Off road utility vehicle

LMTC · Aug 24, 2011

Been using an old golf cart for several years to help with very light chores, wife also uses it to get the mail, run the dog, etc. Going to have to replace it before long and am considering upgrading to a UV, and would appreciate input from current or former owners of such. Must have an option for a roof or canopy, also a windshield. Operator area must accommodate someone extra large and average tall. This would mostly be flat terrain, maybe some mild slope, and mostly gravel or grass. Thanks for any personal experience and input.

Kaw · Aug 24, 2011

Hello. Well I have a kawasaki teryx 750. I believe this to be one of the best side x sides or utv out there. Not crazy $$$ for a new one, seating is more up right, not the set down in sports car feel. Roll cage is up high so taller drivers havw no problems with head room. Also comes with plastic roof and half windshield. They have good ground clearance, 4x4, with diff lock.
Now the best part is it has a dump bed, I have had, 12 square bales loaded on it. I have had to pull a ford 8n about a mile up a pretty good hill to get back home. I use a 5x10 trailer for wood and its loaded pretty good. Last winter I pulled the trailer loaded in 12 to 15 inches of snow had no problems, but will abmit I had on mud tires. So you can do all this work with it and then take it out and play with it, she hits 52mph stock so its fast enough. With some up grades she will pull high 60 or more.. And she well built, only issues with her is a bad cv, my fault stick took boot off. And the throttle stuck on me a few times, and once again my fault. Belt has held up great no adjustments yet and I have just turned over 1500 miles in the first year I owned her.
There are others out there like the polaris ranger, I hear ok things from there owners but non I know use there machines like I do, so not sure on dureability. Good luck

Phils · Aug 25, 2011

A few years ago I wanted to find for my DW a [Polaris, Honda, Kawasaki... Mule or equivilant] but found little for less than ten grand.

After months of looking, I went another way and it has turned out to be better than any of those, at least for our property.

For less than a couple grand I bought an older Suzuki Samurai. It came with a canvas roof, windshield, doors, etc., but I spent a month removing all that before I presented it at Christmas. She likes driviing it around our trails and so do friends and family.

It doesn't have a dump bed (that's what my tractor is for) but it does have a back seat that folds or removes for hauling stuff.

Phil

R_Walter · Aug 25, 2011

I find my RTV 900 invaluable

MtHam · Aug 26, 2011

Kabota RTV900: Think of it as a mini, go anywhere, 4X4 diesel dump truck. It will haul 1,000+ lbs, and goes up and down steep terrain like a tank! Heavy duty, and highly regarded by most owners.

JimP · Aug 26, 2011

John Deere Gator HPX diesel. Expensive but easy enough to use and stable enough that friends and kids can use it. No problems with carb clogging. Used for hauling dirt, logs, rocks, tools, etc. We are surprised by how much we use this UTV. No experience with the newly released Gator design though.