UTV’s (utility terrain vehicles) are rapidly growing in popularity across several industries. This is because of their ability to easily and efficiently go off-road, no matter what the landscape around you. Carving out a niche market due to their durability and versatility – from construction sites to hospitals, government facilities and farms, there are so many uses for these powerful machines.
If you love to go off-roading, whether it’s recreationally or for your job, buying a UTV might be the next step for you to take. However, as with all vehicles, UTV’s vary – making it hard to know what to look out for, for those new to the market. All of them will, of course, come with off-road capabilities, side-by-side seating, etc. but there will be some differences that you need to look out for before purchasing.
- Budget
Before you start to look for UTV’s you need to consider what your budget is. The prices of UTV’s can vary hugely – depending on their condition and the features that they come with.
Setting you back anywhere from $1,000 to over $40,00, you need to be aware of the type that you require before you pull your cheque book out. Once you have a better idea of what you’re looking for – i.e what you will be using it for, then you can compare and contrast different makes and models.
- Condition
Take a look at the various vehicles. What condition are they in? This will depend on if you want to buy a new or used vehicle. For the latter, even though it might look as though it’s in a good condition, you might find that there are hidden problems not visible to the naked eye.
Over the years, the previous owners might not have kept up on the servicing and maintenance, meaning that certain things – such as the balancing of the wheels need to be fixed. Of course, this can easily be fixed if you know what to do. But if you’re still asking ‘How To Balance UTV Wheels?’ Then you might want to hire a professional to take a look at it.
Other things you should pay attention to are:
- The tire quality: when looking at UTV’s, consider whether you need the tires for low impact usability or puncture resistance or tires that have a lot of durability and tread. It’s important that you don’t skimp on the quality of the tires as you want them to last as long as possible.
- The air filter and oil: when comparing various UTV’s make sure that you check the air filter and the oil. If you notice that they are really dirty, it’s a direct sign that the machine has not been correctly maintained over the years.
- The driveshaft boots: look at whether these are dirty or if they have been ripped. For the latter, you will have to replace them – an extra cost that you will have to consider.
- The Engine
The size of the engine will depend on the size of the UTV and the price. During your hunt for the perfect UTV, consider what type of engine size you need. If you need a UTV that’s going to be used for something like towing, you will need a larger engine that will work perfectly in low-gear use as it’s very taxing on the vehicle.
When deciding on the engine size, you should also look at the condition of the engine itself. You want it to be able to run for several hours at a time without any issues and for it to start no matter what the weather. By testing it out, therefore, you’ll get a better idea as to how it will perform.
- The Suspension and Strength of the Vehicle Frame
This is one of the most important considerations to make when buying a UTV. If you will only be using the vehicle recreationally, then you will want a lighter-weight model that can move quickly. However, if you want one that can tow and transport heavy objects, you need a heavy-duty frame that can easily absorb shock loads.
To check how durable these are you can usually lift the cargo box within the vehicle to see how the vehicle is built.
- Accessories
Although these won’t necessarily affect the durability, you will still want accessories and creature comforts to ensure that you have a good overall experience in your new UTV. From air conditioning to work lights, windshields and wipers there are many accessories you can add to the vehicle.
Another key accessory that many lookout for is a cargo box. Constructed out of steel, plastic or a combination of the two materials, a cargo box can prove to be an essential piece of storage. If you’re using your UTV every day and you need the cargo box to carry a variety of different loads, you might want to consider getting a cargo box which has the flexibility of flatbed functionality.
Of course, if the UTV doesn’t come with these accessories as standard, then you will have to ensure that the items are suited to the application – and not simply accessories that are designed for a car or another type of vehicle.
Photo Credit: Newspress