atvs

[NEDLAX]

Input on atvs and trailers for haulin wood i have acess to building track behind my house. Also have other tracks in area so I want to get a trailer for the atv and hauling the wood to the truck. The truck wont fit in these areas narrow trails to the pile off wood. reailabilaty a key for me

 

[Henz]

how much you wanna spend. There are a few threads on what everyone has and what works for them. I bought a used Honda 450Foreman ES (4x4) and one of the Cabelas ATV trailers. IT works well for me. I could use a larger trailer but I ahve a relatively steep include to navigate and that wouldnt be safe with the atv. If I ahd the money, I would buy a UTV and a larger trailer.

 

[NEDLAX]

I would like to stay around 6000 Im looking at 400cc and 500cc

 

[Jack Straw]

I have a 2000 Honda Foreman 450. I have pulled a lot of wood with it. I am very satisfied with it. It has a standard transmission which I think is better for heavy work. The auto's seem better for trail riding. I do wish it had an independent rear suspension, it rides kinda rough. My land is very wet and the trees are close together so the atv works very well. I think a tractor would make a lot of ruts and get stuck. I would get the heaviest duty trailer I could afford. You can really beat up a cheap trailer hauling wood. Don't go too big on the trailer either. This advice is worth what you are paying for it.

 

[Henz]

there are plenty of nice deals out there on used machines. I would go used for sure. Heck, my machine is a 2001 and it had 3k miles on it but it was a gem. the original ower took very good care of it, even had every service receipt since he had bought it! You should be able to get a 400-500cc used machine, like 3 years old for under that for sure.
There are some really neat atv trailers out there. some even have dumping features on them. it all depends on your needs.

If you wanna go bigtime, check out Novajack website

 

[Stephen in SoKY]

I bought my Yamaha Big Bear in 1998. It's only a 350 cc, but full time 4wd. My only objection to some 4wd units is they take an acre (Not really) to turn around. Tight turning radius is very important for me in the woods. I'd kinda like to get a new one, but the Big Bear just refuses to die. ETA: That's a boat trailer with bed and rails, cost me $50 & just may be the most often used item around here.

 

[NEDLAX]

Thanks guys those are some pretty niffty trailers I have an old farming trailer made with a cut down bus axle w/ the tires still on it 3x6 bed but the axle is in the rear of the trailer and where the frame comes together adds at least 3 feet probally 4 not good for tight areas . and i would only be able to use it on the one housing track. Ive Located a dealer w/ a 2006 artic cat 2up 500 with 50 hours on it for 3500 it was a demo, and now if i can only convince the wife

 

[Henz]

I like having a good machine with an engine brake. that helps a ton on slopes. and a good low range. Thats a perfect trailer right there. I grabbed an old pop up camper off a guy who sold it to me fo next to nothing, just wanted it out of his yard. I ripped it off down to the frame and turned it into a flat bed trailer. I just need to make some sides on it now and it will work well as a wood trailer. I also use it to tow the atv around with..

 

[Backwoods Savage]

We use a Yamaha Kodiak and it does well. No problem turning it even in 4 wheel drive. The trailer we use was quite heavy for the size and we got that years ago at Sears. It had a dump box but I have it solid now. It hauls about the right amount for me as I don't work too long at a time.

We also have a cheap tilt trailer that we bought from Tractor Supply and have used that quite a bit too. But that is too wide for some of our trails so we use whichever works best. This trailer has a 4' x 6' bed.

On the trailer, just be sure to get one that doesn't put too much weight on the atv.

 

[barnartist]

I've always been interested in the atv trailers like in the Grainger magazine. They have a two wheel and four wheel version. Seems like they would handle well but I am afraid to pull the trigger because I have not actually seen one in person. Any thoughts?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I thought at first they looked quite good but they seemed expensive for what they really are. No doubt they are handy though.

I recently came across another one that looks interesting:

ATV trailer

Their product description:

Whatever your hauling needs, this ATV trailer is sure to handle them all while optimizing efficiency. The heavy-duty all-steel frame, strong wheel bearings and 18" x 9-1/2"-8 floatation tires will stabilize the trailer when crossing rough terrain. Other highlights include a pivoting tongue and a tilting bed to increase unloading efficiency. Rails and tailgate are removable. The optional Tracking Axle four-wheel kit offers maximum stability over the roughest terrain.
Bed size: 60"L x 31"W x 20" (with rails).
Capacity: 1,250 lbs.

 

[firefighterjake]

My buddy and I haul out quite a but of our wood with ATVs and trailers. He has a Honda Foreman 450ES (thumb shift transmission) while I have the same thing only with a S (standard) transmission. I first bought my Honda for trail riding and some light work . . . and the reason I went with Honda is for Honda's legendary reliability.

In retrospect I think I made a good choice as this machine (and the Rubicon) are excellent work machines . . . ground clearance is fair (some other ATVs do better), seat position is low (better in terms of stability), power is adequate, solid rear axle vs. independent rear suspension means less sway (but not as nice when trail riding), shaft drive (vs. belt drive or chain drive) and the standard transmission (ability to select very low gear) coupled with a selectable 2WD/4WD (4WD for muddy conditions or hauling and 2WD when heading into the woods) has made this a fantastic choice for work (i.e. yard work, hauling wood, plowing the driveway, etc.) . . . and then at the end of the day you can take it out to ride on the trails.

If I was to buy a brand spanking new ATV today it would be another Honda . . . probably a bit bigger though . . . and I would go with a Foreman or Rubicon.

As others have mentioned . . . if you go this route spend some time looking for a decent trailer. The cheap $99 trailer offered at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. with a few spot wells on the thin metal will not hold up to serious work!

 

[Henz]

heck no, I agree with firefighterjake! do not under any circumstance cheap out on a trailer! I bought my cableas trailer when it went on sale, forget how much I paid for it but I am guessing close to $400 but it is heavy duty and designed for atv's. also, do yourself a favor and buy one of the rear drop baskets. it adds much more storage space on your atv. I put my saw, gas, oil, sawbag, water, peevee, helmet, chaps etc in mine ratehr than having it all bacng around in the trailer. works out super well! Just make sure that your trailer tounge is long enough so that you still ahve turning ability!

 

[coolidge]

I got a 2000 Honda Rancher 350 standard shift, this thing goes anywhere. As mentioned above try and find something with reliability. Also check out this site for atv trailers www .nicholstrailers.com Really heavy duty

 

[Shipper50]

I finally took a picture of my ATV with trailer and how I use it to get wood. Its a 2005 Arctic Cat TBX 400.

Shipper

 

[Henz]

yup, nice setup. put some sides on that trailer and you will get a bigger load, stack it though!

 

[North of 60]

My trailer was $300 from Canadian Tire.. Works OK but can be top heavy on side hills. Gota plan the route out of the bush a little. The frames solid and so is the poly box.
If it ever becomes damaged Ill remove it and fabricate a U cradle at both ends about five feet apart to haul longer logs. It should also lower the center of gravity.
I love the box size on that Arctic cat TBX. Its funny how Polaris has a 400lb rating capacity on mine but the size of it doesn't allow the volume to utilize it unless you are hauling gold bricks. I did however buy it due to the convenient two up seating it transforms to. Which is very handy and comfortable.

 

[Shipper50]

yup, nice setup. put some sides on that trailer and you will get a bigger load, stack it though!

There is no place to put sides on this trailer, I would have to weld something to hold sides.

It will hold roughly 1500 lbs and that is enough for a one man crew to load and unload by himself.

Shipper