Hotspotoutdoors

I am looking to pick up an ATV this year and am wondering how much is needed to pull my wheel house out on the ice. My house is 6.5 x 16 with v front. Tongue weight is about 200 lbs. I have a chance for a great deal on a Arctic Cat 400, but am worried it might not have enough to pull it out there. Any suggestions? Any experience? Anything? Thanks all for the help!

Stymie

A 400 would work. Usually the problem becomes traction and this all depends on the conditions.

I would think it would be more than enough to pull it. I have an 8 x 12 and have pulled it with my little 300 polaris exporer and my house is pretty heavy. If you had a set of chains for it, it would help even more. Of course once there gets to be too much snow on the ice there really isn't a wheeler big enough, unless there are plowed roads or you have a set of trax for the wheeler and skis for the house. If you put that thing in 4wd and low, it should be fine, maybe a little under powered, but if it's a smokin deal on the wheeler, I'd say go for it.

If the Arctic Cat has low range I would think it would be fine as far as power goes. Does it have IRS or a straight rear axle??

Power should not be a problem. I pull our 6.5 x 12 with my yamaha 400 and hardly know it is back there.

Some good lugs on your tires will make all the difference in the world

Thanks for all the great info. I have to admit, i know nothing about ATV's so unfortunately I am unable to answer specific questions on it. I know the one I am looking at is an 2005 Arctic Cat 400 4x4 automatic with 42 miles on it. I am happy to hear it will be able to do the trick! I will definitely invest in some chains immediately (assuming we get ice this year).

The Arctic Cats have regular 4-wheel drive but they also have the differetial lock on them as well.

It's going to squat a bit with the IRS, but I believe that model has adjustable shocks, so if you stiffen them up it should be alright. It should pull fine in low, as AC's generally have a pretty low low gear

I have a 08 Honda Rubicon and tow out a 1500+lb house thru 6-8 inches of snow without chains. Its a 500 and I have all the power i'll ever need. Now if you trailride a bit you may want more cc's to impress your buddys.

I have a Cat 400 and in low range with the chains on, that baby will pull well for you.

That's the same machine that I have. I don't think you will have a problem.

I pulled mine 6'x14' out last year with a buddy's Polaris 300 on glare sheet ice, no snow at all. I couldn't believe it could do it with out chains or studs but it didn't have any problem at all.

Thanks again to everyone, You have me feeling very secure with my upcoming purchase!

We have a honda 450 pulling a 6 1/2' x 14' house and it works great.

If its a good deal pick it up! You can always put a few buddies in the back of the fish house when pulling to get the weight off the front.

I have a 350 yamaha bruin that i have pulled my 8x18 ice castle with. So it dont take much . Now if there was alot of snow that probably would not have happened but it pulled it.