Work UTV ... narrow down some choices please

[Oldpath05]

A couple short videos of 2012 Rhino hauling my wood trailer, which just about all I use it for. Every UTV mention here could haul this little trailer around all day long, but only a couple can fit through a 60 inch wide door/space. At the time I bought mine I only saw two choices that was under 60 inches wide, Kubota RTV 500 and Yamaha Rhino, I wanted the RTV but when the dealer said there is no front diff. lock to lock in both front wheels, I went with the Rhino because 4 wheel drive is always better than 3 wheel drive.
Good thing I didn't wait any longer because the Rhino is no longer made, and I think that's because to many people rolling them over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F6l23IIK7w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCinpg9_xaw

 

[Hermio]

My Intimidator is 63" wide, but I use it in the woods; no problem. And I wanted to have room for 6 people. That trailer you have looks pretty heavy full of wood. Probably heavier than the rated towing capacity. I would not try that on a steep hill.

 

[Oldpath05]

My Intimidator is 63" wide, but I use it in the woods; no problem. And I wanted to have room for 6 people. That trailer you have looks pretty heavy full of wood. Probably heavier than the rated towing capacity. I would not try that on a steep hill.

Rhino towing cap. 1,200 lb. not sure how much weight I have, but 3 wagon loads barely make's a 4x4x8 cord so on flat ground it pulls real easy. I agree with not taking a fully loaded trailer on any steep hills.

 

[Hermio]

One cord of split wood, when wet, weighs about 5000 lb. When dry, it probably drops to about 3000-4000 #. So, you might have 1000-1600# of wood in your trailer, plus the weight of the trailer.

 

[Oldpath05]

Thanks for the math. With my best guess trailer weight of 300 lb. and with 1000-1600 lb. of firewood on my trailer, that tells me that my Rhino is pulling 300-400 lb. more then Yamaha says I'm suppose to so now if my axles break I'll know why, guess I should picked a different brand.

 

[Hermio]

Since the weight is in the trailer and not in the Rhino, I don't think you will break the axles. The worst that could happen, IMHO, is that the belt might squeal and wear out quickly. But even that should not happen if you are on level ground and don't punch the gas.

 

[ovrszd]

Since the weight is in the trailer and not in the Rhino, I don't think you will break the axles. The worst that could happen, IMHO, is that the belt might squeal and wear out quickly. But even that should not happen if you are on level ground and don't punch the gas.

Weight on the vehicle doesn't break axles. The axle shaft isn't carrying any weight. It's torsional twist that breaks axles and that's caused by resistance to movement, i.e., heavy towed load.

 

[ovrszd]

My Rhino with 1.5" wheel spacers and 27" ITP589s is 58" wide. My stock RTV is 57" wide.

I believe the Rhino and/or the RTV will get around in tight quarters where the 6 passenger Intimidator cannot go. The Rhino is very capable in tight/difficult terrain. The RTV will haul the crap outta whatever you can pile on the bed.

No brand war intended. Just clarifying that each is built for a specific purpose.

 

[4570Man]

My mule 600 is one of the weakest side by sides made, and it is rated to tow 1,100 pounds. It doesn't have enough power to break an axel. The engine is rated to produce 20 foot pounds of toque. They didn't list the HP, I think it is rated at 16 hp. It only has a single speed transmission, so toque at the axel is also pretty low. My mule does excellent in tight locations. I can drive it in the two car garage and without backing up drive out the other door. My garage isn't overly long either. It is barely long enough to park a crew cab F-350 in. A friend has a double seater mule 3010. He would have to back up 3 times to turn around in the turning radius of my mule. The top speed of my mule is slow and can outrun his 3010.

 

[Oldpath05]

Since the weight is in the trailer and not in the Rhino, I don't think you will break the axles. The worst that could happen, IMHO, is that the belt might squeal and wear out quickly. But even that should not happen if you are on level ground and don't punch the gas.

You made feel better already, I was starting to worry about my axle's. The trailer is balance quite well, I try loading it so there's at least 100lb. of tongue weight and a tandem axle helps in making it tow easier. As far as belt squealing, when I bought the Rhino I was under the impression by people I talked to, that Yamaha makes one of the best belt transmissions on the market, and I we'll find out for sure after 5 years of pulling my trailer.