I'm in the market for an atv that can pull. I'm leaning towards the big bear but the rated towing is 900#, while the bruin 350 is rated at 1100#. why does the bruin have a higher rated capacity: is it a function of the automatic clutch on the big bear or is it because the big bear was designed ages ago and yam just stuck with the lesser hitch as to not deviate from the original design. the bruin hitch is much beefier than the big bear - looks like it may be cast.

thanks

 

I noticed the same thing, it's weird. I know for a fact the towing capacities are way underrated. My Kodiak 450 is rated at 33 lb. tongue weight and 1,100 lb. towing capacity. I stood on the receiver and I weight 170 and although I'm not sure how much weight I've pulled w/ it, I'd venture to say it's well over the 1,100 lbs.

 

The big bear was rated a long time ago and it can pull ALOT more than 900lbs. //1st gear is so low//The companies put a much lesser number than the quad can pull for safety reasons// when they say 900 on a big bear,,, that means at 900 lbs, you can fell a little wait./// For example,, my grizz is rated for 1200 lbs but i pulled a metal horse trailer up a hill that weighed over a ton// i would go with the big bear/// ps..the reason the bruin is RATED to tow more is because the new engines are desinged to give more torque

 

On my bruin i pulled a 250 pound homemade trailer with around 1500 pounds of logs and 2 people up a muddy hill. yes the hitch can hold more than its rated for because the rating is what is recommended for a 180 pound man to be able to FULLY control. They keep it low because they dont need the lawsuits. Most quads are capable of more than they say.