trail riding Bronco vs sXS

[johndeerefarmer]

I currently have a Polaris Xpedition with a long travel kit and 34" tires. Rides very good off road. Looking to get a motorhome and when not towing the Xpedition on a trailer, flat tow a Bronco.
Was thinking of a Badlands with SAS. For those that go off road how much better riding is it with the Hoss 3.0? Are the Fox shocks adjustable?
Thanks

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[Nanook]

Noticeably better on road, lots of positive reviews in higher speed stuff. They are NOT adjustable.
BUT check the forum for the many threads on flat towing before you make your decision

 

[CalvinT]

All states recognize vehicle license plates from other states. I'm not sure if this applies to OHVs. Arizona requires an OHV to have an OHV decal to operate on state trust lands even if you're from out of state. You have to take a free safety class to get a decal. There's no such requirement for a motor vehicle. There are other restrictions.

I'd prefer towing a Bronco just avoid possible red tape as i visited different states.

https://www.azgfd.com/off-highway-vehicle/ohv-register-and-renew-your-license/ohv-decals/

 

[theblackangus]

I have driven both standard SAS and a Wildtrak with HOSS 3.0 foxes.
I bought a 2025 badlands with HOSS 3.0 because of that experience. Much better on the road... and I wont know any different off-road =)
IMHO of course!

 

[dgorsett]

All states recognize vehicle license plates from other states. I'm not sure if this applies to OHVs. Arizona requires an OHV to have an OHV decal to operate on state trust lands even if you're from out of state. You have to take a free safety class to get a decal. There's no such requirement for a motor vehicle. There are other restrictions.

I'd prefer towing a Bronco just avoid possible red tape as i visited different states.

https://www.azgfd.com/off-highway-vehicle/ohv-register-and-renew-your-license/ohv-decals/

Utah also requires a Utah decal and class for atv/utv. And we go to AZ and UT alot we usually take the Bronco for this reason and...It's nice to do trails as loops which often require highway driving in between. With a utv you always have to return to your trailer at the trailhead. In Colorado regulations about driving utvs on road vary county by county and aren't easy to discover. If you're towing your utv trailer to a trailhead often the road to the trailhead may not be suitable for a RV.

We only take the utv when everything above fits. Running the utv on trails is easier on the body and quicker. But, can get dusty and weathery (OP has an Expedition so not as big an issue).

And the struggle is real. I have a 6 day trip coming up which is sixes on all the above and I can't decide what to take.

 

[Brian_B]

I don't have any experience driving a SXS, but I know I've had to help more than one overturned SXS out on the trails I tend to run. People in the SXS tend to run much faster and more aggressive, because why not I guess?

Only real difference in the trails we would take - they are willing to drag through narrower trails than I will go, because I don't wanna screw my paint up too badly on overgrown brush/trees.

 

[Fordified1]

We tow toys with our motorhome also and switched from off roading with a Polaris RZR on portals to our Bronco on Eibachs. Only down side (as mentioned above) is we worry about scratching up the Bronco on narrow trails.

 

[evofxdwg]

Just went thru same decisions but in the end, wife needed a new daily driver so we ended up with a 24 Badlands Sasquatch - LOL.

We have a Newmar toy hauler motorhome (21 Canyon Star 3927) but it only has a 10ft deep garage (minus a few inches for some "stickouts."). So for more than a year, I shopped for a Polaris RZR Trail S, which is the largest SxS that will fit in that garage. Waiting on a decent discount somewhere, and sitting in one and seeing how crappy the legroom was, kept me from pulling the trigger. I was about to say heck with it, I'll get a bigger even more expensive RZR, possibly tag it, and pull a trailer instead of a TOAD. (have been pulling a 2016 F150 FX4 for years).

When the wife says she liked the Broncos. I searched inventories and researched trims for a couple weeks and contacted dealers to get quotes. We ended up buying one 300+ miles away due to the pricing and nastiness of some dealers nearby. (I believe the "ford employee pricing" promotion going on now is a lame discount given there are lots of 2024's on the lots).

In the end, the Bronco is much more practical. At age 70+ im not going to trail race! Currently setting it up to be flat towed, which is somewhat worrisome based on threads here on that subject (I recommend you go read them). I suspect most people that had problems are letting the battery run down but not sure. (Be sure and hook up the Aux +12 wire to the Bronco battery thru a self resetting breaker.)

I dont know the answer for you but there are many considerations:
- Consider a tow behind toy hauler with a garage large enough and expensive diesel truck to pull it.
- Consider a motorhome and trailer with SxS on it. But then grocery runs or other errands in the SxS might be uncomfortable in bad weather or against the law unless tagged (required to drive one in state parks)
- Consider price and practicality of a Bronco equipped as you like + flat tow setup.

We are headed to AZ at the end of the year to test the capability of the Bronco for other than daily driver - LOL. Last time there I rode with other people in Jeeps and salivated to drive.

Good luck in your quest.

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