boosTT
Milwaukee
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Joined: 03/03/2012
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Has anyone attempted to move a small travel trailer a few feet with an ATV before? I would like to setup in a tight spot right on a lake. The trailer is under 5k lbs, but the atv is only rated to 1250 lbs. I would use a toung jack wheel, so the hitch weight is not on the atv.
???
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amandasgramma
Oregon
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Joined: 02/13/2012
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We have a friend that tows the cars he works on (3-4000 lbs) around with his 8 hp lawn tractor. If your ATV has 4wd low range gear, use that. But don't try towing uphill or very far or fast.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Seems like it would be a lot easier with an actual tow vehicle but then I haven't seen what you're up against.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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BillyW
North ID
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Joined: 10/08/2003
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A front mounted hitch on your tow vehicle might be better.
'97 F150 4X4
'04 Pioneer 18T6
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dublittle
Florida
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If you have a solid rear axle on your ATV, you will find it very difficult to turn. This difficulty will increase with the more weight on the hitch. I had a heavy bass boat and tried to tow it with my ATV and learned this. Also, the tongue jack interfered with turns. Good luck!
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bedell
Colorado
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My concern would be brakes. If the TT is not plugged into a normal TV, then the trailer brakes would not work. If there is any slope at all, then the trailer could get away from you and drag the ATV with it. In stead of right on the lake , you could end up right in the lake. Just being cautious.
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boosTT
Milwaukee
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The ATV is 4WD with low range and has IRS.
I've moved a popup with a 14 HP lawn mower before... worked fine.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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This is like doing anything else you know you shouldn’t do…
You pay your money and take your chances…
To get the trailer where you want it…
Is it worth risking a injury???
Is it worth the risk of a expensive repair to the ATV???
Do you have a plan for when the tongue jack wheel plants itself in the ground???
If the answer to all three questions is yes by all means give it a whirl …
But please have someone video it and show it here…
.
* This post was
edited 05/03/12 09:50am by JJBIRISH *
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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Captain Obvious
Utah
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Joined: 01/19/2011
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I used to move my tent trailer (1200 lbs) with my Honda Foreman (rated for 950 lbs)
It had a hard time with it - I had to keep it in 1st gear.
I also had to make very wide turns because the tongue of the trailer would hit the tires of the ATV.
After I replaced the jack on the trailer, I couldn't get the trailer close enough to the ball to hitch up anymore. Shortly after that, I ended up selling the trailer (we bought a TT  ).
I would be very hesitant to try moving anything heavier - the big issue being tongue weight. My ATV is rated for 30lbs of tongue weight - the tent trailer was light enough that my wife and I together could lift the tongue when the trailer was fully loaded, so it was probably close to 150 lbs.
EDIT: I just noticed you plan on using the wheel on the jack to carry the tongue weight. Can you hitch the trailer to the ATV with the jack down? My trailer with its new jack couldn't fit under the ATV due to where the ball attachment was on the ATV. You may also find that the ball on the ATV is too low to have the jack down and hitch up.
Even still, I think you'll see issues with stopping the trailer on any kind of slope (as mentioned by a previous poster). Yeah, you could add a brake controller to your ATV...
It all comes back to doing something that works VS doing it right the first time. I have struggled with this concept for some time - but am finding it is cheaper (time and money) to do it right the first time instead of having to redo it later.
* This post was
edited 05/03/12 09:08am by Captain Obvious *
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Roadrash450
Ontario, Canada
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I do it all the time. I have used a 300cc 2wd with a 5500lb 26ft TT. I currently use my Kodiak IRS to move that same TT. I wouldn't even try it with my 30ft TT. Though a solid rear axle atv would be the best as the tires will be taking the load without the rear suspension sagging. As long as your moving the TT on a flat area at slow speeds you'll be fine, no hills, no high speeds cause that ATV will not stop it.
Just remember that everyones safety bubble is different.
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