How to Select the Right UTV for YOU
Owning a UTV opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
These compact vehicles let you haul materials and tackle chores faster than ever before. With the right UTV, muddy yards, tight spaces, and heavy tows are no-big-deal.
Getting work done more efficiently means more time spent on the fun stuff, and UTVs can help with that, too.
Whether hunting, camping, or trail riding, UTVs make it easy and fun to visit remote locations that could otherwise be treacherous to access.
No matter what you’re hauling or where you’re going, there’s a UTV out there that’s perfect for you.
You just have to know what to look for.
Pro tip: Check out our Bear Track Trailers for sale to expertly pull your UTV!
We’re partial to Landmaster’s 100% American-made UTVs, but no matter what brand you’ve got your eye on, we’re here to help you make a smart and informed decision.
Table of Contents:
Choosing the Best UTV for Hunting
Choosing the Best UTV for Yard Work and Utility
UTV Specs to Consider
Towing Capacity
A good towing capacity can take a UTV from a luxury to a true workhorse. Whether you’re pulling a trailer packed with rocks or a compact camper, UTVs make towing across rugged terrain a piece of cake.
UTV’s differ in their towing capacity, but a common range is between 1,000 lbs and 2,000 lbs. Make sure you know what you want to tow and choose your UTV accordingly.
Tires
You’ll want your UTV to go wherever you need it. Whether that’s up an uneven mountain trail or through a muddy woodland, it’s important to ensure your tires are robust enough to keep you going.
Landmaster’s tires come standard across their entire line, with a 6-ply, 1” deep tread pattern, they’ll keep things moving across even the roughest of terrains.
Top Speed
An ideal UTV helps you work hard AND play hard.
Sometimes that means going fast.
Landmaster’s UTV speeds range from 25 to 35 mph, depending on the model.
35 miles per hour might not sound like much when compared to a more traditional car or pickup, but make no mistake about it, full speed in an open air vehicle over bumpy terrain is exhilarating.
If you’re truly buying a UTV just for the utility, a lower top speed might not be a deal breaker. If you’re looking to do some trail riding or maybe blow off some steam after a grueling workday, it can easily be worth the extra investment.
Bed Capacity
Generally, UTV’s bed capacities range from 400 lbs to 1,000 lbs. Depending on what you’re hauling, a lower bed capacity may work just fine.
If you’ve got the budget, aim for a bed capacity slightly higher than what you need, that way you’ve got extra capacity if needed.
You’re the expert on the work you do, so ensure the UTV’s bed capacity is up to the challenge before you buy.
Number of Seats
Most affordable UTVs come with two seats, but there are plenty of 4-seater options. If you’ve got a crew to transport or a group of hunting buddies, it makes sense to spend some extra money for a rig with 4 seats.
Electric vs Gas
Electric UTV’s are not for everyone, but if you’re not going far and can plug it in at night, it might be the perfect fit.
They’re quiet, powerful, and the feeling of instant torque cannot be beat. Electric vehicles feature less moving parts than those with combustion engines, which means less maintenance.
For long distances, cold weather, and lengthy hill climbs you might want to stick with gas.
Choosing the Best UTV for Hunting
UTV’s are the ultimate hunting vehicle. They boldly go where pickups could never, confidently zipping around trees, across mud and over rocks. They also make hauling gear from location to location effortless, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
A high-quality UTV affords hunters with the flexibility to visit more hunting locations on a single trip.
And, of course, they make it easy to tow whatever you want back with you.
Landmaster’s Electric UTVs are ultra quiet, perfect for hunters trying to keep a low profile. As mentioned above, EV’s aren’t best for every type of hunter.
Consider the distance to the hunting area and how much you’ll be moving around. Landmaster’s EV Red Hood lasts 45 to 65 miles on a single charge. Make sure you know an Electric UTV’s range before you buy.
Hunting is more fun with friends, so you’ll want to consider a vehicle with 4 seats.
Take a close look at bed and towing capacity. It will all depend on the type of animal you’re hunting and the type of gear you’re hauling.
We recommend L7 Crew Untamed, it’s purpose-built to give hunters everything they need. With four seats, a 1,500 lbs towing capacity, and an 800 lbs bed capacity, transporting your hunting buddies along with everyone’s gear is paintless.
Other hunter-friendly features include a winch, a camo hood, a split windshield, a gun rack and a super-bright LED light bar. That light bar is absolutely essential for early-morning setups.
Choosing the Best UTV for Yard Work and Utility
UTVs and yard work are the perfect match. The possibilities are endless. Anything that you would usually move by hand, just toss in the UTV bed or tow it along.
The ability to mount and tow accessories allows you to work smarter, not harder. You can tow sprayers, rakes, spreaders, wire unrollers, snow plows (more detail on this in the next section), and more.
As always, you’ll be limited by your bed and towing capacity, so make sure the specifications are a solid fit for the work you do.
For yard work and utility, we recommend Landmaster’s EV Red Hood. At home, you’re never far from a charger, so the extended range of 65 miles is more than enough. It comes equipped with a convertible steel bed, power steering, and 25” cruiser DOT tires.
Choosing the Best UTV for Snow Removal
With a UTV, snow removal is a breeze.
It's a great middle ground between a plow truck and a shovel. You’re able to move large quantities of snow easily while maintaining access to smaller spaces.
Before you purchase a UTV for snow removal, be sure there are compatible plows available.
Landmaster’s plow system includes both 50” and 60” options which you can lift and tilt from the driver’s seat.
All of our Landmaster inventory comes already equipped with roofs and windshields, which are essential for windy or snowy conditions. It also helps to have a powerful LED light bar for when the winter sun sets early (Untamed models come with these already installed).
You may want to haul around additional snow removal tools and ice melt, so make sure you’ve crunched the numbers on bed capacity before you buy.
For melting ice, we recommend you load up your UTV bed with Enviro-Heat Ice Melt. It melts at temperatures as low as -30° F and won’t damage your concrete.
Choosing the Best UTV for Camping and Recreation
The right UTV can take you, your friends, and your gear to remote campsites, inaccessible by any other mode of transportation.
UTVs are compact and powerful, which is ideal for squeezing through tight spaces and over rugged terrain.
Before you set off to explore the untamed wilderness, you’ll want to be certain you’re ready for anything. That means hauling extra gear and supplies like gas, tire repair kits, tents, and coolers.
Keep in mind that even in the largest of UTVs, storage is limited.
The ability to tow a trailer makes a big difference in terms of storage capacity.
Be sure to carefully consider towing capacity before you buy. The freedom to bring all the supplies you need provides peace of mind that you’re ready for whatever challenges nature throws your way.
For camping, we recommend the L7 Crew Trail Red Hood. It comes loaded with trail-ready features like 4 wheel drive, an upgraded bumper, a USB port, and a center console with a lock.
It also comes outfitted with a winch, so you’re ready if you ever get stuck.
In conclusion, we hope this guide empowers you in selecting the right UTV for your needs.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the options but our expert team can help walk you through the process.
View the American-Made UTVs we have for sale and schedule a visit with us today!