Very thorough testing.

Nice job -- have you communicated the test results and recommendations to the mfrs, and if so, what kind of response did you get?  Any sense for which might back their product better/better customer service?  My dad is considering a Polaris or other similar ATV for his small property, but I will mention this as an option to him for sure.

great info thanks so much.

Yes, I have shared the information with the CEO of both companies. The CEO of Bad Boy Buggie called me, we talked, he made some commitments regarding some of the product failures we had, but nothing came of it after several follow ups and a written letter. They are a bigger company and make bigger claims so I was hoping for a different outcome. However, I have heard through the grape vine that he did take some of my comments seriously (or you could say he was already aware of the issues) and has made efforts to improve the flaws.

Although the Trail Hog did a great job, their CEO doesn't make any super-aggressive claims and basically delivered a product that does what he said it would do. Other than the weight distribution issue and super sensitive accelerator that causes the machine to "hop" when you accelerate (which could be dangerous on a hill), I wasn't really expecting a response. He did send an email this week with a "Thank you" for the time and effort put into the Road Test and video.

Jason,

The controller on the Trail Hog should be programmable for a number of things, including the throttle response. I had a 400 amp Alltrax Axe controller, 4 gauge cables, heavy duty solenoid & F/R switch put on my lifted cart and had the same initial problem with a very sensitive throttle. I took it back to the folks that installed everything (SSW Carts in Cuero) and Bruce programmed it so it's much less "twitchy". I've still got the standard motor in it but with the upgrades, identical tires to the Trail Hog and new batteries I've had it in places that I wasn't sure it could get out of and it's never let me down. As you mentioned, it's no match for the ultimate capability of the Ranger but it is much more capable than I would have ever thought. 

Thanks for a great review - very helpful.

Paul

 

 looking for a users group. having problems with my bad boy. fried cables ane key switch. but the worst was when I turned on the key and it took off full speed without touching the speed pedal. Very scarey and a new controller at $1000 bucks. someone is going to get hurt and I will file a complaint with consumers protection agency if I don't get a responce from the bad boy folks

They both did good i think but besides being quiet i would rather have a four wheeler

i own a Bad Boy Buggy beware buyer because all i had is problems first the switch then the controller then the front leaf spring broke clean in two after three switches the third one being ezgo it finally runs oh did i mention the front motor replaced cracked fenders & faulty wiring i was very lucky that it was in warranty but not now i will be selling it since bad boy buggies refuses to give me a refund hope i can get enough to buy a ranger very unhappy customer Troy J.

this was very informative i was thinking of a bad boy to road bird dogs but after your report and peoples comments i will be looking into the trail hog or sticking with my polaris rangers. thanks for saving me 4 grand.

I ordered a Bad Boy Buggy in August and it is November 10th.  I still do not have my buggy and not a single person with Bad Boy can tell me when or if it will get here!  I have left several messages and have no return phone calls!  I did talk to one of the owners over a week ago and he was going to call me last Tuesday to let me know something, but I never heard from him!  Although I was interested in the Bad Boy, I would rather give my $ to Trail Hog since they actually care about their customers!  I suggest if you want a Bad Boy you order it now and maybe you will have it by 2008 hunting season.  Bad Boy is one of the worst run companies I have ever dealt with!

Chris

Gentlemen,

I built my own and to date I've got a grand total of $2,200 invested in it.  I started with a 2000 EZ-GO TXT golf cart with 36 volt system (that's six 6 volt batteries run in series).  This cart was not lifted. It was in fair condition.  I paid $1200. 

I began by purchasing a Jake's Lift Kit and a set of tires/wheels from Buggies Unlimited.com for $500.  I installed the kit, tires and wheels myself in a day.  I also installed a set of heavy duty leaf springs front and rear.  The springs are from EZ-GO for their Workhorse model. 

Then I purchased and installed a new battery rack from EZ-GO...$100

Since I had the batteries and rack out I cleaned up the frame with a wire brush, applied OsPho (which turns rust to primer) and then painted (black matte spray can Duplicolor) and finally undercoated the whole then with 3M bedliner material that I purchased at the local auto parts store. 

I installed the new battery rack, a set of new batteries (Interstate brand from Sam's Club)....$450.  And a complete set of 4 gauge welding lead battery cables and motor leads ($100 from Buggies Unlimited). 

I haven't done the controller or motor upgrades as this thing goes fast enough for what I want to do with it.  Besides when you add all the performance and speed enhancement items you are just adding something else to go wrong. 

I use my buggy on the beach in Port Aransas, in deep sand and I use it in Pearsall deer hunting as well as the hill country.  It's been great and I've got half what they're fetching for the Trail Hog and 1/4 of the price of a Bad Boy.   

I am looking for a cart because I have bad knees but love to hunt..Am thinking on buying a cart but do not know which one.  Please help.

i know, new posting to old comments, but had to weigh in. very good testing. at first thought was alittle biased, but glad they pointed out diffrernt muddy creek path, etc. thought very fair testing. comments in eval and other postings not too fair, tho. there are lawys a few lemons out there, but i have had no real problems with my bad boy. been everywhere in mine (junction tx-250 ac. rocky, dry,hilly climbs; dripping springs tx-same; brady tx-4500ac. rocky,muddy,deep grasses,heavy vegetation; kingsville tx-sandy, windy, beaches) and used hard for work purposes hauling brush with winch & rear chains, etc.. only real probs i have had was melted 2 battery cables, but that was due to loose connections from me changing batteries. i cannot complainat all about my bad boy from new braunfels dealer, hill country badboys, i think. ronnell and clint have answered all my calls, help me and gave me advice, sent me replacement parts (switches, front fender, tire spacers after a factory recall, etc) for free, so i guess it all goes back to who you deal with and how you treat your equipment. bad boy more expensive-yes, but also comes with larger motors (15 amp, not 8.5), switchable 2 w or 4 wheel drive, hill descent braking, winch, total camo top to bottom, storage racks top and front (YES THEY R USED and u can even stand up there & ride around when we r spotting or shooting in heavy brush).  hunting in brady last 4 years- cactus, mesquite, rocks, etc- 1 flat tire. i run over, thru, into stuff, back literally into/under trees and brush to hide. sometimes dont even climb into stand and they still come to me cuz no fumes. follow animals down the road, thru the trails, etc, without spooking too bad. added 2 extra at top driving lites cuz better viewing in high grass & up hill, rear gun rack, led cab lite for un/loading guns, rear back up lamp/switch, ipod/speaker setup, and cigar holders (hahaha). your report also states that bad boy still had 50% power when trail hog showing almost dead. the 48 volt sytem and 2 extra batteries obviously make a difference. newer models now are available (or soon to be) with roof top solar panels according to clint. he is helping to design & test them.  for me and my friends bad boy is the only way. i personally have had no big probs and highly recommend to everyone for deer, turkey and dove hunting.   oh yea, and for just cruising the neighborhood (or the ranch) with your favorite beverage, buddies, and cigars on a texas nite....aaahhhhhhh what a life........................

This is not my opinion, it is factual. Badboy buggies are a piece of crap. If I had it to do over again I would definitely buy something else for $10,000. I have had major brake, electrical and winch problems than could imagine. I brought my bad boy to the mfg in natchez and they re-did my brakes and new winch and one month later brought it back and the girl told me, oh we have a better brake design now, let me change to those. Not only did they charge me another and I mean another $400 to re-do brakes, they still don't stop the buggy. I also was given the bad boy back with a electrical problem they should have fix, a wire coming off the battery connecting to a box (Navitas) and you are to see this terminal glow at night and it is fried. To get to this wire, you have to take off the whole roof, seat and so-on. They should have fixed this problem and all others when I paid them over $1800 and $700 on 2 visits. Whatever people do. DO NOT BUY A BAD BOY BUGGY>>>YOU WILL BE SORRY> I HOPE MY BAD BOY BURNS MY HOUSE DOWN>

I am viewing these comments and watching my 2 year old Bad Boy very closely because of them, but have to say. I see none of these issues and have no affiliation with Bad Boy. I would like it to go faster and I have had some breaking issues do to the system filling up with sand but an easy fix so far. I have fliped the thing over with 4 guys in it, 1 weighing in at over 300 which caused the flip into a creek. We tipped it back up and took off. I had it stuck in a river and we had to use the winch fighting the current to get it out half under water and it never stopped running. I do not have a garage space so it sets outside in the rain everyday and we take off every time with no problems. Hope it stays this way but so far so good!

 

I have had a Badboy Buggie for three years now. I have had key switch issue, fwd..rev switch issues, and now electrical issues. It has been in the shop since February and is now August. The place that has been working on the badboy told me he can not get anyone to call him back from the company. I have recently picked up the buggy and carried it to another dealer, but he has told me that he has not had much luck getting anyone from bad boy to call him back either. I picked up the phone myself and made calls for weeks without any return phone calls.  This company will not be in bussiness long