Axle Extenders for Tracks

[placergold]

New here. Last year I bought an 06 Response with only 5 hours on it. I put on the supertracks which work very well (got stuck once in a snow drift) but I have a few questions. First, can I keep the axle extenders on when I take off the tracks? This would provide a bit more stability I would think and not have to put them on next winter. Second, I'm a bit paranoid about where I go with these tracks on, especially when the snow melts. How "fragile" are these tracks on solid ground, logs, stumps etc. I intend to fish a lot from the argo this spring...trolling mostly with an electric motor. Would inflating the tires to capacity help in floatation (what is capacity?) and would hooking two 12v batteries in series or parallel give me the longest troll times? Located in the Rangeley Maine region...lots of salmon and trout...need to troll!!

[kunzmm137]

trolling

would hooking two 12v batteries in series or parallel give me the longest troll times?

I don't have experience with the tracks, but as for the multiple battery question, you want to hook batteries in parallel only, this will indeed give you longer run times. You do not want to hook them up in series, doing this would cause damage to your trolling motor, and possibly cause a fire.

[Rock Doctor]

New here. Last year I bought an 06 Response with only 5 hours on it. I put on the supertracks which work very well (got stuck once in a snow drift) but I have a few questions. First, can I keep the axle extenders on when I take off the tracks? This would provide a bit more stability I would think and not have to put them on next winter. Second, I'm a bit paranoid about where I go with these tracks on, especially when the snow melts. How "fragile" are these tracks on solid ground, logs, stumps etc. I intend to fish a lot from the argo this spring...trolling mostly with an electric motor. Would inflating the tires to capacity help in floatation (what is capacity?) and would hooking two 12v batteries in series or parallel give me the longest troll times? Located in the Rangeley Maine region...lots of salmon and trout...need to troll!!

Hi, welcome to the site

It's a little slow here at work, so I have some time. My 2 bits, FWIW.
Yes, you can keep the extenders on, they have there advantages and disadvantages. Being wider, you will be a little more stable, and will be able to stay out of other machines "ruts" easier (Less chance of becoming "high centered" in SOME conditions). On the flip side, the extensions are harder on bearings, axles, hubs, and with the tires out farther you will throw more muck around, and into, your machine.
I would NOT call the tracks "fragile", but they will "wear out" faster on hard ground, they don't normally "break". In my experience, you are much more likely to "twist", the track, pushing a tire off the bead or puncturing the sidewall. Driving out of the track is also possible.....NOT FUN. Take care and watch what's happening when driving through logs, rocks, stumps, ect.
I don't think that inflating the tires beyond 5psi will do anything for floatation, but it will jar your teeth loose when running down the trail
Two 12V batteries in series will give you 24V, won't last any longer, and will probably "cook" your trolling motor (you probably can get 24V trolling motors, if that's what you want). Two 12V batteries in parallel will increase your troll time.

Hope that helps
RD