How do you haul your side by side?

[farmer2009]

Recently bought a Polaris Ranger Crew 570 EFI. Hauled it home on a 12' tilt. Let's just say it was adventurous and nothing I'm willing to repeat. It's a 12' 4" machine with most of the weight around the rear axle.
I'm looking for a trailer to move it on. Salesman is trying to sale me a 14' with dove tail and gate. My gut says go 16' tandem with gate. If possible I'd like to be able to put a fuel tank in front of the Ranger on the nose of the trailer. They are 24 inches. Weights not a limitation as my lightest vehicle is rated to tow 7k. But I'd also like to be able to move lawn mower and other items. Thought about an 18' but now I'm getting quite large and the desire to drag it to the home center instead of just driving truck is lost.

Let's here recommendations.

 

[Sysop]

If the Polaris is tail-heavy, I'd load it backwards and see how that works for you. You should never load a trailer tail-heavy, I'm sure that was no fun, nor safe. Getting the right weight distribution is key to a safe tow. Keep in mind that you really should use a weight distributing hitch anytime the combined weight of the trailer and cargo exceeds 5000lbs. A weight distributing hitch equalizes the load across all the axles of the vehicle and trailer, making everything ride level and increase safety.

That being said, there's no one trailer that's good for everything. I recommend a selection of trailers for various things. I just can't see myself without owning or having access to a small 5x10 sized dump trailer, 6x10 sized flatbed or enclosed utility trailer, and a larger 16 or 18' car hauler. Toys need haulers.

 

[yelbike]

I tow my rzr on a 16' tandem car hauler. I used to put it in my 7x16' cargo trailer but i have not tried it since i put bigger tires and the lift kit.

 

[yelbike]

Btw towing it backwards isnt the best set up either if you have a windshield or doors.

 

[joefromga]

I just drive it up inside my van and shut the doors and don't worry about it.

 

[farmer2009]

Btw towing it backwards isnt the best set up either if you have a windshield or doors.

You are correct. Looked at backing it on but dealer said windshield was only wind rated if facing forward. Don't want to have to remove windshield each time I haul. Currently a couple times a month, but could increase to daily.

 

[farmer2009]

I tow my rzr on a 16' tandem car hauler. I used to put it in my 7x16' cargo trailer but i have not tried it since i put bigger tires and the lift kit.

Is your rzr a standard or crew?

 

[farmer2009]

If the Polaris is tail-heavy, I'd load it backwards and see how that works for you. You should never load a trailer tail-heavy, I'm sure that was no fun, nor safe. Getting the right weight distribution is key to a safe tow. Keep in mind that you really should use a weight distributing hitch anytime the combined weight of the trailer and cargo exceeds 5000lbs. A weight distributing hitch equalizes the load across all the axles of the vehicle and trailer, making everything ride level and increase safety.

That being said, there's no one trailer that's good for everything. I recommend a selection of trailers for various things. I just can't see myself without owning or having access to a small 5x10 sized dump trailer, 6x10 sized flatbed or enclosed utility trailer, and a larger 16 or 18' car hauler. Toys need haulers.

Thanks. But I'll pass on wdh. Anything that heavy can go on a gooseneck. Have access to multiple trailers. Have a 16' 14k GN deck over here. Access to a 6x10, 6x12, 16' homemade car hauler but no ramps and axles are too far forward, and a 30' 20k GN deck over.

See I kind of have a hole in my trailer types. Something easy loading but big enough for the Ranger.

 

[Zerk]

I bought a Teryx, so I could haul it in the back of my truck.

 

[MF283]

Personally, i'd go with a 16' being you have the vehicle to handle it, i like the tandem axle over singles, even though you can get 14' trailers with tandems.
My Gator fit's fine on my 5x10 as well as my 54" ZTR(tight) & i use it to haul hay as well, i've toyed with a 12' trailer & can't really justify it being i don't haul all the time & my old 6 cylinder isn't to happy when i do .

Ronnie

 

[JESSE1]

This is the trailer I use, 28' Fleetneck. Overkill but it's what I have.

 

[sdef]

I have a new Ranger XP 900 EPS and this is how I brought it home:

I also have a 6' x 10' utility trailer with 4' ramp. Knowing the trailer would be too small but needing to weld a bunch of 1/2" D-rings on the trailer and UTV, I took them together to a friend's farm last weekend where my welding equipment is. Trailer tracked and worked great, but was too short. No pics but the front tires were all the way forward and UTV front tied straight down with the rears tied down to the UTV trailer safety chain tie points. As expected the rear tie points held fast as they were at a good angle on a non suspended point. But I had nothing but trouble with the front tie points. I welded the D-rings for recovery and tie down purposes.

I just ordered a 77" x 16' Lawrimore utility trailer with 3500# tandem axles, brakes on both, 12" steel mesh sides, LED lights and mounted spare tire. UTILITY Scroll down to "Tandem Axle Tubing Trailers". 6 - 8 week wait for mine. My 20' equipment trailer is a Lawrimore and I like it a lot. I felt I needed a minimum of 12' trailer bed length with 14' being better. So got the 16' to make sure I had flexibility in use. With a crew UTV I would not consider anything less than 16'

Only issue now is to find a way to tie down the front of the UTV on a non suspended frame portion. If you are going to tie it down at a suspended point, such as the front bumper, I suggest you use straps that have a clasp so as the UTV bounces around the hook does not come lose. This type is strap is all I use now. Have 5 each on each trailer plus a set of 4 with a built in axle strap for cars, UTVs, etc.

 

[farmer2009]

I have a new Ranger XP 900 EPS and this is how I brought it home: View attachment 472606

I also have a 6' x 10' utility trailer with 4' ramp. Knowing the trailer would be too small but needing to weld a bunch of 1/2" D-rings on the trailer and UTV, I took them together to a friend's farm last weekend where my welding equipment is. Trailer tracked and worked great, but was too short. No pics but the front tires were all the way forward and UTV front tied straight down with the rears tied down to the UTV trailer safety chain tie points. As expected the rear tie points held fast as they were at a good angle on a non suspended point. But I had nothing but trouble with the front tie points. I welded the D-rings for recovery and tie down purposes. View attachment 472607

I just ordered a 77" x 16' Lawrimore utility trailer with 3500# tandem axles, brakes on both, 12" steel mesh sides, LED lights and mounted spare tire. UTILITY Scroll down to "Tandem Axle Tubing Trailers". 6 - 8 week wait for mine. My 20' equipment trailer is a Lawrimore and I like it a lot. I felt I needed a minimum of 12' trailer bed length with 14' being better. So got the 16' to make sure I had flexibility in use. With a crew UTV I would not consider anything less than 16'

Only issue now is to find a way to tie down the front of the UTV on a non suspended frame portion. If you are going to tie it down at a suspended point, such as the front bumper, I suggest you use straps that have a clasp so as the UTV bounces around the hook does not come lose. This type is strap is all I use now. Have 5 each on each trailer plus a set of 4 with a built in axle strap for cars, UTVs, etc. View attachment 472612View attachment 472613

You just ordered the exact same trailer I'm looking at. Except it would only have one brake axle. Local dealer tries to keep one in stock. He said order wait time is 3-4 weeks.

See I need 11.5 feet just to get the back tires on the deck. The back axle on the 16' is at 12'. So it's all I can do to get my weight over my trailer axles.

Ok. I'm talking myself back into the 18'er. 14 is out. Next question. Would you go 77 or 83 inches wide? Thinking 77. Have 60" mower.

Edit: nice setup. Good job on D-rings. How'd you match the paint back so well?

 

[timswi]

I haul my RTV1100 on a 16x7 tandem with a lift gate. no issues.

 

[sdef]

You just ordered the exact same trailer I'm looking at. Except it would only have one brake axle. Local dealer tries to keep one in stock. He said order wait time is 3-4 weeks.

See I need 11.5 feet just to get the back tires on the deck. The back axle on the 16' is at 12'. So it's all I can do to get my weight over my trailer axles.

Ok. I'm talking myself back into the 18'er. 14 is out. Next question. Would you go 77 or 83 inches wide? Thinking 77. Have 60" mower.

Edit: nice setup. Good job on D-rings. How'd you match the paint back so well?

The 83" is just a little bit more money, ~$100 and I think a better buy. My dealer also suggested the 83" as maybe a better buy but all of his landscape customers use the 77" width due to maneuverability- my reason also. 77" width is all I need and do not want more width than necessary for navigating narrow areas.

Polaris' metal trim is is a black satin finish. My standard go-to spray can paint is Krylon and this is what I got from Wal-Mart:

 

[Sysop]

 

[MF283]

It dosen't appear to be tied down, only the load on the UTV:shocked:

Ronnie

 

[Zerk]

It might be tied in the front. Also look at the sides, it has straps going to roll bar.

It looks goofy. I might put down plywood or boards. But that may be what he is doing with the ramps. They appear under the tires. Not sure how he did that.

On side by side forums they take about, the weigth is not on the tailgate, or wood on tailgates spreads it.

I just backed into a ditch and it climbed right up. Added air to the tires. Drove great, maybe better.

 

[Sysop]

With a loading job like that, I'd not be shocked if the "tie-downs" were nothing more than the winch cable fed through the rear sliding window and wrapped around the rear view mirror on the windshield.

 

[sdef]

Chuckle. And think about the danger to all of the others on the roadways. There is no way this can be safe from any standpoint.