Ranger 6×6?

I’ve been looking at some used UTV’s. I tend to be a bit different and find myself drawn to the 6×6’s polaris use to make. I’ve heard mixed reviews on how they go through snow on ice. I would love to hear feedback from those who have used them for ice fishing. I know tracks would be better, but that is in the someday category.

They are like a little tank. Ive 1300 miles on mine and it hasn’t left the farm. Took a bobcat bucket full rock to a steep grade and handled it fine. I’ve also hauled three deer and 3 passengers out of the valley. Unfortunately they are heavy at about 1500 lbs. Definitely not an early ice tool. By the time they are ice safe , its not long for vehicles. It can go thru alot of snow with momentum. We will run our setter most of the winter only occasionally needing a snowmobile track. in 5 years I’ve had to replace a fuel pump, wiring harness, and battery. 3 gear cases and a transmission to maintain a project. It has used some oil since day one.

Good call on the wieght. It looks like it is almost 800 lbs more than the 570 full size I have now. I have a 3/4 ton truck that I don’t ever plan on driving out, so the ranger will be all season once we have safe ice.

Don’t own one but I don’t see a benefit to six tires vs 4 except for maybe a slightly larger bed.
Cons
Slower
Heavier
Less agile
More maintenance
Larger trailer
And guessing when you get stuck you will be really stuck.

All good points, the trailer i have can handle it fine. The ability to tow around my Lund would be nice, but the extra wieght and maintenance are concerns

Ripjiggen wrote:

And guessing when you get stuck you will be really stuck.

This would probably be my biggest concern depending on where, when and how you, personally, fish/navigate. There’s really something to be said for the maneuverability and light weight of the old “sub-500” wheelers, IMO, especially when out there alone.

that is a good point, I have a basic 570 right now that I haven’t tried in snow yet, that will probably be a lot easier to push out of spots, I had an old Honda 300 TRX, that was very easy to get unstuck

You would be surprised how heavy even a 570 is when stuck. One person isn’t gonna be pushing it around alone especially when buried in snow.

I would suggest a winch and Take a 4’ piece of 4×4 lumber with you so when you get stuck you can drill a hole in the ice and use the wood for a anchor point with your winch or they make fancy anchors for ice holes also