OK guys, so I was doing some research to see what all the hype is about with these Yamaha Rhinos, Polaris Rangers, and other vehicles like them. I can appreciate any well engineered machine first of all and I wanted to be as unbiased as possible when I made the comparison to these and 6x6 amphibious ATVs.
I saw some machines on ebay where the owners put turbos in them to get them just over 30 HP, huge lift kits, long travel suspensions, HID headlights, seats, etc etc. First of all the parts are super expensive, I was shocked. It seems to me that no matter how much you put into these things they just arent nearly as capable as compared to even a stock amphibious 6x6. They just seem like lifted golf carts or just bigger versions of 4 wheelers. I like to go mudding and climb cliffs, rocks, etc. Ask Mike C (hydromike) about the test track in the woods in my back yard. I would never even consider attmepting to do what I do in my 6 wheelers if I was driving a Rhino or a Ranger. It would either flip the thing, get it hung up in the middle or just get burried in the mud. I pull all the big jacked up 4 wheelers out of the mud with my Max II and I though if these 4 wheelers get stuck, imagine how bad a Rhino or Ranger would be burried. I just cannot understand the concept in buying this machine when you could go out and get yourself a amphibious ATV for thousands less. The only reasons I could understand is that they have suspension and maybe buying one of these machines is just following the main stream and jumping on the band wagon (and that is soooooooooooo not me at all).
I may be comparing apples to oranges here but I am going to throw this out here for you all to consider. Maybe you want speed.....I built a 1969 Attex 6x6 racer for under $1000 that has between 40-45HP, it is very light, very safe, very stable, and very fast. Now what if someone wants to go fast in a Rhino, they put a turbo on it, Nitrous, exhaust, etc etc. After they spent $20,000+ on this they go fast but what else can they do with it? Can they float? NO Can they go through deep mud?
NO Can they do anything spectacular? Not that I can see. Now what if you want a utility machine. Well you can get 6 wheelers with a dump bed (Max Buffalo Truck), you can get a 4 passenger machine, a two passenger machine, etc etc. You can get a Rhino or a Ranger, but it still will not do what a amphibious ATV will do. It cant pull, carry, swim, go through the mud, etc etc like an AATV can. I passed some dirt bikes and 4 wheelers they all stopped me and said, "Wow that thing is cool......a 6 wheeler, thats awesome!" They all said, "Those things go through anything!" There was a huge mud bog that was about 50 feet long and who knows how deep. The guys all told me how these big trucks on 44" Super Swampers would get stuck in there and they challenged me to go through it. Well sure enough I attempted and I crawled through it with my Max II with 22" tires and an 18HP Briggs. They applauded and said that they all wanted to get one but they didnt think they made them anymore. I think that is the problem with amphibious ATVs. They need more exposure. Sites like this promote the hobby and hopefully will help people realize how great they are.
I just dont get what is so special with the Rhinos and Rangers. In my opinion these things are very OVERRATED! Not to mention overpriced. And you would go broke trying to buy all the accessories that your neighbor just put on his machine. We should all spread the word about how great our amphibious ATVs and help our hobby grow. Lets hear everyones thoughts on amphibious ATVs VS Rangers, Rhinos, and similar utility vehicles.
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Originally Posted by tanker
