Having a tough time deciding which UTV ticks all the boxes? If you need class-leading ground clearance, a huge cargo box for hauling all your gear and 2000 pounds of towing capacity, then the Arctic Cat Prowler Pro is hard to beat. Throw in a suspension setup that soaks everything in the way, the quietest engine in any UTV, and a competitive price for everything you get (upgraded CVT transmission for smooth gear changes, stock bumpers for protection and the 10-gallon fuel tank, among other goodies) and you can see why this is one of the best-selling UTVs around.
The base Prowler PRO EPS gets all the basics right while undercutting major rivals by a few thousand dollars. There’s decent power on tap from the willing three-cylinder engine, seating for three, a chassis designed for extra comfort, and the lowest NVH levels. Good for leisurely trail rides, lugging loads around the ranch, and hunting. The money saved compared to higher trims (the XT and LTD) lets buyers customize their vehicle just as they want.
If you’re tough on your rig like most of us are, then three upgrades are worth every cent. Both older and new Prowler models can benefit from upgraded aftermarket Arctic Cat axles for added strength, more traction from tires in the right design and tread, and a winch to get you out of sticky situations or when hauling your prized trophy when out hunting.
Why Upgrade the Axles
The 2006 to 2015 Prowler models had subpar axles that were known to fail early on, even when dealing with moderate torque in light jobs or driving on mild terrain. Mild issues meant difficulty turning, popping sounds when on the gas and during gear changes, trouble getting the UTV to reverse, and shaking through the wheel. More serious are stalling, loss of power, and destroying the gearing, leaving the Prowler dead on the spot. The 2023 Prowler Pro has solved most of the axle issues of older models, but having a spare is always welcome.
Bent or snapped axles are a rare occurrence, but they do happen. Most issues, though, come from worn bearings and grease leaking from the boots, resulting in overheating from the increase in friction. Aftermarket spares, such as left and right and front and rear half axles, are an easy fix and relatively cheap to buy if you know where to look. ATV and UTV parts makers offer axles in general-purpose and heavy-duty variants, sized exactly to model dimensions for proper fit, and made to a higher standard, even when compared to those found on the Wildcat, which churns out double the power of the Prowler.
Standard replacement Arctic Cat axles are based on high-grade 5140 carbon steel shafts, increased neoprene thickness in the boots, precision CV joints and industrial bearings. For anyone hauling heavy loads, these are the things that get the job done. They’ll also last on more spirited trail rides, with high-gauge boots sealing the assembly from dirt, water, mud and rocks. No leaks or stuck axles are struggling to get power to the wheels.
Go for heavy-duty replacements if your Prowler is the workhorse that brings home the bacon. Everyday and demanding use means more stress on the transmission and axles (the engine copes fine with the lower tune), so beefing them up is the way to go. Heavy-duty axles are thicker and stronger, made of heat-treated 4340 steel, with more material in the boots, CNC-machined joints and heat-treated roller bearings. Designs are also geared toward better wheel articulation. The combo handles everything from pulling logs to getting deer home without budging.
Increase Traction With the Right Tires
Having the right tires on the Prowler Pro goes a long way toward improved grip, better handling and having them last. Stock tires are 26 inches high, 9 inches wide in the front, 11 inches in the back, and ride on 14-inch aluminum wheels. They’re an on-road/off-road mix, providing the high comfort levels the Prowler is known for as well as decent grip in the majority of driving and weather conditions. Where they struggle is in bad weather, loose ground and tougher terrain, leading to slipping and loss of traction.
Choosing the right tire depends on where and how you use your Arctic Cat. Go with deeper treads and wider block placement in 50:50 on- and off-road tires to get a bit more traction if you’re driving through water and loose gravel. Or choose more aggressive treads in tires with an off-road bias if you rarely get the Prowler on paved roads. Mud or trail tires have the deepest tread pattern and more spaced lugs to dig deep into loose surfaces while still getting the wheels to bite in. Full off-road variants, like sand tires, get the best results on really loose ground but will lose traction on smoother surfaces.
Several additional factors will also impact what you buy. Most ATV and UTV tires today have a radial ply design, with the tire ply layers stacked in the middle, allowing more movement in the sidewalls. These offer better handling, higher top speeds, lower fuel use and more comfort. Older bias ply types, on the other hand, pair well with the basic purpose of UTVs: transporting heavy loads on unpaved trails and roads and providing more grip in off-road driving. Additionally, consider ply count since this affects weight and puncture resistance. Most ATV and UTV tires have 4 or 6 plies, with lighter racing variants and sand tires having 2.
Lastly, there are compounds. Softer compounds provide more grip, making them good for higher speeds, but they add more weight and wear down quickly. There’s more durability and lower wear with harder compounds, but these lack overall traction. A good compromise is going with medium compounds, especially if you use the Prowler for both work and play.
Add Functionality With a Winch
Winches come as standard equipment on higher-trim Prowlers, but as mentioned, you’ll be digging deep for the privilege. Aftermarket winches are a more reasonable buy for the base model. They come either as hydraulic types, getting power from the power steering hydraulics, or as electric winches fed from the UTV’s battery.
This is a Prowler accessory that ups the ‘utility’ in ‘UTV’. Winches can be used for work purposes, such as removing tree stumps or pulling down fences, and with the appropriate plow attachment, in clearing snow. Hunting uses include pulling heavy game to clearer ground and hoisting it into the loading tray.
Another overlooked use is getting your UTV unstuck when you’ve been a bit too eager on the throttle, or slow with the steering. Winches have enough pulling power to get the vehicle out of ruts and when wheels are dug in too deep. And this could be a lifesaver if you’re too far out and no help is on the way.
When buying, observe the pulling capacity, stated in pounds. For a large side-by-side like the Prowler, you’ll be looking at a pulling power of at least 2500 pounds, or the safe recommendation of 1.5 times the vehicle weight (1605 pounds in the EPS). Also, get a winch with the cable material that best suits your purpose. Steel cables are more for heavy-duty use, but add weight and can be a safety risk if they snap. Most buyers opt for synthetic cables, due to their lower weight, corrosion resistance, and decent strength considering they’re much safer to use. And if you have cash left, a good idea is to pair winches with the right accessories and safety additions, particularly liner dampers, snatch blocks and tree straps.
