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Posted by: cowboy
I am GUESSING the SP700 is rated the highest, at 1,500 pounds towing capacity-Polaris has always rated their machines for heavier towing weights. The thing you have to consider is, most of the quads will tow a hell of a lot more than the "claimed" weight. That weight is put there by safety engineers and or lawyers to protect their hides should something go wrong if you try to pull a heavier load. It covers their butt by claiming a lower weight, that way if you pull more than claimed, you can't sue. Ratings are based on braking ability, as when you hook up a load, it takes a hell of a lot more to stop it once you get it going. Take my 'Cat for instance-it is only rated at 1,050 towing capacity in stock form, yet I'm running 27" 'Claws and have pictures towing our old '91 suburban uphill in over 2' of snow, and have also towed that same suburban with trailer attached numerous times. Yeah I can move it, but if I tried to stop that load with just the 'Cats brakes, it would run right over the top of me.
The other thing to consider is, bigger isn't always better. The strongest, biggest, beefiest parts in the world don't mean jack if the machine is always breaking down. I personally would not buy that new SP700 without a 4-5 year full warranty, and from a TRUSTED dealer. With their previous reliability reputation, this brand new model hasn't been proven yet, and based on past track records, it would be a huge risk by not taking the warranty from a good dealer. I tend to believe that if you're going to buy a quad, buy one that you will use, and will be there when you need it, not back in the shop. A good dealer is the other key, as if you ever do break down, he'd better be on your side, not the manufacturers, or you're screwed when it comes to repair work.
Basically, any of the new machines will pull whatever you want to hook up too-the new Kaw 650, Griz 660, Honda's 450 series, or the Ruby, and the 'Cat 500's either auto or manual, independant or swing axle, Bomb's Traxter, etc. If you plan on doing A LOT of work, I'd stick with a strait axle quad myself to prevent loss of ground clearance. Any time you add weight to the rack, or start towing, you'll be squatting your IRS machines, and loosing clearance. Strait axles are stronger as well for towing, hauling, so in this case, the 'Cat line (strait axle), 650, Traxter, Honda, etc. would be good choices.
Anyway, Best of Luck with the decision,
Mike
Posted by: hammer4
Not sure if it was the Traxter, or the Quest, but probably the latter. Anyway, my brother told me that down in Florida, they hooked it up to a semi-tractor and it pulled it around the parking lot. Then they hooked up another semi-tractor, and it pulled both of them with a driver in each semi shadowing the brakes. I can't remember if my brother said he witnessed it in person, or saw a video on it. Surprising what quads can pull nowadays!
Posted by: BomBanshee
Which of the new 2002 utility ATV's has the most pulling capacity. All info is appreciated.
