Looking at buying a crew cab UTV. I'm thinking if the Polaris ranger 570 crew (mid size). Most of the time around home it would be no more then 4 buddies. or 2 adults and 3 smaller kids. Around home (midwest) would be used for work/play, more play then work. But then I want to start taking out west with me to drive around vs my truck on the 2 tracks. Others I am thinking about is the 570 ranger full size and the Yamaha viking VI. I don't think I need a full size model, I would rather spend the extra 2K on accessories. Who out west is using one and what are the must haves? Besides a winch.
UTV's who uses one?
- Thread starter lostriverproductions
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shootbrownelk
Veteran member
In my case, I have a Yamaha Rhino S&S. I added a 4,500lb. winch, a glass windshield and a 3" lift kit. I've seen a few of the 4 passenger UTV's high center on the big rocks where I hunt, I'm happy with my 2 passenger SXS. The long wheelbase on some of them make getting around on narrow trails a real challenge. Some of the high-end crew cab UTV's cost as much as a nice car these days.
This is my Yamaha Viking 2015
I put a 3" lift on it and 28" tires, wheels, can enclosure, light bar and built a high rack for the bed. It's a great tool for hunting and packing gear to the end of the roads to start hunting. It's a 700ci motor. My buddy has a Ranger and I don't like it much. It doesn't have a engine brake at all and that can be a bit scary on the down hill.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I'll stick to my Polaris quads. I already own them, they have been very dependable and I'll spend the money it takes to by a new UTV on hunting trips!
Work2hunt
Veteran member
I have a 2011 Polaris Ranger 800. I love it. It will fit 3 average size adults ok. Not comfortable, but not totally cramped either. It is good for play but plenty of ability for work. 1000 lbs in the box or 2000 lbs towing. Get a good winch and a top. A windshield is nice. Definetely a good gun and/or bow case that mounts. Don't need them getting banged up.
Calbuck
Active Member
I hunted off my 2014 Ranger XP900 last year in Nv, Id, and Utah. I have the engine braking on mine and it works great! I would NOT have been successful in my hunts without it. That thing climbed some stuff that I never would have expected. And made it back down. The wear and tear saved on my pickup is an added bonus. I used the Ranger to get several miles back in to country the truck wouldn't have liked, then hiked some from there to make my kills. Definitely a valuable tool!
PlainsHunter
Active Member
I bought the Midsize Ranger 570 (non crew) for driving 2 tracks in WY. Haven't used it yet, but I always run into areas I can't get my 4X4 pickup through on legal 2 tracks and some BLM roads.
I hunted with an 800 Midsize Ranger in MT 2 years ago and really liked it.
That Yamaha Viking that IKC posted is a monster.....I'm jealous!
I hunted with an 800 Midsize Ranger in MT 2 years ago and really liked it.
That Yamaha Viking that IKC posted is a monster.....I'm jealous!
okielite
Banned
I had a Polaris in the past and was amazed at what it would go through and what it would haul. I once had a trailer stuck in the mud and my truck simply would not pull it out, just spun the tires and dug in. Trailer weighed about 5k pounds with close to 500 pounds tongue weight. I hooked up the Polaris ranger XP, it squatted the arse end but it pulled it right out. When the differentials are locked that thing was a beast.
Make sure to compare specs as some UTV's are little more than 4x4 golf carts (Mule) and others are much more capable of hauling heavy loads (Kubota) and others are better off road (Razr).
Make sure to compare specs as some UTV's are little more than 4x4 golf carts (Mule) and others are much more capable of hauling heavy loads (Kubota) and others are better off road (Razr).
missjordan
Veteran member
I have a Polaris rzr 800 that's outfitted with two light bars, aluminum doors and a full front/back windshield. The last thing it needs is a winch and some time of enclosure kit because even with the full doors and windshields, it's still too cold to drive when the weather dips below 30 degrees. The back windshield is a must as they do like to circulate dust into the cab and it can get pretty bad during the dry summer months. They are really nice to have and will go anywhere a truck can't, especially when the roads get washed out or your snowed in. We are thinking on upgrading to a two seater Polaris 1000 as with our 800 sometimes we run out of power, especially when it's loaded down with your whole camp. And the extra room would be nice as it can be a bit small. I love it and would probably never get a Utility style becuase it fits our needs very well.
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xtreme
Very Active Member
I will stay with the Can-AM. Same thing with my snowmobiles. Great suspension and brakes plus very dependable
RUTTIN
Veteran member
Here is my 2008 Polaris Ranger. I bought the regular cab 700 EFI and put a custom seat in the front, and took the stock seat and put in the back on a little mule frame that has seatbelts for three. An adult can sit upright comfortable in the back. I can pack six adults all in seat belts if we so choose. Gets kind of hard to steer though when you have some big boys in the back, makes the front end float a little. I don't like the quad cab because they are harder to turn around on a small dirt road and they tend to get high centered on burms or rocky areas easier due to the long wheel base. Good luck in whatever you choose!
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I know the crews can get high centered easier, but with 3 kids I need the room. I can always add a lift down the road as needed. From what I gathered a winch, roof and front and rear window are a necessity, well preferred anyways. Going to find a couple I can test drive. Don't like that polaris has went to AWD so you have to wait for the rear tires to spin before the front kicks in.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
That AWD thing on my buddy's Polaris is what turned me off on them. That and no engine braking, maybe the newer ones have it, his does not. My Yamaha has a manual axle lock button. I like that feature. And the lift kit was only a little over $100, wish I had installed it from the get-go. Mine is a special edition and has the fox shocks and full steel skid plates.
I picked up a 2007 Polaris Ranger used a few years back. Don't use it as much as I thought I would.
Wish the design of the tailgate was different, if I fill it up with a load of dirt I can't get the tailgate open to dump it about half the time.
Also, really needed the engine braking feature using it going down the Morrison Jeep trail to the Switchback Ranch on my mountain goat hunt. Ended up boiling the brake fluid and had a very exciting time getting it stopped with very limited brakes.
It will go just about anywhere in 4wd Low though.
Wish the design of the tailgate was different, if I fill it up with a load of dirt I can't get the tailgate open to dump it about half the time.
Also, really needed the engine braking feature using it going down the Morrison Jeep trail to the Switchback Ranch on my mountain goat hunt. Ended up boiling the brake fluid and had a very exciting time getting it stopped with very limited brakes.
It will go just about anywhere in 4wd Low though.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
okielite
Banned
I still regret selling you that Ranger. That thing was a beast. I'll never forget how windy it was that day we met up. Glad to hear it is still going strong.
Well I test drove a ranger crew 800 and the yamaha viking Vi. IMO the yamaha is way better. IDK what polaris did but leg room sucks, left leg only sits 1/4" from molded cup holder. They use to have better.
Viking has better leg room, I like the hard half doors better then the mesh and steel rod of ranger.
Viking has a better shifer handle. The ranger you have to make sure you move your leg when pulling down to park.
Polaris went to a AWD system where rear tires has to spin before fronts kick in, Viking has 4 wheel and 4 wheel lock which I like.
Viking comes with a full skid plate set up, that's additional on the ranger
Looks like if I do get one I will be going with the viking for sure
Viking has better leg room, I like the hard half doors better then the mesh and steel rod of ranger.
Viking has a better shifer handle. The ranger you have to make sure you move your leg when pulling down to park.
Polaris went to a AWD system where rear tires has to spin before fronts kick in, Viking has 4 wheel and 4 wheel lock which I like.
Viking comes with a full skid plate set up, that's additional on the ranger
Looks like if I do get one I will be going with the viking for sure