Polaris Ranger...Crew or Two

[Beachrat]

Ok i am in a delima. Which one should i pick? Polaris Ranger Stealth Browning addition, or the Ranger Crew (two rows of seats). Need help with pros and cons. Price is the same. Thanks to all that help.

[tuthdoc]

I have virtually no use for a crew, so the regular seating arrangement would be fine with me. If the crew cuts down on cargo space for corn, etc, then I KNOW I wouldn't get the crew.

I can seat myself and two others in the bench seat of the regular Ranger and that's plenty. We also set up seats in the back if need be when we play or when we drive around shooting coons, etc. Nope, I don't need a crew.

[Smart]

If you need the crew then get it, but I think the Browning "paint scheme" is just that ....an expensive "scheme" At 50 yards they all look the same anyway.....

I tried to beat the wheels off the 550 EFI in green and it took everything I handed it and and is still running strong. I just knew I needed the 700 but after listening to tuthdoc, I realized the 550 would handle what I needed. I pulled a 6x10 trailer all over the hilly lease stacked with corn, blinds, feeders, tools etc.

Decide if you need the two benches or not...if not, look at the regular models....unless you just gotta have the "pretty one".

[Beachrat]

The bed is actually the same as the regular they just add a few feet to the length and a seat. So you actually gain some cargo space. But then again simplicity is sometimes better. Thanks tuthdoc! I wish it didnt have the Browning stickers i just like the black lol....but green and black do look the same. thanks also smart.

[tuthdoc]

We are finishing our third season of hard use using our Rangers and they just keep on ticking. It amazes me that we got by without them. They are used year round to put out tons and tons of protein, ferry around clients, and haul butt all over miles and miles of ranch roads of various conditions. Dang, I love these things. My brothers, Dog and I have 4 of them. All the smaller version.

[Mike D]

If you are going to get the Ranger Crew, IMO you may as well just have a beater truck to drive around. Have you seen them? They are huge. The turning radius would have to be half a football field and not to mention the breakover angles would be horrible. I could see it getting high centered just going over a hill or something especially if it's loaded down. The independent suspension is great except when you load it down and lose ground clearance.

[ETX]

I ordered the Crew strictly because I did not want the kids riding in the high rack all the time. If you are going to strictly hunt out of it and not haul passengers then go with the single seat. The Camo is just to make 'em purdy and cost more. You can't go wrong with the XP in Crew or Regular Cab.

[lawbu]

It obviously depends on how you're going to use it. If it's strictly a deer lease and you're not going to be hauling around the wife and kids and the rest of the family, then I don't think you need the crew. On a family ranch place, I'd get the crew. The more things you have out there that your wife and kids can do, the more time you'll get to spend out there. At least that's the way I see it.

[DamonJ]

If I were buying a 2 seater I would go with the Polaris.. If I was getting a crew I would go with the Mule.

[JeffJ]

Our Ranger gets used everyday by either us or our manager. On a daily basis it either has a 50 gal auxillery diesel tank or 500+/- pounds of corn or protein in it. It is scratched, dented, muddy and just plain abused and it keeps on ticking. If we need more room we put the rack seats on and drag the 6X10 trailer behind us if needed.

[Big_gun]

I have a mule trans and wish it had a larger bed in 2 seat mode.... BUT it works and works well. can carry 6 folks in it if need be. Getting the ranger crew you will have to have a 14' or longer trailer...

ranger specs:
Wheelbase 108in / 274cm
Turning Radius 224in / 569cm
Dry Weight 1441 lbs / 654 kg
Length/Width/Height 145x60x75 in / 386x152.4x190.5 cm
Ground Clearance 11 in / 27.9 cm

[Michael]

I have the Mule Trans, and with three kids, it works really well. Also works well for group hunts when more than a couple of us need to ride at the same time. The great thing about the Mule is that if I am riding by myself or with a single passenger, I can fold the back seat up and add almost 2 two additional feet of bed space. Kind of the best of both worlds. I don't know if the Polaris Crew has that capability. If not, I'd probably agree with DamonJ...get the Polaris if you go single seat or Mule Trans for the 2 seater.

Michael

[Bullydog]

All good points, but I can give some feedback on the Crew since I bought one this year.

As far as turning radius goes. It does take more distance to turn it around, but I was suprised at how nimble it is. I have NOT had trouble turning around on ranch roads (Without having to back up). Small ATV trails do present more of a challenge, but a regular Ranger would most likely have to make one back up to complete the turn as well.

In regards to size/length . Its is very long, but I have been over some very rough and rocky terrain with mine, so far, no problems. No bottoming out, no high centering, nothing....... And yes it was loaded on many of these trips with 5 passangers, several bags of corn in the bed, racks, guns, bows, etc....

In comparison between the Mule/Ranger 6 seater versions, we looked at both prior to purchasing. Guys its what your comfortable with. Performance wise, the Crew offers much more speed, higher ground clearance, and just plain better overall performance, for what we were looking for. The transmule is a great vehicle, but your limited on speed and ground clearance if thos issues are important to you. If your looking for a larger cargo area, the trans mule has an option to fold down the rear seat for a MUCH larger cargo area. But the bed on the crew is the same size as the standard ranger bed.

We make some pretty long hauls in ours, so the crew was the only one that affored me the ability to run in the 40 - 48 mph range. Since the Trans Mule max's out at around 22-25 mph, it just did work for us.

As far as towing and trailering - Yes its long (11.5 feet) so you will need a full size 12 foot trailer at minimum. I have a 16 foot double axle. It will hold a large storage box up front, the crew, and a small 4-wheeler on back. If I took the boxes off I could get the crew and ANY full size 4-wheeler on this trailer.

On a side note, I have never had to use the ramps on my trailer. The crew ground clearance allows me to drive right on the trailer, WHILE it is hooked up to the truck.

I have ridden/driven almost every version of the Rangers / Mules / Gators / Etc...And by far this was the way to go for my situation. I have 3 boys, who all hunt, a wife that hunts and the ability to take any combination of the above with me on one trip (Without resorting to riding in the bed or a high rack).

I wil try to post a photo on here for you, hopefully it will attach.

[Bullydog]

I have not forgotten about you ETX. The rack I built is being powder coated, so pictures will be coming soon.

[ETX]

No hurry Bully.....Crew ain't here yet...but when I get it and have her rigged out I will have to show her off in here!

Friends are saying it will be my "Hooptie"....?!?!?
I had to look it up in the urban dictionary!

So I guess it already has a name....