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My UTV vs Mini Truck?

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by Dfixit1, Oct 20, 2021.

  1. Dfixit1

    Dfixit1 New Member

    Hello from MI! I first ran across these trucks on Craigslist list after taking my Yamaha side by side out on the ATV trails. When I got home I said to myself this thing is too loud and to stiff for my old bones!
    We are hilly, sandy and live in the woods. Our trails are grown over, washboard, sand, hills and restricted to 5’ W. I’m considering selling the Yamaha and getting something more comfortable but I don’t know if the Kei truck would work? My Yamaha is 5’ W, 12”” off the ground and 75” H. One of the hilltops I regularly visit I bottomed out twice and have to use 4L to climb.

    Will these mini trucks work on these trails and with these conditions? I’ve been trying to find videos but no luck.
    The other concern is the 25 mph speed limiter. Why would feds allow a Yamaha go 53 mph but a mini truck only 25 mph?
    Thanks everyone!
    Regards
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2021
  2. SAITCHO

    SAITCHO Active Member

    Mini truck will be more quiet, have more bed space and provide a closed cab with heat and AC if equipped. One thing they don't do well is providing a smooth drive off-road. Look for motocheez video on youtube. He made quite a few video and when he goes off-road its a pretty rough drive, you need to take it very slow. Some people have upgraded the suspension but it will never be a baja truck that can swallow bumps at high speed. The mini truck shine on road for small commute and off-road as a slow speed work truck that can carry good loads at slow speed.
     
    Dfixit1 likes this.
  3. t_g_farrell

    t_g_farrell Active Member

    They are only limited if less than 25 years old. If you by one thats over 25 years old (1996 or older) they can do 60-70 mph top speed on pavement. Of course a 25 year old vehicle will need a bunch of maintance done to make it reliable as the Yamaha. I'm doing my van now, just did all the vacuum hoses, have a timing belt and tuneup kit with a waterpump to put on while replacing all the coolant hoses and flushing it out. Will also be replacing all the rubber fuel lines and the tires. They are easy to work on at least.
     
    Dfixit1 likes this.
  4. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    I bought my Hijet as an alternative to an ATV/UTV for carrying my snow plow, after noticing a Honda Acty in a parking lot. The mini trucks have a real heated cab, with a real windshield, doors, and windshield wipers. Much more comfortable to plow in than an ATV/UTV.

    Plus they have a real bed that is about 54-inches wide, and 6-ft long.
    My particular rig, is referred to a as a pick/tipper. Which means it is a scissors lift, dump bed truck. For off pavement use, I add a lift kit, and larger tires. For plowing I added variable rate springs so it can handle the weight of the plow in the winter, and not be oversprung in times the plow isn’t mounted.

    It is not an off-road racer. There just isn’t enough suspension travel to absorb big bumps, and potholes at speed. For just putting along established trails, and Forest Service roads, it is fine. And, it is much quieter than the ATV/UTVs I drive occasionally at work. Mine has a five speed manual transmission, and a two speed transfer case. it locks into 4wd automatically in low range. It can be manually put into 4wd in high range, and it also has an optional locking rear axle in 2wd.

    Some states allow them to be registered and plated as an on road vehicle, and some states plate them as low speed vehicles, only useable on low speed roads. I’m in Idaho, which registers them as ATVs, and does not allow them on any state highways. You can drive them on county and city roadways, unless those entities restrict them. That said, the local LEOs and the Highway Patrol officers locally haven’t ever bothered me for driving short distances close to town, on the highways.
     
    Dfixit1 likes this.
  5. Dfixit1

    Dfixit1 New Member

    Thanks
    I have a tractor with a 72” blower for snow clearing. Tried the plow and it worked but too many piles and required a FEL to move them by February.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2021
  6. Arty

    Arty Active Member

    I 100% agree with both Saitcho and Jigs as to what these little trucks are good at. I use mine for around town errands, moving stuff around the yard, etc.. They ride like a wheelbarrow, but keep you warm and dry, and put a smile on your face, and most people around you every time you venture out.
     
  7. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Dfix,
    Like a lot of people, I've been plowing and moving Snow with all kinds of Equipment, my whole life, over 50 yrs,
    and these little trucks are just that, little Mini Trucks!
    As you know when the Conditions are right, a Blower works pretty well!
    With a mild winter, and melting periods in between, you can usually get by with the Mini's,
    but their pretty light to try to push a stacked pile once you dead head into it,
    besides not being very good on the drive train, transmission,etc................!
    In heavy, conditions with a large amount of snow, it's pretty unavoidable,
    not needed a Front End Loader to move the piles! JMO!
    Limestone
     
  8. Dfixit1

    Dfixit1 New Member

    Thanks for all your replies! Complaints about the Yamaha is it’s very loud and very stiff. I don’t mind driving slow and I just watched a bunch of the videos off road and in snow.
    I still need to check MI and see if they will allow for off road like a UTV. Listed my Yamaha today and will see what happens.
    Thanks
     
    t_g_farrell likes this.
  9. Dfixit1

    Dfixit1 New Member

  10. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Different strokes for different folks!

    You have to decide what's best for you,
    and your Needs! Wants!

    Good article, Topic.

    Limestone
     
    Dfixit1 likes this.
  11. t_g_farrell

    t_g_farrell Active Member

    The one thing the article leaves out is the maintenance thats required once you get the used 25 year old minitruck. Its not hard for t he most part but if you are not a decent mechanic it could be a challenge for some folks.
     
    Limestone likes this.
  12. Dfixit1

    Dfixit1 New Member

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying used verses new?
    MI doesn’t allow them to be registered and used on the roads and I’m still unsure if I could purchase an ORV permit and Trail permit?
    I’ve read the feds require the new minis to have a governor limiting speed to 25 mph.
    Our country allows ORV to use the shoulder on county roads.
    Thanks
     
  13. t_g_farrell

    t_g_farrell Active Member

    So if you buy new it will be restricted to off road and speed limited to 25 mph for the most part. So used gets you street legal ( in some states) and up to 70 mph (best case).
     
  14. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    If you Buy New, More Money, Usually!(initially)
    If you buy used, depending on Condition, and from who, and what was done to it!(FrankenFixed)
    Personally, like was said before, if your not mechanically inclined, Handy, and have time for Maintenance,
    I wouldn't suggest used,(older),!
    These things do have some Quirks, to them as far as I'm concerned!
    I love the Mini size, and have a lot of plans to do some converting, it's just a time constraint holding me back!
     
  15. ElntTcare

    ElntTcare New Member

    I've had my fair share of Yamaha adventures, but recently I switched to a mini truck. Mine handles the hills and sandy stretches like a champ. The 5' width should be good for those narrow trails, and the lower profile might save you from bottoming out. About the 25 mph limit, it's a head-scratcher. Maybe the feds think we need more time to enjoy the scenery? Anyway, don't let it put you off. Sometimes the journey at a slower pace is more fun, right? Oh, and speaking of off-road beasts, have you considered checking out the Bobcat T770 Compact Track Loader. It's a game-changer for trail maintenance.
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2023

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