4 wheeler vs snowmobile?

[Hoffer]

Hi all-

I have a question regarding getting around on the ice with a 4 wheeler vs a snowmobile. At first I was thinking of buying a snowmobile - but then started to rethink things towards a 4 wheeler - as I could use that during the spring, summer and Fall too.

However, how does a 4 wheeler perform on deeper snow or slush etc...vs. a snowmobile?? Would one be alot better than the other?

I may post this on the equipment thread as well.

Thanks!

Hoffer

[slurpie]

Wheeler would work for most of the year and applications. Slush and wheeler not good have had my wheeler so frozen up nothing would work. You can pull a stationary with wheeler but not a sled. Wheeler works good on first and last ice when not alot of snow for traction of a snowmobile. Wheeler would work for alot pf the time except when drifts get deep it gets tricky.

[chris63]

With skis(attached to the wheels)work sled will pull a house better in snow than a wheeler will any day.Once the snow gets over a foot the wheeler will have a harder time when pulling heavy loads.If you plan on staying out over say a weekend it's nice not having to worry about getting off the lake if a substantial snow fall is predicted.c63

[CoorsCaptain]

You will have way more mobility with a snowmobile.

[PerchJerker]

I have an atv, don't have a snowmobile. The atv works great for ice fishing until you get 10-12 inches of snow, then you're pretty much done with the atv, especially if you're planning on pulling a portable with it. My wheeler is a 500cc 4wd and I have chains for the back tires. Slush can be a real pain in the you-know, but overall the wheeler works great until the snow gets to be too deep.

If I was getting one for ice fishing I'd definately go with the snowmobile.

[PurpleFloyd]

Best of both worlds is a UTV with a track system. I have the UTV and have the tracks on my radar.

[Koepper08]

Slush is a HUGE problem with an ATV. That being said, once someone with a snowmobile tracks through the slush and it freezes you are good to go! Just find a buddy with a snowmobile and get the ATV!

[harvey lee]

Overall, I would use a sled for towing on the lake. The wheeler will work early with little snow but with the heavier deeper snow, it's a chore even with chains. I use my wheeler for the first month maybe and then that is on only the smaller lakes. After that, a sled is the ticket.

[Hoffer]

Thanks for the advice guys...sounds like an easy decision = snowmobile.

I am only considering one or the other - not both. I was just thinking if the 4 wheeler could do a good job with both ice-fishing and other things I would go that route. However, the way this year is starting and also the past few years - it really just seems like the slush and deep snow is going to be an issue almost right away - and the sled seems the best option for that kind of condition.

Thanks!!

Hoffer

[BoxMN]

Sled is cheaper too, but ATV is easier to more around the garage I have 3 sleds, work great for ice fishing, and fun to play with as well.

[Far-I]

Depending on how mechanically inclined you are you may want a wheeler. My friends with sleds are always working on them it seems. Wheelers seem to be more maintance free. Just one person's observation.

If you'd be able to afford a nice new sled you probably wouldn't have to worry as much though....

[LightningBG]

Check out HSO classifieds... There are sleds on there for cheap. Good runners too

[Hoffer]

Good points on the maintenance of the sleds....that was another reason i was considering a 4 wheeler.

My buddy bought a used sled last year after we had been talking about getting one for a long time. Had it out only a few times before the head cracked. I have absolutely NO type of motor repair skills whatsoever!!

With that said...I may still go with the sled - due to the main reason i want something is for ice-fishing. I would use a 4 wheeler a few times during the other parts of the year - but I dont live in an area where I could get it out on a regular basis. 90% of the use would be for ice-fishing and pulling a portable.

[LightningBG]

I've had sleds all my life. I haven't ever had to do much of anything to them. Put gas and oil in, wear bars every once in a while. Drive.

[CoorsCaptain]

I would go with a late 90s fan cooled snowmobile with less than 3500 miles. You can find these machines pretty cheap and they should be reliable. Also in low snow conditions the fan cooled sled won't over heat like a liquid sled could. Been there done that. Good luck and have fun.

[usmcjsy]

If I could only do one I would ATV it. They have so many options as to what they are capable of. You can put tracks on em, you can get carbide studs which I have on a set of old tires and makes my wheeler feel like I am driving on velcro on glare ice. In the last decade there were quite a few winters the snow was very scarce and the snowmobilers were really bi**chin. Granted the last 3 years have been perfect for the sleds. Plus lets not forget you can attach a plow to the ATV as well as a blower. With that said I agree you can get a hell of deal on a late 90s sled. I have been kinda looking at em myslef. However if it was one or the other I would pick a "All Terrain Vehicle".

[FrontenacPike]

I too was on the fence deciding on what to buy about 2 months ago and because a wheeler is so multi purpose I went with that. I (the WIFE..LOL) couldn't justify owning something that was only good for 3 months (if even) out of the year. We just don't get the snow like we used to, unless you head way north. I typically fish the Mississippi and it can pile up over night, but two things happen in SE Mn. It gets windy and blows the snow off, or we get a warm up and it compacts it. Like USMCJSY said earlier the sledders have been doing more complaining about lack of snow than riding. I needed a machine that would work when there wasn't any snow on the ice, which down here was about 1/2 the season. With sleds you need powder to cool your slides, without it you will lock your track right up. Not good when we get a year that is bitter cold without precip. I ended up buying an Arctic Cat 700 with 14 inches of clearance and mud tires on it. The tires are 8 inches wide and have 1 inch paddles on them. This afternoon I wanted to see how it preformed in the powder so I took it for a little ditch excursion. I found powder well over a foot deep and it went through it like a machine possessed. I started and stopped it several times in the deep stuff and it pulled right out. At about 15 - 20 miles an hour it felt like it was floating on top of the powder just like a snowmobile does. Granted I'm not going to have a lick of traction on glaze ice but, for the most part its smooth and straight, leave a little extra time for breaking and it shouldn't be a problem. Buying a brand new one like i did might not be reasonable, but buying a used one and picking up a set of deep lug tires can go a long ways. I have owned 4 different sleds and sold my last one back in 2001 when we quit getting good riding snow in Mn. Not too take anything away from the sledders, this was just more practicable for me in SE Mn.

[Hoffer]

frontenac-

Now you got me thinking again about the ATV route...good points.

It may come down to cost for me as well.

I can pick up a decent sled for alot less than a ATV - at least from what I have been researching.

Will really have to mull this over some more!

[Esox_Magnum]

I went with a sled since I have no other use for a quad. Plus I enjoy sledding and can use it even without snow to move the shack.

[mixxedbagg]

If I had to choose one or the other for ice fishing...go with the ATV. The portion of season when you couldn't use an ATV is the slowest part of ice fishing season anyway. By the time the snow is too deep for an ATV, guys will be plowing on the bigger lakes, so you can just take your truck.

[dougger222]

It really depends what type of fishing your planning to do. If your pulling portables only get a sled. If your pulling a wheeled house or utlity trailer(with portable and equipment on it) go with an atv.

I have an atv and put the portable(s) and equipment on the 5x8 utility trailer. If the snow is thick will stay on the plowed roads and either find low snow to venture off or just pull the portables off the road a bit.

It's also used to plow but now with the 8.5 pro plow on the work truck won't be using it as much. 2006 Polaris 800 with 252 hours. Only used in the Winter months...

Would like to get a sled though mainly for thick snow years or to venture up to Oak Island from Zippel.