Tips for Towing with Your UTV

Trucks and SUVs are what most people use for towing things. They are relatively affordable and easy to use while still packing a lot of horsepower. However, there are some environments that these sorts of tow vehicles are poorly suited to navigating. UTVs are a great alternative for when you need to tow things in an area that lacks paved pathways and requires a vehicle that can squeeze through tight spaces. If you’re interested in using your UTV for towing, the advice in this guide from Car Corral Polaris - Flora can help make the experience go as smoothly as possible. 

Use a Suitable UTV and Accessories

Not all side by sides are a good fit for towing. If your model isn’t equipped with a towing hitch or bracket, then you’ll either need to install one or find a different UTV. You’ll also need to consider the UTV’s maximum towing capacity. Attempting to exceed a UTV’s weight limits is dangerous, illegal, and likely to result in failure. Even if your UTV has a compatible hitch, having a tow strap on hand can be helpful. Furthermore, you should have some tie-downs or ratchet straps on hand to secure your cargo. 

Plan Your Route

Off-road towing is difficult, with a lot of things that can potentially go wrong. Perform a dry run in your UTV with no trailer attached to see if there are any obstacles you’ll need to plan around. Once you’ve created your route, perform a second dry run with your trailer attached but empty. This will tell you if there are any places where your UTV might not be able to squeeze through. Identifying these issues early will allow you to formulate a strategy for dealing with them before you actually start towing. 

Driving Tips

When you’re towing things with your UTV, you’ll need to take things a bit slower than you normally would. Take corners slowly and be extra cautious around difficult terrain. Securing your cargo and making the weight distribution as even as possible will help make the towing experience easier overall. 

Shop UTVs at Car Corral Polaris in Flora, Illinois. We also offer financing, parts ordering, and servicing. We’re proud to serve communities like Mt. Vernon and Evansville, Indiana.