For a young buck an open vehicle in winter is no hardship . But as one ages the creature comforts count so much to making a trip fun and not an endurance test . Awesome set up ,that's what I would invest in if needed.
@@carlrichey1 I bought my first Argo back in 1985, I loved em then and I still do, With that Cab/Roof it makes the Argo perfect, I wish they would give them a little more top speed in High Range up around 30mph just for the longer trips on flat ground which would give it a little more fuel range, Keep The Argo Snow Vids Coming, "Major Thumbs Up"
We just took my friends out to Delano peak south of Richfield UT. We went up to end of road about 10,000 feet up in 4 and 5 feet of snow. I suggested a little tube to blow warm air from front of machine back to us. We use to have those on dozers. I was impressed. Little Briggs eng never missed a beat and is quiet.
One solution I've seen for getting heat that's not as elaborate as a webasto, is to pull fresh air in from the cab, run it through a manifold attached to the muffler, and bring that air back into the cab. Works really well. Riding in an Argo is a unique experience, for sure. Kind of like boating on land/snow. Just watch out for choppy seas!
Moving forward, I guess I need to reassess how I refer to my “house”… perhaps if I added a few thousand more square feet, it could be considered a shed!!! Good for you!! Awesome video, awesome guy living an awesome life!!! Hats off to you, sir!!!
Haha, I've been teased before for calling it a cabin. It's got a long history in my family back to grandpa and even tho we've continued to add on, it's always just been "the cabin" to everyone in my family. Thanks for commenting!
I was born in Tampa and whenever I get back to Florida my skin just seems to fit better 😄. These Argos are pretty popular with the mud and swamp guys too although the hard top would be a mistake in that environment!
Oh, I know of a barn near where I live that has well over 40 pristine Argos but I’m not really allowed to say where exactly it is they’re all covered they’re all winterized. They’re all that’s done to prevent mouse damage but yeah they’re a pretty incredible machine.
Good luck! You can sometimes find them used and save some $. The design hasn’t changed much in years so if you find a well maintained used one it’s a great way to go. Thanks for watching!
Carl, OMG your Argo is ABSOLUTELY THE BEST SET UP I”VE EVER SEEN, bar none. I would love to communicate with you to get full build details (off line). Can you respond in some way so we can chat. I’m interested in each, and ever, feature you chose, why you added those options, and last to understand pricing. If you would rather not, but could you at least provide me with the contacts for Western Skys who would be able to fill me in on your build, and also with a contact who know the details for your topper. I know I’m asking a lot however this has been a dream of mine and now I want to make it a reality. Thank you for taking the time to help me accomplish this.
I’ve had good luck in deep snow. I agree that you aren’t going to chase a mountain sled up the hill but folks universally vote to jump in the Argo when the alternative for hauling gear and supplies to the cabin is a snowmobile… with age, speed gets deprioritized under safety and warmth. 😂
Bailey's Construction, I suppose that “cabin” is somewhat of a misnomer after generations of building and additions. Getting there, however, which is the point of the video has also improved dramatically with Argos over our past use of snow shoes and snowmobiles. Thanks for watching!
I used to own a Argo. Bought Tracks (super) had a Cabin,, Windshield ,,Outboard Bracket,,, Winch. Owned it for couple Hours and the starter went?? Had to take engine out to replace??? Anyhow When trying to climb steep hills it always felt like it would Roll over and kill us. Then on some hunting trips it got so stuck once had to leave it overnight as we couldn't even which it out. NOW these conditions weren't even that bad. The Argo was a huge disappointment to us. IT DID spin around with Tracks on the Frozen lake making it easier to Drill Holes and that was all it was good for. Now I dont wish to make it sound like I hated Argos but my Brand New one really got stuck so easy and even with the ??so called SUPER Tracks wouldn't climb any Snow Hill in the winter even. Kind of a Joke. Waste of money. Happiest day was when I sold it. This was just a Honest report. I was amazed they sold so many but most sell there's shortly afterwards when they find out.
That sounds like a real bad experience. I’m really sorry that you had to go through that! It’s surprising to hear such a negative experience for the Argo as I’ve had just the opposite experience. I certainly don’t have many details about the specific model that gave you trouble, but I can only guess that maybe the model you were sold was under spec for your needs. The “super” tracks are kind of a misnomer.. They are the most economical track system that Argo sells and are typically only coupled with very low horsepower models that don’t have the power to spin the far superior rubber tracks. The super tracks are actually just plastic links, and I’ve seen another CZcams channel where he used them on a 6x6 model and struggled in more difficult conditions. He, too, was on a very low spec machine but took it into some challenging terrain with some difficulty but was mostly was successful. A higher end model with rubber tracks would have given a better experience, but obviously would have come at a significant price jump. All Argo’s are not the same just as all RZR’s are not the same. “Buy once cry once”. Just a reminder that I don’t sell Argo’s. I have good friends that do, but this video was only posted to share my experience - not for any monetary consideration. Thanks for watching, and I especially appreciate you taking the time to comment!
At work in the natural gas fields we have used Argos extensively in Northern Alberta and Northern British Columbia Canada. With tracks they are dry capable in muskeg and swamp and snow that is not too deep. They are not very good on any kind of grade. Once they get over 50 hours of use on them they are JUNK. Numerous transmission failures, chains stretch and bearing failures. They may be ok for some who only use them once a year for hunting but they don’t stand up to daily use. Expect two hours of maintenance and repair for every hour of use. And yes this is with several Argos, not just one rare lemon. Oh and did I mention front axels breaking off. They float but they are not amphibious. They bearly stay above water and they are very slow in water and not very maneuverable. And they will not climb any kind of a bank to get you out of the water. They are very pricey and very disappointing.
I can’t speak to commercial use as my experience has just been for transportation to and from our property. I’ve found them to be quite reliable but certainly still stay on top of the maintenance. I know that ODG makes higher end versions than the Auroras that I use and I subject these ones to daily hard/heavy hauling. I’m curious what equipment you’ve found to be better suited to your work. I’ve looked at the Sherp and Mudd-Ox and think they have more industrial level equipment but also at a significant cost premium. Appreciate your comments and for watching. Merry Christmas!!
Thanks Randy! I’d love to fly over all the bumps and hills! I guess until we can Uber in a drone I will keep bouncing up the mountain. Have a great evening!
@@sylvainlaurence1554 Unless they have seriously upgraded their drivetrains. If you have one that only has one or two qualified and careful operators who meticulously maintain them they soon become junk, yes.
The entire cab only weights about 220 lbs and pulling doors off and even windshield glass drops that weight more. It’s still easily within weight with 2 or 3 people to be on the water. Thanks for your comment!
Mine are set up with oem 18” rubber tracks. I’ve seen videos of folks modifying the track to widen it but I’ve not had flotation problems so I haven’t looked into changing mine. Depending on snow and terrain differences the right balance of weight and flotation would be up to you. I think the rubber tracks are a good fit for my use and work well in a variety of conditions.
I broke down all the costs including the cab in my last reply. Unfortunately it won’t do you much good. The cab is designed for the new Aurora body style (2019+) and won’t fit your Avenger.
The rubber tracks on mine are usable year round and on all terrain. They are fantastic doe mud. Plastic tracks are an option and are only good for snow. I still take my tracks off for summer because I can sit down more and get a softer ride. It’s easy to put the tracks on and even easier to take them off.
Alumilite Armor website shows a price of almost $8K for the top before tax and without installation. It's a nice looking top, but pricey. It doesn't appear to have insulation. Does it offer roll over protection or would that cab crush like a soda can?
$8k is expensive but lightweight hard tops for the Argo are few and far between. No insulation, and no roll over protection. I think with the new Argos you basically have to order ROPS with the machine. We’ve never been even close to rolling an Argo but if that’s a concern for you then I’d reach out to Western Skies or Alumilite and see if the cab can work or be modified to work with the Argo ROPS system.
@@carlrichey1 Thanks for the response. That cab is really nice. I saw one that was made of plastic and it was around $5K before taxes and installation.
How much. I have an offgrid property that is water access only it's just a short distance to the land and that could bring in my supplies Does that have a heater in it?
I think I'd configure the machine differently than I did for your situation. On the water, weight is everything so I would probably avoid the hard cab and get a lighter weight soft cab and maybe even look at a smaller engine like on the Frontier 8x8 650. Either way you'd want to budget for an outboard motor as these are quite slow in the water just propelled with the wheels. On the used market you might find something under $10k, but with new equipment you'd be between $12k to well over $30. I think it will really depend on what else you want to do with it. Lots of info right on Argo's website tho. argoxtv.com/ Western Skies Argo in Ogden Utah is my dealer, and I'm sure they'd be happy to give you more info as well. Good luck!
I've owned 6 Argos over the past 40 years and never seen a custom hard cab like this. Can't begin to guess what the price point of that cab would be. The machine itself is $30,000.00 Canadian. I've been to the factory were these machines are built twice. Never seen anything like it. I'm curious about your experience with the Argo brand tracks. I've gone to a third party builder to get a more aggressive track. It was frustratingly easy to get stuck in deep wet snow with the factory tracks. One other observation, where I'm from, the term "cabin" has an entirely different description than what you have.
@Steven Andrews - I looked and looked for a cab that would do what I wanted, and finally ended up working with Alumilite Armor and Western Skies Argo to build it custom. They are definitely not inexpensive, but they aren't made cheap either so I think they will last. I think they have options to build them without the hatches or with fewer doors and that saves a little money. I'm just not flexible enough to contort myself into the cab without smacking my head, hence the hatches. I've had really good luck with the Argo rubber tracks. I've seen the other stuff and maybe if I ever wear a set out I'll compare to something else. I've not seen much positive about the plastic Argo tracks but maybe they are for a completely different use case. I've had some comments about what we call a "cabin". To be fair, we've been building it for over 30 years but my dad and grandpa didn't mess around much either, so maybe it's time to call it something else. If it's hard to get there, and people can't get to you, that's always going to be "cabin" to me! Thanks for your comment!
@@carlrichey1 Wow!!!.....thank-you for such a rapid response. I did not realize that the two cabs you have were custom designed for you. Do you happen to know if the fabricator is set up to build more copies of your cab? I should mention that I'm up in Ontario Canada but travel to the Salt Lake City area a number of times a year(trucker). The original Argo tracks that I had problems with were the plastic. Thanks again for such a quick reply.
@ Steven Andrews - Happy to help! It looks like Alumilite Armor (out of Parowan Utah) is currently making cabs for the Aurora and Frontier models, but I think they have only done them for 2019 forward. Here is the website for the fabricator: alumilitearmor.com/home Western Skies Argo in Ogden Utah has worked with ‘Alumilite Armor to get them different models of Argos so Alumilite can fabricate cabs for other machines. Alumilite is backed up pretty good, and I think it took about 6 months to get my cabs designed and built. If it’s a model that they already have, then I’m sure it’s much faster to build and ship one. I think that a lot of the cabs they sell are up in Canada where Argos are a little more common, so heck, maybe there’s a deal to be made if you are already rolling on that route! Thanks for what you do, by the way. I don’t know if most people realize how lucky we are to have good folks like you doing one of the toughest jobs to keep the world’s economy and needed supplies moving.
Here in Canada we would just drive our trucks in the pow. More than that though and we would take skidoos. Faster, better on gas, and can carry much more weight. Just can’t go fishing on the sled.
Greg, your comment surprised me a little as ODG is a Canadian company. I figured these Argos were more common up North. Our community is “tracked vehicles” only in the winter so airing down and powering up is out of the question but honestly I don’t think even the most capable 4x4 on tires makes it up this section of the road. I’ve tried in early Fall storms in my Rubicon aired down to 5 psi without luck. What is the payload capacity of your snowmobiles? We used to do sleds but couldn’t carry anywhere near as much as we can in the Argo. Payload of the Argo is 1000 lbs, and it’s warm and dry. We have snowmobiles, they are recreational for us, not for hauling gear. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@carlrichey1 what state do you live where you get that much snow it’s beautiful. I live in New Mexico and can’t say I have even seen a snow mobile or sled whatever they are called.
There are a couple of ways to add heat. I think the approach that works the best with these air cooled briggs motors is to pull air in from the cab and through tubing adjacent to the muffler and back into the cab. The other option is a webasto type heater drawing fuel from the return line. Give Western Skies Argo a call and they will help you work out a plan.
Hehe - now that's something I've never seen anyone try in an Argo. We like the benches because we run with kids and can fit a couple next to the driver if we need to.
I have the 18” rubber tracks. The plastic super tracks also do pretty well in the snow and I’ve heard are easier to spin for lower HP machines but I like to run on gravel, dirt, mud, and snow and the rubber tracks hold up well on all those situations. More expensive tho..
Looks like Western Skies is breaking it down into individual components. The entire cab is selling for $8500. westernskiesargo.com/inventory/aurora-8x8-all-aluminum-hard-cab/
This machine uses a Briggs & Stratton 40 hp Vanguard engine. I think they are often used in boats and have the low end grunt needed to spin 8 wheels on tracks. There are several power train options.
Carl Richey what about a heater? It’s not liquid cool. I have a 750 hdi was thinking of upgrading. I like the new top speed. More versatile on logging roads.
Heat for the cab is something I grappled with. I also had a 750 hdi before with a heater and I rarely used it because the firewall was so bad at blocking engine heat I was warm enough. For the Aurora, I found that if I pulled out one of the cup holders the heat flowed into the cab pretty well but I put a fan and a closable vent into the cup holder hole and it seems to work well, especially to defrost the windshield.
I don’t have any personal experience with the mudd ox but it seems super capable. The mid engine design would make it balance better on the water but it seems a little weird to me for the driver and passengers to be split by an engine compartment. Some days, with my kids, it would be most welcome. 😀
Not sure how to answer this. The Ski-doo expedition snowmobiles are great work sleds that would work well for cabin access. 2 people on a snowmobile pulling a trailer is how we used to access our cabin and while the snowmobile is much faster, more trips are needed. Argo is also usable year round so we get more use out of them than we do snowmobiles.
Carl Richey thank you for the reply. We purchased our brand new skidoo in the fall. We’ve always had skidoo’s but an off trail one is new we’re therefore novices with this. We don’t like the results of it in fresh snow. We do get a lot of it in Quebec winters... so we figured the Expedition would be a blessing to get to our cabin. Didn’t go as well as we thought. Again, most probably because we’re novices. My brother in law suggested buying an Argo. Should I have bought an Argo is the real question.
I think that you'd be quite happy with an Argo. Maybe a local dealer would let you take one for a test run to decide. My dealer is always happy to put me into a demo machine to help me make up my mind. Good luck!
There are several Argo models with the entry level 6x6 version starting under $10k. The Aurora 950sx in the video is about 27k. There are options at most every price point in between. Rubber tracks are about $5k but plastic options exist for about half that. The complete cab is about $8k and you can buy it in stages/pieces. All told, you can do an enclosed Argo with tracks for between $15k up to $40k+. There is a used marker but these aren’t common machines and people tend to keep them so you have to shop for a while.
Well damn! I guess it was something I hoped to convey is easier with this design but never noticed that omission. I’m fat and old and without those roof hatches I’d be really hurting. Definitely still not as easy as jumping into a typical SxS but you take the good with the bad. Thanks for your comment!
@@carlrichey1 I live in Southern Ontario and actually worked at ODG for a few years. We uses to be able to borrow the prototype vehicles for free on weekends, believe me I know what it's like to get in a non-roofed argo. Those machines are almost unstoppable. It's not a fair comparison to any other type of atv.
Well if that were to happen I’d be a buyer for sure. My Rubicon doesn’t stand a chance getting up that hill in deep snow! Thanks for watching and giving me a chuckle!
@@carlrichey1 Rubicon.... Ha.... Don't underestimate a Travelall. 392, limited slip, lots of weight. The 4x4 scout would go places your fancy Rubicon only dreamed of. So would the original Land Cruiser.
@Phantom International… My best friend in high school (back in the 80’s) had a 4x4 Scout that we hunted in and we beat the ever living $!%# out of it and it never once let us down. I have such great memories of that thing that if you told me it would do the Rubicon trail dragging my new “way too soft old man jeep” on it’s roof the whole way I’d believe you. If we can agree on a love for solid axles and big displacement then maybe we can be friends!
@Phantom friend. I’m so glad we found common ground! Seriously, thanks for your comments. It’s fun to get impressions from off-road enthusiasts. Happy New Year!
Hard to argue with that. Those Defenders and Rangers when decked out with all the comforts are incredibly nice! I also have a Honda Pioneer 1000-5 with tracks so I have a reasonable comparison of a well equipped Argo vs a well equipped traditional SxS on tracks. The Pioneer will yield a more comfortable ride that’s quieter and will get you there most of the time. If I’m going and there’s a small amount of new snow (6” or less), the Pioneer would get me there. If there’s any significant amount of snow, however, the ground pressure on a traditional tracked SxS is almost double an Argo on tracks and you are just asking to get stuck in the deep stuff especially with a hill climb. One other reason I use the Argo’s in the deep stuff is because I hate going anywhere without backup, and an Argo is only about 11 feet long, so throwing a pair on a trailer is easy. A 4 passenger SxS with tracks is a mile long and unless you pull equipment haulers behind your rig it’s hard to get 2 of them wherever you’re going. Thanks for watching and commenting! Nothing that I’ve said changes the fact that I drool over the creature comforts in a Defender or a Ranger Northstar!
Can’t argue about the sherp. Those things look amazing. I do know they are about triple the cost of an Argo but some day I’d love to compare them!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Argo works through a dealer network. On their website you can search based on your location. argoxtv.com/find-a-dealer Let me know if you can’t find a dealer close to you using their website.
I’ve gotten the “toys” comment a lot and I get that as they are fun to mess around in. For me they are essential to safely getting my family into our cabin so I think of them more as tools. My snowmobiles? Ya, they are the toys!! Thanks for commenting and watching! Merry Christmas!
That’s not “DOT” glass, That’s RV camper glass. I’m sure the construction is solid but the design visibility is claustrophobic and terrible. A, B and C pillars are far to wide and block views. If that visibility came with a jeep, nobody would buy it.
Thanks for the correction. The windshield is DOT. A lot of cabs come with plexiglass and that’s mainly what I wanted to share. A vehicle that can only go 20 mph doesn’t have the same requirements as a highway vehicle. Glass is heavy and these vehicles need to stay light to stay on top of the snow let alone floating on the water. Even so. I appreciate your comment!
Toy/Utility and cost are a matter of perspective. For me these are fun but necessary pieces of equipment that made the most economical sense for my needs. I appreciate your perspective tho. Thanks for watching!
"cabin" means something different where I'm from 😳😮
Exactly 🤠
I love how this machine performs in snow!! Great setup man, congrats!
For a young buck an open vehicle in winter is no hardship .
But as one ages the creature comforts count so much to making a trip fun and not an endurance test .
Awesome set up ,that's what I would invest in if needed.
No matter any age, this is nice
You are not kidding, that is the nicest top I have ever seen on an XTV, looks like Argo made it themselves
Thanks! Alumilite armor and Western Skies did a great job setting me up.
Wholly crap!! This is the nicest Argo I have ever seen! That cap looks totally stock. Wow, nice machine.
Hey thanks!
Awesome setup, That Roof looks like the best one on the market, Thanks for sharing,
Thanks! I’m still just as happy with the cab and machine as when I took delivery. Snow is upon us again and we are excited to get back to it!!
@@carlrichey1 I bought my first Argo back in 1985, I loved em then and I still do,
With that Cab/Roof it makes the Argo perfect, I wish they would give them a little more top speed in High Range up around 30mph just for the longer trips on flat ground which would give it a little more fuel range, Keep The Argo Snow Vids Coming, "Major Thumbs Up"
Brother that is such an awesome machine!!
We just took my friends out to Delano peak south of Richfield UT. We went up to end of road about 10,000 feet up in 4 and 5 feet of snow. I suggested a little tube to blow warm air from front of machine back to us. We use to have those on dozers. I was impressed. Little Briggs eng never missed a beat and is quiet.
One solution I've seen for getting heat that's not as elaborate as a webasto, is to pull fresh air in from the cab, run it through a manifold attached to the muffler, and bring that air back into the cab. Works really well. Riding in an Argo is a unique experience, for sure. Kind of like boating on land/snow. Just watch out for choppy seas!
The best revenge is good livin'... Congrats, sweet set up
That’s a saying I haven’t heard before. I like it! Thanks!!
Hey Carl - Thats awesome! Love it!
A BEAUTIFUL ARGO! THANKS FOR SHARING! EAA
Moving forward, I guess I need to reassess how I refer to my “house”… perhaps if I added a few thousand more square feet, it could be considered a shed!!!
Good for you!! Awesome video, awesome guy living an awesome life!!!
Hats off to you, sir!!!
Haha, I've been teased before for calling it a cabin. It's got a long history in my family back to grandpa and even tho we've continued to add on, it's always just been "the cabin" to everyone in my family. Thanks for commenting!
fabulous hardtop!! you guys should start selling that internationally!!
How much for the cab and where can you buy it from
Gene mcdougal 407 south 6th atwood kansas 67730 send me the information or genemcdougal5@gmail .com em mail for me
Nice ! When money not a object
Cool. I lived in Missouri the first 30 years of my life. The forecast today in Florida calls for 12 inches of sunshine. Enjoy the tundra.
I was born in Tampa and whenever I get back to Florida my skin just seems to fit better 😄. These Argos are pretty popular with the mud and swamp guys too although the hard top would be a mistake in that environment!
Dam Dude, a cabin, looks like a mansion to me lol. You have a Bad Ass Argo !!!!
Haha, thanks! Your comment made me smile.
Only thing missing from the cab is some insulation . Great looking rig.
Don't need it
Sure is a sharp looking rig ! Im a Snowmobiler myself ...
That is super cool, and we have the same last name spelled the same cool. I subscribed I’ll watch for more
Love that cab
Thanks!!
Oh, I know of a barn near where I live that has well over 40 pristine Argos but I’m not really allowed to say where exactly it is they’re all covered they’re all winterized. They’re all that’s done to prevent mouse damage but yeah they’re a pretty incredible machine.
That’s awesome, compares more with a small snowcat then anything else...and you can use it year round. I’m looking for my nearest dealer.
Good luck! You can sometimes find them used and save some $. The design hasn’t changed much in years so if you find a well maintained used one it’s a great way to go. Thanks for watching!
Omg I love it
Nice top.
Damn... that is sweet!
Thanks Rick!!
This awesome dude and the late, great John McAfee could have been voice doubles for each other!!
I've never had anyone make that comparison - I had to lookup an old interview with him.. I need to work on my accent!
Nice pile of sticks. A cabin.where I'm from is usually about 12 x 16. What you got there is more like a chalet.
Thanks!! I’m glad I didn’t call it a hunting shack. I will openly concede that my “cabin” is better described as a chalet.
Carl, OMG your Argo is ABSOLUTELY THE BEST SET UP I”VE EVER SEEN, bar none. I would love to communicate with you to get full build details (off line). Can you respond in some way so we can chat. I’m interested in each, and ever, feature you chose, why you added those options, and last to understand pricing. If you would rather not, but could you at least provide me with the contacts for Western Skys who would be able to fill me in on your build, and also with a contact who know the details for your topper. I know I’m asking a lot however this has been a dream of mine and now I want to make it a reality. Thank you for taking the time to help me accomplish this.
Hey thanks! Here is a link to Western Skies. I will also reply privately with my contact info.
westernskiesargo.com
THAT SOME CABIN
I wanna rebuild an Argo and get a hardtop/enclosed cab cover but couldn’t find any. I would love one for my project
Congrats! Just curious what you do for a living.
❤❤❤
hi, i hace the 850 series. it was highly recomended for our use to have ROP. Will these cabs still work with it installed.
Koooool...
You should get together with Bud Nixon and do a collab with him. He does GREAT deep snow adventures in WA.
Bud’s videos are great! His centaur is a beast and his adventures are more rugged than mine by at least a couple of degrees of magnitude.
"I get questions all the time"... the CZcams "Mommy, look at me" mantra.
@Brian That’s deep. I see you.
@@carlrichey1 I suspect all you ever see is yourself, Carl. You stay safe now son.
would be cool if the tracks were on a portal type axle for more ground clearance.
Nice toy.
Look cool. Underpowered. I had one in Colorado. 3 feet of snow, and your stuck. Snowmobiles are the best for deep snow.
I’ve had good luck in deep snow. I agree that you aren’t going to chase a mountain sled up the hill but folks universally vote to jump in the Argo when the alternative for hauling gear and supplies to the cabin is a snowmobile… with age, speed gets deprioritized under safety and warmth. 😂
👍
I guess my idea of cabin and his are way different
Bailey's Construction, I suppose that “cabin” is somewhat of a misnomer after generations of building and additions. Getting there, however, which is the point of the video has also improved dramatically with Argos over our past use of snow shoes and snowmobiles. Thanks for watching!
I was just going to comment this lol
I used to own a Argo. Bought Tracks (super) had a Cabin,, Windshield ,,Outboard Bracket,,, Winch. Owned it for couple Hours and the starter went?? Had to take engine out to replace??? Anyhow When trying to climb steep hills it always felt like it would Roll over and kill us. Then on some hunting trips it got so stuck once had to leave it overnight as we couldn't even which it out. NOW these conditions weren't even that bad. The Argo was a huge disappointment to us. IT DID spin around with Tracks on the Frozen lake making it easier to Drill Holes and that was all it was good for. Now I dont wish to make it sound like I hated Argos but my Brand New one really got stuck so easy and even with the ??so called SUPER Tracks wouldn't climb any Snow Hill in the winter even. Kind of a Joke. Waste of money. Happiest day was when I sold it. This was just a Honest report. I was amazed they sold so many but most sell there's shortly afterwards when they find out.
That sounds like a real bad experience. I’m really sorry that you had to go through that! It’s surprising to hear such a negative experience for the Argo as I’ve had just the opposite experience. I certainly don’t have many details about the specific model that gave you trouble, but I can only guess that maybe the model you were sold was under spec for your needs. The “super” tracks are kind of a misnomer.. They are the most economical track system that Argo sells and are typically only coupled with very low horsepower models that don’t have the power to spin the far superior rubber tracks. The super tracks are actually just plastic links, and I’ve seen another CZcams channel where he used them on a 6x6 model and struggled in more difficult conditions. He, too, was on a very low spec machine but took it into some challenging terrain with some difficulty but was mostly was successful. A higher end model with rubber tracks would have given a better experience, but obviously would have come at a significant price jump. All Argo’s are not the same just as all RZR’s are not the same. “Buy once cry once”. Just a reminder that I don’t sell Argo’s. I have good friends that do, but this video was only posted to share my experience - not for any monetary consideration. Thanks for watching, and I especially appreciate you taking the time to comment!
Rides like a rototiller and floats like a turd, maintenance, jeezlouise
Hi I was wondering which company makes that cab that is awesome
It's made by Alumilite Armor and distributed through Western Skies Argo. Both companies are located in Utah.
хороший вездеход нам бы такой в тайгу
I agree. This would be an excellent option in the Taiga. Thanks for watching!
@@carlrichey1 смотрите также мои другие видео самый высокогорный и северный сад в сибири яблони груши абрикосы и многое другое приезжайте в гости
Can you tell me how tall the vehicle is with the Alumilite top on? Not sure that would fit through my garage door.
Looks like about 75.5” tall with tracks and the Alumilite top on mine.
@@carlrichey1 thanks a million for taking the time to measure! 👍
At work in the natural gas fields we have used Argos extensively in Northern Alberta and Northern British Columbia Canada. With tracks they are dry capable in muskeg and swamp and snow that is not too deep. They are not very good on any kind of grade. Once they get over 50 hours of use on them they are JUNK. Numerous transmission failures, chains stretch and bearing failures. They may be ok for some who only use them once a year for hunting but they don’t stand up to daily use. Expect two hours of maintenance and repair for every hour of use. And yes this is with several Argos, not just one rare lemon. Oh and did I mention front axels breaking off. They float but they are not amphibious. They bearly stay above water and they are very slow in water and not very maneuverable. And they will not climb any kind of a bank to get you out of the water. They are very pricey and very disappointing.
I can’t speak to commercial use as my experience has just been for transportation to and from our property. I’ve found them to be quite reliable but certainly still stay on top of the maintenance. I know that ODG makes higher end versions than the Auroras that I use and I subject these ones to daily hard/heavy hauling. I’m curious what equipment you’ve found to be better suited to your work. I’ve looked at the Sherp and Mudd-Ox and think they have more industrial level equipment but also at a significant cost premium. Appreciate your comments and for watching. Merry Christmas!!
@@carlrichey1 what works better for us is Bell 206 Jet Ranger Helicopters and winter ice roads.
Thanks Randy! I’d love to fly over all the bumps and hills! I guess until we can Uber in a drone I will keep bouncing up the mountain. Have a great evening!
@@randykov is that means they all junk after couple weeks of use 😂
@@sylvainlaurence1554 Unless they have seriously upgraded their drivetrains. If you have one that only has one or two qualified and careful operators who meticulously maintain them they soon become junk, yes.
Hands down best cap in the industry! Does it make the Argo top heavy in the water?
The entire cab only weights about 220 lbs and pulling doors off and even windshield glass drops that weight more. It’s still easily within weight with 2 or 3 people to be on the water. Thanks for your comment!
Do they have a wide track setup?
Mine are set up with oem 18” rubber tracks. I’ve seen videos of folks modifying the track to widen it but I’ve not had flotation problems so I haven’t looked into changing mine. Depending on snow and terrain differences the right balance of weight and flotation would be up to you. I think the rubber tracks are a good fit for my use and work well in a variety of conditions.
i got the machine 2018 avenger xt i just wanna know the cab over cost ? not the machine
I broke down all the costs including the cab in my last reply. Unfortunately it won’t do you much good. The cab is designed for the new Aurora body style (2019+) and won’t fit your Avenger.
Can you leave tracks on all year or are they only used in snow?
The rubber tracks on mine are usable year round and on all terrain. They are fantastic doe mud. Plastic tracks are an option and are only good for snow. I still take my tracks off for summer because I can sit down more and get a softer ride. It’s easy to put the tracks on and even easier to take them off.
The tracks work well in muskeg and grassy ground. Do not use them in sticky mud. It will ball up around the tracks and body until the Argo won’t move.
Alumilite Armor website shows a price of almost $8K for the top before tax and without installation. It's a nice looking top, but pricey. It doesn't appear to have insulation. Does it offer roll over protection or would that cab crush like a soda can?
$8k is expensive but lightweight hard tops for the Argo are few and far between. No insulation, and no roll over protection. I think with the new Argos you basically have to order ROPS with the machine. We’ve never been even close to rolling an Argo but if that’s a concern for you then I’d reach out to Western Skies or Alumilite and see if the cab can work or be modified to work with the Argo ROPS system.
@@carlrichey1 Thanks for the response. That cab is really nice. I saw one that was made of plastic and it was around $5K before taxes and installation.
How much. I have an offgrid property that is water access only it's just a short distance to the land and that could bring in my supplies
Does that have a heater in it?
I think I'd configure the machine differently than I did for your situation. On the water, weight is everything so I would probably avoid the hard cab and get a lighter weight soft cab and maybe even look at a smaller engine like on the Frontier 8x8 650. Either way you'd want to budget for an outboard motor as these are quite slow in the water just propelled with the wheels. On the used market you might find something under $10k, but with new equipment you'd be between $12k to well over $30. I think it will really depend on what else you want to do with it. Lots of info right on Argo's website tho.
argoxtv.com/
Western Skies Argo in Ogden Utah is my dealer, and I'm sure they'd be happy to give you more info as well. Good luck!
I've owned 6 Argos over the past 40 years and never seen a custom hard cab like this. Can't begin to guess what the price point of that cab would be. The machine itself is $30,000.00 Canadian. I've been to the factory were these machines are built twice. Never seen anything like it. I'm curious about your experience with the Argo brand tracks. I've gone to a third party builder to get a more aggressive track. It was frustratingly easy to get stuck in deep wet snow with the factory tracks. One other observation, where I'm from, the term "cabin" has an entirely different description than what you have.
@Steven Andrews - I looked and looked for a cab that would do what I wanted, and finally ended up working with Alumilite Armor and Western Skies Argo to build it custom. They are definitely not inexpensive, but they aren't made cheap either so I think they will last. I think they have options to build them without the hatches or with fewer doors and that saves a little money. I'm just not flexible enough to contort myself into the cab without smacking my head, hence the hatches. I've had really good luck with the Argo rubber tracks. I've seen the other stuff and maybe if I ever wear a set out I'll compare to something else. I've not seen much positive about the plastic Argo tracks but maybe they are for a completely different use case. I've had some comments about what we call a "cabin". To be fair, we've been building it for over 30 years but my dad and grandpa didn't mess around much either, so maybe it's time to call it something else. If it's hard to get there, and people can't get to you, that's always going to be "cabin" to me! Thanks for your comment!
@@carlrichey1 Wow!!!.....thank-you for such a rapid response. I did not realize that the two cabs you have were custom designed for you. Do you happen to know if the fabricator is set up to build more copies of your cab? I should mention that I'm up in Ontario Canada but travel to the Salt Lake City area a number of times a year(trucker). The original Argo tracks that I had problems with were the plastic. Thanks again for such a quick reply.
@ Steven Andrews - Happy to help! It looks like Alumilite Armor (out of Parowan Utah) is currently making cabs for the Aurora and Frontier models, but I think they have only done them for 2019 forward. Here is the website for the fabricator: alumilitearmor.com/home
Western Skies Argo in Ogden Utah has worked with ‘Alumilite Armor to get them different models of Argos so Alumilite can fabricate cabs for other machines. Alumilite is backed up pretty good, and I think it took about 6 months to get my cabs designed and built. If it’s a model that they already have, then I’m sure it’s much faster to build and ship one. I think that a lot of the cabs they sell are up in Canada where Argos are a little more common, so heck, maybe there’s a deal to be made if you are already rolling on that route! Thanks for what you do, by the way. I don’t know if most people realize how lucky we are to have good folks like you doing one of the toughest jobs to keep the world’s economy and needed supplies moving.
Do argos have heaters
Here in Canada we would just drive our trucks in the pow. More than that though and we would take skidoos. Faster, better on gas, and can carry much more weight. Just can’t go fishing on the sled.
Greg, your comment surprised me a little as ODG is a Canadian company. I figured these Argos were more common up North. Our community is “tracked vehicles” only in the winter so airing down and powering up is out of the question but honestly I don’t think even the most capable 4x4 on tires makes it up this section of the road. I’ve tried in early Fall storms in my Rubicon aired down to 5 psi without luck.
What is the payload capacity of your snowmobiles? We used to do sleds but couldn’t carry anywhere near as much as we can in the Argo. Payload of the Argo is 1000 lbs, and it’s warm and dry. We have snowmobiles, they are recreational for us, not for hauling gear. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@carlrichey1 what state do you live where you get that much snow it’s beautiful. I live in New Mexico and can’t say I have even seen a snow mobile or sled whatever they are called.
Do they have a after market heater you can put on this.
There are a couple of ways to add heat. I think the approach that works the best with these air cooled briggs motors is to pull air in from the cab and through tubing adjacent to the muffler and back into the cab. The other option is a webasto type heater drawing fuel from the return line. Give Western Skies Argo a call and they will help you work out a plan.
Carl where are the cabins i want one so cool
Our cabin is in Causey Estates. Nearest town is Huntsville Utah. Thanks!
UNCLEDOUG SAYS GET RIDE OF BENCH SEAT GOT TO HAVE 2 NICE BUCKETS !!!
Hehe - now that's something I've never seen anyone try in an Argo. We like the benches because we run with kids and can fit a couple next to the driver if we need to.
What tracks r u running, standard or super??
I have the 18” rubber tracks. The plastic super tracks also do pretty well in the snow and I’ve heard are easier to spin for lower HP machines but I like to run on gravel, dirt, mud, and snow and the rubber tracks hold up well on all those situations. More expensive tho..
@@carlrichey1 thanks
Id see soundbar and sound system...
What kinda price tag on those cabs?
Looks like Western Skies is breaking it down into individual components. The entire cab is selling for $8500.
westernskiesargo.com/inventory/aurora-8x8-all-aluminum-hard-cab/
UNCLEDOUG IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR A HARD SHELL CAB !!! WHAT'S THE POWER PLANT ?
This machine uses a Briggs & Stratton 40 hp Vanguard engine. I think they are often used in boats and have the low end grunt needed to spin 8 wheels on tracks. There are several power train options.
Carl Richey what about a heater? It’s not liquid cool. I have a 750 hdi was thinking of upgrading. I like the new top speed. More versatile on logging roads.
Heat for the cab is something I grappled with. I also had a 750 hdi before with a heater and I rarely used it because the firewall was so bad at blocking engine heat I was warm enough. For the Aurora, I found that if I pulled out one of the cup holders the heat flowed into the cab pretty well but I put a fan and a closable vent into the cup holder hole and it seems to work well, especially to defrost the windshield.
Lol cabin? Yo thats a straight up mansion! Bet shes got wifi 😂
Internet is a problem but hopefully starlink will fix us up soon! Thanks for watching!
Интересно.
Thanks!
Better then a mud ox? Was watching previous video. Just wondering. One legged guy from iowa.
I don’t have any personal experience with the mudd ox but it seems super capable. The mid engine design would make it balance better on the water but it seems a little weird to me for the driver and passengers to be split by an engine compartment. Some days, with my kids, it would be most welcome. 😀
missed opportunity for extra rad gullwing doors
Haha, as it turns out we started in that direction but the structure to pull it off required too much weight. Don’t forget, these are boats too. 😄
The hell that things some crossbreed its like a jeep and some sorta construction vehicle with treads had a kid that’s trippin🤣
Whats yur top speed
Mine top out at 20. They aren’t fast.
Skidoo Expedia or Argo?
Not sure how to answer this. The Ski-doo expedition snowmobiles are great work sleds that would work well for cabin access. 2 people on a snowmobile pulling a trailer is how we used to access our cabin and while the snowmobile is much faster, more trips are needed. Argo is also usable year round so we get more use out of them than we do snowmobiles.
Carl Richey thank you for the reply. We purchased our brand new skidoo in the fall. We’ve always had skidoo’s but an off trail one is new we’re therefore novices with this. We don’t like the results of it in fresh snow. We do get a lot of it in Quebec winters... so we figured the Expedition would be a blessing to get to our cabin. Didn’t go as well as we thought. Again, most probably because we’re novices. My brother in law suggested buying an Argo.
Should I have bought an Argo is the real question.
I think that you'd be quite happy with an Argo. Maybe a local dealer would let you take one for a test run to decide. My dealer is always happy to put me into a demo machine to help me make up my mind. Good luck!
Carl Richey made an appointment for a test drive this week. Thank you again!
how much is it ??
There are several Argo models with the entry level 6x6 version starting under $10k. The Aurora 950sx in the video is about 27k. There are options at most every price point in between. Rubber tracks are about $5k but plastic options exist for about half that. The complete cab is about $8k and you can buy it in stages/pieces. All told, you can do an enclosed Argo with tracks for between $15k up to $40k+. There is a used marker but these aren’t common machines and people tend to keep them so you have to shop for a while.
I didn't see you actually get in or get out, wasn't that the point of the video,?
Well damn! I guess it was something I hoped to convey is easier with this design but never noticed that omission. I’m fat and old and without those roof hatches I’d be really hurting. Definitely still not as easy as jumping into a typical SxS but you take the good with the bad. Thanks for your comment!
@@carlrichey1 I live in Southern Ontario and actually worked at ODG for a few years. We uses to be able to borrow the prototype vehicles for free on weekends, believe me I know what it's like to get in a non-roofed argo. Those machines are almost unstoppable. It's not a fair comparison to any other type of atv.
A 2 wheel drive International Travelall would laugh at your driveway
Well if that were to happen I’d be a buyer for sure. My Rubicon doesn’t stand a chance getting up that hill in deep snow! Thanks for watching and giving me a chuckle!
@@carlrichey1 Rubicon....
Ha.... Don't underestimate a Travelall. 392, limited slip, lots of weight. The 4x4 scout would go places your fancy Rubicon only dreamed of. So would the original Land Cruiser.
@Phantom International…
My best friend in high school (back in the 80’s) had a 4x4 Scout that we hunted in and we beat the ever living $!%# out of it and it never once let us down. I have such great memories of that thing that if you told me it would do the Rubicon trail dragging my new “way too soft old man jeep” on it’s roof the whole way I’d believe you. If we can agree on a love for solid axles and big displacement then maybe we can be friends!
@@carlrichey1 I guess you're ok after all. Happy new year my friend. I think your 8 wheeler is awesome.
@Phantom friend. I’m so glad we found common ground! Seriously, thanks for your comments. It’s fun to get impressions from off-road enthusiasts. Happy New Year!
Top speed 18 mph
Must not have no heat give me a Can-Am defender max HD 10 with tracks please
Hard to argue with that. Those Defenders and Rangers when decked out with all the comforts are incredibly nice! I also have a Honda Pioneer 1000-5 with tracks so I have a reasonable comparison of a well equipped Argo vs a well equipped traditional SxS on tracks. The Pioneer will yield a more comfortable ride that’s quieter and will get you there most of the time. If I’m going and there’s a small amount of new snow (6” or less), the Pioneer would get me there. If there’s any significant amount of snow, however, the ground pressure on a traditional tracked SxS is almost double an Argo on tracks and you are just asking to get stuck in the deep stuff especially with a hill climb. One other reason I use the Argo’s in the deep stuff is because I hate going anywhere without backup, and an Argo is only about 11 feet long, so throwing a pair on a trailer is easy. A 4 passenger SxS with tracks is a mile long and unless you pull equipment haulers behind your rig it’s hard to get 2 of them wherever you’re going. Thanks for watching and commenting! Nothing that I’ve said changes the fact that I drool over the creature comforts in a Defender or a Ranger Northstar!
Wow I think a sherp looks better and probably works better and hell probably would last longer too…now price this vs a sherp
Can’t argue about the sherp. Those things look amazing. I do know they are about triple the cost of an Argo but some day I’d love to compare them!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Do you have the phone number for the company to order the argo
Argo works through a dealer network. On their website you can search based on your location.
argoxtv.com/find-a-dealer
Let me know if you can’t find a dealer close to you using their website.
"Cabin"
Кабина совсем не зимняя а скорее от дождя.
Thanks for watching! I tried to translate your comment but I don’t think it worked. Thanks for watching!
Very unbortly!
Toys
I’ve gotten the “toys” comment a lot and I get that as they are fun to mess around in. For me they are essential to safely getting my family into our cabin so I think of them more as tools. My snowmobiles? Ya, they are the toys!! Thanks for commenting and watching! Merry Christmas!
nice toy for a rich man.
To equip an Argo takes financial resources for sure but not more than setting up a good SxS either. Thanks for watching!
That’s not “DOT” glass, That’s RV camper glass. I’m sure the construction is solid but the design visibility is claustrophobic and terrible. A, B and C pillars are far to wide and block views. If that visibility came with a jeep, nobody would buy it.
Thanks for the correction. The windshield is DOT. A lot of cabs come with plexiglass and that’s mainly what I wanted to share. A vehicle that can only go 20 mph doesn’t have the same requirements as a highway vehicle. Glass is heavy and these vehicles need to stay light to stay on top of the snow let alone floating on the water. Even so. I appreciate your comment!
expensive toy
Toy/Utility and cost are a matter of perspective. For me these are fun but necessary pieces of equipment that made the most economical sense for my needs. I appreciate your perspective tho. Thanks for watching!