DIY Trailer Modification
By Midwest Traction on August 14, 2017
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Stories
One evening after work, we took our new four-wheeler to the farm for a test drive. After a pre-trip inspection, we loaded it onto the newly modified trailer. Here's how we changed it.
Trailer Prep
Our trailer is a 5x10' utility trailer that we originally used to haul motorcycles. In order to take both the ATV and the motorcycle, we had to make some modifications; the ATV is 46 wide which left only 14 for my motorcycle. The side rails caused the motorcycle's foot peg and side stand to rub against the four-wheeler tires. I took a laminated 11 7/8 x 1 ¾ x 7' beam and screwed it down with deck screws. The extra 1 ¾ in height created clearance so that the motorcycle peg wouldn't rub the ATV tires.
To strap the machines, I mounted tie-down anchors. Ratchet straps work well on rear motorcycle tires, using two on the front and rear for the ATV. I put my son's mini-bike cross way on the trailer behind the ATV. These modifications allow the three of us to take our preferred machine on trips.
First Ride
Jennifer took the first spin. An advantage of an ATV is that it can be ridden down the trailer ramp instead of manually rolled off. Jennifer is an expert; she enjoys backing off the trailer without needed to dismount. Her first ride to top of a grassy, hillside pasture led to a creek bottom. This time of year, the creek is dry, which makes for excellent ATV/dirt bike riding.
This isn't a huge area for riding, but we've created our own half-mile laps. We only had a couple hours to ride after work, but it was enough to get her hooked on the four-wheeler. As a life-long dirt biker, I was surprised at how much fun I had on the four-wheeler. While I'm not ready to fully commit, I will utilize it when I feel like mixing things up.