After scouring the internet for information concerning my new (barely used <g&gt[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] 2000 AC300 4X4 I'm glad to
say I found this site early on... and it's been a great help so far. Just wanted to say "hi" and introduce myself
to the other Cat folks (or lurking hater's <g&gt[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img], and ask a couple of questions.

A few years ago I joined a hunting club here in WV and we've leased 2000 acres in Nicholas County, WV near
Summersville. Being new to hunting I didn't realize the amount of work there'd be getting in and out to our stands.
(Hauling 50lb. bag's of corn 2 miles uphill is a quick way to wear out what little knee cartilage I have left...)

I decided fairly early on that I needed a 4wheeler... but couldn't talk myself into spending the bucks. Recently
my sister decided to sell her Cat and since the price and miles on it were right ($2300 and 141 miles on the odometer)
I figured now was a good time to take the plunge. Unfortunately do to pricing, opportunity etc; I've not taken the
advice of others on this board to "try several different models" before buying. Hopefully this won't turn around and
bite me too bad. From what I've read it seems like this is a good model for my needs anyways... mostly slow trail
riding/hauling up tram roads and "scouting". We've got approx. 5 miles of dirt/gravel road on the property.. and
countless miles of driveable 'trails"... due to the layout of the land and concern for my delicate hide I can't see me
doing much "racing" or deep mudding... , So the 300 should hopefully do the job for me.

My first questions are fairly simple.
1. I'm trying to decide on a trailer... leaning to a small "tilt" model due to pricing and style. I'll be hauling it with a
Jeep Grand Cherokee, so am curious as to opinions and thoughts regarding this choice.

2. I definately plan to wear a helmet while I ride. (even though the majority of our club members don't <g&gt[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]. Any
reccomendations as to a type/style/brand that would work well for "scouting". Mainly concerned about peripheral
vision and my hearing if I stop while on the trail. (I understand that after the noise of a 4wheeler.. I probably wouldn't
hear a black bear if he was sneaking up on me from behind <g&gt[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img], but would like to know my options.

Sorry to be so long winded for a first post. I'll save further questions for down the road and another day.
Thanks for any help and advice you might have.
Vince

 

1. A small tilt or non tilt trailer should be fine. I'd get a relativly sturdy one because you ussually end up using it to hual other things.

2. Buy a good helmit, if you get one for about $60 even if it fits you well you won't wear it for very long because of the poor venting. Send some $$ and get a good open face helmit with a chin guard and visor.

 

Lots of us use those tilt bed type trailers. They work just fine, just keep an eye on the wheel bearings, because those tires turn some serious rpms at 70 mph.
I like the "shorty" type of helmets. They are light weight, and the ears are exposed, so its easy to hear.
Welcome to the forums and enjoy that A/C.

 

Welcome, the 300 is a great machine and should last you a long, long time. I think it will be perfect for what you plan to do, those things were built like tanks.

For a trailer, check out my pictures, number 8 to be exact. My dad just bought that thing at Menards (can't remember the price but cheap) and put up the walls with just some 2x4's and ply-wood. Works great, it can be towed down Interstate at 80mph with no problems, and once he gets to the ATV working area the trailer tilts and you can drive right off, then hook the trailer up to your ATV and haul a lot of wood, deer, whatever.

The other thing to do would be to check out some used snowmobile trailors, don't know if you have any of those in West Virginia, but maybe you do.

Sorry, I don't know a lot about helmets, we have old open face motorcycle ones we use when needed.

Hope this helps, and again, WELCOME!

 

hey man congrats on the wheeler for what it seems like you are wanting out of an atv it is about as perfect as a one as you can get. the 300 is a very very smooth riding fourwheeler and very quiet perfect for in the woods and it sounds as if you haven't been driving atv's for years so you aren't experienced which is another good thing about the 300 so you don't break your neck. and about helmits i would go for the supercross style helmit the ones most dirtbike racers wear for a couple reasons. 1 you get the full protection of your chin as well as your head 2 you got a visor on it which helps keep the sun out of your eyes so you can see the trail. good luck with your choice you should enjoy it as well as i enjoyed my old 300 and btw i don't think you have to exactly worry about any bears sneaking up on you lol they are more scared of you then you are of them

 

I ride with a friend who wears the salad bowl helmet(the helmet that just covers the top of your melon) and when we ride together he complains about the dust and rocks hitting him. If you ride by yourself it would be fine but I dont personally recommend them especially if you are new to the ATV world. Accidents and mistakes will be made while you ride the only thing protecting your bean and a tree or rock is that helmet so protect it and protect it well. It is one of the best investments you will make in this sport.

Welcome to the forums and the world of ATV'ing!

Congrats on your newly acquired machine as well.

 

I am not so sure about those small tilt trailers because if your hitch is at the wrong angle they don't stay titled or you have to find something to weight the rear down while your loading. I would prefer to purchase one of the smaller trailers with the ramp that fold upright on the end but that's just me.


Oh and don't forget to pick up a spare wheel/tire for the trailer.

I haven't looked at the pricing for these small trailers so if your on a budget the simple tilt might be cheaper.

 

Thanks folks for all of the replies. I will be making the purchase this afternoon, and might try to get it up to our camp this
weekend. I tried to find a trailer in our local "Ad bulletin" swap and shop newspaper, but no luck. I'll most likely just go
and buy one off of a trailer lot this week, after a bit more shopping around.

I've been studying the helmet options as best as I can while I'm stuck home healing a bad ankle. Nothing major wrong,
just a form of tendinitis that needed some rest. I should be released to go back to my mail route on Friday.... but may
see if the Dr. will think that I should have a couple of days extra to get used to walkiing without the brace <g>
(Of course, the best place to try out an ankle would be on 2000 acres by way of a 4 wheeler....but of course he doesn't
need to know that <g&gt[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img].
I like the description of the fox brand full face motorcross helmets I've read about due to there increased air flow. They are a bit pricy,
but getting my head stitched up would be high dollar as well, so it will probably be worth it.

I'll let you all know how my first trip up there goes, when it happens.

Thanks again...
oh, and weez440.... For the most part I agree that Black Bears are more afraid of you, etc;. (With the exception of the time I
spent a few years ago tracking a wounded one thru laurel thickets in the pouring rain <g>. Of course, my pistol gripped 12 gauge
loaded with slugs may have been giving me a false sense of security at the time <g>, but good luck for both of us, we never met up that day , fortunately.

But I have seen his cousins a time or two....