Utv/Side by side?

[drajj5]

I have been looking at these things and are they not just a blown up four wheeler? It looks like they were born as a golf carts and grew up to be a modified off road vehicle. I admit, they are cool looking and would be fun to drive. I wonder if they have proven themselves to be worth the 10+ thousand dollar investment.... Curious to see the viability of owning one.

I own a old beat-up truck that has heat and with the windows rolled down; has A/c. I can load just about anything I want without worry of damage, and still drive it to the store for milk. I still want a side by side anyway - guess it is the inner child in me wanting the "fun factor".

The wife would kill me if I bought one so I need all the good excuses possible to win the argument over. If there are women reading this, "Don't tell my wife" I need your insight as well.

 

[Xfaxman]

Just in case you missed it among all the Forums on TBN: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/atvs-utility-vehicles/

Here is my thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/atvs-utility-vehicles/287792-electric-polaris-ranger.html

 

[Walkin Horse]

I considered a small truck when I bought my Mule. The utvs are so easy to get around in. It is so much easier to get in and out of is the big difference. We use it to feed out of, and have horses scattered around in different places. It has been used for firewood pulling a trailer. I have a rack on the bed with shovels and such hanging on it. I have hauled 17 16' fence boards on the rack. I put a tongue on my generator and pulled it with a compressor in the back to where I was fencing. I took the front bumper off and put a steel "shelf" on the front to hold a 4 drawer tool box. I take the box off and sit a stripped down wonder boy blower on the front to blow leaves off the drive and around fence lines. It's easy to park around the barn or get in the barn. I can ride right up to the barn refrigerator and get a drink without getting out. I ride it a mile down the road to the hunt club and use it there. Sometimes I get my wife or the girl that helps me at the barn to take it and I take the tractor to where I'm working if I need tools and the tractor.

If you are active and do a lot of stuff outside you will find more and more uses for it. I guarantee you will wonder how you ever farmed with out it.

 

[Gunny]

If mine died today, I'd be shopping for a new one tomorrow! For years I just didn't feel that I really needed one, but once I did I wondered why I had waited so long. Mine only has a 700# cargo capacity, but that's more than enough for hauling tools, spraying fence lines for weeds, pulling empty and lightly loaded trailers around or just carrying a few fishing rods and tackle boxes down to the creek.
I really like the ability to get on or off from either side, plus I installed a radio for entertainment while working or driving around.
The biggest advantage (for me) is the fuel economy. My farm is about 1/4 mile from my house and I use it to commute back and forth several times during the day. My full size pickup was getting some pretty lousy gas mileage doing the same thing, mainly because it never ran long enough for the engine to warm up and the trip was too short to get it up into overdrive. The UTV sips gasoline compared to that pickup and it's easier to load or unload tools from the UTV versus the pickup.

My wife didn't care for it much when I first got it, but since she found out how convenient it is, she's always using it for things like going to the garden to pick tomatoes or beans, taking the grandchildren for a joy ride, etc. I do think that if mine did die today, she'd very much support me for buying a new one.

 

[Duwop]

I've had my sxs 51 weeks and have put on 387 miles. I have just a 5.93acres but there is always something that needs to be done and I would have walked most of those miles without the sxs. I'm the benefactor of failed back surgery and have been declared handicapped/lame. The purchase was part of two plans, one was to help keep me active outside gardening and caring for the land, and two is that I can't take it with me so I'll save the wife and kids the argument by spending some while here on earth ( less time laying around bellyaching and licking my wounds).The wife had noticed I was slowing down and had brought up the idea of a golf cart but to modify it to carry the tools and such needed to do chores. I stumbled on sxs by accident but after reviewing everything on YouTube about them and visiting all the manufacturers webs sites I told the dear wife I was getting one. We rode out to a powersports dealership and took a test ride on a Honda 700 sxs/utv man I was hooked, I told her I knew of another place across town where they sold all the different versions of Polaris Rangers and RZR's RZR's are what most younger adults want as they appear to be built for fun less utilitarian. Before the end of that day I had ordered a Honda Pioneer 700/2 the 2 signifies 2 seater Honda has a 4 seater that is quite revolutionary as it converts to seat four or you can use as a 2 seater with dump bed. So my recommendation is to take a month and read and view all the vids on YouTube get out to test ride as many different sxs/utv's and see what you think. One more thing, my grandson is only 18 months old and he drives me crazy with wanting to ride this thing I think I would have bought it just for the fun I have riding him a round.

 

[oosik]

I have a Polaris ATP. Mainly use it to go down and get the mail - mile long driveway, maintain the fence lines and get to places on the property where the tractor can not go. I guess I could use the tractor for most of this work but it sure would mean a lot of extra "huffing" when it comes to fence line maintenance. My property includes some impossibly deep gorges along the fence lines and even with the ATP its a chore getting into them. I look at the new UTV's and just can't convince myself, yet, that they would be any better than what I currently have. I know I will go with a UTV when/if what I have gives out. There is simply no way possible that my 4WD Jeep or 4WD pickup could get to most of the fence line without creating everlasting ruts.

 

[EddieWalker]

If mine died today, I'd be shopping for a new one tomorrow! For years I just didn't feel that I really needed one, but once I did I wondered why I had waited so long.

I feel the same way. I had four wheelers, but rarely rode them because they where so limited in what you could use them for. I had a golf cart that was a lot better, but it got beat up and pretty much fell apart driving around on my roads. When I decided to buy a UTV, I started out cheap and thought I wanted something to replace the golf cart, but maybe with more power and better suspension. I didn't want anything fancy or even four wheel drive. From comments on here while looking, and actually going to the different dealers, I bought a Kawasaki TransMule 4x4.

I financed it with payments being $80 a month after a few grand as a down payment. I paid more every month and had it paid off in two years.

I don't know if there is a day that somebody doesn't drive it. Easily it's the most used piece of equipment that I own by far!!!

Eddie

 

[nybirdman]

I have and use both;ATV&SxS.Mine has 3700 miles and used as a bird mover, manure spreader,wood hauler,feed hauler,sprayer,handicapped people hauler and couldn't be without it.
I own a uplands preserve so it is used about every day.
2006 450cc Yamaha Rhino,also have a 1998 Kawasaki Prairie with 3000+miles that still earns it's keep.
Family owns;Kawasaki Teryx ,JD 825 Gator and they also have been good machines.

 

[Walkin Horse]

Here is a pic of my mule. Fence boards on top and shovels on the side. One is fom a tree stand.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[tamu94]

I hear you . I had the same arguments but after watching my neighbors use their RTV I convinced my wife it was the way to go. The ATV was very limited in what it could do and could not carry passengers/cargo. Once we got the RTV my entire family was hooked. It is used constantly. The ATV is almost never ran.

The RTV provides ease of getting around and plenty of useful space for cargo over a truck. I can drive it anywhere I want instead of being limited to the main roads. The wear and tear on my truck has also been eliminated. The dump bed is great for all kinds of chores too. Last, I like being out on the land. With the open cab you still get to experience it. The cab of a truck isolates you from the outside (or at least it does for me).

 

[EddieWalker]

The go anywhere aspect of it is really nice too!!!! After it rains here, it's pure misery trying to get around until the mud dries out. With the Mule, I can go out while it's raining!!! The few times it's snowed here, I took the Mule out and was able to go everywhere I wanted to. On my roads, and through the fields. It didn't matter. The clay builds up on my boots so thick that it becomes very difficult to walk for more then a short distance, but the mud flies off the tires of the Mule and it just keeps going.

I have managed to get it stuck a few times, but that was my fault. I have a few bottomless areas that when wet will just suck you into them. I thought I could go across it fast enough that I wouldn't sink in. I was wrong. Fortunately it's small and light enough that I can pull it out in minutes.

Eddie

 

[westcliffe01]

The climate is a bit milder where you live than MI, but I have found that having a roof and windshield are pretty essential in keeping rain, snow, bird poop and the like off the dash, steering wheel and seats. The windshield (I went with a true glass laminated windshield on my Kubota RTV 500) makes a huge difference in comfort here in the midwest when it is 20F or lower and the wind is blowing.

I also went with a vinyl "windshield" that provides an air block at the back of the cab and it is very helpful in keeping hay dust and wood chips off you in the summer from the load that is on the back. It was pretty cheap and just straps onto the roll cage with velcro.

I personally would have loved to have doors, but Kubota discontinued them and most of the alternatives are zippered cloth doors which are a PIA. In the summer you can leave them off, in the winter they are nice to have to prevent the cab area blowing full of snow while you are sitting in the hunting blind for hours watching it snow... I also would have loved it if someone made a bed cover to protect commonly used tools that I have in there all the time.

The main negative with the side by sides is the placement of the engine and access to it. When operating in dusty conditions (like hay fields) one has to constantly keep the engine, radiator and exhaust clear of debris that can block flow or create a potential fire hazard. I did find that the hydrostatic transmission in the RTV series of UTV's is ideal for steep mountain terrain. They are not speed demons at all, but real working machines. This past summer I used the front hitch to back loaded hay wagons into the barn (it is so much easier with a front hitch) and I guess the hay wagons must have have had 100+ bales on them each. Certainly a very useful machine. The 2 cylinder gas fuel injected engine always starts without any fuss regardless of altitude or temperature, down to -40 last winter...

 

[drajj5]

Wow!!! I never knew that people were so fond of them....

I guess I should confess I have too motorized things laying about. I owned a 4x4 four wheeler that is full time four wheel drive. I used it several years and slowly stopped using it as it would not 'carry' the kids/gear/beer wherever- all together. So it sat, and sat and every year I would go and jump it off to move it to its next resting place. Darn thing would pull a loaded 5x10 trailer loaded with firewood like no tomorrow though; stopping was a bit tedious however. Anyway, it got sold for little to nothing and I ended up using a 73' ford 4x4 to do Everything that that four wheeler did. Yep, there is not a straight panel on it anymore. Inside the bed looks like it has mountains of its own from tossing gravel to firewood in it. Its so ugly and yet it is so practical that my wife actually likes to use it to get (that load of manure or that bucket load of red mulch) for her garden(s). Keys are left in it at all times- no one would steal it.
So bringing up a utv/Side by side this evening went as I expected, shot down from the get-go. She needs me to convince her that it will outperform that nasty old ford- I am struggling to find an excuse, "any excuse" to vindicate getting one.

Stupid truck is going to last forever - I can't kill it, kids can't even kill it for some reason. Leaks just enough oil to preserve it from rusting seems to run on no oil pressure whatsoever. Maybe I will just rip the doors off so she will be too embarrassed to drive it - even then she will probably drive it.

 

[Walkin Horse]

Puke in it.

 

[boblibido]

Do what I did. Buy the vehicle and then let her drive it. My gf has never had a bigger smile on her face. Now she comes up with reasons to just drive the thing. (Kubota 1120d)

 

[BWSSR]

2011 Kawasaki Transmule 4x4.....with the 4+ seating..the grand kids have a blast..flip the back seat..extend bed..bam...lots of room for tool, gear, wood, deer....2nd Mule for me....wife likes it too

 

[tamu94]

When I bought my place none of the neighbors had a UTV. Now there are 3 RTV's and a Polaris owner around me (plus mine).

They are very useful vehicles. Wont argue that they are not expensive though.

 

[SIMassey]

I have been looking at these things and are they not just a blown up four wheeler? It looks like they were born as a golf carts and grew up to be a modified off road vehicle. I admit, they are cool looking and would be fun to drive. I wonder if they have proven themselves to be worth the 10+ thousand dollar investment.... Curious to see the viability of owning one.

I own a old beat-up truck that has heat and with the windows rolled down; has A/c. I can load just about anything I want without worry of damage, and still drive it to the store for milk. I still want a side by side anyway - guess it is the inner child in me wanting the "fun factor".

The wife would kill me if I bought one so I need all the good excuses possible to win the argument over. If there are women reading this, "Don't tell my wife" I need your insight as well.

It was the wife's idea to buy ours. There are places on our property that she had never seen before getting it. Wouldn't part with it for anything now. One of the handiest tools we have on the 12 acres.

 

[westcliffe01]

I bought the Kubota RTV 500 with 96 hours on it for $6500. The dealers were running a special at the time for a new one at $7500, but I'm sure that has gone up since.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I share many of the sentiments expressed above. Mostly, I was exhausted of jumping in and out of a pickup truck all day working on the property. The UTV is so much more convenient. Also, it does less damage to the grasses or soft ground - and, it goes into the woods where my truck was out of the question. My wife says - Get the right tools because when the property becomes "work" it's time to sell.