Sand Rail Question

[LakeBeard]

I'm trying to trade my bike for a dirt toy. I guy wants to trade me his sand rail. He going to send pics in a day or two, I'll post to get opinions later. Anyway he says the ground clearance it very low...built for glamis. I've never had a rail & I don't really go to glamis, I plan on using it in Havasu. What is too low? when he gets to storage he said he will measure and let me know. He's an older guy and I don't want to string him along if the rail wont work for the trails in havasu...

 

[Bpracing1127]

I would just get a rzr instead. They are the perfect havasu offroad machine

 

[2Driver]

Do yourself a favor now and block his number

 

[LakeBeard]

I would just get a rzr instead. They are the perfect havasu offroad machine

I would love too, no one wants to trade one for my bike, I got no $$$

 

[OutCole'd]

A sandrail is for the sand, you really want a Dirt car for Havasu. Way more travel, suspension and clearance. I would stay away from a sandrail for Havasu use.

 

[Thunderhead1]

I have a pretty capable Desert car... I also just picked up a Can Am .... For Havasu , A SxS is hands down , WAY more fun!!!

The rail will work too...Im guessing its a swing axle VW and as long as its a Beam front end , You will have some fun and be just fine..

If its a mazzone style mid engine with the Fragile a-arm front end, You will break that 100ft from the trailer in the Desert.

 

[tostark]

I have had bikes, a desert car and now a rzr for havasu. The trails were getting to rutted out for the bike (and i was getting too old to fall) and it seemed like I was always turning a wrench on the car. The rzr is the way to go.

 

[77charger]

Some say a rail is not built for dirt but just about every weekend multiple SxS blow their front ends out at glamis. Just sayin.

 

[Bigbore500r]

A beam car with a swing axle is a pretty durable SOB...as long as the frame is stout. Low buck fun! If it runs well and your comfortable in it (a lot of those old rails are pretty crammed) I say go for it

 

[KENDOG689]

New sxs=$24+,old sand rail that runs good $3k.Trade it and putt it around and have fun.

 

[Thunderhead1]

Some say a rail is not built for dirt but just about every weekend multiple SxS blow their front ends out at glamis. Just sayin.

Yep!!! whens the last time you saw a Beam front end blown across the trail??

Just sayin...lol

 

[Thunderhead1]

A beam car with a swing axle is a pretty durable SOB...as long as the frame is stout. Low buck fun! If it runs well and your comfortable in it (a lot of those old rails are pretty crammed) I say go for it

THIS !!!!

 

[lf2]

I have a pretty capable Desert car... I also just picked up a Can Am .... For Havasu , A SxS is hands down , WAY more fun!!!

The rail will work too...Im guessing its a swing axle VW and as long as its a Beam front end , You will have some fun and be just fine..

If its a mazzone style mid engine with the Fragile a-arm front end, You will break that 100ft from the trailer in the Desert.

Dont you have a big DD prerunner? Im trying to figure out why you prefer a sxs over that in the desert. I run my big car over on the Landing side and dont see where a sxs would be better.

 

[Thunderhead1]

Dont you have a big DD prerunner? Im trying to figure out why you prefer a sxs over that in the desert. I run my big car over on the Landing side and dont see where a sxs would be better.

Yes... I do have DD Prerunner ... SxS is juat all around easier for quick trips or bangin around the Landing...And its a lot cheaper per mile to operate.

Don't read too deep into that though...I do love my big car... And there is nothing like rippin the desert in that. And for the OP , I would rather run a SxS than a basic sand rail in the dirt...

 

[EarpRider]

A sandrail is for the sand, you really want a Dirt car for Havasu. Way more travel, suspension and clearance. I would stay away from a sandrail for Havasu use.

Only for sand? Now you tell me, I've been riding dirt trails for the last 12 years.

 

[OutCole'd]

Only for sand? Now you tell me, I've been riding dirt trails for the last 12 years.

We all know there are many different styles of rails. When I think “sand” rail, I think mid engine, a arm mazzone. Very little travel or ground clearance.

Then there’s more of a hybrid rail, rear engine, Swing axle or IRS set up running a beam, then more of a desert buggy with mid/long travel suspension etc.

 

[LakeBeard]

Dont you have a big DD prerunner? Im trying to figure out why you prefer a sxs over that in the desert. I run my big car over on the Landing side and dont see where a sxs would be better.

that's where is will be, on the CA side at the Landing...

 

[lf2]

that's where is will be, on the CA side at the Landing...

Im sure you have noticed all the old school beam vw cars that are in the park there, maybe talk to some of those owners or even ask to go for a ride. As outcoled said though there is a difference between sandrails and how they were built some are built as sand only and will not be good at all in the hardpack, post up pics once you get some.
From what you have posted you are trading a bike for it so im guessing its in the under 10k price range, maybe even under 5k range i dont what kind of bike you are trading. But compare that price range sxs vs the sandrail.