Does anybody know how the manufactures come up with a rating for the towing capacity on there quads?
I was just wondering...For Ex. My 2006 S.P. 450 has a rating of 1225 lbs. at a weight of 715 lbs.
2007 KFV(KAWI)360 has a rating of 1100 lbs. at a weight of 580 lbs.

 

it's based on the abilty to stop, then based on the abilty to not break something.

 

Part of it is the ability to stop safely, the brakes can only take so much weight.

I wouldn't be suprised if their lawyers had a say in it too.(For safety reasons again).

-Krait

 

My kodiak breaks stuff all the time, for example last weekend I broke a couch that needed burnt..........I decided it needed flattened as well

 

My 650V2 has a 1050 lb tow rating. I pulled my Silverado up my driveway just fine. I believe its all stopping ability

 

This last summer I towed a 10ft by 12ft storage shed that we had jacked up and put cross beams onto a trailer about 3 miles to another cabin on a dirt trail. Had to cut a few trees to widen the trail as wewent along. The trail was mostly level with one small hill or slope to go down. That was the only dicey spot. Stopping once you started down was not an option.

Unless you use low you have difficulty getting heavy loads to beginto move which can put a strain onthe drive train. ie break things.

To date this was the largest load and possibly the heaviest. I have no clue how much it weighed.

I would agree that starting and stopping ability is what the weight/towing capacity factors come from. So a larger heavier machine doesn't always mean more towing capacity.

SJ

 

outlander XT 400cc here which weighs 607pounds and has a towing rating of 1100 if that helps anyone

 

it'll tow a hell of alot more then they recommend for sure. the mfg. just have to put a safe number to cover thier buts. it no differnt then a pick up hauling a 6000 lb. trailer w/ no brakes on the trailer.