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If you've ever crossed the backcountry on an ATV, you know that off-roading is one of the most thrilling of all the extreme sports. You may also know that there's no thrill to moving your ATV from your suburban garage to the back roads without the use of proper ATV ramps. When it comes to choosing and using ATV ramps, some people are absolutely lost. There's really no trick to using ramps, but it can take practice to get the procedure just right. Here are some guidelines to prepare you and help you through the ATV ramping process. If you can follow these steps carefully, you should enjoy a fairly uneventful experience. Choosing ATV Ramps The most common rule of thumb is really common sense. The ramp must be wider than the ATV. Take careful measurements BEFORE you place your order. Having said that, on a wide-runner ramp, the width of your ATV's wheelbase should be used as the reference of the ramp's width. On the other hand, if you prefer a single-runner ramp, the width distance should be at least as wide as your tire. Standard ATV ramp sizes are preferred for smaller pickup vehicles, while longer ramps are used with larger trucks. Check the capacity of the ramp and the load of your ATV before you pay for your new ramps. If you suspect that your ATV is heavier than the ramp's load capacity, you may want to pair up two ramps to allow for greater load capability. Using Your ATV Ramps Step One: Park your pickup truck on a flat and firm surface. Clear the truck or trailer bed of all materials, and secure the vehicle before beginning the ramping procedure. Use your vehicle's parking brake, and be sure that the trailer is secure. Step Two: With the ramp located on hard-packed ground, position it to the truck or trailer bed at the lowest possible angle. Connect the ramp to the bed. If using runners, make sure that the individual ramps are properly spaced to match the wheelbase of your ATV. The ramp should fit snugly and be secure. Step Three: Install the safety cables with the ramps tightly supported against the trailer bed. Fourth Step: Once again, check the current weight of your ATV, and compare it to the ramp's load capacity. You can remove any heavy, excess gear from your ATV to prevent overloading. This will prevent possible damage to your ramp and ATV. Step Five: If you have a winch, be sure to use it! There is no better way to draw your ATV up the ramp and on to the truck or trailer bed. If you do not have a winch, you can ride your ATV up the ramp. Do this slowly and carefully with smooth acceleration. This is the point when the worst accidents can happen, so don't rush it. If you go too quickly or accelerate abruptly, you can fall off of the ramp or crash into the truck's cab. Again, a winch is the safest means of ramping your ATV, particularly if you have no previous ramping experience. Step Six: Secure the ATV. Once your ATV has been loaded, secure it carefully to the truck bed or trailer. Using ATV ramps is quite simple once you get the hang of it, but it does require a little practice. Follow each step carefully, and utilize the help of another person whenever possible. Accidents can happen quickly and without warning, so it's important to have help available should you need it.
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Hugo Amblyne provides material for several popular web sites, on Freightliner truck part and driver job themes.
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