If you had to pick one...

[pikerliker]

I have a question for you guys. If you only had enough money for one which would you pick for ice fishing, a 4 wheeler or a snowmobile? I'm interested in your input!

Thanks

[dan z]

Snowmobile, they travel very nice no matter the snow depth.

[shizzy]

If I had enough money for only one it would be a wheeler as I could use it the rest of the year as well.

As nice as it would be to blast across any lake at any time, spending money that is tight on an item that can only be used 10% of the year is silly to me.

[PerchJerker]

If you're buying it strictly for ice fishing, then it's a snowmobile. ATVs are great until you get 10-12 inches of snow .... then you need tracks on the ATV, or a snowmobile.

I have an ATV but do not have tracks for it. There have been times I've wanted to use it on the ice but can't due to snow depth. But there's been other times when I've used it for days or even weeks at a time with no issues from snow depths, and that's been awesome.

If you want to do more with it than just ice fishing, then you'll get much more versatility out of wheeler.

[Hardyboy]

Wheeler......You can use it all year and for many things, you can tow stuff and haul heavy things and use it for hunting. Winter as long as it isn't deep snow you can use it extensively and even if theres snow throw some chains on and you will be surprised what you can go thru. For total bang for the buck the fact you can use it more than a couple months.

[CrewJones]

I would buy a 500 dollar mid 80's phazer and a used wheeler. The phazer is light reliable and never dies. Then you can use the wheeler for plowing and summer fun too.

[jerkbait]

FOr ice fishing, snowmobile hands down.

[otterman91105]

If it's just for ice fishing i would buy a snowmobile cause they can go through more snow. Otherwise if you want to use it the rest of the year too a wheeler.

[grasshopper]

4-wheeler with chains. You'll go thur alot of snow. I have a 2 wheel driver with chains and have no problem going thur a foot of snow. By the time there is too much snow, your driving the truck.

[aanderud]

On the contrary, often times when there's too much snow for a wheeler on the ice, you will NOT be driving a truck because there's too much insulation on the ice and it takes forever to get thick enough for the truck.

Since the original question was for ice fishing, I'd say a snowmobile hands down. There are really no advantages of a wheeler strictly for ice fishing, other than possibly towing out small wheel houses early in the year. If you want to use it for other things like hunting, etc. then you've got to weigh in the advantages that the 4 wheeler brings during those seasons.

[motley man]

Wheeler for all around use.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

If I had enough money for only one it would be a wheeler as I could use it the rest of the year as well.

As nice as it would be to blast across any lake at any time, spending money that is tight on an item that can only be used 10% of the year is silly to me.

+1

Wheeler hands down!

Hauls a lot more gear and is usable year round!

You can also increase your snow depth use by putting a set of $50 chains on the back wheels!

Cliff

[Hawg]

Wheeler with chains here too.

[fishinnut_3446]

I would buy a 500 dollar mid 80's phazer and a used wheeler. The phazer is light reliable and never dies. Then you can use the wheeler for plowing and summer fun too.

I would say x2 if you can swing it.

I have 3 wheelers and 2 snowmobiles,but seem to take the wheeler,last year I ran 1/4"hex head screws into the lugs and made a huge difference even on glare ice in 4x4.

would like to know of a good set of chains though.

And guys running chains do you just put them on the rear or all 4?

[IcerRon2010]

Chain on rear wheels only for me and 2 wheel drive.

[aanderud]

I don't have a 4 wheeler but I would think the chains would be useful on any wheels that are actually getting power. So, if you have 4 wheel drive, then you would get better performance if you put chains on all 4, but if you only have 2 wheel drive, then the front chains wouldn't be doing much good at all (just adding some steering capability on glare ice, I suppose, but some screw-ins should be sufficient).

[NKLCOLT1911]

i would chain all four regardless of it being a 2x4 or 4x4 those chains will help with steering like aanderud said but also for stopping.

[aanderud]

chain all four regardless of it being a 2x4 or 4x4 those chains will help with ... stopping.

Great point. Stopping power is a good plus.

[NKLCOLT1911]

but to answer the question ill say snowmobile, simply put nothing goes through snow better than a SNOWmobile.

[hooked79]

i am with crewjones on this

i already have a wheeler but i bought a used wheeler and a used snowmobile

you can pick up earily 90's sleds for cheap

i have seen some indy 440's going for 300-400$

and parts are all over for them

[OnAFly]

How well is a 2WD wheeler with chains going to work in the snow? Will it go through a foot or two?

[PerchJerker]

The issue with snow depth is bottoming out or ground clearance. And it makes a HUGE difference how heavy of a load your are carrying or towing. Will it go through a foot of snow? Probably. Will it go through 2 feet of snow? Not a chance (unless you go with tracks or paddle wheels, which I do not have).

If I go light, ie. just my wheeler, auger, electronics and rod bags, I can get through 12 inches of snow.

If I'm pulling my Otter Lodge then 10 inches of snow turns into a workout for the machine. Add my kid so we're riding 2-up and it gets worse. Add some slush between the snow and the ice and now it can get bad. Mix in a few snowdrifts here and there and that can also make it bad.

My wheeler is 4WD, and I use it with 2 chains on the back or chains on all 4 wheels.

There is a plate on the bottom of my atv, it's there for my plow to mount to. The plate probably causes me to hang up or bottom out a little sooner than it would without the plate ..... a little, but not much.

[Iambjm]

I figure if there is 2 feet of snow on the ice fishing isn't going to be too great. Drill a couple of holes and you will be standing ankle deep in water within 15 minutes. I have a 4 wheeler with chains on the rear and have only been stuck twice, both times were my fault because I tried to go through snowdrifts that I knew were too deep.

[DRH1175]

A wheeler for sure. I have had both and sold my snowmobile because I only used it a couple times a year. Sure the winters you get 2 feet or more of snow a snowmobile would be best. But lately A wheeler would be better. It also works for hunting, yard work etc... Also taking a snowmobile out without snow is a no go. I did that once on lake of the Woods and my slides melted to my track.

[Rod Woten]

A wheeler for sure. I have had both and sold my snowmobile because I only used it a couple times a year. Sure the winters you get 2 feet or more of snow a snowmobile would be best. But lately A wheeler would be better. It also works for hunting, yard work etc... Also taking a snowmobile out without snow is a no go. I did that once on lake of the Woods and my slides melted to my track.

You didn't put dish soap on your hyfax, did ya?

With that and a pair of ice scratchers to kick ice chips onto the heat exchangers and hyfax, you can go anywhere on the lake with a sled, regardless of snow.

-Rod