I'm not really sure where to put this because it includes many topics, please move if necesary;

Ok, so me and my friend want to get ATVs, one for me, one for him. I also want to get at trailer to tow them to wherever we're going to ride. So i need info on some things.

First, what atvs do you guys recommend?

Second, i have a 99 ranger with a 3.0l. What kind of trailer do i need to get to fit two atvs on there and what kind of trailer can my truck handle safely? (its the ext. cab flareside 4x4) I have the factory tow package on there also.

Third, what kind of prices can i expect on the trailer/atvs?

Thanks,
Paul

 

what are the atv's gonna be used for? racing/fun or hunting/work?

 

What kind of riding do you plan on doing? You can't beat some of the Hondas if you are doing off-roading/utility use. If you want to do racing, jumping, and such, I like the Suzuki 400 sport quad or the Honda trx450r. It depends on what you are using them for tho.

 

I'd go with Honda or Yamaha. You would probably be alright with a 12' trailer. I pulled one with my Ranger. It was like yours but had the 4.0L but a 3.0L should pull it just fine. You'd probably get by alright with a 10', but a 12' you'd get more use out of if you hauled anything on it with you atv's such as gas cans, etc. Make sure you get side rails. Then you got an easy place to tie them too.

 

I made a 5x12 all metal trailer to pull my ATVs a couple of years ago. I had an '86 Ranger 2.9 a/t that I pulled it with. I made the trailer the same width as the Ranger and as light as possible with a expanded metal floor and gate. I used '95 Town Car aluminum wheels with Michelin take-offs, courtesy of the warranty parts bin {blemished} and the used car dept at my work. I used 1 foot high railings with 13 tie down points at floor level. It cost me about $450 in materials and I already had the welder and metal working tools. We have a great trailer supply place here in Ocala where I bought most of the stuff. I bought Wallyworld lights because I know they will get knocked off and ran the wiring thru electric conduit to keep it clean looking. It took about 2 weekends to make but it came out perfect! I put 1 ATV in the bed and towed two more in the trailer, it looked like a 4-wheeler freight train going down the road! The Ranger had no problem towing them all. You knew you were loaded but no sweat making hwy speeds. I've sold all the ATVs {I had 5 at one time} but I still have the trailer. I used a 5 ft aluminum ramp to drive the first ATV up the trailer and into the truckbed, shoved the ramp in the bed underneath the wheeler and then loaded the other 2. You can buy a nice 5x12 for $600-700 around here all day but they have a heavy 2x6 wood floor and cheesy little 14" wheels and tires. I wanted the open air floor for weight savings and it made cleaning the ATVS nicer to do it right on the trailer with out a big mess afterwards. If you tow with a V-8 truck trailer weight won't matter much but I was concerned about weight with my rig at that time! With the F250 PSD I have now, that is a moot point!
As for ATV advice, we need to hear more about what type of riding you want to do. There are TONS of choices out there in ATV land!

 

Well, i'm not really sure at this point, i'm thinking just kind of trail riding, seeing the sights, all that good stuff. Not really jumping or racing or anything like that, i'm look for something solid that'll go thru anything and not break down. At this point i'm just looking for options because i've never had an atv and don't know anything about them. I've had go karts for a couple of years, but at this point they're kind of getting too small and not capable enough.

Thanks,
paul

 

One word for ya.......................HONDA