Utility Task Vehicles, also known as “side by sides” or simply as UTV, are considered a type of off-roading transportation machine.
Although they’re mainly used for recreational purposes like All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), they’re also known for their versatility and all-purpose functionality, which is why a lot of farmers and hunters use them to do their jobs.
Since the machine is larger than ATV but smaller than a UTV, it should have a decent towing capacity that makes it a perfect workhorse. What is the UTV towing capacity? And what are the best UTVs for the job?
In today’s article, we’ll provide you with a brief guide that will help you by answering all these questions. Let’s dive right in!
How Much Weight Can a UTV Tow?
The total towing capacity of a UTV will vary depending on a lot of factors. The size of the UTV is perhaps the most prominent of these factors.
Ideally, small UTV can tow about 1,000 to 1,500 lbs while the most powerful ones out there are capable of towing up to 2,500 or even 3,000 lbs. In other words, a typical medium-sized UTV will be able to tow an average of 2,000 lbs.
Size, however, isn’t the sole factor for UTV towing capacity, so you always have to check the individual towing capacity of each UTV model before getting the one that suits your needs.
Factors Affecting the UTV Towing Capacity
As previously discussed, the UTV towing Capacity will vary significantly due to a plethora of factors with varying significance. Let’s have a brief look at each one of them:
1. Size
The size of a UTV is usually the most significant factor when it comes to towing and heavy-duty performance.
A typical UTV that is designed to support towing will usually be slightly larger than the average side by side.
2. Performance and Power
One of the main reasons why larger UTVs offer a higher capacity for pulling and towing is that, compared to average UTVs, they’re much more powerful under the hood.
This includes having a more powerful engine with higher horsepower and torque, which are the main contributors to the UTV’s sheer pulling power. The gearing system also has a lot to do with the ability to tow heavier objects.
3. Type of UTV
Another key factor that you need to keep in consideration is the type of UTV. Back in the day, all UTV were designed similarly. However, modern UTVs have different designs that make them better at certain functions.
For example, some recreational UTVs are built to go as fast as possible while off-roading with little regard towards the towing capacity.
In fact, some of these UTVs don’t even come with a towing hitch or a proper frame to support the process despite having a relatively jacked-up engine.
What Is the Difference Between a UTV and an ATV?
ATVs, also known as “four-wheelers” or “quads” share a lot of similarities with UTVs. For instance, both of them are powerful off-roading vehicles that are designed to handle a lot of jobs as well as recreation.
However, the main difference between the two is the design, as ATVs are usually designed for single-person use, in which the rider sits in a position similar to riding a motorbike.
UTVs, on the flip side, support two-person use sitting side by side to each other like a car, hence the name.
Read more: ATV vs UTV: What’s the Difference?
Is Buying a UTV for Towing Worth it?
One of the best things about UTVs is that they offer much more than being a recreational vehicle. Similar to an ATV, riding the UTV can be tons of fun.
Not only that, but it would also be a highly versatile tool that is relatively more comfortable than ATV and significantly less costly than a tractor.
2,000 lbs of hauling power are quite a decent lot and make the UTV self-sufficient when going on a camping trip without compromising on the ability to transport.
It’s also capable of handling crop harvests for farmers and can keep all the hunting gear that a hunter uses in the wild within reach.
For all these reasons, and more, having a UTV as a towing machine for medium-duty tasks seems like an excellent choice.
Can You Attach a Trailer to a UTV?
The short answer here is yes! There are plenty of trailers on the market that are specifically designed to be towed by a UTV. Trailers are great at helping you store a variety of tools and items within arm’s reach while moving around in the UTV
What sets these trailers apart from standard trailers is their excellent ability to handle various terrains that a UTV venture through. A great example of such a trailer is the MotoAlliance Impact Cargo Trailer or the Yutrax TX159 Trail Warrior X4.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to add the weight of the trailer itself while calculating the maximum capacity of the UTV.
How Much Does a UTV with Proper Towing Capacity Cost?
One of the coolest things about UTVs is that they come at a wide range of prices that range from as low as $5,000 for the low-end options and can go up as high as $25,000 to $30,000 for the largest and most powerful options.
Yet, you should keep in mind that most lower-end UTVs aren’t a suitable pick if you’re mainly buying the UTV for towing. Instead, you should expect a UTV with a decent towing capacity to cost you around $10,000.
This is why your budget can also be counted as a major factor while choosing a towing UTV model.
Final Thoughts
This wraps it up for today’s guide about the UTV towing capacity. As you can see, not all UTVs are created equal in that aspect, so you need to make sure that the UTV in question is rated for towing and has a hitch attached to its frame.
If you’re looking for a medium-duty vehicle that will provide you with a decent towing capacity of about 2,000 lbs, a UTV with a towing hitch would be ideal for you.