Posted: 4/14/2009 10:51:10 PM EDT
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I always thought that an ATV, like the Polaris RangerRZR type with side by side seating dune buggy-ish vehicle, be a pretty decent BOV that one could seriously consider. Obviously its not SUV and storage space would be less then a compact car even, however its off road ruggedness seems like it could get many jobs done.
What are you thoughts? Thanks |
| Along with the small size you already know about. You also have a super limited range. A tank of gas usually goes less than 100 miles. The mileage of most big CC quads is around 10-15mpg. Great for a lot of things if you don't need to go far. If I had some bug out land I would want a good quad there but I would get to the land first in a big ass truck with 600mi per tank range. |
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Quoted:
Along with the small size you already know about. You also have a super limited range. A tank of gas usually goes less than 100 miles. The mileage of most big CC quads is around 10-15mpg. Great for a lot of things if you don't need to go far. If I had some bug out land I would want a good quad there but I would get to the land first in a big ass truck with 600mi per tank range. Good Point |
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How far is it from your house to your "fort"? Get/build a trailer for it. Carry an extra couple of 5 gallon gas cans.
We used to camp in the mountains and used our ATVs to haul trailers from the road to the camp site back in the mountains. We went to a place no jeep (let alone a big truck) could get to. We only camped for a week, but we were comfortable and well fed for a week. If your site is in a place where the options are walk in or ride an ATV in then an ATV sure beats making multiple walk in trips carrying your supplies. |
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the larger ATVs are not that much smaller than a small jeep which is purchased used and fixed up would possibly cost less than a new ATV. The jeep has much better range, can hold more, is street legal and can go down the highway. All in all, I think purchasing an old smalll (e.g., CJ-5) jeep and fixing it up would be better bet.
The one time an ATV might made sense is if you were already living at a fairly good rural BOL with lots of BLM/national forest in the area and wanted something to use to "head for the hills" if a few thousand goblins arrived in the area. |
| here's how i see atv/motorcycle use during a BO. trailer it and the rest of your supplies as far as possible, then if, for whatever reason (e.g., traffic), you can't continue in your primary BOV, you dismount the atv/motorcycle, load the essentials and continue on. it's a perfect theory, not sure how the implementation would work out. |
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here's how i see atv/motorcycle use during a BO. trailer it and the rest of your supplies as far as possible, then if, for whatever reason (e.g., traffic), you can't continue in your primary BOV, you dismount the atv/motorcycle, load the essentials and continue on. it's a perfect theory, not sure how the implementation would work out. ATVs can go places that passenger vehicles, including Jeeps, cannot. The above is a good recommendation. It doesnt hurt to bring an ATV along with you. It will only make you more capable. However, you have to remember that they are a supplementary vehicle and not a primary due to their limitations. |
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the world is coming to an end - and the traffic laws still matter???
My old Kawasaki ATV gets 42 mpg, without the trailer, my Honda ATV gets 32 mpg, never pulled a trailer. A jeep doesn't have a prayer of going where those two can go, with or without a trailer. They do lack capacity vs. a truck/jeep. ATV noise is a funny thing. Quite often you hear the tires on the road before you hear the engine. They can be very loud (somewhat dependent on riding habits). Very situational and terrain dependent. Do the smart thing, based on your situation. Yes, many of today's "ATVs" are so big and heavy they're like a small jeep. And cost more, too. I agree that for me if the choice was a new 4 wheel drive ATV and used Jeep I'd take the used Jeep. Many of today's ATVs have way too much weight and way too much engine. What you need in a "haul you and your gear into the mountains" situation is more like a small tractor than a hot rod 4 wheel drive. |
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Quoted:
I always thought that an ATV, like the Polaris RangerRZR type with side by side seating dune buggy-ish vehicle, be a pretty decent BOV that one could seriously consider. Obviously its not SUV and storage space would be less then a compact car even, however its off road ruggedness seems like it could get many jobs done. What are you thoughts? Thanks I have a RZR as well as a regular Ranger. I wouldnt even considder the RZR as a bug out vehicle. Its to limited, it wants to go fast, was made to go fast. The standard ranger will haul more, three up front, has a working dump box in back that can haul supplies and fire wood, etc. I find the ATVs are very limited, yes the 4x4's are nice, but their heavy, if a trail goes to hell, or has a washout or fallen tree your dead, your backtracking or stopped. |