Tip Sheet: Buying a Hunting Vehicle? Avoid These 5 Mistakes

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A UTV is a cross between a pickup and an ATV. Designed for off-road use, they are great for hunting, work and neighborhood transportation.

Augusta, GA. (PRWEB) November 14, 2013

Are you thinking of buying a hunting vehicle this season? If so, Daniel Harris, a technical trainer at Club Car and avid hunter, tells you how to avoid buyer’s remorse.

1. Don’t buy on impulse.

Most people use their vehicles for much more than hunting. “Knowing all the ways you’ll use your vehicle up front will help you get more miles for your dollar,” says Harris. “Give this some serious thought.”

Then determine where you’ll be hunting. If you plan to park on the road side and walk to the hunting site, a pickup or Jeep may be right for you. “But if you want to drive into the woods, consider an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or utility transportation vehicle (UTV),” Harris says.

2. Don’t confuse ATVs and UTVs.

If you’re looking for a fast, nimble vehicle, consider an ATV. These lightweight gasoline-powered vehicles are easy to trailer and hide. They feature a motorcycle-style seat and handlebars with a throttle and brake lever. “But ATVs accommodate only one rider and don’t have cargo beds or cabs,” Harris says.

A UTV is a cross between a pickup and an ATV. Designed for off-road use, these vehicles are great for hunting, work and neighborhood transportation. “UTVs drive like automobiles and have cargo beds, but they are smaller than pickup trucks and can navigate narrow paths and weave in and out of trees,” says Harris.

UTVs are also easy to trailer and hide. Many come with seat belts and roll over protection systems. They’re available in a range of models.

“Club Car’s line of XRT™ UTVs are available in gas, diesel and electric power; two- to six-passenger models; and two- or four-wheel drive,” Harris says. “The smaller ones fit in the back of a pickup truck.”

3. Don’t dismiss the “green” option.

Hunters often think they need to buy a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle to get a longer range. “But electric vehicles will also give you the range for a good day in the woods,” Harris says. “And they don’t create fumes and noises that frighten animals.”

Whether you buy gasoline, diesel or electric, check the range.

4. Don’t make the wrong choice between a two- or four-wheel drive.

If you mainly travel trails, a two-wheel drive vehicle may be all you need.
If you’ll be crossing creeks; driving in snow, rain or mud; climbing hills; or covering rocky terrain, you’ll want a four-wheel drive.

Harris notes that there are big differences in the performance of four-wheel drive systems.
“With traditional systems, you’ll have to push the right levers, select the right gears and worry about locks. But Club Car XRT 4x4s feature the IntelliTrak™ all-wheel drive system. You select ‘forward’ or ‘reverse’ and IntelliTrak senses the ground it’s on and does the rest,” he says.

5. Don’t forget about ground clearance and axle articulation.

“Axle articulation is the ability to travel uneven terrain while maintaining ground contact on all four tires and preserving traction and torque,” Harris says.

Club Car’s XRT1550 4x4s deliver unparalleled axle articulation and eight inches of ground clearance, even when fully loaded. Its four-link semi-independent rear suspension provides independent performance with solid axle strength. The world standard for Jeeps and Land Rovers, the system is unique to Club Car in the U.S. UTV market.

“After you consider these factors, as well as bed size, payload and warranty, I suggest you go one step above what you think you’ll need, so you can keep your hunting options open,” Harris says.                                                                                        

Club Car products are sold through Authorized Club Car Dealers. To find a dealer near you, visit http://www.clubcardealer.com/locator.

About Club Car

Club Car, one of the most respected names in the golf industry, is the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles. The company’s Precedent® golf cars and Carryall® Turf utility vehicles are integral to successful operations at thousands of courses around the world. The company also offers a complete line of new and used golf cars, XRT™ utility vehicles and street-legal, low-speed vehicles (LSVs) for personal use, all backed by Club Car’s 50+ year legacy of superior design, manufacture and service.

Club Car is part of the Industrial Technology Sector of Ingersoll Rand, and is based in Augusta, Ga. Visit http://www.clubcar.com.

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