Which atv to pull large wheelhouse?

[Perchy]

My friend just bought an 18' x 8' wheelhouse and his atv with independent rear suspension squats too much from the weight. He is looking for advice for his next atv, which he will be purchasing soon! Does he go with a straight rear axle? A sit-in style atv? What are your experiences/recommendations?

[walleyeseeker]

I know a lot of guys around here have taken off the back shocks and had a solid tube made to put back in their place. I can't say if it really hurts the atv much, but they eliminate the squat and keep the front end down.

[PurpleFloyd]

I would look at the UTV's. They have more capability and room for gear and things you will need to set the house.

But there is no reason that even an IRS quad couldn't pull one. You could add a straight tube to the back that locks the suspension temporarily and remove it afterwards.

I remember in the early 90's we went to a monster truck rally at the dome and they had a sportsman 400 that they were using to pull the trucks around.

I think having IRS has benefits in ride quality that outweigh the temporary benefits of a different rear suspension 95% of the time. You just need to be a bit creative in getting around the squat the few times you pull something that size.

[MJ1657]

You can also build a convertor dolly that will take the weight. There have been a couple threads where guys have built them.

[Walleyehooker]

Put a dolly wheel on the tounge of the house then you wont have to buy a new wheeler.

[MJ1657]

Do a search on the left side and type in "wheel house front jack ideas" to get the thread about the convertor dolly I was talking about.

[Ben626]

i would consider making a dolly so the weight of the house is on the dolly then pull the dolly with the atv. 2 years at eel pout fest guys were pulling out big ice castle's this way cause you were not allowed to drive on the ice.

I have a canam outlander 800 max and there is no way i'd give that up for a straight axle machine. with that being said i think honda has the only straight axle atv anymore and with that i think you might have also have give up on having a automatic transmission.

[Perchy]

Thank you so much for all of the quick advice! We are researching the dolly and straight suspension for his setup. Merry Christmas!

[kevfish1]

yamaha kodiak has a solid axle in back. I pull my house around all the time with it and no need to mess around making a dolly. have pulled it out to the mud flats on millelacs with no problems

[mmartin]

He can buy a Kolpin suspension lock for about $50.

[bigshooter23]

another idea i do to most of my atvs is to take a 2" pipe coulpling cut it in half and put each half under the spring of the shock by the adjuster. works great for myself towing loads of wood out of the woods and to the cabin on a 6x10 trailer maxed outin weight. pipe coupling might run u 8$ at home depot

[seasock]

There is an atv by Kenworth, the C500, that can pull a large wheelhouse with ease. It can also handle your pickup, snowmachine, even your entire garage all at the same time in addition to whatever else one might think they need to ice fish comfortably.

[otterman91105]

Check out road dog outdoors they give a couple of different idea's for takeing the weight off the wheeler. They sell a hitch that slide's into the ball and it keeps most the weight off the wheeler.

[hunt fish repeat]

I just put an old snowmobile ski on the bottom of the jack, then pull the shack off the loop on the ski.

[bigblue]

There is an atv by Kenworth, the C500, that can pull a large wheelhouse with ease. It can also handle your pickup, snowmachine, even your entire garage all at the same time in addition to whatever else one might think they need to ice fish comfortably.

I can't stop " LAUGHING "

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Pulled my 8x20 loaded up (probably 6,000#) this weekend with the Honda Foreman 450 with absolutely no problems. I couldn't believe how easily it pulled it. I was thinking about one of those tongue ski's, but it won't be necessary.

[tisosy11]

Has anyone used the suspension lock? What does this do to the machine? Obivously if you are just driving it around you would want to pull the lock off.

Also, anyone use Road Dog tow ski? I can't seem to track one down but would like to take a look at it.

[MuskieJunkie]

I've towed a 16' with a grizzly IRS with no suspension problems. you can load the heavy gear to the back. However traction is an issue on bare ice. I'd recommend tire chains.

[tisosy11]

I'm picking up Tire chains at lunch today...should I get a set for the back and the front?

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I'm picking up Tire chains at lunch today...should I get a set for the back and the front?

Yes.

[tisosy11]

Is Road Dog outdoors the only option for this application?