Cage Design?

[NEVERENOUGH]

when designing or building a cage for a utv what are the basic important aspects. Is a v bar in the windshield area important? What about cross bracing in the roof area. I understand trianglation but how much is enough for a utv that will not be raced. Mine will only be dune and trail ridden. I plan an adding an aluminum roof so how important are the other items thanks.

[olddirtrider]

Originally Posted by NEVERENOUGH

when designing or building a cage for a utv what are the basic important aspects. Is a v bar in the windshield area important? What about cross bracing in the roof area. I understand trianglation but how much is enough for a utv that will not be raced. Mine will only be dune and trail ridden. I plan an adding an aluminum roof so how important are the other items thanks.

The aluminum roof will trap heat in and make a lot of noise.............

[NEVERENOUGH]

I have never heard that. I guess it makes sense but here in Az and Ca no top will be killer. I might look into a soft top then. What do you think about soft tops.

[dieselpowered]

I was really considering an aluminum top, however, several people have told me that they are loud and quite franky not that convenient to remove (which really did not bother me) One thing that I recently started to think about was the heat factor. Not only to you have the outside heat being absorbed into the mental roof and then be radiated from there, you also have the heat from the motor being trapped under the roof.

I was going to put the metal roof and doors on, and then I really thought about it and it seemed to me that I would be turning it into an oven.

With that said, I will likely go with skeleton doors, and then the canvas roof. MotorsportHQ I guess is making roofs out of this fine mess type material. I am sure they will pop in and explain a little more about it as well as their thoughts on the metal roofs.

[olddirtrider]

Originally Posted by NEVERENOUGH

I have never heard that. I guess it makes sense but here in Az and Ca no top will be killer. I might look into a soft top then. What do you think about soft tops.

I had to take my OEM top off the noise was driving me crazy! I am playing with some soft top options. Black is a really bad option for any top, unless your in the Arctic. The black to radiates heat and engine noise echo back and forth. I don't mind hearing th grown of the V Twin but not everything else. Maybe I don't hear it on my 700V with the Yoshi pipes

Anyway there is lots of talent around here I sure the will be many top options!

[Crowdog]

On my 4 seat Rhino, I have an aluminum roof. It was powder coated black and rattled like crazy. Then I had it done with Line-X. Looks good and is very quiet. Didn't notice any extra heat radiating.

[NEVERENOUGH]

That was kind of my thought. I own a small portable bed liner business. We have done numerous sand car floors and rock crawlers and I was thinking of doing the inside of the roof. I am not sure but today I am going to talk to a lady who makes the soft tops.

[MSHQ]

There are many diffrent options on roofs but most of you are correct with the aluminum tops, they do rattle and do trap and radiate heat. They are even worse if you put a full windshield on the front...you need to have some airflow to keep cool.

We do carry a sunbrella type soft top that is canvas in a few color options or a black mesh that will breath very well. It is attached with Velcro so it is easy to remove and hose of if you are cleaning it. The mesh is a 90% so its alot like tinting your windows in your car or sunscreens on your home windows. It allows light to come through but not enough to feel like your on fire and it doesnt give you the closed in feeling like a metal roof would.

Putting some type of Rhino lining on your roof will allow for more heat to be reflected off the surface and keep it from feeling hot and the extra materal will provide a buffer for the rattle. The trouble with any roof is how to attach it to your cage...most people use Zuse Fasteners wich are easy to put on and are quick to release but they do rattle if you are not using some sort of pad between the metal sheets and the cage.

Once again, if you are racing around on a track or course that has objects that will come through the soft material you will need somthing to keep that from happening...if you are just crusing the dunes...well ...keeping the sun out is more important.

Thanks

MSHQ

[NEVERENOUGH]

What are the prices for a soft top both types? How long will it take to make a top? Let me know thanks.

[MSHQ]

Originally Posted by NEVERENOUGH

What are the prices for a soft top both types? How long will it take to make a top? Let me know thanks.

The tops go for 325.00 and are avail in Black,Tan,Red or Blue canvas or a black Mesh.
They run about 1 week out for manufacturing for a customer specific cage.
We stock tops for our cages here at our store.