Hey guys,

I have a 2010 Sportsman 850 XP and I am wanting to build a box like they have on the Polaris Big Boss. Has anyone done this or have any ideas for me?

I basically just want a treated wood bottom with 2x4's on the sides to keep things from rolling out. It could stick out on the sides up to 6" or so and it could extend 2 feet off the back. I will basically use it for the following:

Carrying load of firewood from garage to house
Ice Fishing
Hunting
Gardening, yard tools, etc...

I was considering a sideXside mainly for the box/bed on the back. But I really like the maneuverability of an atv...

 

I would attach two 2x4PT to the rack. One across the front of the rear rack and one across the rear. Not too familiar with the XP rack so I'm not sure how you would attach them. Use the rear 2x4 for the hinge plate. Get a good strong set of door hinges and attach a pair to the 2x4. I'd build the box out of 2x6PT for a minimum. That will give you either a 5.5" deep box if you mount them on top of the floor of the dumpbox or 4" if you attach the 2x6PT to the sides of the floor of the dumpbox. If it were me I'd make the floor out of plywood, probably 3/4" PT. Predrill the holes for the hinge holes in the plywood and attach the plywood where you want it. I'd screw the 2x6 sides on through the plywood with 2-1/2" stainless steel screws. You could also make a dump gate if you wanted by shaving some of the width off the 2x6 you would use for the gate. Can get some of those long strap hinges for that. Hope you can picture what I'm trying to get across. I have an X2 that has the dumpbed and I built a 2x6 box to build up the sides. So, I have a 10" deep dumpbox. More I think about it, if you're going to do it go with 2x10 or 2x12 sides for the extra depth.

 

I was really hoping to extend it at least 2' off the back, do you think that would be possible with a good sturdy base...

 

Not to ask a stupid question, but have you considered just getting a little trailer to pull behind the fourwheeler? I bought a 4 by 6 dump trailer from Craigslist for 70 bucks...easily moves around by hand if I need it to and could haul another quad on it if I really needed to!

 

Not a dumb question at all, and if I could find something like the rear of a big boss 6x6 then I would consider it. During the winter I will have a plow hooked up and I just thought it would be easier to back in where my woodpile is and load up if I had a nice sturdy box on the rear rack. And while hunting and fishing I'd rather have the storage on the back so I can haul my Otter Sled....

 

If you extend it 2' and load it up you'll have a good wheelie machine. I'm not sure how well that's going to work out for you.

 

I'm with him.

I'd try and build the whole thing from 3/4 marine ply, you'll keep the weight to a minimum (for a homemade project) and it should last well. If you go for the 2' overhang you're going to have to fix it all through to the frame some how rather than just the rack.

Keep in mind that you can keep it forward too, over the rear of the seat which would help distributing the weight.

To be honest, I think you're aiming for too big an overhang at the rear but good luck with what ever you try.

JF

 

I agree...2' is to much of a overhang.

I use my bike for the same type stuff...lots of ice fishing, work, hunting....etc.

I went with a Kolpin drop rack, which extends off the back about 12" or so. With gate dropped it is about 2'... I drop the gate when I get the little grill going while on the ice or need a stable platform doing yardwork, cutting a 2x4 building deer stands, etc. Flip the gate up and it holds my chainsaw nicely/securely. Deer camp I stack wood high and don't worry about scratching the plastic, racks, etc. Ice fishing I can fit 3 buckets wide...or heater box, minnow bucket, vexilar...etc. Works GREAT for ice fishing. The drop basket really adds alot of utility to my atv. Give them a look...might be a option for you.

All sorts of different manufacturers of a drop rack...Kolpin, moose, tamarack, etc. I like the Kolpin for the drop gate.

A few pics of mine...

Wenty

 

I don't think I'd go 2 feet off the end either. Maybe a foot or so. I would use 2x stock for the sides for the cantilever effect to keep it from sagging. If you did do some kind of cantilever like you're suggesting it would be a good idea to put some weight on the front rack to compensate for the leverage of the rear box sticking out. I've put a couple hundred lbs. of firewood in the back of the X2 with the box extension I built and it does okay but the X2 is designed for extra weight. Not sure how a regular quad would react to that much weight especially if it is hanging off the end.