XUV / HPX excluded from Trail System?

downtoearth · Nov 27, 2007

Hello All! Don't post often, but a recent issue attracted my attention concerning UTVs. Some of my friends recently returned from a planned UTV trail ride at the Hatfield-McCoy Trail system in southern West Virginia. One was highly disappointed after making the several hour trek through the mountains when he was advised that his John Deere Gator XUV was not allowed on the trail system. For those that are not familiar, the Hatfield-McCoy trail system includes several hundreds of miles of trails open to motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs. Curiously enough, all models of Kawasaki Mules are allowed as well as Kubota RTVs. Now those are fine machines and I would certainly own either, but the Mules and RTVs do not have the ground clearance, the suspension travel, the ground speed, or "true" 4WD capability of the XUV for use on these trails. I cannot see why the XUV would be excluded as it has a spark arrestor, ROPS, bucket seat with seat belts, etc. just like the other manufacturers models.

I wrote earlier requesting a response from the trail system and just received a simple response that they were not allowed...period...no explanation. I have posted comments on the message forums on their website trails and regulations area to attempt to solicit support and a response on the issue:http://www.trailsheaven.com/bbs/thread.aspx?thread=40

I currently own a 2005 JD Gator TX (2WD w/ suspension) and am considering the purchase of a new 4WD model for use at my property. I can't help but to consider the better trade-in on my Gator with John Deere and the simple fact that the JD Gator XUV better suits my needs at my property...HOWEVER, I enjoy the occasional trip with the boys on a trail ride. I had a bad experience with a Polaris Ranger (mechanically) and it left a bad taste in my mouth for Polaris. The Mule seems somewhat outdated and the RTV is super nice, but also seems to be super heavy for the wet areas of the property, somewhat large for the wife, and somewhat tractor-like in its uphill acceleration and overall speed (just my brief trial run around a similar property with a 2006 model...may need to look again to see if they are improved). I really think John Deere should speak up on the trail issue as a company in support of their product and XUV and HPX users should as well because if this spreads to other trail systems, it could result in the loss of sales and less product innovation and development by JD. And who knows, in years ahead, other UTVs from other manufacturers may be prohibited.

Skipholiday · Nov 27, 2007

Are the trails limited by vehicle width?

Robert_in_NY · Nov 27, 2007

Skipholiday said:
Are the trails limited by vehicle width?

Is the XUV wider then the RTV? I wouldn't think so but without looking up the XUV to know its width the RTV is 60" wide and I would think the XUV is about the same.

It is probably one of those stupid rules that serves no real purpose. If it did they should have given a reasonable answer when questioned about it.

Skipholiday · Nov 27, 2007

Deere states the xuv as 59.3" wide.
Hmmm something isn't right~!

Who owns those trails?

Robert_in_NY · Nov 27, 2007

Skipholiday said:
Who owns those trails?

Kubota

Skipholiday · Nov 27, 2007

Robert_in_NY said:
Kubota

Thats not funny.

LOL Yes it is

ddivinia · Nov 28, 2007

Did they allow Rangers?

D.

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Nov 28, 2007

i had read a writeup a while back about the trails being only setup for utv's 50" or 55"and under .but something about you need to write to your senators and get them from standing around the cofee maker and spend some money making them little bridges and crossing wider. so get that pen and paper out and start writing tell them how you feel.

Tractors4u · Nov 28, 2007

TOMMYHPX4X4 said:
i had read a writeup a while back about the trails being only setup for utv's 50" or 55"and under .but something about you need to write to your senators and get them from standing around the cofee maker and spend some money making them little bridges and crossing wider. so get that pen and paper out and start writing tell them how you feel.

There is a CFR, Code of Federal Regulations that state how wide a vehicle can be to go onto these trails on federal property. I had my Ranger on a trail in Bankhead Forest last December and almost got a ticket. Fortunately the park ranger there was intelligent and I was able to discuss the situation with him. Unlike the crazy nut job volunteer that called me in to the ranger.

RollTideRam · Nov 28, 2007

I thought surely you were wrong, but I looked up the rules and you were not.
TRAIL RULES
I guess they have not taken a look at the trail gator or xuv. Every other utv is on the approved list. Email them again and ask to get the Deeres allowed and send them the specs off the Deere website. I can't see why it would get approval. JC

Robert_in_NY · Nov 28, 2007

RollTideRam said:
I thought surely you were wrong, but I looked up the rules and you were not.
TRAIL RULES
I guess they have not taken a look at the trail gator or xuv. Every other utv is on the approved list. Email them again and ask to get the Deeres allowed and send them the specs off the Deere website. I can't see why it would get approval. JC

I would do that and also contact Deere corp and tell them the situation. I know Deere corp will not be happy to know their machines are being singled out.

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Nov 28, 2007

it's not the deere corporations fault and it's not the parks fault it's just there are some crossings that are not wide enough from what i have been told and the hpx/xuv wn't make it through and it would cost money to adapt these crossing to fit .thats why you need to write the letters and have the money sent or donate money or time to help widen the crossings?? but if the goverment can spend it on lots of other things they can spend it on widening out a few trails.

Robert_in_NY said:
I would do that and also contact Deere corp and tell them the situation. I know Deere corp will not be happy to know their machines are being singled out.

Skipholiday · Nov 28, 2007

Tommy:
The XUV is the same width as the rtv, and the rtv is allowed.

milkman · Nov 28, 2007

It's pretty obvious why they're not allowed, rule #1 explaines it very well, if they broke down or got lost, they'd never be found.
1. Side by side utility vehicles shall only be operated on green trails only.

riptides · Nov 28, 2007

milkman said:
It's pretty obvious why they're not allowed, rule #1 explaines it very well, if they broke down or got lost, they'd never be found.
1. Side by side utility vehicles shall only be operated on green trails only.

Nail, head.

On a serious note, it is probably due to nothing more than someone not knowing the UTV market players.

On a sarcastic note, it is probably all to due with rubber belts and fluid dynamics.

-Mike Z.

Robert_in_NY · Nov 28, 2007

TOMMYHPX4X4 said:
it's not the deere corporations fault and it's not the parks fault it's just there are some crossings that are not wide enough from what i have been told and the hpx/xuv wn't make it through and it would cost money to adapt these crossing to fit .thats why you need to write the letters and have the money sent or donate money or time to help widen the crossings?? but if the goverment can spend it on lots of other things they can spend it on widening out a few trails.

Morning Tommy, as Skip pointed out, the RTV is actually a half inch wider then the XUV but is allowed. It also is heavier so if bridges are the concern the RTV should not be allowed either but since it is and no one involved with this trail has given a reasonable reason why then contact Deere and let them use their resources to open the trail for XUV and HPX owners.

FatTire · Nov 28, 2007

The Ranger is allowed too, and there is no real size difference between a Ranger and an XUV.

BrianW · Nov 28, 2007

It was not long ago I looked at the rules about side by sides and I saw the Mule was allowed, but not the RTV. Perhaps it is a work in progress and you just need enough people to question the rule.

jinman · Nov 28, 2007

BrianW said:
It was not long ago I looked at the rules about side by sides and I saw the Mule was allowed, but not the RTV. Perhaps it is a work in progress and you just need enough people to question the rule.

Hmm...the Mule has a bench seat. Does that mean it's a single seater for those of us who are broad in the "beam"?

Robert_in_NY · Nov 28, 2007

jinman said:
Hmm...the Mule has a bench seat. Does that mean it's a single seater for those of us who are broad in the "beam"?

If you read thru all the rules for the side by sides the seating allotment is determined by how many seat belts are available. If the bench seat has three seat belts then you can have three people.

I was bored since I don't have anything to do anymore so I read thru most of the rules. It gets kind of fuzzy if you have kids riding with you as they need to be in seats with belts and have to be able to reach factory grab rails/handles while in their seat.