Question for 4 wheeler owners

[Bronzebkr]

Guys who own a 4 wheeler. This mornings trek was horrible! 6 inches of snow and about 6 inches of slush. I can handle it but my 70 year old dad was struggling a bit. Does a 4x4 4 wheeler operate well in the slush and snow. I assume they are unbeatable in the snow alone, but what about in the conditions listed above? Every year I kick myself for not having one and this year with another possible 2-3 months left, might be the year that I pull the trigger. Whats your opinion. I will not consider a snowmobile!!

Thanks in advance!

[outdoor_m_i_k_e]

if you are looking at any newer model(doesnt have to be brand new) that has a lot more greound clearance, than they will pretty much go through anything. . older models(80's) work out ok in slush with chains, or if you go really slow. . if you get a lot of snow though it will be hindered as it will basically plow snow. . if I had to do it again Id use a snowmobile instead of a quad. . . but the ol quad is better than walking :) we went through 12 inches of snow and 2 inches of sluch today. .

[chris_kreiner]

Guys who own a 4 wheeler. This mornings trek was horrible! 6 inches of snow and about 6 inches of slush. I can handle it but my 70 year old dad was struggling a bit. Does a 4x4 4 wheeler operate well in the slush and snow. I assume they are unbeatable in the snow alone, but what about in the conditions listed above? Every year I kick myself for not having one and this year with another possible 2-3 months left, might be the year that I pull the trigger. Whats your opinion. I will not consider a snowmobile!!

Thanks in advance!

I too am wondering the same thing. I have a 2wd recon and was curious if this would make it through the 8" of snow on the ice while pulling a 2 person shanty?

[Kurto_15]

I too am wondering the same thing. I have a 2wd recon and was curious if this would make it through the 8" of snow on the ice while pulling a 2 person shanty?
It won't. I have the same thing and build a rack for my shanty. I had to follow our 4x4 4 wheeler that was pushing snow up to the headlights. I dont think it would have made it if we were pulling anything with the 4x4. And the recon was still struggling even when it was in the other ones tracks. I think if you got a 4x4 4 wheeler with tracks you would be set. I have seen some of those and they really go through the snow.

[jacktownhooker]

we just got off sand lk and was out in middle and no way i would of went without help of other m-s members and their 4wh quads !! only way to go unless you find the fountain of youth !!

[FishinJoe]

I was out in it today also, I have a 4x4 and it was a slow go. It did make it through like it usually does you just have to take your time.

[Frantz]

Get chains if you ahve a smaller unit. you do not have to have the on all the time, but one set for the rear in a pack will come in handy on the middle of the ice if things go bad.

I would look at a 1995 or newer 300+. The King Quads are my favorite. If yo udo not plan to do any huge work with it, it will last you a long time and will go through about anything, they are a tough machine and keep a tank of fuel for along time.

Whatever you get, get it in 4 wheel drive for any kind of riding beyond just goofing off. The 2WD units are fun, but you lose a lot of mobility in the thick stuff.

[woodie slayer]

i got a honda 500 rubican that i studded the tires three years ago that thing will go anywhere.better than chains

[Catchin Sumpin]

The lake I tried to fish today you would need a friggin air boat to get out on !!!! But I agree newer high clearance 4 wheelers seem to be the way to go and there useful year around.

[mkroulik]

just as an FYI, if you plan on riding 2 people on it, to be legal it must be designed for 2 people. It must have the second seat and be classified as a 2-up, otherwise you can be ticketed. Just throwing it out there so you know ahead of time.

Mike

[michiganhonkers]

i have a 95 big bear 350 4x4 and that thing plows through the snow great. I found with a little slush the tires grip alot better because the snow can compact a little bit. If your thinking about getting one get a 4x4 for sure, if that has problems with the snow throw on some chains and your set. Alot of the time i will drop my plow on the way out to clear a path for the guys walking and for the 2wd quads. But when it gets to deep and heavy then i just keep the blade up hope for the best for myself :lol:

[kbb3358]

I have both a 4x4 and 2x4 quads that I have used for ice fishing. The 4x4 is the way to go but the 2x4 with chains does get it done. Quads with tracks would be the ultimate way to go if you can handle the $$$$$.

[wolverines]

Guys who own a 4 wheeler. This mornings trek was horrible! 6 inches of snow and about 6 inches of slush. I can handle it but my 70 year old dad was struggling a bit. Does a 4x4 4 wheeler operate well in the slush and snow. I assume they are unbeatable in the snow alone, but what about in the conditions listed above? Every year I kick myself for not having one and this year with another possible 2-3 months left, might be the year that I pull the trigger. Whats your opinion. I will not consider a snowmobile!!

Thanks in advance!



Yes...I would reccommend a 4x4 though. I was out on Morrison Sat. night in similar conditions and my Grizzly 660 did fine pulling my buddy's Voyager. What sucked was trying to get my plow back on yesterday...underneath my quad was frozen SOLID:yikes:

[stampman]

I have a honda 450 4x4 with chains on all four tires. Have never been stuck and pull a s-10 truck out of the snow. Some people stay all 4 tires with chains is over kill, but when you are out on the ice alone a lot of the time it gives you a little piece of mind. Had my back tires go threw the ice once. Was able to get out with no help because I had chains on the front tires.

[unclecbass]

the slush is the killer, believe it or not it can actually build up and high center a quad. Do not bother with the 2wd model if you consistently need it for use in deep snow or slushy conditions. I have a polaris sportsman 500 4x4 and I still put the chains on the rear tires.I have only gotten it stuck once and that was in super slushy and deep snow conditions. You can also purchase a winch for the fron of the quad. Sometimes the dealers run a special where you can choose a winch or a plow. I got the plow.

[William H Bonney]

I have an AC 400 4x4,, yesterday we struggled through big drifts while towing 3 shanties. Once we dialed it down to one shanty,, it just sailed through the drifts and slush,, no problems.

[DetroitIron]

I just bought a honda big red 3 wheeler. Hoping it, with tire chains, will pull my clam shanty and gear to my fishing spots ok. Anybody owned a big red 3 wheeler, and what was your experience?

[tommy-n]

There is still alot of them in service and for good reason, it will do fine for ya with the chains, only problem is turning on bare ice, some guys stud the front tire and run chains on back.

[mcanes1]

Yesterday afternoon, we fished Elk lake, 5" of snow on top of 5" of slush. My 06 Artic Cat 650, only had problems when we stopped, just backed up a little, and got on it a little. I was pulling my clam voyager and a clam pro, with all the gear. Plus my kids sitting on the voyager. The cats ground clearance, which is the highest of all stock ATV's, made the difference. No chains or studs.
Though I'm thinking of buying a set of tires for the rear and studding them.

[fishhogster]

we have a grizzly 600 and its a beast but its a bi*** if you get it stuck. i ve been stuck many times but iam only 20 and i like to see what i can go through( i carry a shovel with me.). ive put our 4wheeler through hell and back.we got stuck on houghton lake in slush one day took two of us and hour and a half to get out. i found if your in slush and theres much snow your screwed. people say the bigger ones are better cause they ll go through more but thats not true the next one i get will be a 300 or a 400 or(maybe a snowmobile)a lil lighter and alot easier to get out when you get stuck. the only reason we have the 600 is cause we got a good deal and we plow the drive. I personaly would get a snowmobile but you said thats not an option so. another thing instead of the winch just buy a $20 come along that works just as good and its cheaper. just my opinion.

[nscrfrk]

I own a '93 Yamaha Kodiak 4X4 and does real well in "moderate" snow, but when you get into snow that's over a foot deep,it's tough. It makes it, but labors quite a bit. I usually pull a buddy ,all our gear and a 150# shanty on skis so can't complain but when the snow and slush gets deep and heavy,snowmobile is the way to go...wished I could afford both:D

[BKfiremedic]

we just got off sand lk and was out in middle and no way i would of went without help of other m-s members and their 4wh quads !! only way to go unless you find the fountain of youth !!


Hey, im plannig on hitting Sand lake this week, How much snow and slush was on it? Ive never taken my four wheeler out on this ice, but this might be the year. Never fished Sand Lake before either. Any tips? How thick was the ice? you can just send me a pm if you want, thanks.

[huntman63]

well you should be okay on there if we get no more snow just follow all the tracks out,if you get off of them its pretty bad but as long as you have speed up he is your freind,and seems like the late bit is the best

[U of M Fan]

All I know is I was on Lake St Clair yesterday w/out my 4X4 ATV dragging two Clam 5600's on a ski sled!!!! I didnt have my truck so I couldnt bring the quad, oh how I missed that thing yesterday!!!!

[salmon_slayer06]

to the guy asking about the big red, I have 2. I had a hard time with and without chains this weekend. I pushed more than drove. I was so fed up and exhausted I just gave up and never even fished... well I lied. I did fish for 1 hour and did have some action but just the thought of trying to get back in made me leave early so I don't consider it a worth while attempt. THe Honda ATC's just don't have the ground clearance to go through 6 inches of snow and 6 inches of slush along with pulling a 100 pound plus shanty, 100 pounds of gear and you. It sucks.

[Dasher]

4x4 Quad would be fine. I recommend the Yamaha Grizzley 660 or new 700front and rear locker with ITP mud/snow light tires. The tires really throw the snow/slush out of the way plus with the front diff locked and rear it pretty much goes where you point it. You can chain the tires or stud them if you want yet with chains you have to make sure they don't come off. If they loosen up (bye bye) plastic fenders. Saw to quads fenders torn up with chains. I was out in about 12" of snow and 4" of slush with no problem. The ultimate would be a tracked 4x4 quad yet they are expensive.

Good luck.

[jsmith2232]

Ive got a honda 400ex 2wd sport quad and I put 250 Kold Kutter screws in each of the rear tires and I can pull my shantie through 6-10 inches of snow with little trouble...

[grouly925]

I have a '98 yamaha big bear in 2wd, and although 4wd would be nice, I have always been able to make it out on the Saginaw Bay with it. There have been a few times I didn't get to go exactly where I wanted because the "route" I was following didn't go that way, but I usually go with some buds with 4wd and they break a good trail. I don't tow anything, just put the flip over up on the rack, so not sure how that would work.

[Bagman]

If you get something new I would recommend getting the free plow. You can get a very good 3000# winch for under $120. I just spent under $400 for my plow. I have an '06 Arctic Cat 500 that has 12" ground clearence and front locking diff. No chains on tires. Watch out if you sit in the slush on a cold day, you will freeze in pretty good.