ATV or sled

[mightyhunter]

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.

[blasted_saber]

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).

[mightyhunter]

Thanks for the advice, never knew that ATV's were not allowed on the trails

[blasted_saber]

Thanks for the advice, never knew that ATV's were not allowed on the trails

Some trails yes, some trails no.

[mightyhunter]

Thanks again, any idea what would be the max snow depth for an ATV

[MikePal]

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

[oaknut]

Thanks again, any idea what would be the max snow depth for an ATV

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.

[mightyhunter]

Thanks guys, knew I saw a threat on this

[terrym]

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.

[sawbill]

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.