Top 5 2021 UTVs for Hauling Heavy Loads

If you’re in the market for a utility side-by-side, chances are you’re concerned with buying a quality tool to handle big jobs. Hauling and towing are maybe the two biggest things to consider when looking for a utility rig, so we’ll try and make things a little easier to parse. We’ve put together a list of each major brand’s highest-rated payload and towing UTV model for 2021.

Before we get started, it’s fair to note that all payload, bed, and towing capacities will not include any special rating for California models.

It may be the smallest version of the ranger, but thanks to its feathery 1,437-pound dry weight, it has huge payload capacity. The Ranger 1000 is rated for a scarcely believable 2,070 pounds, loaded down with everything, including you. The bed is rated for 1,000 pounds by itself. And its tow capacity is a respectable 2,500 pounds. All that means the 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000 is one of the highest-rated towing UTVs on the market.

The Can-Am Defender 6x6 is the largest rig in this list, tipping the scales at 1,945 pounds dry. But the weight means it’s built to handle some serious cargo. Total payload capacity is 1,700 pounds, including the driver and passengers. Bed capacity matches the Ranger’s 1,000 pounds. But the Defender’s 3,000-pound towing capacity makes it the highest-rated towing UTV currently sold.

Although it’s classified as a recreation rig, the year’s brand-new 2021 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 platform makes a solid entry in our top towing list. Payload capacities aren’t given, but most models tip the scales close to 2,000 pounds wet. Every version of the RMAX comes standard with a 600-pound bed capacity, whether it’s a two-seater or four-seater. While the RMAX bed space isn’t as vast as a pure utility model, like the Yamaha Viking, it’s still useful for getting smaller jobs done. Even more interesting is the 2,000-pound towing capacity on every RMAX model. That’s a higher rating than any of Yamaha’s Viking UTVs. Don’t be fooled by its higher price, however. When compared to other sport-rec rigs it’s competitive.

In the sea of Mule models Kawasaki offers there’s one that stands above them all for hauling equipment. It’s the Mule Pro-FX with its 812cc three-cylinder engine and 1,817-pound curb weight. Payload capacity is a respectable 1,616 pounds. The 20 square-foot cargo bed is rated at 999 pounds of capacity. And if you’re looking to tow, the rear hitch has a 2,000-pound rating. A strong Mule for getting work done. The Mule Pro-FX is also the cheapest UTV on our list.

Honda’s utility class Pioneer 1000 comes standard with the same rating across both the two-seater and five-seater models. Curb weight is 1,538 pounds on the two-seater Pioneer 1000 with a bed capacity of 1,000 pounds. The rear hitch is rated to tow 2,000 pounds. This makes the Honda Pioneer 1000 competitive in today’s market of utility terrain vehicles.