ATVs are a great and enjoyable way to move through the wilderness. However I've been trying to decide whether to get tracks to my ATV, or buying an snowmobile. I was also wondering how difficult it would be to track an ATV. I did some digging and here's what discovered.
As a rule tracks cause an increase in wear to the engine of your ATV. Tracks can make your ATV heavier and runs at a higher speed for longer due to more grip. In addition, the amount of fuel consumed is greater when using tracks.
Although tracks can be a bit more difficult on an ATV, the advantages could be worth the effort. There are a variety of advantages and disadvantages to having tracks for your ATV as opposed to purchasing snowmobiles. Below, I'll outline the most important factors to take into consideration before deciding to buy tracks for your ATV Tracks.
Are ATV tracks worth it?
What is the cost of ATV tracks cost? How they will take to put in in addition to what's main advantages of tracks over snowmobiles? Here's the information you should be aware of.
Overall An ATV equipped with tracks is roughly the same cost as a snowmobile that is brand new, however it can handle more snow than a snowmobile , and are more stable. So, for the majority of users, an atv equipped with tracks is definitely worth it. Furthermore the ATV equipped with the basic tires that come with them isn't able to go through snow.
An ATV equipped with tracks is less likely to tip over than a snowmobile, and will get stuck in snow and ice frequently. However, the maximum speed of your ATV is reduced when you've got tracks.
Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of having an ATV that has tracks as compared to a snowmobile. It's sometimes referred to as an Sled.
Pros and cons to an ATV that tracks over a snowmobile or sled
- Can traverse deeper snow than a snowmobile.
- This is safer and tipping more slowly than a snowmobile.
- An ATV equipped with tracks is slower than a snowmobile.
- Can traverse deeper snow than a snowmobile.
In a test conducted to determine the difference between the snowmobile with an ATV equipped with tracks and tracks, the ATV equipped with tracks could go into snow more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep. While the snowmobile struggled to get through and then ended up stuck in this snow.
If snow is this deep it's nearly impossibly to stroll. But it is possible to drive an ATV equipped with tracks can go through it easily.
Here's a video showing what happens when an ATV and a snowmobile with tracks attempted to travel through extremely deep snow.
It is evident that, the ATV with tracks was superior over the snowmobile. The snowmobile also got stuck and had to be removed using the ATV.
- An ATV that has tracks is more stable than a snowmobile.
As you've probably guessed that if you've ever been on a snowmobile in the past it is important to be cautious when you turn corners to ensure that it doesn't fall over.
When driving at low speeds, snow can be very slippery, regardless of whether you're riding ATV or a snowmobile. An ATV equipped with tracks is in general more stable and easy to drive. This is the main benefit when you have tracks in an ATV when compared to purchasing snowmobiles.
Therefore, if you're hoping to travel in the snow using an automobile, you're likely to require either a snowmobile or an ATV equipped with tracks. The cost to buy tracks for ATV is roughly the same as purchasing a snowmobile.
The fact that you have a snowmobile as well as an ATV with tracks , that you'll have to service both vehicles in separate ways and the maintenance expenses will rise. You'll have to pay for service and repair parts on your snowmobile and your ATV.
If you already own an ATV, it's more economical in the long term to get an ATV that has tracks instead of an ATV for the summer months and a snowmobile in winter.
A snowmobile is much faster than an ATV...
What speed can you travel using ATV tracks?
One of the main distinctions between an ATV equipped with tracks and snowmobiles is the maximum speed you can achieve. Here's how fast an ATV that has tracks can go when compared to snowmobiles.
The maximum speed of an ATV equipped with tracks is 30-50 millimeters per hour (50 -80 km/h) however, on a snowmobile, you can easily go from 90-125 mph (145 up to 200 kilometers/hour) according to NadaGuides. Thus, you can cover greater distances on snowmobiles than on an ATV that has tracks.
If you have lots of terrain to cover, a snowmobile is definitely the best alternative. But, it depends on the amount of snow will typically fall when you're using it. And, also the off-roading you'd like to travel.
When you've got a well-constructed road or track, a snowmobile is able to surpass an ATV equipped with tracks. However, if you wish to travel off-road and on rough terrain ATVs are better. Snowmobiles can become stuck when snow is around three or four feet (around 1 meters) thick. While an ATV equipped with tracks is slower, it can traverse the terrain snowmobiles aren't able to. Similar to the distinction between an off-road 4x4 vehicle and an sports car.
If you are using it for hunting or you want something that can perform best in harsh conditions an ATV that has tracks is the best choice. If it's raining, track tires run around 50 percent slower than standard ATV tires, as per BoostATV.com.
Are tracks difficult to put in to an ATV?
ATV tracks ATV are the most efficient way to navigate through snowy and uneven terrain and they are more stable than snowmobiles. However, is it difficult to set up track tracks to your vehicle?
The process of the process of installing track on your ATV is as difficult as changing the tire on a car. For installation, you'll have to lift your ATV, take off the tires on the vehicle, and then put in the tracks. There are specific instructions and specifications included with ATV tracks. It takes about 2 hours.
After the tracks are put in place, it is then time to examine the alignment of the track and the attack angle and the tension on the track. In the end, anyone who can replace the alignment of a auto tire or an oil filter in a car will not have a problem installing tracks on their ATV.
Here's a video that includes the entire process of swapping ATV tires to track from beginning to the end:
Are tracks more effective than tires?
There are a few important differences between ATV tires as well as tracks. For instance, how much grip you can get in addition to how solid they are. However, are tracks more stable than tires...
Overall, tracks are superior to tires in snow, but on dry terrain tires are superior. In snow ATV tires ATV aren't able to function at all. However, tracks can go through snow that is very deep. However ATV tracks add mass to the ATV, and make use of more traction, and consequently, consume more fuel.
Tracks can be useful when the ground is slippery and wet. Tracks for ATVs are superior to tires due to their larger areas of surface, and this results in more grip.
The downsides of tracks is that they aren't able to travel at the same speed, and it takes longer to travel around your property, or go to an area for hunting or fishing.