Looking at 2002 honda rubicon at a dealership. I have not owned a atv before. The main purpose at this time for the atv will be ice fishing. I know it will not have a problem pulling a portable, but also have a permanent fishouse on wheel. Can someone tell me if this unit will have the enough to do the job for me? Having a solid suspension in the back I'm sure will help for tongue weight, but I want to make sure these are good pulling units.

 

you will run out of traction before power, particularly in low. I'd say that's true with most 500s.

careful with the tongue weight, you can still break the axle with too much

 

This isn't true...I have a 06 Rubicon and I can tell you that I have powered it out in low gear a few time. I think it's the most reliable ATV on the market today, but as for power it's not that good. If power is what you want, look at polaris or Suzuki.

 

I don't want to argue, but there's less than a 5 hp difference to the suzuki and polaris. They are all roughly 30 to 35 HP.

even so - he'll run out of traction before power - remember this is ice and snow and a fishouse on wheels he's talking about. I've seen guys get by with much less than a 500.

I pull trees often, I can't remember twice I've been in high when I should have been in low and powered out. Of course I don't drag one ton logs, but I still say the limiting factor in towing is with the weight of the ATV. I've always lost traction rather than not enough power. Yes, there may be that infrequent situation you can get enough traction to power out, but not doing what he's talking about