vehicle over.

Step No. 4 – Inform Your Transportation Company of Any Major Issues

Most UTV transport companies can ship damaged and non-operational vehicles. However, they need to know about the UTV’s issues ahead of time to bring the appropriate loading equipment. Document any mechanical problems or leaks so your shipping company knows what to expect.

Transport Your UTV Safely

If you want to enjoy your UTV off-road, you need to ensure it’s protected if it has to spend extended periods on-road. A good UTV transportation service offers that protection. Before choosing a provider, ensure they offer the specific type of transportation you need. Quiz the shipping company about its methods and compare any UTV quotes you receive to the average costs mentioned in this article. Diligent research ensures you don’t spend money on services that don’t meet the high standards required for UTV transport.

Now that you know how transporting a UTV works, you’re ready to gather some quotes. Start with a quote from A-1 Auto Transport. We provide domestic and international UTV shipping services that get your valuable side-by-side vehicle safely to its destination.