Had a Polaris 800 2013, ranger that was made on Monday lol. The only good thing was the motor it self had 10,000 miles on it. Glad it's gone. Got a Yamaha wolverine now, almost got 2,000 miles on it and so far only thing I've had to do is put oil filters on it, and some b.s. recall with the exhaust pipe. Which didn't cost anything. Cant go wrong with Honda or Yamaha imo

ATVs are easy to overload because they are not designed to carry a lot of cargo. The extra weigh makes them easier to turn over if a wheel slips off in a rut or there is much side hill. And the trade off for ground clearance is a much higher center of gravity on ATVs and UTVs. Does not take a lot to flip one.

You were fortunate to only break a rib!

You guys have given me a lot to think about. I like how the rancher lets me leave the trail if a tree has fallen across it. Just not happy with the carrying capacity. Currently using 4 milk crates on the racks with a 5 gallon bucket in each one. Seems like I always need the bucket that I left back at the truck.

I would also like to take my lab with me. He has proven to be an asset to me this year on the coyote line. Just cant figure out a way to accommodate him as well as my supplies.

Sounds like you answered your own question.......

Agreed. Having owned both a Rhino and a Kodiak, if I had to choose just one it would be the Rhino. The wheelbase isn't all that much bigger, you can haul a lot more gear and you can sip a cup of coffee while negotiating some of the nastiest terrain out there.

A roof and a windshield was the deciding factor for me in purchasing a SxS for trapping. There are gonna be rainy days checking traps.

Btw...Honda is good!

For 2 years I have run a 900 Polaris Ranger. I live out west and trailer the Ranger to areas I am trapping. One of this years line included 64 miles of Ranger driving along with about 220 miles of truck driving per check. I went with the fully enclosed cab, all glass, heater and a windshield wiper. I would buy it again tomorrow. Easy to get in and out of, comfortable for 2 guys and all their trapping gear, easy to get equipment out of the bed, total protection from the elements and enough room in the cab for a lunch cooler and drink holders! It will go any where I want to drive it and will easily do 40mph on the better dirt roads. I also use it during hunting season as I have been a hunting guide for 21 years. It was so expensive! But I do get to use it as a tax write off. On those windy snowy days I do feel spoiled when the heater makes it to warm in the cab that I have to roll down the electric windows!

I have a couple of Polaris sportsman. One is a 500, the other is a 570 efi. Bombproof aside from a fuel pump last winter on the efi. I cant have a side by side because of the trees here, so that made my decision easy. Have around 5000 miles on each, and replaced a cracked rubber intake on the 500 this year, and replaced a belt on each of them. Our trails are all rock. Slow and rough. They both ride, feel and look like the day I bought them. I have a big welded aluminum bush trailer for towing heavy stuff. Have towed 2500 lb lifts of lumber some surprising places on dirt roads, and launch my waverunner and boats with them. Drive one or the other every day to work. Very pleased so far.

I have two Yamaha Big Bear 400 4WD ATV's, a 2004 and a 2012. Both have manual transmission and have been bullet proof for years and years. Have over 5000 miles on the 2004 and it still runs perfect. I do all of the oil, filters, and maintenance myself. The manual transmission ATVs will pull about anything you can hook to it. I pull trailers and drag big steel cage traps (for wild hogs) thru woods and swamps with no problem. These ATVs are great for my hog trapping purposes but after a day of climbing off and on the ATV, my hips and knees ache. My age must be catching up to me. I have been on a couple of side by side's and those things are much more comfortable and roomy. The ATV will go in tighter places and rougher terrain, but the added comfort and room of a nice side by side is very tempting. A medium size ATV can be loaded into the back of a pickup truck, but the sidexside has to be trailered.

Dave

Well, you guys helped me decide what I already should have known. Next question. Im fairly uneducated on utv's. Looking at the websites , I have it narrowed down to Polaris Ranger 500 , Yamaha Rhino or Honda Pioneer 500. I trap in the northeast almost exclusively for coyote. More for predator control than a fur check. Mostly smaller farms and hunting clubs so there is some trailering involved between locations. Running on established dirt roads and trails but I set up in November and maintain the lines until season end thru rain , snow and mud. So my priorities are long lasting , low maintenance , traction and cargo capacity. Anyone running any of these machines please share your thoughts. Thanks for any imput.

You might find the Honda 500 a bit small, good for trailering but not so much for hauling equipment and critters. And when I was looking at them, they did not come with a rear bed and there were no aftermarket beds, at least I did not find any. I went up a size to the Pioneer 700. Honda reliability is hard to beat.

Yamaha doesn't make a rhino anymore but the wolverine is about the same machine. 700 cc engine in it and the Viking which is the one I have. the Polaris will be under powered and zero ground clearance.

I have driven both the pioneer and ranger extensively. I will say that the low gear in the ranger is better. The cab options are way better in the ranger and there is more room in the bed of the ranger. The pioneer has the back seat option so you can seat 4 but you lose some of the cargo area in the bed while the ranger seats 3 on a bench seat. I have 3730+ miles of mostly trapline time on my 900 ranger with no problems. I usually haul all 4-5 dozen #3 bridger coils and 4-5 dozen #3 dbl longs along with all the other goodies. Of course it gets lighter as you go but that gives you a idea of cargo space. During elk season last year I hauled a average 5 point bull elk cut in half in the bed, three grown men in the front and two grown men on top of the elk in the back up a steep rocky hill and about a mile thru a freshly plowed field. I would say you should go down to the local dealerships and give both a good once over. It does seem to me that the pioneer is geared more to a split between sport and utility and the ranger is more utility.

Thank you for the great review. Thats the kind of info I am looking for.

You may find the machines that you reference to be underpowered. Maybe enough power to scoot around, but not enough for carrying a load, pulling something, or working.

If it does not have a bed, it will not be very useful for hauling anything. Look at what guys do with atvs to carry gear. Racks, baskets, forked racks, and trailers.

I have a diesel Mule. The fuel economy and power are great. When I replace it, the most powerful available will be the only choice. Hopefully by then Honda or Yamaha will offer a side by side with a 1500cc engine.

Personally, I have never encountered too much power or too much room in anything, including a side by side. Try to get what you really need plus a margin of power and room.

LOL

I don't know what some of you pull around, but I can't imagine how a 500cc side by side could be "underpowered" for trapping. Heck, I've raked hay and hauled 150+ gallons of water over some treacherous ground with my Ranger 500. I'm not one to argue against more power, but 500cc is more than enough for a trapping UTV.

More hp is necessary for carrying out the really big catches.

I have scrimped, scrapped, and made do with some real junk in my life. I learned that it is better to save up longer to get the better model or the bigger engine.

I bet that 500 was mighty hot after raking hay. How has your Polaris been for reliability? I have some customers who have the larger Polaris side by sides. They have had great results. I have ridden in them but have never driven one. Compared to my Mule, they ride like a Lincoln.

Iv got a 800 can am commander, pushes them tracks great... it’s been a great machine... just wish it had a bench seat... I’m 6’2

I was gonna mention Can Am. They have an excellent reputation, and I'm considering one myself.

BD Joe, can you give a short review of yours? Likes...dislikes?