UTV/SxS Questions

[IA Born]

Hey Guys-

 

We recently sold our quad with the intent to get a UTV so we can all enjoy it together rather than buying a second quad and then worrying about whether or not we're legal to ride 2 people/quad and travel with two quads (2 adults, 2 kids in family). Anyway, we've been looking at Rangers online and seeing what's out there. I won't lie, I'm fairly new to UTVs, so I have questions that may sound silly. The standard ones I'm seeing seat three. I've heard and read about putting a jump seat in the utility bed, but another friend recently told me he thought they were going to be illegal (for safety reasons?) soon. Is that true? Getting a standard one would be cheaper and easier to haul, but if I can't get the jump seat for family trips, it defeats the purpose. I'm not at all opposed to getting a crew cab that comes standard 4-seating, but they are pricier.

 

I'm wondering if my wife's Toyota Hybrid SUV can tow it, with its tow capacity of 3,500 lbs (** When adequately equipped, which may require engine and/or other drivetrain upgrades...). If my truck is towing our pop-up camper, I have to figure out how to to a UTV on a trailer. Ranger Crews look to be about 1300 lbs plus trailer. Thoughts?

 

On that note, what about trailers? Will a 12' trailer work for a crew or do we need a 14' trailer? Single or double axle? With a quick search, I've seen pics of Ranger Crews on 12' trailers. More thoughts?

 

Also, getting used vs. new? The same friend that told me jump seats might becoming illegal bought his brand new because he didn't trust getting a used one, not knowing what it had been through (abused, used hard, etc.). I can't argue that logic, but I'm guessing its like any used vehicle and you take your chances, hope the seller is honest, etc. but can you have a mechanic check them out? If used is a good option, where are good places to find used ones besides Craigslist?

 

I appreciate any insight you can provide. Thanks!

[AmericanThunder]

I was in a similar situation to you last year. We traded in our 2 Honda ranchers for a Ranger crew. Best decision ever. Way more comfortable to ride and can haul a good amount of gear with you if need be. The dry weight of our Ranger is about 1500lbs plus about a 3000 lb 14' trailer. That's a little heavy for your hybrid. We bought it used through a Ride Now dealership and saved about $4K doing so. Wouldn't rule it out.

[Adicted]

Hey Guys-

 

We recently sold our quad with the intent to get a UTV so we can all enjoy it together rather than buying a second quad and then worrying about whether or not we're legal to ride 2 people/quad and travel with two quads (2 adults, 2 kids in family). Anyway, we've been looking at Rangers online and seeing what's out there. I won't lie, I'm fairly new to UTVs, so I have questions that may sound silly. The standard ones I'm seeing seat three. I've heard and read about putting a jump seat in the utility bed, but another friend recently told me he thought they were going to be illegal (for safety reasons?) soon. Is that true? Getting a standard one would be cheaper and easier to haul, but if I can't get the jump seat for family trips, it defeats the purpose. I'm not at all opposed to getting a crew cab that comes standard 4-seating, but they are pricier.

 

I have also heard about the rear seat in the bed being illegal soon. Your better off for safety reason to just get a 4 seater. Much more safe....Look into a 4 seater.

 

 

I'm wondering if my wife's Toyota Hybrid SUV can tow it, with its tow capacity of 3,500 lbs (** When adequately equipped, which may require engine and/or other drivetrain upgrades...). If my truck is towing our pop-up camper, I have to figure out how to to a UTV on a trailer. Ranger Crews look to be about 1300 lbs plus trailer. Thoughts?

 

I'm sure it can tow it but will stuggle, also you need to remember you need to stop it also....Plus wheneveryou go on any trips there is always gear, ice chest, etc, which add weight quickly. I would research your vehicle a little more.

 

On that note, what about trailers? Will a 12' trailer work for a crew or do we need a 14' trailer? Single or double axle? With a quick search, I've seen pics of Ranger Crews on 12' trailers. More thoughts?

 

Never cut yourself short on a trailer, or you will be like me getting a bigger one every few years. 14 ft will be the best for a ranger crew. But like I said bigger the better. Double axel in my opinion is always best but single will work. Because you dont have a big tow vehicle you will most likley want a trailer with brakes to help you stop.

 

Also, getting used vs. new? The same friend that told me jump seats might becoming illegal bought his brand new because he didn't trust getting a used one, not knowing what it had been through (abused, used hard, etc.). I can't argue that logic, but I'm guessing its like any used vehicle and you take your chances, hope the seller is honest, etc. but can you have a mechanic check them out? If used is a good option, where are good places to find used ones besides Craigslist?

 

I have bought new and its not always bad. When you see the machine you can tell if its been abused. Ask about fluid changes, take air filter off and look inside for dust. some dealers also have good used ones that will give you a little warranty....

 

I appreciate any insight you can provide. Thanks!

[AmericanThunder]

 

On that note, what about trailers? Will a 12' trailer work for a crew or do we need a 14' trailer? Single or double axle? With a quick search, I've seen pics of Ranger Crews on 12' trailers. More thoughts?

 

Never cut yourself short on a trailer, or you will be like me getting a bigger one every few years. 14 ft will be the best for a ranger crew. But like I said bigger the better. Double axel in my opinion is always best but single will work. Because you dont have a big tow vehicle you will most likley want a trailer with brakes to help you stop.

 

 

True story right there. We were going back and forth between a 12' and 14' and ultimately got the 14'. 12' is just too short. It will fit, but just barely. Won't leave any room for ice chests, storage containers, etc.

 

This is the exact trailer we got.

 

http://haystrailersales.com/detailcargo.asp?ID=477954

[More D]

Our 2015 Ranger Crew was 12f 4in overall length. So a 14ft trailer is needed.

For safety and comfort you cannot beat a Range vs a quad.

Our original Ranger was the standard. I tried the seat in the back but the kids HATED IT. So we sold it and upgraded to the Crew.

Get a roof of some kind right away. ...it is worth it.

 

 

More D

[IA Born]

Thanks, guys! Reading through your advice, I realized that I wasn't clear on part of it. If my wife's Toyota Highlander can tow it (I'm suspicious), that's all it would be towing. Ice, gear, etc., would be in my truck bed or on the atv rack of our pop up camper. Trailer brakes would be a must for that, especially with my wife not used to towing something. Who knows, this may be the catalyst to get my wife another jeep! Although a quick search of 4-door Wranglers seems to be about the same towing capacity.

[More D]

On our original Ranger I insisted on a winch. In the 5+ years we owned it we never once needed it. Save your money for the roof and a half windshield.

[IA Born]

I greatly appreciate all of the insight! It all makes perfect sense and gives us a great deal to think about. i called my mechanic and talked towing and Highlander hybrids. He doesn't think its a good choice and its hedging toward my original concerns. My wife told me this weekend that she's now interested in a Ford truck. Life is getting interesting!

[Viper]

Man....we make things complicated, don't we. To think it all started with a tent and small ice chest I have pondered all these concerns over recent years....still am.

[IA Born]

Man....we make things complicated, don't we. To think it all started with a tent and small ice chest I have pondered all these concerns over recent years....still am.

 

Exactly!

 

I told my wife that maybe its time to sell my ram 1500, get a 2500 diesel; sell the pop up camper and get a bigger toy hauler that the Ranger will fit in and then use the 2500 Ram to pull it all with. Nothing like $100,000 to uncomplicate things, right?? And then I threw out, maybe we should just get rid of the pop up and go back to tent camping so I can pull everything with my Ram 1500.

 

Some days, Viper, i really miss the good ol' days of tent and small ice chest living!

[bhuntin]

tent. boots and ice chest..got rid of quad e few years ago and hike a lot...lot more...best decision ever and waaaaay cheaper!

[Viper]

 

Man....we make things complicated, don't we. To think it all started with a tent and small ice chest I have pondered all these concerns over recent years....still am.

 

Exactly!

 

I told my wife that maybe its time to sell my ram 1500, get a 2500 diesel; sell the pop up camper and get a bigger toy hauler that the Ranger will fit in and then use the 2500 Ram to pull it all with. Nothing like $100,000 to uncomplicate things, right?? And then I threw out, maybe we should just get rid of the pop up and go back to tent camping so I can pull everything with my Ram 1500.

 

Some days, Viper, i really miss the good ol' days of tent and small ice chest living!

 

 

I sold my tent trailer a few years ago. We weren't using it much. My wife chose taking the quads camping rather than the tent trailer. So, we've been tenting ever since. All the methods have their upside and downside. I'm trying to avoid the huge toyhauler. I've always been a tent geek. I have several of various sizes and function. I just hate all the packing gear, in the heat, sweating my a$$ off. Each time I do it, I start looking at trailers

[More D]

Thatis how it starts off. You convince yourself that just a small travel trailer. ...then you bump yourself into something bigger......and bigger.

This is not a bad thing just try and be ready for it.

 

We just got a 5th wheel that we love. It fits us and frankly we are blessed to have what we we looking for but I just caught myself telling my wife that "our next one is going to be a bigger toy hauler" Which will require a 1ton dually, etc, etc. It is hard to slow down.

 

For us it is easy to justify. That is our family time. My kids would rather go hunting, camping than go to Disneyland. One day when they grow up that might change but I see no better way of showing my children God's creation and keep them grounded and close by. When they grow up I hope they remember all the wonderful times we had together as a family.

 

I am not opposed to tenting it but I am not too proud to admit that I would rather not.

[IA Born]

 

 

Man....we make things complicated, don't we. To think it all started with a tent and small ice chest I have pondered all these concerns over recent years....still am.

 

Exactly!

 

I told my wife that maybe its time to sell my ram 1500, get a 2500 diesel; sell the pop up camper and get a bigger toy hauler that the Ranger will fit in and then use the 2500 Ram to pull it all with. Nothing like $100,000 to uncomplicate things, right?? And then I threw out, maybe we should just get rid of the pop up and go back to tent camping so I can pull everything with my Ram 1500.

 

Some days, Viper, i really miss the good ol' days of tent and small ice chest living!

 

 

I sold my tent trailer a few years ago. We weren't using it much. My wife chose taking the quads camping rather than the tent trailer. So, we've been tenting ever since. All the methods have their upside and downside. I'm trying to avoid the huge toyhauler. I've always been a tent geek. I have several of various sizes and function. I just hate all the packing gear, in the heat, sweating my a$$ off. Each time I do it, I start looking at trailers

 

 

 

Thatis how it starts off. You convince yourself that just a small travel trailer. ...then you bump yourself into something bigger......and bigger.

This is not a bad thing just try and be ready for it.

 

We just got a 5th wheel that we love. It fits us and frankly we are blessed to have what we we looking for but I just caught myself telling my wife that "our next one is going to be a bigger toy hauler" Which will require a 1ton dually, etc, etc. It is hard to slow down.

 

For us it is easy to justify. That is our family time. My kids would rather go hunting, camping than go to Disneyland. One day when they grow up that might change but I see no better way of showing my children God's creation and keep them grounded and close by. When they grow up I hope they remember all the wonderful times we had together as a family.

 

I am not opposed to tenting it but I am not too proud to admit that I would rather not.

 

 

I am with you both 100%. I used to do a ton of tent camping and then I got into wildfire management. I've slept on the ground with no pad or sleeping bag more times than I care to remember, causing me to love my comfort as I've gotten older! I usually tent camp once/year during the January archery javelina hunt because our camper is snowed in/winterized. I take the 6-man dome tent and sleep on a cot. I do miss tenting it from time to time and then remember how comfy and easy it is to get out of the bed in our pop up....and how warm it is when I turn the heater on at 0-dark-thirty. Our kids love the camper and that part is exactly like you, More D: family time. I won't trade that for anything!

 

This has been an awesome thread and I appreciate all the feedback!

[HyNoon]

Ya I have had the same dilemma now for about a year Or so. If I get a side by side I have to get a toy hauler because my bumper pull is only a 22 foot Camp trailer.

 

I've also been thinking about getting a four door Rubicon Jeep and just keeping my trailer. But I can't drive two vehicles. Because I use my Dodge to pull my camp trailer with.

 

But the jeep has a/c and heat which would be nicer all year round for scouting trips with the whole family or close to home day trips. No loading up a trail to take the SxS out with. Therefore quick and easy.

 

This has been my dilemma for a couple years now. Plus the approximate 40000 in new debt that I don't really want.