A sturdy side by side can haul equipment, pull supplies and manage demanding trails. A stretch of snowy or wet ground could put everything on hold.
Sometimes it’s not the engine’s horsepower that is causing issues. The problem isn’t always a matter of horsepower.
That’s when UTV tracks become worth considering. UTV tracks alter how your car interacts with its surroundings and allow you to access areas that would be otherwise unaccessible due to winter conditions or mud.
Traction and Flotation Do Not Mean the Same
While aggressive tires may increase grip, the weight of the vehicle remains consolidated into four relatively small areas.
UTV track systems distribute that burden over a greater footprint. This decreases the pressure on the ground. It also helps the machine travel over dense snow, soft dirt and muddy terrains without sinking as easily.
The difference is important for practical purposes. Following a snowfall property owner may need to cross a fence. A farmer may need to traverse a muddy pasture without causing deep ruts. People who manage trails for rural use might require reliable access for the duration of spring thaw. Tracks help manage these jobs while protecting vulnerable ground.
Your machine will decide the appropriate system for you.
Not all UTV tracks are designed for the same type of car or for the same load. ATVtracks.net offers four tracks that are made by Camso as well as Kimpex. The Camso 4S1 is designed to be full-size side-by sides in the 400 to 1000cc size range.
The Kimpex HD4 supports machines within its published capacity of up to 4,000 pounds, while the Kimpex WSS4 follows its own manufacturer-specific compatibility list.
These categories are only starting points, not guarantees of fit. Verify the model, make and year of your vehicle prior to purchasing side-byside tracks. Even similar machines can require different mounting hardware.
Better Access is a result of trade-offs
Tracks make it easier to access the terrain, but they don’t make UTV quicker or more affordable to operate. According to the manufacturer’s planning data that certain systems could reduce speeds of travel by between 30 and 35 percent in comparison to tires. Additional weights that rotate and resistance also increase the fuel consumption of vehicles and put extra stress on their drivetrain.
These demands can be managed with the help of the low range, which limits sustained speeds, and observing vehicle manufacturer recommendations.
Rubber tracks also wear quicker when operated continuously on abrasive gravel or pavement. They work best on right terrain, even though they’re designed to be used throughout the seasons.
Budget above the Track Units
High-quality side by side track systems make for a considerable investment. ATVtracks.net provides systems at costs starting at $6,000 and going up to $13,000 based upon the layout and intended usage.
The track units aren’t the whole installation. It is possible that you will require specific mounting components and anti-rotational hardware. Also spacers or hubs may be required. Before purchasing, purchasers must verify the complete parts list and don’t assume that the price is inclusive of everything.
Make a purchase subject to the conditions you Accept
When a tracker is the best solution to an issue that is repeating, it is logical.
If your side by side is often confronted with deep snow swamps, muddy pastures or marshy terrain, or challenging weather conditions, trails could extend the tasks it is able to achieve. If you only use your side-by-side to enjoy the outdoors with firm trails only occasionally it is possible that the extra cost and maintenance may not be worth it.
ATVtracks.net an industry-leading provider of track systems, has been helping owners to choose, install and maintain their track systems for more than two decades. Their team can confirm compatibility, and to identify the components required for a particular vehicle.
Consider how often you get stuck on your machine, and the terrain that causes it, and if a better flotation system will be a big difference.
Tracks will not be able to completely eliminate the limitations of terrain but they will turn a side by side that’s idle in tough conditions into an equipment you can use when it matters most.