6x6 or 8x8

[madmac]

i have narrowed down my choice to argo simply because their the closest dealer ship to where i live.(are there max dealers in eastern canada??)

can some body enlighten me to the pros and cons of 6 or 8 wheels.

the area i play in is mostly farm road or logging trail,
with 3 to 4 foot deep puddles (ponds)

so i was thinking on 8x8 for the added room,

does the longer body make the 8x8 more stable on the water?

are the 8x8 underpowered for their increased size?

does the longer wheelbase make a difference in snow?

and does the argos front engine cause any concerns with exhaust fumes when running a winter tarp/roof?

thanks

[Rock Doctor]

Yes
No
Yes
No


I think the 6x6 is a great toy, lots of fun. The 8x8 is also lots of fun, typically a little slower, and revolves more around working and hauling loads.

My opinion, and only my opinion, is that a 6x6 makes a great second machine. Most guys that I know who bought a 6x6 wish that they had bought an 8x8. The usual reason being cargo capacity.

[Bud]

Yes
No
Yes
No


I think the 6x6 is a great toy, lots of fun. The 8x8 is also lots of fun, typically a little slower, and revolves more around working and hauling loads.

My opinion, and only my opinion, is that a 6x6 makes a great second machine. Most guys that I know who bought a 6x6 wish that they had bought an 8x8. The usual reason being cargo capacity.

I am one of those guys.

I have both, solely because my son wants me to hang on to the 6x6 for a while so that we can ride together.

[madmac]

if the 8x8 is better at most things,why do people buy 6x6's to begin with?? i am guessing initial cost?

[madmac]

if the 8x8 is better at most things,why do people buy 6x6's to begin with?? i am guessing initial cost?

makes a difference on snow, better or worse?
i seen a clip on youtube of a aatv throwing a track while turning,is this common or caused by incorrect tire pressure?

obviously there is another axle and longer chains,but for the most part are parts interchangeable between the 6 and 8?

[Rock Doctor]

I wouldnot say that an 8x8 is better at most things, it hauls a larger load and is more stable, true. A6x6 is fun, hauls more than a quad, and you can take a buddy. It will fit through slightly more technical trails, it' slightly less maintenance. Some guys don't need the extra room.
Personally, for my riding conditions, the 8x8 fits the bill better.

RD

Parts are interchangeable
Chances are that if you're tossing your tracks, tire press is responsible. Terrain can also toss off a track if you get into something that causes the tracks to twist. I tossed a track 2 days ago at work, while riding along in a deep V ditch ( Rubber Tracks are WAY harder to put back on in the field with 2' of snow than plastic tracks, but it's easier to toss a plastic track in the first place)

[trebmaster]

I love my 6x6 for the fact that it is more manuverable in tight woods and swamp witch is ware i ride most, if i was on more open trails 8x8 is a little smother ride

[sieg]

the maneuverabilty is why i love the 6x6. Sure an 8x8 is better in many ways, stability in water, smoother ride, more cargo space. but it cant match the fun of a 6x6. all depends on what you plan on doing with it i guess. Theres alot of trails near me where an 8x8 wouldnt be able to maneuver through with all the tight turns. plus they're generally faster. evereyone loves speed right? till you hit that bump.....anyways just my 2 cents

[number1cas]

Well I have to throw in my 2 cents here, I completely disagree that an 8x8 wont fit in places a 6x6 will. I ride with a 6x6 and lots of ATV's in heavy forested area's and swamp, I have yet to be left behind because i "don't fit" I think cargo and price would be the main factors and then probably preference after that to influence your decision. As for speed, an Argo 6x6 may be about 2 MPH faster, but not much more so speed isn't much of a concern (although I realize that 2 or 3 MPH is a noticable diffrence when in an Argo) Now I am only speaking about Argo as they are all I have experience with and also are what you are deciding on, other 6x6 models are much faster.
So unless you are going to navigate through extremely tight concrete walls or forest with a minimum tree size of 6" or so, I don't think you will have any trouble with the extra length. Either way you are going to have a blast !!

Heres a Vid in the bush, the ATV's wouldn't even follow us here....

[Rock Doctor]

Heres a Vid in the bush, the ATV's wouldn't even follow us here....
]

That terrain looks familiar, much like what we have here.
Wonder why the quad didn't follow

I have added a front Pushbar and an extended rear Rack on my Conquest. I've also never been left behind becouse I couldn't fit down a trail. I'm sure such places exist, but have not had that problem yet.
The 6x6 Argo that I had was about twice as fast as my Conquests, but gearing and clutching can be modified and makes a huge difference.


RD

[number1cas]

I am only familiar with the new Argo's as I only just got into this (too bad it took so long) I have read on here that the older models were faster, and believe me, I would LOVE that some days, however the new Argos are very close in top speed, this is from ODG's website
"Depending on load and terrain the top speed for 8x8 models varies between 18-20 mph and for the 6x6 models between 20-23 mph. In the terrain that the ARGO is designed for, high speed is not an issue."
So that is what I based my comment on, I have personally never driven a newer 6x6 to see for myself, but I don't think 3 MPH is enough to persuade a purchase based on speed.
I have a friend with a 6x6 Argo and he has all kinds of fun with us, so either way it's awesome.

[Rock Doctor]

Yes, older machines have the option of 3 different gearings in the trans, plus 3 different options for drive sprockets for the drives off the trans, plus a few other tricks. I don't know if the new machines have any gearing options at all.

RD

[madmac]

thanks for the info guys,but i got a couple more.(i prefer to think lots and buy once, than think quick and buy twice)

the snow question (i live in canada) are the 8x8 better or worse than 6x6 in the snow?

how much difference do tracks make? are they really necessary or just a nice add on?

and what advantages do tracks give an aatv, do they increase traction?(i have seen pics of tracks that are smooth looking)
or is to decrease the psi of the track "foot print"?

[Rock Doctor]

I will give my 2 bits

I also live in CAN, in the far NE corner of BC. I have 2 8x8 Conquests and reciently sold a 6x6, I have 4 sets of tracks at the moment ( 2 Supertrack sets 18", Standard Tracks 13", and a set of 14" rubber tracks. We typically have between 3 and 5 ft of snow that is the consistency of Course Salt before it is disturbed, and concrete shortly after it is disturbed. Winter temps range from -10C to -40C

Not sure where you are, so conditions could very well be different.

The 8x8 is better in the snow. Larger footprint = better floatation...............Period. Paddle Track or Flat Track makes little difference in the crystally snow, although once the snow sets up cleated tracks make a huge differance. Tires SUCK in the snow.

Tracks make a big differance, both in traction and in repaire bills. They are not necessary in MOST conditions, and are detrimental in some conditions. Typically I will only run tracks in the Winter (some exceptions apply). I am going to try running my Rubber tracks on one machine this summer, I hope it works out, but I'm not holding my breath.

Tracks do increase Traction, as mentioned, and they also decrease PSI to the ground, both are an advantage in Marshy, Boggy, Soft terrain but can be a disadvantage on Hard, Rocky, Stumpy terrain.

Good things have been said about the new Adair Tracks, they may prove to be the most versitile tracks available..........I have not had the oportunity to try a set of them.


RD

[Roadtorque]

RD, just curious which set of tracks you think might work better in the snow. 18" rubber tracks or 18" supertrack? I'm curious to see reviews on the Adair tracks in deep snow, I'm not sure those tracks will improve flotation as much as just traction...time will tell