A powerful side-by-side can haul equipment, pull materials and tackle difficult trails. A few inches of waterlogged or deep snow could stop everything.

It’s not always about horsepower. Tires may not be able distribute weight evenly, or provide sufficient traction to allow the machine progress forward.

UTV tracks can be a great option. The tracks alter the way that the vehicle is interacting with the ground. It allows owners to access places that would otherwise be difficult to access, particularly during the winter or mud season.

Traction and Flotation are Not the Same

Aggressive tires can improve grip, but they still concentrate the vehicle’s weight into four relatively small contact areas.

UTV track systems distribute that weight across a much larger footprint. This decreases the pressure in the ground and allows the vehicle to move over difficult terrain, deep snow, and muddy terrains without sinking.

It is essential to know the difference to be able to use it for practical purposes. Following a snowfall property owner might have to access a fence. A farmer may need to cross a pasture that is wet without creating deep ruts. One who maintains rural trails might need reliable access in the springtime thaw. Tracks help handle these tasks and protect sensitive ground.

The best system depends on Your Machine

Not all tracks for UTVs are designed for identical vehicles or workloads. ATVtracks.net offers four different tracks by Camso as well as Kimpex. The Camso 4S1 system can be used with many large-sized vehicles within the 400 to 1000cc range.

The Kimpex HD4 supports machines within its published capacity of up to 4,000 pounds, while the Kimpex WSS4 follows its own manufacturer-specific compatibility list.

These categories are merely an initial point of reference, and not a guarantee of fit. Verify the model, make and year of your car prior to purchasing side-byside tracks. The mounting kit must match the exact vehicle, and even similar vehicles can require different hardware.

There are trade-offs that can be made for greater access

Tracks make it easier to access the terrain, but they don’t make UTV quicker or more affordable to operate. According to the manufacturer’s planning data certain systems can cut travel times by 30 to 35% in comparison to tires. The extra weight and resistance increases the use of fuel and places more demands on drivetrains.

Using low range in deep or difficult conditions, and limiting sustained speed, and following the instructions of the vehicle manufacturer will help manage these requirements.

Rubber tracks wear faster if they are used continuously on gravel or pavements that is rough. While current systems are made for all seasons, they’re most effective when they are placed on suitable terrain.

Budget beyond the Track Units

A high-quality side-byside track system can be a substantial investment. The track systems provided by ATVtracks.net are priced approximately between $6,000 and $13,000, depending on their design and application.

The track units aren’t the whole installation. There may be specific vehicle mounting components as well as anti-rotational hardware. In addition additional hubs or spacers could be required. Buyers must verify the complete parts list prior to making an order instead of thinking that the advertised price will cover everything.

Purchase according to the Terms You Have to

A track system makes most sense when it solves an issue that has been recurring.

Tracks can be useful when your side-by-side is frequently confronted with thick snow, muddy fields, rough terrain, or other challenging conditions. For recreational use that is only occasionally on trails that are firm the extra cost and maintenance can be hard to justify.

ATVtracks.net, a leading provider of track systems has helped owners decide on, install and maintain track systems for more than two decades. Their team can help verify compatibility and pinpoint the necessary components needed for the particular vehicle.

Examine the frequency your machine becomes stuck and the type of terrain the cause, and if an improved flotation system could make a difference.

Tracks won’t be able to remove all limitations of terrain however, they can transform a side-by-side vehicle that is idle in difficult conditions into a machine that you are able to use when it is the most.