Loads, towing and attachments
How to read rack, cargo box and towing ratings, keep tongue weight in range, load a box safely, and choose plows, sprayers and other attachments for an ATV or side-by-side.
Most farm accidents with ATVs and side-by-sides come down to the same few things: too much weight, weight in the wrong place, or a hitch in the wrong spot. The good news is that your owner's manual tells you exactly where the limits are.
The four numbers that matter
| Rating | What it means | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Rack ratings (ATV) | The most you can put on the front and rear racks, each on its own. | Owner's manual and labels on the racks |
| Cargo box rating (side-by-side) | The most the box can carry, evenly spread. | Owner's manual and a label in the box |
| Total weight capacity | Riders plus cargo plus accessories plus tongue weight, all together. | Owner's manual |
| Towing capacity and tongue weight | The heaviest trailer you can pull, and how much of its weight can sit on the hitch. | Owner's manual |
Total weight capacity is the one people forget. In Segway's Fugleman UT10 manual, total capacity is 680 kg (1,500 lb) and the box alone is rated for 454 kg (1,000 lb). Two large adults, a winch and a plow can use up a good part of the difference before you've loaded anything. The six-seat UT10 Crew is rated for 655 kg total and 350 kg in the box.
Loading the box or racks
- Keep the load low and centred, and tie it down so it can't shift.
- Spread weight evenly. Don't stack heavy items high on one side.
- Slow down with a load. Stopping distances get longer and the machine tips more easily, especially on slopes and side hills.
- Never carry passengers in a cargo box. Segway's UT10 manual is explicit about this.
- Watch for loads that block your view or stick out past the machine.
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association's toolbox talk on farm ATV use says to secure loads, know your trailer's capability, and keep within the machine's limits.
Towing
- Hitch only. Tow from the hitch the manufacturer supplies, never from the racks, the axle or a strap around the frame. Farm Safe Manitoba's guide warns that a rope or cable tied to the carrier rack raises the centre of gravity and can flip the ATV backward.
- Mind tongue weight. The UT10 manual sets a 100 kg (220 lb) maximum tongue weight and 1,134 kg (2,500 lb) of towing. Tongue weight also counts against total capacity.
- Brakes. A heavy trailer without its own brakes takes longer to stop. Go slow downhill and avoid sudden stops.
- Engage four-wheel drive before you need it. The UT10 manual says to engage 4x4 before the wheels slip, not after you're stuck.
Attachments: plows, sprayers, mowers and winches
Attachments turn a chore machine into a tool, but they change how it handles and what it can carry.
- Add the attachment's weight to your load. A plow and mount, a spray tank full of liquid, or a cab can take a big share of capacity.
- Stick to approved accessories. Segway's warranty guide says damage from accessories that don't meet its specifications isn't covered. AODES Canada's terms exclude non-AODES attachments and accessories, and say warranty coverage can end if non-genuine parts or modifications are used.
- Follow install guides. Segway publishes accessory installation guides for its side-by-sides. Ask your dealer for the guide for your model.
- Liquids slosh. A part-full sprayer tank shifts its weight in turns and on hills. Slow down.
- Winches are for recovery and pulling, not lifting. Read the winch's own instructions and keep everyone clear of the cable or rope.
Our stores can help you set up a machine for farm work and fit approved accessories: Frontier Mitsubishi (Grande Prairie), Borderlands (High Level and La Crete) and Frontier Auto & Imports (Whitecourt, AODES).
Sources
- Fugleman UT10 and UT10 Crew owner's manual (Segway Powersports Canada), checked October 25, 2026
- UTV accessory installation guide (Segway Powersports Canada), checked October 25, 2026
- Toolbox Talk: All-terrain vehicle operation on farm property (Canadian Agricultural Safety Association), checked October 25, 2026
- ATV safety for agricultural workers (Farm Safe Manitoba), checked October 25, 2026
- Limited warranty guide (Segway Powersports Canada), checked October 25, 2026
- Limited warranty terms and conditions (AODES Canada), checked October 25, 2026
Guides in this section
Our first in-depth guides for this section are being written and fact-checked now. In the meantime, start with the overview above or browse all guides.