Question about Pulling/Towing with an ATV

[ironmachineus]

I have a 2200lb fiberglass boat and trailer. The boat launch is 300 feet from my house. Can a 4x4 ATV reliably pull this out of the water on a dirt/gravel ramp? If so, what size motor should I look for in a used atv? THe only use for this atv would be to put the boat in and out. Thanks.

[bigcountrysg]

Big you need a big atv. Or a small utility tractor like a ford 8n or 9n. If the boat launch is on an incline your pretty much not going to get it out of the water. I think you would burn up the clutches in the trans before you get moving. Plus safety factor of being able to stop. The biggest heaviest quad out there to my knowledge is the 800 Sportsman from Polaris. But even at that your talking about pulling something that is almost 3 times the wieght of the ATV. If it was me I would not do it. If you have to travel down the road your would be in violation of the law. As well and risk having your boat, trailer and atv impounded and having to pay fines as well.

[wally-eye]

Sho nuff. If it was a 1000 lb that'd be a different story but 2000+ lbs would be toooo much for any atv......especially stopping or going up a ramp.

[bigcountrysg]

Worse case scenerio would be your ATV end up in the drink with the boat and you on the ATV.

I would be opted to find an old s-10 or ford ranger to do this with.

[wally-eye]

I like the 8N idea a whole lot better........:evil: :evil: :evil:

[bigcountrysg]

I like the 8N idea a whole lot better........:evil: :evil: :evil:

A little Bias are we.

[Swamp Monster]

If the ramp is paved or very hard gravel and the ramp is not steep at all, a big 4x4 atv will get it done.....BUT, thats asking it to perform well outside it's design perimeter. Expect early and often transmission issues, not to mention differential wear and suspension wear. And none of these are cheap to fix or replace. I've seen the bigger atv's pull a lot of weight...more than the 2200# you have, but it's not done very often, only when necessary. Some of the bigger side by sides, or a diesel Kaw Mule will do the job, but even they are not designed for that kind of towing (maybe the diesel Mule?) I agree that a small tractor might be ideal for the job.

Not sure if that is included in your weight, but don't forget fuel and gear etc...all that adds up.

My Kaw 650 is rated to tow 1250#'s and thats near the top of the atv ratings...some maybe rated for 1300 or 1350#'s. I pull a 880# utility trailer without a problem and have loaded it down with 400-500#'s of leaves and grass and it still pulls it no problem. You know it's there, and I only pull in Low gear and only for short distances around the house. Almost doubling that weight would certainly not be healthy for the rig in the long term. jmo.

[busybeaver]

I have a 2001 rubicon 500 rated to tow 900 lbs and it very easily pulls our boat approx.1200 lbs but I deff. wouldn't try to launch it.If your only going to launch your boat you might as well buy a pos truck. But then you don't look as cool at the launch:)

[301]

I have a similar problem, except I am trying to tow a jet ski up a sand incline into a boathouse. I am using the Suzuki Kingquad 400AS with stock tires. I have considered using sand tires instead, but would like some input. Please let me know your thoughts on this matter.

Thanks!

[William H Bonney]

I have an Arctic Cat 400 4x4 and I've pulled my trucks and cars around the driveway and street with no problems at all. I barely sensed any strain at all. I had my battery die on my 2000 Jimmy and I towed it almost a mile home with no problems.

[pikeman1]

I'm sure any 800cc 4 wheeler could do it in low range, but why pay 10 grand for a 4 wheeler to use it just for that. Buy a cheap 4x4 truck or old farm tractor.

[CAMODIAK]

301,
lower your tire pressure a little for sand. your stock psi rating should be around 5.5 i'd say. Try around 2 psi all the way around. Sand tires will only dig a hole, quicker:)

If its 4x4, use low range when trying to tow something.