Utility terrain vehicles or UTVs, also known as side by sides, are powerhouse vehicles that help you to do tasks that would be completely impractical for a normal car or truck. You can haul heavy loads over rough terrain in UTVs because that’s exactly what they’re built to do. If you want to off-road on the weekends with family and friends, then a side by side is perfect for that, too. Your local UTV dealer is Bright Power Sports, located in Lincoln Park, Michigan, and we have plenty of knowledge to share about these versatile vehicles.
If you’re after a vehicle that can tear up the trails, a UTV is great for this. Their high-powered engines and super-fast acceleration make them a joy to drive, whether you’re on a track or off-roading through rocky terrain. They operate similarly to a car due to their pedals and steering wheel, but they’re so much more fun with their open-top construction and ability to go off-road easily. You can also take multiple passengers with you on a UTV which gives them a leg up on other vehicles that are only suited to one rider in most cases. UTVs let you bring your friends and family along for the ride!
UTVs can be used for transport, hauling or towing, depending on your needs. Their high ground clearance and rugged construction mean they can travel almost anywhere, no matter how difficult the terrain. You can add accessories like sand paddles or mudding tires to deal with very slippery surfaces if necessary. The generous cargo space afforded by UTVs means they can carry your tools, materials and other equipment to and from the job site. The side by side bench seating arrangements common to UTVs allow for anywhere from two to six people to ride at once, making them an excellent way to transport crew and their tools on a construction site or ranch. Covering a lot of ground quickly is exactly what a side by side is made for!
When carrying cargo or other payloads in your UTV, it’s important to remember that the excess weight will change how your side by side handles, both on and off the road. Before you load up your UTV, make sure to check your owner’s manual for the weight limits on your particular UTV. If you’re towing a trailer with your UTV, you’ll have to check the trailer’s weight rating, too.
While you load your cargo onto your UTV, keep it centered and placed as close to the front of the UTV as possible. Heavy objects go on the bottom, lighter objects towards the top of your load to avoid making your UTV topheavy and therefore more likely to roll over. If you have too much cargo for one load, don’t try to pile it all on anyway! Make two trips. It’ll save you a lot of time and energy and potential damage to your cargo or your UTV. Use a net, bungee cords or straps to prevent your cargo from shifting around.
Liquid cargo can be particularly precarious to transport because it can unbalance your UTV when it sloshes around in its container. Don’t carry too much weight in liquid, either, and try getting a tank with a baffling device to reduce shifting and sloshing around of the contents.
If you’re in search of the perfect UTV for either professional or recreational purposes, come down to our Lincoln Park dealership to see our stock of new and used side by sides by all the top brands. Bright Power Sports also serves the greater Detroit, Michigan, metro area.
