I need advice on what ATV would be best for towing a cart around that carries my 4 large trash cans. I live on a very steep long road and have to take 4 large trash cans to the bottom of the block each week. On the way back up the hill it just needs to be able to tow the metal cart and 4 empty cans. Obviously the least expensive solution is best since I really don't see having the time to take it out to have fun with. I currently have a '86 Honda FourTrax which I bought used about 4 years ago. That was a mistake. I bought someone elses problems. This time I want to buy new. I do like Honda but am open to absolutely any advice.

The cans can get pretty heavy as they are the automated cans the city provides. The green cans get especially heavy when full. So I need something with decent power for occassional incline pulling. The ATV needs a receiver hitch or be able to accomodate one since the metal cart my friend welded up needs to hook up to it via a receiver hitch. I have an aftermarket one bolted onto my current ATV.

I don't have a ton of cash so if there are solutions under $3,000 that would be great. (Lower even better). I do realize you get what you pay for.

Thank you in advance.

 

In your price range, you should easily be able to find a used Honda Rancher or a Foreman.

The trip down is loaded, so you want something with great engine braking to keep control of the load. The trip up is empty, so you don't really need some big bore torque monster....keep things simple. I personally limit my purchases to good old gear-on-gear transmissions, and stay away from all the automatics.

Will you need to do this in the snow???? If not, even a 2wd might do (less $$$).

 

Thanks for the quick response. There's no snow where I'm at so that's not a problem. I'm hesitant to buy used again as I really don't have the knowledge to know if I'm buying junk again. That's why I thought it was safest to buy new this time. Hopefully it will last me longer. Based on that are there any ATVs that would work for my needs? Also, I was looking online at what they call tow hithes. They look different than the receiver hitch I'm using on my current ATV. The one I am using is a receiver hitch like you would find on a SUV. Do current model ATVs accomodate a bolt on hitch like that?

Thanks again.

 

Don't know of anything you can get new for near 3k unless you try checking out chinese which I know nothing about. Unfortunately Honda is normally on the pricier side. With used you are always taking the chance of buying someone elses problems. There is usually a reason they are selling. Sometimes it is to upgrade but often is because they are tired of problems. If lucky you can find prior year holdovers for a good price by calling around to dealers. Also, on the chinese thing some of those dealers are rather shady. They sell some to make a profit then they are gone. Not that some of the domestic ones are not also.

 

You won't find anything new for $3,000. I wouldn't be obsessing about a hitch! They mostly all come with one.

You might look for a new 2wd leftover 06 Rancher 350, which should get close to your price range.

If you think a 250 will do the job, the Honda Recon is a great little 2wd machine. It's considerably cheaper than the Rancher. You can get a hitch option.

With the Honda's, avoid the ES electronic shifting system. It will cost you an extra $200, and the board is full of problem posts with this system.....

 

Thanks for the input guys. So it looks like my best option is to come to bump my budget a bit and try find a Honda 250 Recon. When I called a dealer they were trying to sell me on a Yamaha BigBear 250. I assume that's not a good choice or you would have mentioned it.

Reconranger, can you tell me, how do I know if they are trying to sell me one with the ES Electronic Shifting System? I would like to take your advice and avoid it.

 

For "entry" level machines around 3k (All 4x2) you have the:
Honda recon MSRP 3649
Yamaha Big bear 3499
Suzuki Ozark 3499
Kawasaki Bayou 2999

4x4 lowest would be the Kawi prarie 360 @ 4599.

I do not pick any of these as being "better" than the other as they are all basicly the same. 250cc air cooled. Pretty much all 5 speed with auto clutch. Some come with hitch others as an add on.

 

Thanks upnort, I appreciate the input. If they are basically the same I think I will take the price difference into consideration.

 

An ES model will not have any shifter for the left foot. There will be buttons on the left handlebar instead.

The Recon is a sweet little machine! It should be enough to haul the empty trailer and cans up the hill. It has good engine braking, but I can't say it is famous for having "stop you dead" brakes.

A trailer hitch is an option, and the dealer will try to ream you for one. There is an aftermarket one made that is much cheaper, but I can't remember who sells it.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I currently have a '86 Honda FourTrax which I bought used about 4 years ago. That was a mistake.</end quote></div>

Do not give up on second hand so fast. I sold a 89 350 Big Bear and a 2001 450 Foreman to friends of mine and they have no complaints as of yet and a new 250 Recon would still cost $1000 more than the mint condition 450 Foreman with only 1000 miles on it.