What used ATV's for hunting land/food plot use?

[BobT]

I've often questioned that towing capacity rating too. If my memory is right, my Prairie300 claims 1400lbs. Like I'd be able to stop 1400lbs if I had to with a machine that weighs about 600 plus my 230 for a total of less than 850lbs. It might have enough torque to get 1400lbs rolling but stopping might be in question.

[Dave S]

I agree Bob. Weight of load should be factored in when it comes to speed, momentum, hills and the ability to stop the load.

[KatoMike]

The suspension is made to "squat"...that's what suspension does. Do the drive shafts on your front wheel drive car come off when you hit a bump? Do they come off your IRS Explorer when you hook a trailer?

What do you think happens when you go over a bump on your IRS atv? The suspension compresses (squats)?

Stay within the recommended tow weight and tongue weight and you won't have a problem at all.

[BobT]

Quote:

Stay within the recommended tow weight and tongue weight and you won't have a problem at all.

That's the important part and what we've been telling you. What happens when you load it down so much it squats to the limit and then you hit a bump? There's no room left to manage the load and you can potentially bend your suspension or destroy it completely that's what happens.

In addition to that, the more you squat the suspension due to overloading the less control you have of the machine. The suspension provides more than just a nice ride, it also improves control and maneuverability.

[KatoMike]

You shouldn't bottom out the suspension - unless you are overloaded. If you overload on an SRA machine you won't be able to steer it as the front wheels will start to lift.

[BobT]

That is true or could snap an axle. Here's what can be real hard on an IRS. Suppose it takes 300# to completely bottom out that IRS suspension and you've loaded it with 275#. Imagine if you will, trying to drive a nail by putting the hammer against the head of the nail and pushing it in. Not going to go well. Lift the hammer and drop it from just a few inches and the nail can be driven albeit not real fast but it emphasizes my point. If your IRS suspension is close to bottoming out such that it hammers the system on every bump there's more chance of doing damage than the same situation with a SRA because with the SRA it's more like the first scenario I presented with the hammer. With enough load you can damage both but the risk can be greater with an IRS.

[Powerstroke]

Different designs have different pluses and minuses. A solid rear axle provides a more stable platform for hauling and towing. That is just a fact. If IRS was such a superior design or even just as capable then every heavy truck builder would be using it.

Ratings are simply ratings. You can't argue that ratings are right and then argue to use common sense when loading up. Anyone who's towed anything large before knows that ratings are hardly good references. AS far as tow ratings go you should take that number and subtract 20% right off the top. I don't know any vehicle whether a tractor, atv or 1-ton pickup that tows well at its tow rating.

BobT and LEP, you guys have done a great job explaining things to me. Thank you.

[Jaybird]

I'm relatively new to ATV's, so sorry if this is a dumb question. I've got a Yamaha Kodiak 400 with IRS. Based on what I'm reading on this string, is it safe to assume that I can probably pull a fairly heavily loaded trailer if most of the weight is in back, keeping it off the tongue?

[Dave S]

Make the tongue too light and things could get real interesting real fast. The trailer could toss the rear of the ATV around causing you to lose control. Try to maintain the 30-35 lbs of tongue weight and stay within your manufacturer recommended tow ratings and you should be ok.