Tips for Towing with Your UTV

Utility terrain vehicles, also called UTVs or side-by-sides, are practical and useful vehicles that can be used to quickly transport people and cargo over difficult terrain. SUVs and trucks work best on paved surfaces and are rather large and cumbersome. A UTV is a more compact and rugged solution. Many UTVs are capable of towing hundreds of pounds of weight, but there are some tricks to doing this correctly and safely.

Get the Right UTV

First, make sure that your utility vehicle is the right one for the task. While many side-by-sides are capable of handling a lot of cargo, not all of them have towing hitches or brackets on the chassis. That’s what you want to look for. You can also research your UTV model online to know its towing and hauling limits or check your owner’s manual. When you add extra weight to your vehicle, you don’t want to overburden it since this can increase the risk of rolling over on rocky terrain or even damage the suspension of your UTV.

Use the Correct Accessories

Next, you’ll want to ensure that you have the proper accessories to help you with whatever job you want to do. Get the right hitch for your particular model as well as some tie-downs or ratchet straps that will ease your work. Adding a tow strap to your utility vehicle means that you’ll have a way to tug another UTV out of a ditch or tight spot, or pull a fallen tree or other large obstacle out of your way.

Plan Your Route

Take your empty UTV over the course you plan to take to get a feel for the terrain and how your vehicle handles without anything in it. You’ll be able to figure out difficult spots and adjust your route to make the actual towing easier. Hitching up the empty trailer for a second drive will let you see where it might not fit or where it’s likely to tip over.

Driving Tips

Loading your UTV with cargo and a trailer changes how it handles, which means you’ll want to change your driving style. Your utility vehicle becomes heavier with cargo, so you’ll need to take corners slowly and go gently over difficult terrain to avoid having either your UTV or trailer tip over. Make sure you secure your cargo and distribute it evenly before you head out.

When towing with your UTV, be careful with your brakes. Many UTVs capable of towing have excellent brakes, but you’ll still want to reduce your speed. Going slowly lets you see and react to obstacles well in advance without having to slam on your brakes.

We hope that these tips have been helpful. Visit our dealership in Sanford, FL, to check out our selection of UTVs for sale. Sky Powersports Sanford proudly serves all those in Orlando, Deltona, and Daytona Beach.