Looking back at all the repairs and rebuilds our old family cottage has needed, many of the bigger jobs could’ve been done faster (and with a lot less backache) if we’d had a utility vehicle to handle the grunt work of hauling and dragging.
Whether you need to tow felled trees, plow the drive in winter, haul bags of concrete mix, or simply want a ride up the hill, there’s a utility vehicle for that. They run from golf carts, to amphibious buggies, to tractors and more; the challenge for first-time buyers is to keep it simple and avoid buying more than you need.
For work around the cottage, the most versatile solution is either an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV). The choice comes down to your budget, what you want to haul, the terrain you’ll be working on, and how much you value creature comforts.
ATVs, also known as quads or four-wheelers, are the more spartan of the two machines. They leave passengers open to the elements, be it rain, mud, or low-hanging tree branches. Steering is done via handlebar and seating is for one or two people on a motorcycle-style saddle.
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Because of their smaller size, lighter weight, and extreme manoeuverability, ATVs are a better choice if you’ll be working on the tightest trails and the toughest terrain. They’ll get you deeper into forested areas and over some gnarly obstacles, going places larger UTVs simply can’t (including into the back of a full-size pickup). ATVs can be more physically demanding—you’ll sometimes need to shift your weight around or stand up—and they do take practice to ride well.
Alternatively, a UTV—also known as a side-by-side or SxS—is more like a miniature pickup truck. UTVs have steering wheels and pedals, as well as car-like seating for up to six people. Add-on options include a windscreen or doors—or even fully enclosed cabins with luxuries including heating and air conditioning.
They really come in handy when you want to bring the whole family along, or when you need more towing, winching, and cargo capacity than an ATV can provide. For example, while some ATVs can carry up to 150 kg of gear on cargo racks, UTVs easily tote 250–450 kg in convenient pickup-like cargo beds.
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All that added size and ability comes with a price, though. Expect to pay anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 or more for a new UTV, with higher-end models boasting extra power, capacity, and comfort. ATVs are less expensive, ranging from about $7,000 to $15,000. (As ever, buying used can save you a lot of cash.)
Your budget for maintenance will vary considerably depending on how you use your utility vehicle and how handy you are with a wrench; talk to a nearby dealer to get a sense of typical expenses, such as oil changes and routine inspections. If there’s no nearby dealer, well, you’d be wise to select a different brand.
Finally, if you’re put off by the noise or pollution of UTVs, battery-powered models are out there. The major drawback is cost. Expect electric UTVs to cost at least $5,000 more than conventional counterparts. On the other hand, they plow, tow, and haul, all without irking the neighbours.
This article was originally published in the May 2025 issue of Cottage Life.
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