OP
teejk
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2012
- Messages
- 1,775
- Location
- Merrillan, WI
- Tractor
- JD 2020, IH CC 1250, Ariens 926 Snowthrower
Thanks! I'm narrowing it down now. Measured my 5.5'x10' utility trailer and see that the bed is truly those dimensions...and it is good for 2,300 lbs. of load. I will be 60 soon and my need for speed evaporated a long time ago. I have no problem taking a leisurely ride on our massive trail system (and I mean MASSIVE) that I guess I have been paying for but never used. Would like to buy the Polaris simply because the dealer is only a few miles away but I didn't like the leg room (seemed to be a shin-bruising machine the way they configured the driver compartment). So next I take the long drive to check out the Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki models. I set a $10,000 limit but quickly learning that will probably not be enough.I have the Mule 610XC and works well for me. I use it mostly to haul for projects, or while hunting, but if you are going to be traveling longer distances, the 25 mph limit may be a factor. It is a bit slow, but capable, and I am too old to need to go zipping around anyway!
Deciding factors for me were size, price, and reliability. The nice thing about the 610 is it will still fit in bed of pickup when I don't want to mess with trailering. The price was very attractive, and it had good reviews and a good warranty.
Downside in my experience - speed is limited, and the ride is rougher than some others I've driven. Again, around my property these aren't huge factors, but if you are going to be traveling miles of trails, could be a consideration.
The upsides I didn't consider before purchase - comparatively my Mule is quieter than most of the others I've been around. The smaller size means pretty nimble, and I've yet to get stuck or high-centered, even in my pretty rough part of Texas. And the Mule is pretty simple - not a lot of bells and whistles, but fewer things to break - I call it utilitarian!