if you're buying a crew cab UTV, what's your vote?

something that has 2 rows of seats, seats 4-6, if needed. no crazy off-roading, but some. and hauling stuff, maybe pulling john boat, and running to store.

what are you buying? honda, polaris, an old chevy truck?

don't have anything to compare to, but I love my polaris xp1000 crew. Extremely smooth riding across anything.

plus I use it to tow all kinds of stuff including a heavy water trailer and it has no problems. And when you want to drive it in a "hold my beer" manner, it obliges, with plenty of pep and handling, even with the suspension in its softest setting, which is where I leave it at all times. I'm sure its no Razor type experience, but its plenty fun and still does all the working stuff very well.

since we are posting pics, here is mine...

We have a Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT ranch edition we use daily. I like the versatility of converting the back seats to have more space in the bed (how we usually keep it). On a daily basis it hauls hay and grain. I use it to park trailers, drag pastures, winch trees, haul trash, hauling manure, etc. We have a snow plow that hooks to the winch for its power. It spends about 5 months a year in 4x4 due to the conditions where live.

We put it through its paces and it's held up nicely so far.

ETA - like the above poster said it's no Razor and is more of a workhorse than an off-road machine but it can handle a surprising amount. It's a pretty big UTV especially with the plow on it so we also have a 4 wheeler for places where tighter turns are needed or smaller areas in general.

If money is of no concern, I'd probably go with a Can Am HD10 Defender. I didn't go that route because it was about 5 grand more than my 1000XP ranger crew.

I don't have any major complaints about my ranger after a year of solid use duck hunting and deer hunting. I take really good care of it and try to avoid stupid things like smoking the belt by running in high instead of low or thinking it's a submarine. Most of the complaints I have seen about the Rangers come from people that dog the hell out of the gear and don't really do any preventative maintenance.

I don't like some of the components on the Rangers like the seats and tailgate latch that feel cheaply made. I love that it was super easy to wire everything myself thanks to a ton of aftermarket options and a YouTube video for essentially everything.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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If money is of no concern, I'd probably go with a Can Am HD10 Defender. I didn't go that route because it was about 5 grand more than my 1000XP ranger crew.

I don't have any major complaints about my ranger after a year of solid use duck hunting and deer hunting. I take really good care of it and try to avoid stupid things like smoking the belt by running in high instead of low or thinking it's a submarine. Most of the complaints I have seen about the Rangers come from people that dog the hell out of the gear and don't really do any preventative maintenance.

I don't like some of the components on the Rangers like the seats and tailgate latch that feel cheaply made. I love that it was super easy to wire everything myself thanks to a ton of aftermarket options and a YouTube video for essentially everything.

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what do you mean about smoking the belt in high rather than low? You mean like when trying to tow something? I run mine in high almost always unless I am towing. I'm still on the factory original belt (I have a spare laying around for when it does go) and have about 315 hours on it so far in two years. I do know what you mean about the tailgate latch, it does feel like you can bend it over, like its a plastic tab or something, but I've used the hell outta mine and haven't had any issues yet. Oil/****** changes are super easy (though the filter could be just a tad easier to get to) and other than ridiculous pricing for polaris fluids (Im too chicken to try something else), I don't have much bad to say about it. And given it has the same engine as the razor, this thing will haul ass and drift corners if you want it too.

edit: hahahahahah, can't say t r a n n y

I mean in situations where the machine needs to be run in low gear like:

- driving through a shallow pond at low speeds
- driving up steep inclines
- towing

Essentially, anytime I'm running in 4WD it is in low. I've seen a few guys smoke their belts because their running up a steep incline in high and 4WD instead of low. Same for guys that just run high through a bunch of mud at low speeds. Not saying it's guaranteed to happen but just something that is avoidable if you properly use low gear.

Work and comfort Mule Pro FXT.

Fun and stupid? Something else.

Kawasaki
Honda



Canam














Polaris

I'd get the Honda 1000-5, because you get back seats that fold into the bed giving you flexibility without the long wheelbase of the Polaris crew cabs. That does come at the expense of bed space when the rear seats are used, but I think I can live with that. You also get a real transmission instead of CVT.

SunrayAg said:

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Kawasaki
Yamaha
Honda



Canam














Polaris

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fixed

We go on "trail riding" trips once a year with a group of 4 families. 2 can am hd10 defenders, one mule fxt, and we have a ranger 1000xp.

My 02:

The can am and the ranger are almost identical in terms of performance. The can am is quieter imo. Both quads get up and go QUICKLY. We did have one local family go on the trails with us with an HD8 defender and it did well too.

Everyone liked the ranger due to the cupholders. It has 4 in the front and two in the back. Also it has three 12v outlets, 2 in front and 1 in rear. Seems silly but when you're out on a cruise it is nice.

The mule fxt is a good machine, but it is more in the utility class rather than performance. It had a 700cc engine which pulled a family up and down the trails with no problem, but it's built more for chores. Not a speed demon at all but it's not supposed to be. They are really nice because they are cheaper and shorter than the other crews. Also having half doors from the factory is a BIG plus.

The newer rangers (without ride command) have 6 cup holders in the front!

All I'll say about the Honda is it is a very interesting ride. Being able to haul 5, then convert to a 3+bed is cool. Downside is there is NO BED in the 5 person config.

As to the actual transmission: yes it is a geared trans, but it has an electric clutch. Battery voltage is CRITICAL on those machines. If you run the radio while parked or get into a heavy winching scenario you have to monitor batt voltage. If it drops too low you start smoking clutches or it just won't shift.

Mule PRO FXT

I third the Mule.

First, you need to find one.

Since we're doing pics. Would a mule make it through this?

And ready for tomorrow morning

I have a two Polaris' and love them. My 2012 800 xp is the only one that's been in the shop for repair and that was for a clean out due to sediment from bad gas. My 2019 crew 1000 xp went to the shop for a belt cover replacement under recall and they found some wires that were chewed up by rats/mice that they fixed for free and rerouted my feeder wire to better protect it at the same time. Both of mine live in STX and have thousands of miles and hours on them. My choices with comfort and performance being the highest priorities are Polaris, CanAm, Mule, everything else.

Yes it would

You sure?


Just messing with you

not to derail the thread but Im looking for something with 24 cup holders........dont have the money for a Yeti and I like to booze and cruise

This

Plus these

heck yeah....now were getting somewhere!!

I have Canam had Polaris before that. Canam hands down on smoothness of ride. I drove mule and I almost bought one but the speed, space and over all performance made my decision. Took the RIB with me and she was sold on Canam as well so had that in my corner.

Nice rig!

Only picture I have of it clean.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Since we're doing pics. Would a mule make it through this?

And ready for tomorrow morning

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TTHA, you're the reason I'll never buy a used utv.

Don't buy from a duck hunter! LOL

That was actually the worst it has ever been... it was a drained pond that was about 100% mud. I hope to never let it get that muddy again. Too much of a PITA to clean

You smacking teal this weekend?

Yes sir

Good luck!

Kubota is pretty sweet. My dad just got a diesel with a hydrostatic transmission instead of a belt or chain drive. Has the folding rear seats to extend the bed and the bed is a hydraulic dump bed. I think the only complaint about it is it only goes 30mph.

This one has handled everything I've thrown at it so far…use it to cruise the neighborhood as well as at the lease. Very comfortable ride. It's gotten through some tricky stuff with no problems, as well. I may try Can-am when this one gives up.

Here's my 2019.