UTV towing capacity?

[Alfred_2345]

Looking to buy a UTV. Since I already have a Kubota I am considering the RTV-X series. I like the idea of diesel and VHT drive. RTVs come with power steering and the Work Site (WS) model have hydraulic dump beds. I have 80 acres, mostly wooded, hilly to mountainy. I will use it to maintain the property. Not looking to trail ride, so I don’t care about speed. Don’t want a 4 seater. In reviews I saw people complaining about the price so I decided to see what the competition was like / priced at. I put together a spreadsheet to compare similar sized/featured models. Here is what I can up with similarly equipped UTVs:

Kub. RTV-X900WS $18.7K
Kub. RTV-X1120WS $19.4K
Kaw. Mule Pro DX EPS (diesel) $16.7K
Kaw. Mule Pro MX EPS (gas) $13K (cargo only 700 lbs, not same class?)
Pol. Ranger 1000 EPS (gas) $18K
Pol. Ranger 570 Full Size (gas) $13K (cargo only 800 lbs, no pwr steering? not same class?)
JD XUV835M (gas) $19.7

I have a question about towing capacity. Kubota says 1300 lbs, while the others are higher (Mule DX says 2000). I have only found the tongue weight spec for Kubota.

How do they rate “towing capacity”? Are the other manufacturer spec’ing it differently?

 

[woodman55]

My 1100 easily handles a 5x8 trailer with 18 inch sides, filled with hardwood. I also love the front hitch for backing up the trailer.

 

[woodman55]

I use the bed mostly as a over grown tool box, and move most things with the trailer.

 

[jimh406]

I don't usually use a normal trailer. Larger trailers tend to make the rear squat a lot.

I do have a articulating dual wheeled UTV trailer. I've found that to be better than my utility trailers.

I'm not sure how they set their maximums.

Have you also considered a midsize Polaris? I have a midsize 570. It does all that I need and is smaller/shorter and more maneuverable.

Btw, Polaris makes two different 1000s. The 1000 that's more designed for work and the 1000 XP that has more HP and a lot more expensive.

 

[nota4re]

You might also want to look at the Pioneer 1000-4. Unlike virtually all other UTV's it actually has a transmission - not a CVT with a belt. In fact, the Pioneer's transmission is a dual-clutch transmission - essentially a manual but shifted by either you (via paddles) or by the computer where it acts like a "normal" automotive automatic. Anyway, all of that said towing capacity for 2022 is now 2500lbs.

It has more tricks up its sleeve. It has a (manual) tilt bed assisted by a gas strut and a bench seat in the front. But, if the grandkids show up, you can can pop up two rear seats from the bed. Neat!

I too at first was ONLY looking for a diesel but the Pioneer is really tough to beat (IMO). It can do all of the daily grind stuff with proven Honda reliability and you can putz around on it all day at 25mph or less.... but if/when you need to scoot, it will top out at 65mph.

 

[mikester]

From my RTV-XG850 manual
Towing capacity:
level ground 2000 lbs
steep ground 1550 lbs
Machine Weight: 1883 lbs
GVWR: 3300 lbs

I think the limiting factor will be clutch and brakes.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm.. pull a 2000# trailer with a 1883# UTV ?? Man ,going down a slight slope, that's an accident waiting to happen !!! I'd have brakes on the trailer for sure.

 

[PortTackFarm]

I think most of the UTV's on your list will do the job. We have a 2020 Polaris Ranger 1000 Premium and it works very well on our very hilly property. It too is a workhorse, not a trail riding toy. The dump bed with hydraulic strut is well balanced and is easy to operate. It will tow 2500 lbs and while my boat trailers aren't nearly that heavy, it moves them around with ease. The guy I work with just purchased a Honda UTV and is just as happy with his Honda as we are with our Polaris. When we were shopping I was looking at the Polaris, Honda, Kawasaki and JD UTV's and while I liked the geared transmission on the Honda, I liked the Polaris overall a bit better. The kicker was we were able to get a much better purchase and finance deal at the time with the Polaris so what we ended up with. My wife lovers her "buggy" as it makes so many tasks around the property easier.

 

[Plant 175]

I have the Sidekick and use it for working in the woods and there isn’t much that thing can’t pull

 

[JasonW]

With that budget and if it will fit on your property why not a used truck? You said you don’t care about speed. Could definitely find a older Toyota pickup or Tacoma for 10k-15k or similar. Saying all that and I have a Polaris general 1000XP.
What are you expecting to tow? Do you have a tractor to “maintain” your property?

 

[DVR]

I'm a big kubota fan. However, I buy polaris utv's.
I have a 2020 Ranger XP1000 and a 2023 Ranger XP1000 crew. Just sold a midsize ranger 570. The ranger 570 is a good value. Just know the motor is louder than the 1000 in either version.

A few friends have various diesel utv's. They are too loud. The fumes get in your clothes and gear during hunting season too.

 

[WFM]

I own a 900 polaris ranger. I use it on my property, I put a sprayer in the bed or chainsaws ect.
I never really load it up with wood , I do bring a trailer up from down back with it once in a while.
If your not interested in speed I'd look at the kubota or the mule. The mule I did drive a few years ago. I think it had a three cyl gas engine. It was big heavy and slow. Like a tank.

 

[jimh406]

Here's my 2017 Polaris 570 Midsize with a load of wood, Warn snow plow on the front, and Hornet Outdoors rack.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Have a Polaris Ranger 900, did some heavy towing in the first year, burned out the clutch and destroyed the drive belt, $1200 to repair, stopped towing wood moving trailer and just use rear bed for sprayer, chain saws and filling with wood, no further issues in last 6 years. I would not use a ranger for towing too much! I also have a Japanese mini truck that is a super quiet work horse.

 

[Alfred_2345]

Thank you to everyone that replied. I appreciate all the feedback.

 

[PaulL]

I also have a Japanese mini truck that is a super quiet work horse.

I like mini trucks. One of them would be super cool. Depending on what you're trying to do. They look good with big wheels. But if you're a bigger guy, might not be much room in one.

 

[mikester]

hmm.. pull a 2000# trailer with a 1883# UTV ?? Man ,going down a slight slope, that's an accident waiting to happen !!! I'd have brakes on the trailer for sure.

I could tow cars and pickup trucks around my driveway no problems using my old 1,100 lbs golf cart. Just don't expect sudden stops or starts!

 

[Sparky Prep]

Here you go.