side load atv trailer

Bionic Man · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2010, 06:08 AM

I have a 12' Carson tandem axle utility trailer that I use to pull the ATVs. It is the type that has the side rails that are 12.5" tall.

I use my ramps over the rails to ride up and over side rails when loading, but the drop off to the trailer deck is too big & the ATV gets hung up on the rails.

Last year I made a platform out of 2" x 6" and plywood so I can load one ATV cross wise and clear the rail. My platform needs to be replaced because of the weather. Is there an easier way to do this than replacing the platform every year? I was thinking of using some car ramps instead of the platform.

Does anyone else have suggestions?

4getful2 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2010, 07:51 AM

A tandem axle 12 footer?? must be heavy duty
car ramps might a bit too long. If you could find some old atv ramps and shorten them up that might be what you need .
On my old 12' trailer ,i cut the sides down to 4",you stiill need that side rail to keep everything tied together , i can load-off load from either side.
this way you can get 3 on the trailer

Bionic Man · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 05:35 AM

I went to Walmart over the weekend and picked up some car ramps. Pretty nice, some sort of a composite material, heavy duty (12,000 pound capacity) fairly light weight and they won't rust. I tried them out yesterday, and it seems like it will be a pretty good option over the old wood platform I had.

Here are some photos of the ATVs on the trailer. First time I have had both of the new ones loaded up at the same time.