Max II vs. Max IV
I have been able to use a Max II and Max IV both a good bit for a pretty good comparison. Keep in mind though that these two machines have different options. Here's what I have found about these off-road amphibians from Recreative Industries.
Speed: If we drive together on the road at all, the Max IV always pulls away from the Max II at wide open throttle. However, the Max IV is equiped with 26" tires so that diameter difference probably accounts for the ~ 2 mph faster speed.
Winner - Max IV
Comfort: As we know all too well probably the biggest downside to our beloved 6x6 machines is the fact that they have no suspension other than the tires. With that in mind, I think the 26" tires really hinder the Max IV when it comes to "bump comfort". Those tires just do not flex well at all. The smaller (and more worn) tires on my Max II seems to take the initial shock out of most bumps.
Also, the biggest comfort factor for me (I am 6'2" tall) is the leg room. In the Max II, I can stretch out my legs but in the Max IV, I always hit my knees on the dash.
Winner - Max II
Off Road: With the larger tires, the Max IV seems to do a little better in all flat-land off road conditions like mud, snow, sand, etc. It has been able to go through a couple of mudholes where my Max II got stuck and it seems to do better in creek beds as well. However, I feel that the Max II does a better job of ascending and descending hills perhaps to its slightly lower center of gravity. Now I haven't found a hill that the Max II could climb that the Max IV couldn't but it feels much safer.
Winner - Max IV
Water: There is no comparison in the water. The Max II rocks like a canoe while the Max IV is more like a pontoon boat. Don't get me wrong, the Max II does a good job in the water and actually lets you lean into turns more but with two people, you sometimes have to both slide to the right to get a level vessel. I have had the Max IV in several ponds with 4 full-sized people and it never felt unstable. If we are going to be in the water more than on land, I take the Max IV everytime. I have even fished out of it for hours in some backwoods ponds.
Winner - Max IV
Capacity: The carrying capacity is another no-brainer and if you are needing to carry people and/or gear, there is only one way to go:
Winner - Max IV
Size: Althrough it is somewhat negligable, the Max II has been able to fit in between some trees that the Max IV couldn't so I would say it is slightly easier to maneuver.
Winner - Max II
After these 6 simple and unscientific comparisons, here's how the results stack up:
Max II - 2
Max IV - 4
WINNER - MAX IV
It seems that the Max IV is the winner hands down and before I owned one I had always thought the Max IV would be my 6x6 of choice but after my Max II showed up locally in the paper at a good price, I couldn't resist.
In the end I am happier with the Max II. Most of my time in the water is just crossing creeks or small ponds that last no longer than 5-10 minutes in the water playing around. So for me the comfort that the Max II offers along with the safer-feeling low center of gravity makes it a lot more fun. It seems like the Max II just zips around more easily.
So for me, if I had to buy a brand new Max, it would be a Max II no questions asked. I'll just take the Max IV to go fishing
My personal pick - Max II
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Originally Posted by Dirty Harry
