When summer is in full force, it’s time to dust off the ORVs and hit the trails! Whether it’s your first trip out on the trail or your 100th, the following off-roading tips and advice on the best ORV ramp for this summer will help you have the most fun while keeping safe and taking care of your off-road vehicle.
Planning Your Off-Road Trip
Before embarking on your off-road adventure, you’ll want to have a plan in place. Knowing what you’re up against in terms of the trail’s terrain, weather, and what your off-road vehicle can manage is just the tip of the iceberg. Before you go, you should “check off” the following items:
Research Your Destination
Research the route or trail area you want to visit. Online trail sites will generally include a difficulty rating as well as information about what to anticipate on the trail. Additionally, previous trailblazers often post comments and images about the route and when the optimum time to explore it is. Knowing what you’re up against before you arrive will help you come prepared.
Off-Road Vehicle Inspection
Before you leave, inspect your ORV. If you’re an experienced mechanic, you can do this yourself, but if you’re not sure what to look for you can get a multipoint inspection. This is a service provided by a local dealer or technician that involves them examining different critical areas on your vehicle to determine whether or not you require a tune-up. Most technicians will inspect the fundamentals such as tires, shocks and struts, belts and hoses, and fluids.
Let Someone Know Your Plan
Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be returning. One of the principles of trails is to never go anywhere without first telling someone else where you’re going. There’s no need to risk becoming lost in the middle of nowhere, even with today’s technology. Also, avoid traveling alone and stick with the buddy system.
Basic Gear For Off-Roading In the Summer
These essentials should be kept in the vehicle at all times when you’re planning to offroad.
- Kit for First Aid
- Full-Size Spare Tire
- Tire-changing tools: jack and tire iron
- Tow straps
- Tree saver
- Come-along
- Tool Kit
- Vehicle Spare Key
The Basics
Water
Bring a minimum of one gallon per person each day, if not more. It’s best in the summertime to leave enough room in your vehicle for a cooler with ice and more than enough water. And remember, if you plan on drinking alcohol, you will need to hydrate more.
Food
Bring enough food to last twice as long as you expect to be gone. If you are delayed and have to spend the night out on the trail, you won’t want to go hungry. Trail food possibilities include trail mix, beef jerky, fruits, dry/canned food, and anything else that won’t melt and doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Extra Clothing
Nobody enjoys sitting in damp clothing for a lengthy amount of time. Plus if you get caught in a rainstorm or stuck outside at night you will need the extra clothes for warmth.
Personal Essentials
- Toilet paper, antimicrobial hand cleanser, and other items.
- Sun protection ( hat, sunscreen)
- Insect repellent
- Rain Coat
- Cell phones, CB radios, and GMRS/FRS radios
- Cell phone recharger, battery recharger for communication devices, and camera
- Trash bags – Use these to keep your trails clean.
- Maps and information about the immediate landscape
- GPS or compass
- Tablets for purifying water
Choosing The Best ORV Ramp
For decades, people have loaded and unloaded their Off-road vehicles using a traditional ORV ramp and trailers. Both of these approaches have limits and can be hazardous. Trailers are expensive and add length to your vehicle and using a traditional ramp for ATV loading increases the danger of damage to your vehicle and uses up all of the space in your truck bed.
There is an alternative to using a traditional ramp when loading an ORV or towing a trailer. MAD-RAMPS is a unique product that uses a pivoting ramp system and allows the ramps to remain attached to your vehicle, making loading and unloading your Off-road vehicle simple, straightforward, and safe.
The ramps will support the vehicle’s back wheels whenever you transport your off-road vehicle. Because of this, your off-road vehicle does not have to be positioned all the way toward the front of the truck bed. Not only does this free up space in the truck’s bed for any additional gear you may need to stay safe during the summer, but it also enables you to put your ATV into a truck with a shorter bed.
Shop ORV Ramps
Load your toys with the best ORV ramp available. The MAD-RAMPS Pivoting Ramp System is designed for strength and longevity and is fully maintenance-free. Our patent-pending design easily attaches to your truck’s receiver hitch, allowing your vehicle to be loaded and unloaded and be on your way to your destination in minutes.
The MAD-RAMPS Pivoting Ramp System, with more than 16 square feet of ramp loading surface when fully extended, makes loading, unloading, and hauling your Off-road vehicle a breeze. Shop ORV Ramps today!