SxS vs Jeep

[Camo]

Hey all, why would I buy a $25k enclosed SxS vs a decent $12k Jeep for hunting? I know the SxS is going to ride better over rough roads and is about half the towing weight. Will the SxS perform much better in deep snow or the slop in E. MT/ WY when it rains? I'm not a weekend rider, just looking for something to get me from point A to B in the less desirable road conditions during hunting season and scouting, without needing a new paint job on my pavement princess. Thanks for any thoughts.

[Scruffy]

Me and a friend were weighing the pros and cons of the two.  He ended up buying a jeep.  Not taking sides but what we come up with a jeep you can drive on any road, have some heat in it, stay dry, more secure (we were thinking SXS's are probably high theft items in themselves and can't lock you gear inside, of course thieves will steal anything and break into anything) both can be trailered if need be.  SxS's may be able to go a few places a jeep can't but probably not many.  Just our  worth

[follow maggie]

I think it depends on your plans for using it. My longer range plans are to travel around a bunch of states from Idaho to the Dakotas to Kansas bird hunting. Bring a side by side along for getting around when I’m there, both to save gas & avoid having to break down & set up the camper day, and the weight of towing in addition to the camper. For this I think a side by side is miles ahead. But if I was staying within a day or so drive, I’d probably go with the jeep because you get so much for the money.

[GWP]

What he said!
We bought a SXS and quickly discovered that you get very dusty in them if you drive in dry dusty conditions. Ours was not fully closed in but from what I get from others is unless you get one that is basically a 'mini car' and has a COMPLETELY sealed up cab, bottom side as well, you get dusty.
You are limited where you can drive them, road wise, even though most will do 50-60 plus opened up.
Ours came out to live close to the ocean, and it very quickly turned into a rust bucket, while the cars have faired better under the same conditions. Our Travel Trailer corroded badly as well.
Different quality of metal? Better protection? I know cars and trucks deteriorate faster than 'normal' here though.
They are handy though. Smaller than a car, short. I considered a Suzuki Samari or small Jeep, and would go that way if I could do it over.

[buckfvr]

Been in a few SXS, 30k$ models, not fond of the noise and the dust, not to mention not very comfortable if you are over 6' and have big feet.  Jeep hands down,   

[jrebel]

I have owned both.   I still own my side by side.  The jeeps are cool and all but they have their limitations as well.  A good side by side can be had for 15-20k.   A lot of guys buy the sportiest model out there that will do 0-60 in a half second, yadda yadda yadda…….  Get a good utility / sport crossover and they work great for hunting situations.  A Honda pioneer 1000 (4 seater) would fit the bill nicely.   They are street legal in Washington where speeds are 35 mph or less.   The do very well on dirt roads.   They trailer super nice.   They get good fuel economy.   You can get heaters for them.   You can fully enclose them if you want.   

The bad……a jeep will do better in deep snow.   If you plan on hunting deep snow, a foot or more, but a jeep or get tracks for the side by side.    Otherwise the side by side will outperform most jeeps in all other conditions, to include mud.   

If you need a rig for daily driving…..jeep all the way.   If you want a great nimble hunting rig….side by side all the way.  Just my two cents having owned both. 

[huntandjeep]

I have owned both.   I still own my side by side.  The jeeps are cool and all but they have their limitations as well.  A good side by side can be had for 15-20k.   A lot of guys buy the sportiest model out there that will do 0-60 in a half second, yadda yadda yadda…….  Get a good utility / sport crossover and they work great for hunting situations.  A Honda pioneer 1000 (4 seater) would fit the bill nicely.   They are street legal in Washington where speeds are 35 mph or less.   The do very well on dirt roads.   They trailer super nice.   They get good fuel economy.   You can get heaters for them.   You can fully enclose them if you want.   

The bad……a jeep will do better in deep snow.   If you plan on hunting deep snow, a foot or more, but a jeep or get tracks for the side by side.    Otherwise the side by side will outperform most jeeps in all other conditions, to include mud.   

If you need a rig for daily driving…..jeep all the way.   If you want a great nimble hunting rig….side by side all the way.  Just my two cents having owned both.

Agree . I own both right now a highly modified TJ and a 22 Polaris General xp4 . Both serve different purposes. My Tj I can drive anywhere I want , my SXS is street legal but need to stay ( not saying I haven't Blasted from Gold Creek to Little Naches up 410  ) on 35mph rds ( although LEO doesn't really inforce that around here ) . I have a heater and full cab for the SXS . It's nice in early spring and late fall , summer I just remove the door uppers and don't have a dust problem. Jeep does way better in deeper snow ( ARB lockers and Beadlocks help also ) will probably wind up with tracks for SXS eventually , when I sell my snowmobiles . Around here I hunt out of my Jeep . In Montana we use a Can Am Defender . Couple years back we were able to access areas that the drifts kept rigs out of .

[NOCK NOCK]

I currently own both. The above 2 posts are spot on.


Buy 1 of each, problem solved. 

[Ridgeratt]

I've owned jeeps since 1976. There has been one the property of some flavor. But as I get a bit older, I need to downsize my remuda. I bought a Honda pioneer this last fall and I'm enjoying it a bunch. I can't get in or out of the Commando easily anymore guess I am just getting old.  This is my brush rig, so I wasn't too worried about any pinstriping from Stevens, or Ferry County.


Posted a craigslist ad in classifieds

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,272634.0.html

[Elkaholic daWg]

Wish I  was in the market as I  know it is a nice ride but Brandon s policies  won't  let me

[Camo]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I need to get in a SxS and see if I fit? Over 6' with a size 14 hoof might be the determining factor?

[Magnum_Willys]

I have top of the line both - Rubicon Gladiator w 2” lift, Can-Am fully enclosed 6 passenger with heat/AC windshield wipers/washers etc. 

The sxs is much more comfortable for 4 adults offroad.   Goes anywhere worry free.  Turn around anywhere just a joy to hunt out of - way better visibility and heat/AC defrost rivals or surpasses the jeep.  Street legal in Montana, can use in some usfs forests in Oregon and most in Montana.  WA few places you can use it. 

My jeep tows the SxS to the hunting area and we pile in the SxS where legal to do so.

If you can only get one get the jeep.  If you can get a hard cab SXS you won’t give it up.

Size - the Can Am has a lot more room than a Jeep - my son is 6’4 and can wear a cowboy hat in it!

But I had an XP 1000 sxs with soft cab before this - would not go sxs without a hard cab.  Not Good.

[Alchase]

Side by sides are everywhere here in Oklahoma. Lots are street legal. During hunting season (late November) they are either covered in dust or mud, 
I like the idea of a nice side by side, but with the good ones we’ll over $10k, then You need a trailer and a truck to pull it.
I would rather have mid-sized pickup  (that I have) or a Jeep Rubicon, with heat and AC, and out of the rain.

I have been looking at the Honda Mule and the John Deere Gator as a work horse around the yard though.

[Twispriver]

I have both and they are equally valuable for different reasons. Jeeps are more comfortable, enclosed and warm but its really handy to have a SxS in camp, where legal, for things like fetching firewood, winching game up on the pole between trees and other camp chores.

[Mudman]

Hey all, why would I buy a $25k enclosed SxS vs a decent $12k Jeep for hunting? I know the SxS is going to ride better over rough roads and is about half the towing weight. Will the SxS perform much better in deep snow or the slop in E. MT/ WY when it rains? I'm not a weekend rider, just looking for something to get me from point A to B in the less desirable road conditions during hunting season and scouting, without needing a new paint job on my pavement princess. Thanks for any thoughts.

Based on your list=100% cheap Jeep.  SXS for fun, trails, sand, beaches, desert etc.  SXS more fun, versatile and much more capable.  Jeeps will NOT go every where sxs will unless modified a lot.  Jeep better in deep mud and snow however.