How to Choose a 4 Wheeler Trailer | Sizing for Your ATV

To choose a trailer for a 4-wheeler, start with a minimum 5×8 foot open utility trailer whose Gross Vehicle Weight Rating exceeds your ATV’s weight by at least 20 percent, then confirm your tow vehicle can handle the combined load.

A trailer that’s too small or under-rated can turn a weekend ride into a roadside headache. Most utility trailers you see at the big-box stores look similar, but the difference between a safe, stable rig and a wobbly, overloaded one comes down to three numbers: your ATV’s actual weight, the trailer’s real capacity, and your truck or SUV’s towing limit. Here’s the exact process for getting all three right, with the specific sizes and specs you need for a single quad, two machines, or a side-by-side.

What Size Trailer Do You Need for One 4-Wheeler?

A standard full-size ATV needs at least a 5-foot wide by 8-foot long deck. Most quads measure 46 to 48 inches wide, and larger models push past 50 inches, so a 4-foot wide trailer won’t work — your tires will hang over the edges or rub the rails. The 5×8 gives you enough room to center the machine and still have space for a couple of gas cans and tie-down gear. If your budget allows, a 6×12 or 7×14 trailer adds useful room for a cooler, spare fuel, or a second smaller ATV, and those larger decks also handle a side-by-side if you upgrade later.

Key size rule: Never buy a 4-foot wide trailer for an ATV. It’s the most common mistake shoppers make, and it forces an unstable fit from day one.

How Much Weight Should Your Trailer Carry?

The trailer’s usable capacity is the number that matters, not the GVWR alone. The formula is simple: GVWR minus the trailer’s empty weight equals your real payload. For a single standard 4-wheeler weighing around 600 to 800 pounds, a single-axle trailer rated for 1,500 to 2,500 pounds of payload is the sweet spot. That gives you the 20-percent safety cushion recommended by Polaris and other manufacturers — meaning the trailer’s maximum load should be at least 20 percent more than your ATV actually weighs. For a large UTV or two machines, step up to a tandem-axle trailer with a 3,000- to 3,500-pound payload capacity. Tandem axles also provide much better stability when you’re hauling over rough access roads into OHV staging areas.

Safety margin rule: Take your ATV’s wet weight (full gas tank, gear on board), multiply by 1.2, and that’s the minimum payload rating your trailer needs.

Single Axle or Tandem Axle — Which One Is Right?

Single-axle trailers are lighter, cheaper, and easier to maneuver in tight campsites or garages. They work well for a single ATV hauled mostly on paved roads at speeds up to about 55 mph. Tandem-axle trailers add weight and cost but deliver a much smoother, more stable ride on rough gravel roads and hills, and they handle a UTV or two ATVs without sway. If you regularly drive to trailheads with washboard access roads or steep ramps, the tandem axle is worth the extra money. The two axles also share the load, so a single tire blowout is less catastrophic.

Trailer Features You Shouldn’t Miss

Not all utility trailers come ready for an ATV. Here’s what to check before you buy:

• Side rails. A flatbed trailer without sides lets gear slide off. Side rails keep spare gas cans, tie-down straps, and cargo contained, and they give you something solid to hook straps onto.
• Tie-down points. Look for D-rings or stake pockets built into the frame, not just slots in the deck wood. You need at least four secure anchor points — one per corner — to ratchet the ATV down properly.
• Ramps. A fold-down ramp or a good set of loading ramps should be part of the package. Ramps with a weight rating well above your ATV’s weight are safer and last longer.
• Brakes. Most states require brakes on trailers above a certain weight (often 3,000 pounds GVWR). Even where they’re optional, brakes give you critical control on steep descents and in rain. If the trailer has brakes, check that your tow vehicle has a compatible brake controller installed.

Matching Your Tow Vehicle’s Capacity

This step stops more buyers than any other. Open your truck or SUV’s owner’s manual and find the maximum towing capacity — it’s usually a specific number based on your engine, drivetrain, and axle ratio. The trailer’s gross weight (its GVWR, not its empty weight) plus the ATV’s weight cannot exceed that figure. A common example: a midsize SUV rated for 5,000 pounds towing might look fine with a 1,500-pound trailer and a 700-pound ATV, but once you add the trailer’s loaded weight, fuel, gear, and passengers, you can hit the limit fast. Always keep a healthy margin below your vehicle’s rated maximum. The same rule applies to your hitch — verify its rating matches the combined load.

Once you’ve confirmed your tow vehicle’s capacity, check the trailer you’re considering against what’s actually available on dealer lots. If you’re ready to compare specific models, our tested roundup of the best 4-wheeler trailers on the market walks through real-world payload limits, build quality, and ramp designs side by side.

Our recommended 4-wheeler trailers cover single-axle and tandem-axle options at different price points, with exact measurements and owner feedback.

How to Load Your ATV Properly

Getting the weight distribution wrong is dangerous — a trailer with too much weight behind the axle will sway or whip at highway speeds. Load your ATV with about 60 percent of its weight forward of the trailer’s axle, centered left to right. That keeps the tongue weight in the right range (10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight) and prevents fishtailing. Use four ratchet straps — one per corner — pulling forward and back, not just side to side. Check the straps after the first few miles and re-tighten as needed. Ramps should be positioned on solid ground and rated for twice the ATV’s weight for a comfortable margin.

Legal and Local Considerations

Before you buy, check your state’s Department of Transportation requirements for trailer registration, license plates, and safety inspections. These rules vary widely — some states require brakes on any trailer over 3,000 pounds GVWR, others have different thresholds. If you’re riding in Colorado or other Western states with trail systems, be aware that many OHV trails have a 50-inch width restriction. An ATV wider than 50 inches won’t fit those routes, and a trailer wide enough to carry it may also push past access-road limits at certain staging areas. Measure your actual riding destination’s restrictions before committing to a trailer width.

Complete Trailer Selection Checklist

Run through these before you sign anything:

• Measure your ATV’s width and weight (owner’s manual or a scale at the dealer).
• Pick a trailer deck at least 5×8 feet with side rails.
• Confirm the trailer’s payload exceeds your ATV’s weight by 20 percent.
• Verify your tow vehicle’s towing capacity covers the trailer GVWR plus ATV plus gear.
• Choose single axle for paved roads and easy maneuvering; tandem axle for rough terrain and heavier loads.
• Inspect tie-down points, ramp weight rating, and brake system.
• Check local DOT rules and trail width restrictions.
• Load with 60 percent weight forward of the axle and strap all four corners.