Amphibious ATV

[Don in LA]

My son and I are considering several options for a vehicle to get us through 5 ft of water. Our mile long asphalt road leading to the state road gets covered with water from our river at least once a year. The road has high and low spots and even though we had 5 ft of water on it we still had one 300 ft stretch which was dry. So, we need something that will get us through 5 ft of water and dry land. I've been boating my son, daughter-in-law and grandkids out on the river for work and school to the local boat launch but I don't like doing that in a swollen river. The mile long road I want to use is fed water by the river, through a swamp. It has very little current during flooding. During flooding residents canoe, kayak and wade the road.

Options we are considering:
--Military deuce and a half. Those are available through Craig's list etc but I'm concerned with maintenance, parts, etc.

--Some type of amhibious ATV, etc

--Airboat with wheels.

If anyone has any experience with any of these options or if you have any other opinions I would appreciate your input.

Thanks

 

[Gunny]

I've only had experience with two amphibious ATVs, both were six wheel, one had a rubber track over the wheels. Neither of them worked very well in any current. We tried to cross a creek once that wasn't running very fast at all and it pushed us so far downstream that I didn't think we'd ever get back to where we started.

 

[Don in LA]

Yea, I wouldn't even consider a 6 or 8 wheel ATV but I've seen other people use 6 wheelers here with a trolling motor attached. There are 8 wheelers that can carry up to 6 people, which is the capacity I need. But, another problem is that trucks driving the road put up a pretty good wake and, although the wake wouldn't sink the ATV, it certainly would soak the passengers.

 

[PapaPerk]

I like the 6x6 military truck idea..... or modify an older chevy truck with a 12" lift and some 44" tires to wade through the water. Both are proably cheaper than buying a new 6x6 ATV.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Check out the Argo. You can add an outboard motor for increased water control and speed

Brett

 

[mikehaugen]

I like the 6x6 military truck idea..... or modify an older chevy truck with a 12" lift and some 44" tires to wade through the water. Both are proably cheaper than buying a new 6x6 ATV.

the military truck may be ok, but I am not sure I would go with a lifted 4x4 with 44's, with any current things could get bad pretty fast.

how about one of these... http://images.v2.reserve123.com/product/3177-1.jpg

 

[dusty3030]

Old cabover class 8 truck with a sleeper? Suck and blow are up high, no electronics and heavy enough not to get pushed around.

 

[dusty3030]

http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3424929

 

[Dozernut]

How about a Jon boat and a set of oars, a lot cheaper than an amphibious ATV. A length of chain and a lock to fasten to a tree will help keep it in place and would not be a big of a loss if stolen. No motor to maintain, no atv to be stolen or vandalized. This could be kept at a site near the road and no need to get on the river.

 

[workinprogress]

Check this out?
Struck-Kit Home