Using an ATV loading ramp requires careful procedures for safety. Personal injuries are likely to occur in the absence of proper loading. When you do this, it is advised that you do not ride an ATV up a loading ramp. If possible you must attach safety chains for double security and protection. These chains must be properly adjusted for length to prevent kick back of a loading ramp. These obligatory warnings are just basic and must be observed with superb scrutiny.

To be equipped with the right loading ATV ramp is first and foremost important. There have been sad stories of the past that reveal people who were injured and worse, even killed by using a loading ramp improperly. Hence, if you wish to ride your ATV up a ramp, you should be aware how to do it the safe way.

ATV ramps, generally have two basic construction types – the rungs and diamond mesh. Mesh is basically used in loading stuff like a riding lawnmower besides your ATV. The space between the rungs is where smaller lawnmower tires fall and create a bumpy load and unload. The good thing about rung-style loading ramp is the fact that it provides greater traction to an ATV tire if the ramp angle is steep or the conditions are wet.

When using a loading ramp, there are three loading conditions that you consider.

1.    Loading from a wall or knoll with little ramp angle.
2.    Loading with the truck in a depression to reduce ramp angle, and
3.    Loading from level ground with the ramp angle at its steepest.
 
You must understand that the shallower the ramp angle, the easier the loading of the ATV will be. It is also practical that you build a ramp with kit consisting of a metal end that accepts a 2x8 or 2x12 wood plank. If you prefer this route, it is advised that you do not use a 2x8 for your ATV that would gross over 600lbs. This is because 2x8 does not have the necessary strength to carry an ATV.

You can also practice placing the ramp against a low wall and making a few passes to get the feel for how the ramp would react to the load of an ATV and you. This is necessary especially when you have the thought of uncertainty of loading your ATV using a ramp. An unbalanced situation can occur when you are off to one side and the ground is uneven where the ramp touches the ground. You should also adjust your line until you can reliably hit the center of the ramp consistently.