Hauling and Towing With Your UTV

Utility terrain vehicles, abbreviated as UTVs and also referred to as side by sides, are valuable powersports machines that can handle heavy loads with ease while navigating difficult terrain. Side by sides also are small enough to access areas that your pickup truck would be too large for. This makes them ideal for professional work as well as tasks you may have around your farm or property.

Before you can load up a trailer or attach equipment, you’ll need to prepare yourself and your UTV for the task. Family Powersports Odessa is your local powersports dealer, so we’ve provided these tips for getting ready to haul and tow with your UTV so you can use it at its maximum potential.

Get The Necessary Accessories

You’ll want to check that you have the right side by side for the type of work you’re willing to do. Generally speaking, most UTVs have a pretty high towing capacity, but some are better than others. You’ll also need your particular side by side to have a towing hitch or a bracket on the chassis. If this isn’t obvious from looking at it or listed in the owner’s manual, look up your model online to confirm what it’s capable of hauling.

Remember that any weight you add to your vehicle will shift the way it handles. You definitely want to avoid overloading it because this will increase your risk of rolling over or doing damage to the frame.

Plan & Test Your Route

Once you’ve determined you’ve got the side by side you need, you can begin to plan your route. Drive your empty UTV along the chosen path to figure out if there are any particular problem areas that could cause you to get stuck when you’re carrying a couple hundred pounds of weight behind you.

If you find any areas that could prove to be a challenge, you will need to alter your route accordingly to account for these difficult spots so you won’t have to unhitch your loaded trailer later. You want the smoothest course possible. Even though your side by side’s tires are equipped to handle rough roads, heavy equipment or trailers will make that much more difficult.

Having gotten the kinks out of your route, you can begin loading up your cargo. Make sure you load the weight evenly, distributing it equally from side to side and front to back. Secure it with tie-downs to ensure it doesn’t shift along the way and test it by shaking it a little to make sure it’ll stay in place.

Driving Tips

Even with smaller payloads, you’re going to have to take things slowly because your side by side’s handling will change with the extra weight. Your vehicle is now more top-heavy so the risk of rollover is increased. You’ll need to take corners and rougher terrain more gently to prevent your vehicle from tipping over.

As you’re driving, be vigilant and look for animals or people that might accidentally wander through. When you need to come to a stop, you’ll want to be cautious while hitting the brakes and do it gently. Most UTVs made for heavy loads are fortunately equipped with good brakes, so you shouldn’t have problems coming to a stop provided you’ve been going at a reasonable pace.

These tips should have you hauling and towing with your side by side in no time! Stop by our dealership in Odessa to tour our inventory of new and used UTVs for sale. Family Powersports Odessa welcomes our customers coming from the cities of Fort Stockton, Andrews, Midland and Pecos, Texas.