Could a Utility Vehicle Replace Your Truck?

When budgets are tight and deadlines are looming, it’s crucial that everyone on the jobsite is working with productivity and efficiency in mind. Having a crew that is flexible and nimble, with the ability to transition from one task to another, can help keep costs low and under deadline. Just like a crew of workers, an equipment fleet must also be flexible enough to tackle multiple jobs. Recent models of UTVs, capable of pulling double-duty as both equipment movers and personnel transporters, have provided a new alternative to the traditional full-size vehicles and trucks. New customization options and factory-installed accessories go even further to help turn UTVs into full-service fleets. When you’re looking for ways to get the most out of every vehicle on the jobsite, it’s important to consider all the options.

The UTV Advantage

UTVs have many advantages over larger on-road vehicles. They can be more cost-effective while performing jobs more efficiently. Multi-passenger UTVs are great for transporting four-plus passengers around worksites. They’re also more maneuverable, with the ability to drive through tight areas not safe for full-sized vehicles. UTVs don’t incur the same wheel, road and property taxes as on-road vehicles, reducing the cost of ownership. Additionally, monthly maintenance is easier and more straightforward, with about 70 percent of UTV owners performing their own maintenance, reducing both costs and vehicle downtime. Another key aspect of UTVs is their task-oriented nature: Commercial UTVs have work in mind.

Gas vs. Diesel vs. Electric

The crew size, scope of work and site environment differ from jobsite to jobsite, and UTVs are versatile enough to meet most site requirements. They can be powered by gas, diesel, AC or DC electric drivetrains, and each option offers its own benefits. Electric UTVs are ideal for urban or residential worksites, capable of working from sun up to sun down in areas where noise restrictions might exist. However, low noise doesn’t mean low power; electric vehicles now come in a variety of payload and hauling capacities making them suitable for even the toughest jobs. Gas- or diesel-powered utility vehicles are ideal for rugged worksites where heavy hauling and towing is required on a daily basis.

Accessorize for Productivity

Manufacturers know that managers want to do more with less — so they’re developing new customization options and accessories that improve UTV functionality, safety and operator experience. For example, many UTVs can be upgraded with larger, factory-installed cargo beds, heavier-duty hitches and electric bed dump systems which increase efficiency around the jobsite.

Accessories like all-terrain tires make it safe and easy to traverse the worksite in areas where a full-sized vehicle can’t tread. Rear-slip differential, available on most UTV models, further improves traction on rough terrain. The top priority on every jobsite is safety, and many UTVs offer standard features with additional optional accessories to help keep workers safe on the job. Accessories that alert others that a UTV is in operation, such as taillights, brake lights, reverse alarms and strobe lights, can be added for a nominal cost. A rollover protection system (ROPS), in conjunction with seat belt use, helps prevent a passenger from being injured in the event of a rollover. Similarly, an occupant protection system (OPS) prevents passengers in the vehicle from being injured when the vehicle tips over, and a falling object protection system (FOPS) prevents falling objects from injuring passengers.

Advice to Buyers

When upgrading a vehicle fleet, it is important to consider all the options available for the job. While full-size vehicles have traditionally been used for equipment and personnel transport around the jobsite, current UTV models offer a lot of advantages. It’s important to consider the different brands and models available, along with the worksite environment and primary job functions the vehicles will perform, before making a purchase.

Raven Honsaker is the director of product strategy for Cushman.