This is a guest post from Jesse Johnson,
an agent at Southern Land Exchange.
Do you remember traveling around the farm and forest with your Dad or Granddad? Chances are good it was in a pickup truck, probably a full-size pickup with a bench seat and not much else. You know the truck, that sort of plain-jane version that put the “U” in utility. Grandaddy used that truck for work, play and everything in between. With that one vehicle he would commute to work, hunt, fish, trailer most anything, and haul everything from feed-n-seed to kids-n-dogs. That old truck performed so many functions from necessity; trucks and tractors were all that where available. Then along came the 3-wheeler, and a new industry was born. Who could have imagined the exciting variety of utility vehicle options available to today’s forest landowner?
Chances are you have noticed the many different types of recreational vehicles that are being hauled in the beds of pickups or towed behind SUVs today. These vehicles range from the typical 4-wheeler or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to what most people refer to as gators, mules or rangers. In the recreational vehicle industry, these types of vehicles are more commonly referred to as Recreational Utility Vehicles or UTVs. Today it is hard to find a landowner that does not have an ATV or UTV stirring up dust on their property. It appears they are taking the place of granddaddy’s old, dented pickup for many forest landowners.
Being in the recreational land business, over the last few years I have noticed the increasing presence of UTVs in the field. From cattle farmers to tree farmers, more and more landowners seem to be choosing UTVs to meet their recreation and utility needs. However, ATVs are still popular with a large number of landowners and recreational users. So, how do you decide which one is right for you?
To learn more, I spoke with several ATV and UTV dealers in Georgia. All agreed that sales of UTVs have skyrocketed in recent years. One dealer said that 5 years ago, he sold only 1 UTV for every 5 ATVs he sold. Now he sells 1 UTV for every 2 ATVs. It appears that UTVs are becoming the shining star for consumers.
I also learned that ATV buyers tend to be younger, typically 16-25 years old, and looking for a more adventurous ride. UTV buyers are likely to be over 30 and are looking for, well, more utility than adventure. One dealer said that as the baby boomers are maturing, they are replacing their ATVs with UTVs.
But, to avoid costly mistakes and long-term dissatisfaction, savvy landowners shouldn’t rely upon popularity to make their decision. They should become familiar with the characteristics of both vehicle types in order to get the best value for their hard-earned dollar. So let’s look at the real differences between ATVs and UTVs.
The old 3-wheeler has gone the way of the Dodo, but it’s more powerful and stable offspring, the ATV, is here to stay. When you think ‘ATV’, think 4-wheeled motorcycle. You sit astride a saddle, accelerate with a thumb throttle, brake with levers, and steer with handlebars. ATVs are shorter and narrower than UTVs so they can be more maneuverable in tight spots. Their maneuverability and ability to fit in the bed of a pickup has made ATVs very popular with hunters. Also, they can be quite fast!
Adult-sized ATVs generally cost less than UTVs, somewhere in the $3,000 to $9,000 range. You can compound this saving because you don’t have to buy a trailer. But, good luck toting your tree stand or chainsaw on your ATV you are going to need some bungee cords. And honestly, how comfortable do you feel riding front-and-back with your hunting buddy or forestland guest?
UTVs represent a blend between ATVs and Granddaddy’s truck. You sit side-by-side and operate it with a steering wheel and foot pedals. Roll bars and seatbelts provide added safety, which is especially valuable to those of us with child passengers. Comfort is enhanced by the bench seats, and frequently a roof. There are even after-market cabs available for some models which offer total protection from the elements. UTVs can seat 2 - 6 people and have a small utility bed for tools and equipment. 4-wheel drive versions will go almost anywhere an ATV will.
With all these advantages, it’s no surprise that UTVs have made huge inroads in the offroad market segment. They have a lot to offer today’s forest landowner. Of course, we all know that there is no such thing as a free lunch. The larger footprint of a UTV also makes it less maneuverable than an ATV, and you will need a trailer to move it off property. Also, while UTVs are powerful, they are generally not as fast as ATVs. And they cost more, running between $8,000 and $12,000.
To add to their utility, there are an incredible number of implements available for both ATVs and UTVs. During a brief search, I found box scrapers, disc cultivators, tine cultivators, drag harrows, log haulers, mowers, sprayers, spreaders, 3-point hitches, trailers, and winches. At least one UTV is available with hydraulic lift-and-lower on the 3-point hitch. This makes it a snap for one person to change implements and can provide extra downward pressure on your implement, if necessary. I don’t think anyone would suggest that an ATV or UTV could match the utility of a tractor for big work. But, if you can’t afford a tractor, or if your needs don’t justify that expense, you can get a lot of bang for your buck with one of these off-road vehicles.
So, what’s the upshot? If you hunt and work alone, are on a tight budget or have the need for speed, an ATV might be right for you. And you will still be able to handle smaller farm and forest chores. If you plan to put out duck boxes in the morning, plant a few small food plots by noon, and then take Jimmy, Suzy and Spot down to the pond for some fishing, you may opt for a UTV.
Don’t forget to do your research, though. I especially recommend that you talk with other landowners and visit several dealers. You can also visit Web magazines like
ATV Connection Magazine Forum and
UTV Today Magazine. Have fun and happy hunting.
This article was originally published in Georgia Forestry Today, Volume 4, Issue 2 (March/April 2008). For subscriptions to the magazine mail / make checks payable to Georgia Forestry Association, PO Box 1217, Forsyth, GA 31029. A year's subscription is $26.00.Labels: ATV, Guest Post, off-road vehicles, recreational land, recreational property, recreational vehicles, UTV
