View Full Version : Quad Runners
THUMPER
11-13-2001, 08:58 PM
We had a discussion tonight with a few of the boys about what would happen if you broke through the ice with you quad :(. The popular belief is that the quad will float but float upside down. I am not so sure. Does anybody at WC have any experience with this sort of thing or seen this sort of thing. My quad weighs with a full tank of gas 675 lbs. I did the displacement of the tires vs the weight and my calcs says she will sink. Thanks in advance for any replies.
nightshift
11-14-2001, 12:11 AM
well, I can tell you first hand that it will sink. And sink rather quickly. The problem is bad enough that several areas in Wisconsin require you to provide enough floatation to float the ATV plus the weight of one man if you plan on using it on the lakes. I think in the madison area, the DNR will certify the calculations and be able to tell you if it will float. My ATV has 2 large pvc tubes with brakets bolted to the frame. The tubes are filled with foam. The tubes are removable for summer. Hope this helps....
Iceman
11-14-2001, 06:48 AM
A 4-wheeler will absolutely sink like a rock !! The old 3-wheelers would float, but they were a bunch lighter. We sunk 3 quads of different sizes/brands last year in a strip pit in southern Ohio. With the trend for the quads to get bigger, this isn't likely to change unless they put tires on that about 3 times larger. Be careful & wear that life jacket just in case.
My old (1986) Suzuki 230, 2 WD quad floats but just barely. I've pulled it along behind me crossing flooded areas but it only weighs about 350lbs. The tires on my newer Yamaha Kodiak 400 4WD are somewhat bigger than the Suzuki but it weighs around 600lbs. I've been through pretty deep water and it hasn't even started to float. I'd say no way.
THUMPER
11-14-2001, 04:16 PM
Thanks for the answers guys. I like that idea of the additional flotation. We pull shacks when the ice gets around 8in or so. I get a little nervous every year. With that additional flotation and my floater suit and the good group of guys I fish with we should be in pretty good shape.:)