Hauling an ATV with 2.3l....Flatbed or trailer?

[CajunPwnStar]

Planning on buying a Can-Am Renegade 1000 in the next month or so and was wanting to use the Ranger to haul it around in. I know that with aftermarket tires, it won't fit in the bed, so I was looking at either a trailer or a more permanent flatbed. This truck is only used for work and I live in a flat area of the country, so won't be towing through hills/mountains.

If flatbed, what are some options? As in do they make pre-made aluminum or what...

 

[97RangerXLT]

I would personally just get a trailer for it. I don't think there are any pre made flatbeds for the Ranger, most I have seen have been home made. If you have good fab skills, you can make one for your Ranger, but it might be cheaper to get a Harbor freight trailer and go from there. plus you can use the trailer for other large/ bulky items.

AJ

 

[CajunPwnStar]

That's what I was thinking. My fad skills aren't up the par, but I'm learning. Maybe in a year I'll be able to put one together.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Another vote for Trailer. They are also usually lower to the ground too, and will make loading/unloading LOTS easier. By the time you build a flat bed big enough, you're most of the way there to a trailer anyways.

Used trailers aren't too bad if you just need something for the "now". Later you can build/tailor one that really fits your needs, or re-vamp the used one if you like it.

I redid mine with all new wiring, lights, brakes, coupler. It had cut off angle iron remnants of the old railing, and I had an idea and made removable railing to fit in the angle iron (though I cut the rest off and re did the pockets, they were shifty looking anyways). And topped it off with a fresh coat of paint. I get compliments on the trailer ALL THE TIME. Not bad for a old, beat up, $500 trailer, of course, I did drop probably a good $800 on top of that in refurbishment. Still not a bad deal I think.

Just don't skimp on the tongue length, everyone always does. Longer tongue will make it more stable, easier to back up, and less likely to damage your vehicle if you do jackknife it.

 

[Earl43P]

Another vote for trailer.

Keep in mind, those trailers you see with an expanded metal combination tailgate/ramp?
Those are a HUGE windsail, even though the whole thing is full of holes. They create a TON of drag that will make you think your truck can't handle that little weight. It's just wind drag from that tailgate/ramp sticking straight up.

 

[JoshT]

Yet another vote for a trailer.

If you have the space/tools/capability an old rotten and ragged out camper can make a good basis for a cheap flat bed trailer. Some time people willlet them go for nothing to get them out of the yard. Once the body is stripped off you are left with a nice frame to bolt pressure treated 2x? on. The frames are usually fairly light weight with decent strength axles.

I'm in the process of doing that with an old 16' camper. Stripped down it made about a 15x7 frame. I'm going to cut the frame down to about 13' and narrow it to about 78" wide, and use it as a light duty car hauler/utility trailer.

Last Friday my cousin started stripping another old rotten camper to build a car hauler to use behind his RV. As of Monday afternoon all he lacked to finish was getting screws to secure his decking and wiring the lights. That time included learning how to use a portable sawmill to cut his own deck boards. If he hasn't headed for Oklahoma yet I need to swing by there tomorrow and get some pictures of it.

 

[redhurricane]

How big are you thinking on aftermarket tires on that quad? Unless you are going absolutely huge, it will fit in the bed.

 

[kid_crash]

Trailer.
X2 on the getting an old camper. I've done that a few times. Pop up campers are a good size, and can often be found for cheap or free if the roof or canvas isn't good anymore.