Side By Side capabilities

[Gus]

Question for all you guys running side by sides, Rangers, Mule's etc.

What is a practical weight limit for towing and tongue weight?

Background story, We have a 700 sportsman, and I know I've towed way more that the book says. Consider it a tool, not a toy. It does all kinds of chores around the lake, and does most of them well.

My dilemma is that I have a Salem Ice Cabin toy hauler model, which is a 20' single axle house. A bit over 500# tongue weight by book, and book dry weight is in the neighborhood of 4400#. Loaded, I tend to guesstimate about 5K and probably pushing towards 600# tongue. I'm dying to get out on the ice this year, but I'm chicken * when it comes to driving my truck and rig. At over 11K combined, I get really nervous.

I feel this rig is too much for the 700 sportsman, but I'm really curious as to what guys with side by sides think? What will you tow?

I know I could probably get one of those ski's for the front, but will that really work well? Traction? Anybody ever tipped one over on the tongue using a ski or wheel setup?

I'm looking for some practical advise, even if that means just waiting. I don't have any experience with side by sides to really know what their capabilities are.

[rundrave]

in most cases in these scenarios you will run out of traction before you run out of power so I think its important to keep that in mind.

will a sxs fit in the toy hauler? I think that's always been the biggest deal breaker for me when wanting to purchase a SxS. they are great for working but then they get a little limited when it comes time to haul them somewhere. They dont fit in the back of a truck like a quad does and I would be curious to see if they would fit in a toy hauler?

[Skeeter444]

Great question.  I just ordered a 900 Ranger Hunters addition and was wondering the same thing.   

[Gus]

I hadn't even thought of that yet either... I guess I'll have to be nicer to my fishing buddies so they can tow one trailer or the other!

Good thought though... I  have never measured my door size, nor checked measurements of a side by side. Still researching this whole idea.

 

 

[randerson]

If you had a wheeler with a solid axle you would be better off to handle the tongue weight again traction is your biggest problem maybe a wheeler with a set of chains. I have a Bobcat 2200 and it was about 3" to tall to fit in my old Lodge and a friend had a shell custom built taller to haul his Ranger with a cab 

[Gus]

Agree on the solid axle. I do have the suspension lockout for the Polaris. Used it for hauling the pontoon boats around, 17' Lund, etc. I can tell that the Pontoon is pretty hard on the transmission/belts even in low gear. That's where I think I may be running into trouble trying to handle my ice cabin.

I am finding the downside of having a nice large wheel house. I do love it in the summer though.