By Harpy on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I am going to purchase an Amphibious ATV soon for hunting {big and small game} and fishing/camping, but I need help and info.

Can you put an outboard motor on the MaxIV, or is the ARGO the only one?

I read in one of the posts that a cargo rack on the Max IV allows you to put items over the engine and give you the same space as the Argo. Is that right over the engine, and if it is, what about heat rising, would it spoil a deer or overly heat food or equipment?

Does the MaxIV have a hitch?

Does the MaxIV have a Bilge Pump?

Thanks for your help
Harpy

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Harpy,

I suggest you check PSI on the ground very carefully if you truly need an amphibious machine and will be going where flotation is important - the space to haul stuff means nothing if your machine gets stuck and can't go where you want to go. The machine balance and the amount of tread (aggressiveness) on the tires will determine your water handling ability.

You would have to rig up your own motor mount for the Max, but it could be done - Unnecessary, but it could be done. A Max IV with 26" tires will give very good water performance.

You would need to make your own Cargo cariier at this point too as RI has discontinued them. How about putting that stuff in the back seat? Yes, heat does rise and stuff directly above the engine will get warm.

Yes, the Max IV has a trailer hitch and the ability to pull 1000 lbs (dead weight). Tongue weight should be limited to about 250 lbs.

No, RI does not offer a bilge pump. Again, it can be put on, unneccessary, but it can be done. If a max is taking on water, it is a maintenance problem.

By Phil Herrold on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I use my Argo Conquest for all those activities. Last year, I got a deer and used my argo to haul the deer out of a ditch and out of the woods. There is plenty of room for all your gear. You can fit an outboard on Argo, as well as Max I think. The Argo is slow in the water, but very stable. Argos also have a hitch and a bilge pump option. The hitch will tow around 1750. Good luck in your search.

By jerry saylors on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Just got back from a moose hunting trip up here in Alaska. Before I went, I installed superswamper tires on my conquest (http://www.intercotire.com/sstslatv.htm) wow! what a difference. I also installed a fiberglass hardtop. The top adds a little weight but sure is nice when it starts to rain/snow. The trail going in was pretty nasty. We went in 10 miles total but the first three was like driving through peanut butter. Very sticky and deep. There were two of us in the argo plus gear. Additionally, I was towing an argo brand trailer behind. I weigh 315, my hunting buddy weighs 240. We had about 100 lbs of gear inside the argo. The trailer weighs 300 and contained 100 pounds more. Another friend was on a polaris 6x6. He did very good also but wasn't carrying a load and even at that he had to go around some of the really nasty stuff. I did get stuck a few times going in but soon discovered and corrected the problem. Problem was I left my wheel extenders on when I mounted the new tires and wheels. This allowed mud to pack between the tires and the body of the machine. After removing the extenders, I didn't have any problem. Lots of fun but no moose. Oh well, there's always next year.

By Douglas MacCullagh (Dougmac) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Fred, I am surprised that you'd say a bilge pump is unnecessary. Any time you are in the water, safety gear is important. If you have a maintenance problem and are taking on water, a bilge pump is the best way to get it out. Bailing an AATV isn't much of an option! Also, wear a life jacket. An AATV can sink. 98% of the time the pump & life jacket won't be necessary - but I won't go in the water without them.

By Gord Young on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jerry,

How well did those tires perform in water? Were they as good as the runamuks or RawhideIII tires?

Did you notice any improvement in flotation in the water?

How much did they cost you?

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max Dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Douglas,

RI does not offer a bilge pump (or an outboard motor mount) as accessories; therefore, as a dealer, I do not reccomend their use. If the factory does not supply an item, I don't either.

I absolutely agree on the safety stuff - I (or my passengers) never go in the water without life jackets and paddles.

By jerry on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Gord, They seemed to do very good in the water. better than the runamucks. I've never seen the rawhides perform but I hear they are very good. I took it out into a lake. Even towed the trailer into the lake. It was slow going, maybe 2-3 mph but I didn't think that was too bad considering the trailer weighs 300 lbs. Can't really say if floatation was enhanced but I assume it was since these tires are 2.5 inches wider than the runamucks. I bought them directly from Interco Tire company in Rayne, La. The guy to talk to is Dev Bess. I paid $48.00 ea. but I bought a total of 22 tires from him (bought vampires for my quad and a couple of friends machines). I wish they made vampires small enough for my conquest. Bigfoots and Max IV's would be unstopable with them on. Only draw back that some people may have about these tires is the weight p/tire. They are 4 ply and therefore are more than twice the weight of the runamucks.