A sturdy side-by is able to pull equipment, haul supplies or navigate difficult trails. A few inches of waterlogged or deep snow can stop everything.
It’s not always about horsepower. The problem is not always about horsepower.
UTV tracks are an ideal choice. They change how the vehicle interacts with the ground, allowing owners to reach places that might otherwise be unaccessible during the winter months or during mud season.
Traction and Flotation Are Not the Same
While aggressive tires may increase grip, the overall weight of the vehicle is still concentrated in four small areas.
UTV track systems distribute that weight over a larger footprint. This reduces ground-pressure and allows the vehicle to travel over thick snow and soft soil without sinking.
It is important to know what the distinction is for practical reasons. After a snowfall property owner might have to cross a fence. Farmers may need to cross a wet pasture and not leave deep ruts. Someone who manages trails for the rural environment may require access throughout the spring freeze. Tracks help control these jobs and also protect sensitive ground.
What Machine Do You Have? Identify the best system for you.
Some UTV tracks are not designed for the same type of car or for the same load. ATVtracks.net provides four tracks from Camso and Kimpex. The Camso 4S1 system is suited to many large-sized vehicles within the 400 to 1000cc 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 starting points, but they are not guaranteed to fit. Make sure you know the model, make and year of your car before you purchase side-by-side tracks. The kit for mounting must exactly match the machine. Even vehicles that look alike may require different equipment.
There are trade-offs for greater accessibility
Tracks are an excellent way to make it easier for people to access, but they do not make UTVs more efficient or less expensive. Plans from the manufacturers indicate that certain systems decrease the speed of travel by around 30-35% over tires. The additional weights and resistance that rotate are also a major contributor to the fuel consumption of vehicles and put additional stress on the drivetrain.
Following the manufacturer’s advice, using low range for driving in heavy or deep conditions. Also, slowing down your speed can aid in coping with these pressures.
Rubber tracks will also wear out faster if you use them continuously on an abrasive surface, such as gravel or pavement. They work better on suitable terrain, even if they’re designed to be used during multiple seasons.
Budget Units Beyond the Track
Quality side by side track systems represent a substantial investment. The systems offered by ATVtracks.net include prices that start roughly from $6,000 to $13,000, contingent on their design and use.
The track unit is not always the whole installation. Vehicle-specific mounting components, anti-rotation hardware, and potentially additional spacers or hub parts may be required. Before placing an order, customers must verify the complete parts list and do not believe that the price is inclusive of everything.
Purchase under the conditions that You Actually Have to Face
When a track system is the ideal solution to an issue that is running into the same spot, it makes sense.
Tracks are a great option for those who live on the same side of the road and are regularly confronted with deep snow, muddy fields, areas of marshy terrain, or any other challenging conditions. For recreational use that is only occasionally on trails with firm surfaces the cost of additional maintenance might be difficult to justify.
ATVtracks.net has spent over two decades helping owners select, install, and maintain track systems. The team of experts can help you confirm compatibility and identify the components needed for the particular vehicle.
Take note of the frequency at which your machine is stuck, the terrain that is creating it, and whether an improved flotation system would have a positive impact.
Tracks can’t remove all limitations of terrain however, they can transform the side by side which is in a stalemate in challenging conditions into a machine that you can rely on when it matters most.