Need help picking a family UTV

The Rookie · 2009-07-07 10:38:49

Hello All,

I am new to the forum and was looking for some help. I currently have an ATV (Can am outlander) This ATV has no trouble where ever I go from step hills to tons of mud. However my family is getting bigger and they all want to go far a quad ride. I would like a UTV so I could take 4 people out at once but I want to make sure I could still go up hills and go through some deep mud.

Thanks in advance for your help,

The Rookie

RANGERDALEXP · 2009-07-07 14:23:09

First i want to welcome you to the SideXSide site. In regards to your question this has been a debate that has gone on for years and every person has there own favorite UTV and if you spend about a half hour looking at similar threads on the SideXSide site you can see what i mean. The debate will always go on and on. If you are going to haul four plus passengers around there is only one Legal way to do it and that would be to get a Polaris Ranger Crew or any equivalent four passenger plus UTV built for this purpose. They do make kits for all makes of standard UTV's that convert the bed into a passenger area but that does not make them legal to carry people and if something happens it could cause legal issues for you, Now if i were going to do the non legal way i would look into the Ranger XP/HD for that purpose because of the bed size and its weight capacity, It is rated for 1000lbs in the box versus 500 or less with the competitors, remember when you add the seats and roll cage you need to deduct that weight along with the passengers as well. Till the other manufactures improve in there box capacity and size I will not recommend any of the others only for this reason as well as doing it illegally. I am sure others will chime in and argue about this point .

Badley · 2009-07-07 17:33:44

I agree! (no argument here ) Adding seating to the bed in a SXS is risky. I would take all precautions to make it as safe as possible. Get the paassengers out when going over any extreme obstacles.

I am adding a cage and bench seat to a Rhino, but at a 400lb payload rating the cage, seat, harnesses and 2 little boys (Grandchildren) I will be right at payload capacity. As the boys get older it will exceed 400lbs. If yu decide this route, I would suggest a good cage (there are some cheesy/cheap ones out there) and good 5 point restraints. I am also adding harness hand holds and wrist restraints so little arms can't reach outside the cage. I would vote for Ranger XP/HD as well. You can seat 3 across in the front, but I am not sure I would add more than 2 in the bed unless they are smaller children.

The Ranger crew is capable but the long wheel base will limit you. Rumor was that Yamaha was going to release a 4 seater - I would not hold my breath.

Titan · 2009-07-07 23:23:21

No argument here ranger would be better for alot of people (unless they are smaller kids 90-120lbs or so and you add the safty equipment to protect them) Rhinos seem to be more maneuverable in tight spots.

BUT this topic can be explaned alot easier..........
Side x sides are like women. you have to pick your poison.

LET ME BREAK IT DOWN

You either like them slim not using alot of bed space and easy to fit into tight places.

Or maybe you like them with a little more room in the trunk, limited to wider doorways and take more fuel to keep running.

It realy depends on who you are, what you like, what you need and what your comfortable with.
HOPE THIS HELPS IN YOUR CHOICE
-(this message is not ment to be sexist, Im sure women compare men to alot of things as well)-

The Rookie · 2009-07-08 06:35:47

Thanks guys.. I think I'm leaning towards the Ranger Crew.

ghostriderr6 · 2009-07-09 17:46:44

don't forget about the Joyner Trooper, I wouldn't even put it in the same class as the crew but it's a very capable offroader and has a little more top speed so you can drive it to your favorite ride spot the only problem I've found is the wheelbase is so long if you get into something very technical it high centers alot

Bob H · 2009-08-02 19:08:19

Hello All,
I am new to the forum and was looking for some help. I currently have an ATV (Can am outlander) This ATV has no trouble where ever I go from step hills to tons of mud. However my family is getting bigger and they all want to go far a quad ride. I would like a UTV so I could take 4 people out at once but I want to make sure I could still go up hills and go through some deep mud.
Thanks in advance for your help,
The Rookie

http://www.rueschmotorcompany.com/video.html

This ruesch company makes 4 seaters from the factory. they also have several models to choose from. the horsepower ranges from around 39 to 150. wheel travel is 15 inches on rear and 17 inches on front or thereabout. I feel sure you have to pay extra for the high hp motors but the long travel suspension is a stock item. it is worth looking at. I do not know how well they hold up. GOOD LUCK

trbizwiz · 2009-09-09 12:10:02

That panther is impressive from the video. How do you think that CF moto will hold up. WHat about after market parts supply? My self, I need similar things as the OP. But I really dont want a rig as long as the ranger crew. Would you really get into trouble if you built a safety cage for the bed, adn beefed up the suspension for some added weight capacity in the rear? Mine would not have a full time rear seat setup. I would build the cage removeable. that would be just for crawling and trips. Around the house I would have the boys jump in the bed and hold on (while working around the farm).

RANGERDALEXP · 2009-09-09 15:54:25

Would you really get into trouble if you built a safety cage for the bed, adn beefed up the suspension for some added weight capacity in the rear? Mine would not have a full time rear seat setup. I would build the cage removeable. that would be just for crawling and trips. Around the house I would have the boys jump in the bed and hold on (while working around the farm).

It is really a legal thing. All ATV/UTVs are submitted to the federal government for approval on safety and emissions and when you change the machine from one purpose that it was originally designed for and make it into something else it will void the design approved on. Rhinos and RZRs are designed for 2 people only and Depending on the model of ranger they are built for 3 to 6 people. If you modify your UTV to hold more then it was designed to carry it is no longer meeting federal standards of the design and it will put the full force of a law suite on you because of the design changes you may have made. Now on the other hand if something should happen i don't think your kid or wife will sue you but if you are out camping and you decide to take some friends out for a joy ride and for some reason you roll it and someone get hurt or even killed the first thing the lawyers are going to look at is why a rhino that is designed to carry 2 adults was carrying 4 adults and was 200 to 400 lbs overloaded. You could build it and find out who could approve the design when it is completed but i am sure it would not be easy or cheap to do :idea: . Here is an example of something that happened some years ago in California. Someone was buying cargo vans and converting them into small passenger buses and one rolled over a hill and rolled several times and killed some people. Well the company that modified the vans and the people that bought the vans as well as the driver was held liable because they were not certified for use as a bus :idea: . It is not about modifying it. It all comes down to when you put lives in it :!: .

trbizwiz · 2009-09-09 16:29:39

Wow that sucks. I may have to take a long look at the crew myself

fusion-offroad · 2009-10-12 07:45:49

what kind of terrain are you going to be using your side x side in. I ran 2000 miles in my Teryx last season in the hard pack with no problems. I build cages with window nets for the rear to further protect the kids.[s:ea373f4905][/s:ea373f4905]

#1 2009-07-07 10:38:49

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#2 2009-07-07 14:23:09

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#3 2009-07-07 17:33:44

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#4 2009-07-07 23:23:21

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#5 2009-07-08 06:35:47

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#6 2009-07-09 17:46:44

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#7 2009-08-02 19:08:19

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#8 2009-09-09 12:10:02

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#9 2009-09-09 15:54:25

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#10 2009-09-09 16:29:39

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

#11 2009-10-12 07:45:49

Re: Need help picking a family UTV

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