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I would like your opinions on the Polaris Big Boss 6x6. The carrying capacity looks like it would be really nice. Is it just too big. Or is it a good compromise between a 4-wheeler and a UTV?

How about snow...6-wheel drive should get it places, but the weight might get it buried.

I have a 1999 Polaris big boss 6x6. I really enjoy mine. It's weight is a big factor in the snow. I was plowing through about 18 inches of snow and broke a chain and sprocket. Mind you, the chains and sprockets were all 11 years old and needed to be replaced anyway. It had plenty of power in the snow, and it would have done much better with tracks, I'm sure. In fact, until I broke the chain and sprocket, I was powering through snow like a champ. I just finished replacing all the chains and sprockets...what a pain! It has four chains and eight sprockets to maintain. I'll list what I like and hate about it.

The good:

1. Good power.
2. Six wheel drive goes almost anywhere...almost. Unless there's snow, I have never needed six wheel drive, since all four rear tires churn up the dirt all the time.
3. High and low range, plus reverse.
4. Hauls a bundle. I can load my box in the back with six dogs and and gear, and I can still do 30-40 mph (though I wouldn't recommend it most of the time.)
5. Reliable starting.
6. Dump bed-that thing is great! If I have a mess in it of any kind, or if I just want to unload in a hurry, all I have to do is tilt the bed and out it comes. Plus tilting the bed up makes maintaining the rear swing arm easier.
7. It's pretty well ballance. Haven't been able tip it over backward.
8. Since it's narrower that a UTV, I can go on some very narrow trails...just like 4 wheelers.

The Bad:

1. Can be hard to turn. In six wheel drive or in tight areas, it simply can't turn as easily or tightly as a smaller four wheeler. I use reverse quite a bit, and end up feeling like I've had a hell of a work-out on some days.
2. Don't turn it over sideways! You will be lucky to get it back on its wheels unless you have a winch or come-along and something within reach for an anchor.
3. It's heavy and it's hard to man-handle if you need to jockey things around on a trailer. You can't scoot it around like a 4 wheeler.
4. Fenders get in the way of repairs. The front rack and all of the fenders can be in the way when you want to replace or maintain something. You just have to be patient. Get a repair/maintenance manual. It helps you fingure out how to find and maintain everything.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something-maybe for each category, but these are the things I can think of right off hand. In spite of the bad, I don't think I'll get rid of mine. My family and some friends are very impressed with it as well. I'm in the process of designing a dog box for the bed, and I plan on using this for my hunting rig for years to come. If you want more info, send me a PM.

Ken

Ken-

Thanks for the well thought out reply. Minnesota and Wisconsin need to finalize their regulations for OHVs before I get too serious. It seems the weight of the 6x6 prevents it from being registered as a normal ATV for now. The weight also restricts use on many trails. That should change as UTVs become more common and the laws are adapted to allow their use.

No problem. The depth of the snow where I'm hunting in Arizona isn't a factor most of the time, but I'm sure you get tons more in your neck of the woods. If your laws change in the favorable, and you did decide to get one, I'd really consider the tracks. I've seen that tracks really help the big boss float pretty well on top of the snow. Too pricey for me, though.

Ken

I know a couple of guys that have newer 6x6's and really like them. If you are looking for a smaller atv that you can hunt with I recommend looking at the arctic cat TBX ! I can haul six dogs easily with the front and back racks I have built and the suspension is built to handle the weight.