ATV with tracks???

[Coureur_de_bois]

I was told the ultimate ice fishing and winter trapping rig would be an ATV with a track system. I am thinking about replacing my old 2wd atv and usually broken down snowmobile. Im sure there fine on trails but what about off trail pulling a sled with fishing or trapping gear? What about slush on the lakes? Are they legal to take on snowmobile trails? Thanks!

[CaptainMusky]

I have never heard about legality on snowmobile trails, but would think they would be legal since they have tracks.

One thing to consider before getting an ATV with tracks is make sure you GO BIG!

The track systems really slow the wheelers down due to gear reduction, etc. So an ATV smaller than 500 would have some real issues moving at at reasonable speed.

I have long thought about just getting a set of tracks for my ATV for ice fishing when the snow is too deep. That way I have one machine vs an ATV and snowmobile. They are pricey though. Its going to cost you a couple grand just for the tracks.

[leech~~]

What he said. I have heard that you don't want to put them on anything under a 700 or lower. Also a set of Matt Tracks is around $4 bills. And you can not run them on Snowmobile trails. You can see some running on UTube.

[Walleyehooker]

Your machine has to have skis to be legal on snowmobile trails much like the bombers on LOW have tracks on the back but skis on the front

[CaptainMusky]

Your machine has to have skis to be legal on snowmobile trails much like the bombers on LOW have tracks on the back but skis on the front

Gotcha. Makes sense. Though the way some guys ride their sleds they tear up the trails more than an ATV with tires would.

[magnum mike]

My buddy has tracks on his 300 Honda and it goes through anything. There is plenty of power just not speed. It's not going to set any speed records but that's not why you switch to tracks. If you get into wet snow or slush, you need to thaw them out. If they freeze, you are screwed.

[iffwalleyes]

You do not need a 700 to turn tracks by any means. We run them on Honda ranchers (350cc) and have good luck plus the machine is lighter so it goes through more.

[WaveWacker]

The father in-law had tracks for his Ranger. Going out to the ice house and back with just the machine was good but with deeper snow/slush and wanted to pull the house around (obviously talking about a wheeled house), the tracks spun, dug down and eventually you just had rubber on ice and were stuck. In my opinion, the ultimate ice fishing rig would be the tracks but then to have at least the back ones studded. Probably have to be careful when one dug down so you didn't tear up gears etc. on the wheeler.

He (the father in-law) however traded back in his tracks and just put "studded" chains on the back wheels and then got himself a articulating "V" plow for the Ranger.

[hawkeye43]

I have tracks on a 700. Yes it will go any where you want, just remember that if you get there noone else will be there to help you if you have problems. We were on lake Gogbic in March last year, there was 16" of snow and 8" of water. All was great until you hit the water, the tracks spun down to the ice then sit and spin. you would back up and take a run at it. It wasn't alot of fun.That is the only time they have useless. But then the snowmobiles were having trouble too. They do have there place though and I am glad I have them.

[ncesi]

I have been running a Can AM 800 Max with the Appachee Track system for several years now. They will go anywhere you want but you can get stuck and must have a winch and winch point to get out. These are big heavy machines. My tracks are pre studded from the factory and I hav enot had an issue with digging down to the ice and not moving. I have had it in slush about 12" deep and it was slow but got out. I have also had it pushing snow up over the front rack and still moving, about 3-4' of soft powder.They throw snow up around you when traveling so you look like a mini whirl wind going down the lake but add a windshield and hand warmers and it works well. I do have a snowmoblie for longer trout fishing trips but actually prefer the ATV with tracks when going shorter distances because I can carry more things more efficiently. I pulls the wheel house well and does all I want. As other have said you cann ot run them on a snowmobile trail as the definition of a snowmobile is a tracked vehicle steered by skis. I know from experience as I purposly got a ticket in order for our ATV asscoiation to try to take it the the legislature to get the rules adjusted but so for nothin has happend. The 800 will go about 52 MPH with 2-3" of snow but go up to 10" + and it drops to 35-40 MPH and suck gas like double of normal. Have fun and good luck!!

[CAMAN]

So are tracks pretty much bolt on or do they require modding to the suspension, driveshaft, etc.? And if they require mods, once they are on do they stay on or are you able to swap back and forth with tires?

[ncesi]

Once you do the initial install on the Can Am anyway they simply bolt in place of the tires, plus a couple of extra attachment points for anti rotation arms etc.. Usually takes me about an hour to change things out each year.