Gator VS. Jeep

burnetma · Nov 27, 2009

I have been looking at Gators, Kubota RTV"s, etc... for about a year now. I want 4 wheel drive and an enclosed cab. I need it to move hay, feed and other materials to my horses on top of the hill two times per day. I thought a Gator or similar would be a good choice. However, I am now thinking about a late 1990"s Jeep Wrangler. What are your thoughts?

ericlb · Nov 27, 2009

get the jeep, better heater, more power, and your not limited to keeping it on your place, if you want to drive it to town you can,should have enough room to feed with, im feeding 6 1/2 head using a ford tractor and a trailer made from a 1967 shortbed chevy stepside box and a mobile home axle on a homemade frame, not too ugly but not for street use, i can haul up to 4 hay bales behind a 250 gallon water tank, in that you probably dont need the water tank

Anonymous-0 · Nov 27, 2009

I was looking at the exact same situation about 6 years ago. Decided the gator was a very limited use, cute toy. Purchased a very basic S10 pickup, new, for just a little more than a gator. I use it for everything, parts runs to town, haul a few bags of feed, rolling tool box. Sure glad I got S10 instead of the Gator.

JDemaris · Nov 27, 2009

I use an Isuzu diesel PUP 4WD mini-truck and love it. Being able to use farm diesel is big plus.
I keep chains on all four wheels and it will go just about anywhere until the snow gets too deep.

Also got an 83 Chevy K5 diesel Blazer setup to do the same.

Seems any small 4WD truck with an open bed in back is going to work nicer then a closed-body SUV or overpriced Gator.

kyplowboy · Nov 27, 2009

Jeep. The other guys have all had good ideas but I will add one more. Parts! Pick up a 4 wheel drive magazine at wal-mart and it's full of adds for after market parts for a jeep, there are lots of joints selling them and they all compete against each other. Ain't as many options for a Kubota, Gator, Rhino, ect,,,

Dave

JK-NY · Nov 27, 2009

Gators are lighter, easier to get in/out of and will go through wet areas with less problems , esp with tandem axle models. They are also relatively expensive (esp with 4wd and a cab)and have a limited cargo area. If you figure a jeep or smaller old 4wd truck would go where you need it would definitely be a less expensive choice. I have a friend who uses a couple old jeeps on his farm for just what you describe, and also has a snow plow on one.The jeep will carry/ tow alot more , and with doors removed is pretty easy to hop in/out of.I agree with jdemaris, a little 4wd truck would give you alot more cargo area . If you look around you might find an old jeep with a half cab - that would give you the cab and an open bed.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 27, 2009

Can you still find a Subaru Brat or a little Suzuki Samarai? Prolly much cheaper than a gator or kubota and more maneuverable than a jeep. If you can get passed the enclosed cab, a 4wheeler and small trailer will get you more bang for the buck. Or, you can be pretty creative with a little 8N or similar with 3pt hitch either just a simple platform with a couple 4x4's and a half sheet of plywood, or a container for the 3PH.

Good Luck,

Dave

Gun guru · Nov 27, 2009

Those Gators and Kubota RTVs aint worth $10k. For that much money you cant get a real tractor or a good used jeep.

61uni · Nov 27, 2009

Find a cj-7 in good shape and don"t look back. They don"t have the computer controled crap of the 90"s wranglers.

GordoSD · Nov 27, 2009

I have a nice Suzuki Samarai, the station wagon model. Hi-Lo full range 4wd, manual warn hubs, 75 HP Uses half the gas than a Jeep or GAtor, goes ANYWHERE, removables three doors. 60 mph on the road, 20 mpg, heat and radio.
Less than 1800 bucks.

Gordo

burnetma · Nov 27, 2009

Thank you all for your input. Good point on the computer controlled equipment also. I don't need trouble with electronics.

I think you all confirmed what I am thinking.

I already have a tractor (JD 5420 4WD with bucket, forks, backblade, etc...). I am just looking for a second "vehicle" with narrow width, good ground clearance to feed animals, move materials, pull a post pounder or wagon for fence work and an enclosed cab to keep me out of the winter winds and blowing snow.

Thank you again for all of your input.

buickanddeere · Nov 28, 2009

If it isn't road legal, don't purchase it.

Gator VS. Jeep

burnetma

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ericlb

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Anonymous-0

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JDemaris

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kyplowboy

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JK-NY

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Anonymous-0

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Gun guru

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61uni

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GordoSD

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burnetma

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buickanddeere

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