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Hi everyone, im looking for some advice on what to get. Mainly used of ice fishing lake simcoe and maybe some smaller lakes around bancroft, haliburton etc. Im leaning towards an ATV, seen them get around pretty good on simcoe but how would they handle on the trails to the back lakes. The ATV is 4x4 and will buy chains. Any advice is greatly apprciated.
ATVs are not good in snow, even with chains. They need a hard base for the wheels. If its a hard packed trail it will be fine, but any amount of snow and you're done. If you installed tracks on the ATV that would be fine, but for the price and inconvenience of changing them over twice a year I'd just buy an old sled instead.
Another note, you're not always able to use an ATV on a snowmobile trail (legally speaking).
Thanks for the advice, never knew that ATV's were not allowed on the trails
Some trails yes, some trails no.Quote:
Originally Posted by mightyhunter
Thanks again, any idea what would be the max snow depth for an ATV
I had a deja VU...didn't we just run a long thread on this exact topic ? ...why YES;
http://www.oodmag.com/community/show...72-ATV-OR-SLED
Max snow depth for an atv is tough to answer. It depends largely on the atv you are using. Does the atv have diff lock. Are you running chains. Are the tires stock or beefed up. There are many variables with the snow itself. Light and fluffy vs wet packing. A safe assumption would be to say no deeper than the atvs ground clearance. If you throw on a set of tracks you can laugh at the snomobiles that won't be able to follow.Quote:
Originally Posted by mightyhunter
Thanks guys, knew I saw a threat on this
I owned both for many years and still own an ATV. if ice fishing was the intended use it is a no brainer, especially if you want to access smaller inland lakes. Buy a snowmobile. You can buy older ones for not much money that will serve you very well. an atv will work under ideal conditions but be a detriment when those conditions arent there.Quote:
Originally Posted by mightyhunter
Max snow depth for an ATV would be the height of the axle at the very best.
If the snow isn't packed rock hard good luck keeping that ATV in a straight line. And guys following you on their sleds will not be happy about the way you've left their trails.
If you want to icefish get a sled.
Quote:
Originally Posted by blasted_saber
no to quibble, but I've been using an ATV (Honda 350 with ITP tyres) in the bush for many years to cut and haul firewood and I've taken it into waist deep snow and have never got stuck enough to require help getting it out. And that includes pulling a sled full of wood behind it.Quote:
Originally Posted by sawbill
The only real issue is with soft 'sugar' type snow that doesn't pack, lots of sliding, but with two of us on the ATV we still get thru OK.
I'm sure a sled would be better at times but if I had to make an assessment, an ATV can do the job fine for 90% of the time.
You haul firewood through waist deep snow with an ATV?
No ATV without tracks can run in 3 ft deep snow unless you have a crust to run on top of it.
I think MikePal has been hacked.
Mikepal, Waaaay too much eggnog.
I've got the 350 Honda fourtrax. As they say, bin there, done that! Soon as you get to the axles/belly pan the machine gets hung up and you just sit there and spin.
I have owned many of both. Best in snow was my tracked grizzly 700 atv. After that next best was any snowmobile I ever owned.
Been doing it for years, it all depends on the type of snow. We cut wood in Jan/Jeb when it's cold, the snow is usually powdery the day we go in to make the initial trails. Sure we get hung up occasionally but rarely get stuck. Once the ATV has been thru a few times is packs down and were good to go.
I'm not sure what your guys experiences are, but I've had few problems with handling deep snow back in the bush, like I said, the ATV has been our main transportation for hauling firewood for years....my wood pile doesn't lie :)
Found a pic of our set-up...this bush is a good mile back in and we use the ATV and the Otter sled to get there... every winter, regardless of the snow conditions. This was back in 2013, a deep snow winter. It was at least knee deep (and I'm 6'2") the day we went in and made the trails, but snow conditions were good to pack it down. We got hung up some, but still got the job done as there was no back up to get us out.
Don't let the pic foul you, take a step off the beaten path and your up to your knees in snow.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...pse996e727.jpg
That Honda 4x4 with ITP tires is an amazing machine....buddy who owns it also uses it for Ice Fishing, I watched him drag the ice hut across slush one spring to get it to shore. It worked hard but it did it.
The secret is to maintain your trail by simply driving over any snow accumulation to tamp it down. If you wait too long and try to plough through a foot of snow then yes you will probably have some difficulty but lets face it with the winters we have been having and January thaws you can utilize the ATV pretty well year round. There is a few well established clubs in Eastern Ontario that cater to winter ATV riding. So, bang for the buck an ATV is the way to go. Heck, if I can take my Jeep on the ice for ice fishing then an ATV has no problems at all.
However, the same may not be said in northern Ontario where there is much more accumulation. All depends where you live.
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...a/100_2684.jpg
I use my atv at least 10 months of the year. Do park it if the snow gets too deep, but not for long. We are in the snow belt, so can get a big dump of snow. If I want to cut wood I take tractor and blower and tramp down trails. Then good to go. I gave my snowmobile to my grandson several years ago, don't miss it. With insurance costs trail permits , all the red tape and BS not worth my while. I am on my 5th atv use them most days, most of the year. Presently have 500 Honda, like it. Just get what suits your situation, and budget. Have fun. old 243
I used ATV's for years and got tired of getting stuck (when the snow was as high as the belly pan). So I sold them and bought a snowmobile only to find they get stuck too. They each have there pros and cons.
The snowmobile is faster, less messy(not as much slush flying in the air) and better for pressure cracks.
The ATV is better for road travel if no parking by lake, easier to transport equipment (no sleigh to pull, just build a box) and when you do get stuck you have a winch to pull you out if needed (you'd have to auger a hole and drop a bar down but that's another subject)
If I had to do it again I'd probably buy a ATV
Hi guys and thanks for your suggestions. Now I found a ATV, good condition and low KM's and fits my budget. Nice right, wrong he has no ownership and hes the second owner. How hard is it to get the ownership tansferred if he does not have the papers.
Also, if I plan to use this for icefishing do I need plates on it to drive on the ice, i know I will need insurance
If he wants to sell it, get him to go to the MTO licence office and licence it. That way it's checked to see if it's "hot" and not on your dime.Quote:
Originally Posted by mightyhunter
Hot potatoe...Run ..LOL...
Yes, great idea, get him to do the declaration and sign off for the ownership...if he won't ...walk away...
You will need ownership, insurance and a helmet to drive on the ice, unless you own the pond.