So I'm gearing up to purchase a utility 4x4 ATV, and I will be hauling it with my 2006 FX4 for the forseeable future.

To those of you that regularly haul ATVs in your Ranger, what fits and what hits? It would seem that the new generation of "big" ATVs are too big to fit in a Ranger bed. 47ish"s wide and nearly 7' long is too big I would think.

So that leaves me with the "midsize" ATVs. The Hondas seem to be the narrowest, in the 42" range, and among the shortest just tipping 6'. What else is out there? I would prefer IRS over a solid axle.

I would like to be able to close the tailgate, or at least not have much if any weight stored on it. Just taking the tailgate off all together is perhaps the best solution!

Care to share your experiences?

 

My kawa 360 4x4 (prairie) fits in the bed, the wheels are 25" but the fronts are 8" wide so they squeeze past the wheel wells. Rear tire sits on the bed but I can't close hte tailgate - it gets close but the rear tire sticks out just a little bit too much. Solid axles are supposedly stronger but IRS is best for hard/rocky terrain...

 

Its easier to just trailer it and throw all your gear in the bed.

I hauled my quads in the bed only a few times because I kept having to pick it up over the wheel wells

Its scary enough driving a ATV up ramps, then it gets real scary when you hit the wheel wells and have to stop and pick it up lol

 

I haul my Suzuki Eiger 4x4 just fine. Kawi Brute Force 750i will fit, really once you get it over the wheel wells your fine, I just drive over the wheel wells. You won't be able the close the tail gate, forget it. Even if there is some weight on there it won't harm it.

 

I haul my 2000 Sportsman 500 in my truck with no issues.

 

If you have the funds go buy at 10ft trailer with a gate at lowes or home depot. That what I did to haul my rhino during hunting season.

 

Here are some pics of my Prairie 360 in the back of my brother's 2009 Sport 4x4 (before I bought one also!). I've since puchased a 6ftx4ft aluminum trifold ramp that is easier/safer than the planks you see in the photo - folds up and fits underneath the quad during driving.

I have a rear seat/trunk that I use when the wife comes along and since that sticks up higher than the cab it's a real drag on mileage...

 

i have to put my bike in sideways. sometimes i go straight in and tie it down tight. 07 YZ450F

 

I usually put my bike it sideways if I'm going on a trip and have the cab full of luggage, just because I have more gear with the bike. Generally I just run it in and strap it.

 

Stepside Taco hauls a moto.

 

Has about 6" until it touches the gate:


And lifting it over the wheel wells is stupid. Just ride it over.

 

A trailer is another expense that I cannot justify at the moment Eventually I will likely invest in a small trailer. Until such a time, my (currently non-existent) ATV shall be hauled in the box of the Ranger.

I will strongly consider buying/building a rack to protect the rear window.

 

I intend on buying one of those also, I may have to figure out a more aerodynamic solution!

 

ahhh 250 or 450? What made you go red and not the best and go blue?

 

blue...haha...hahaha. Oh wait I think you're being serious

 

Wirelessly posted

Yamaha FTMFW but I'd take a husqvarna Over anything

 

Funny...I think Stewart did much better on his old Kawi's

 

I regularly haul my modified 400ex in the back of my 99', I ride it into the back of the truck and drive over the wheel wells--the tailgate closes with about an 1" to spare. It does have wider a-arms/axle and a longer swingarm, still fits great.

 

I've got a 06 Ltz 400 that I haul quite a bit. Its not a utility quad but yeah like said above no matter what you'll have to lift it over the wheel wells but once its over it fits like a glove(atleast mine does). It'll haul it just fine to. I usually haul 2 quads when I go riding. Only time I can really tell there back there is when I'm going up at slope on the highway ha.

Here's a pic just for the heck of it: