So we had a historic flood at our ranch which took out our bridge and completely changed the river around our place. Now with no bridge, the only way to the other side is a 6 mile one way trip around on the highway. But, we had some dirt work done to get down to the river but with the new river channel, the bottom remains unpredictable. We have crossed in our ranger but only with putting on waders and walking it first and if there is any run off at all, it would be too deep to cross.

I realize the Argo vehicles are kind of a rough ride, not really for lots of driving around but wonder if it would make sense to pick up a used one to just use to cross the river back and forth? We could leave a vehicle on the other side to use once we cross.

Anyone had one or spent any time using one? Thoughts?

They are high maintenance (chains, spindles), and they love to get stuck in mud/swamps. But, they don't sink in deep, so they can be winched out pretty easy. You don't want to tackle any kind of fast moving water in one, as they are a floating bathtub and even slower in the water. On tracks, they do pretty well, even in the swamps, but are even slower.

I'm not a huge fan, but have had a few friends who have owned them, and one who still does.

I have hunted with them in Newfoundland bogs and on the Zambezi Delta flood plains. For the use you describe, they will be fine, as long as the current isn’t really swift. Never had to winch one in both habitats. And covered a lot of miles floating over papyrus swamps!

Considering the price of an Argo, take a look around for a good used Duck Boat.

The creek we have is about 25 feet wide, moderate flow. Mostly shallow, as we have crossed it with a Ranger XP but the bottom is shifty and sometimes deeper spots develop, sometimes even overnight, going from 12-18 inches deep to 30+ inches, a depth that makes me nervous in a Ranger

With a moniker like duckster, you have probably seen more of those Argo things than most of us. A highly specialized vehicle that gets stopped here by the first close set of trees. I think they do have an outboard motor mount because like jdollar writes, you will be somewhere downstream if you are going to rely on those tires for propulsion in deeper water and current. A light weight jon boat sure comes to mind if you can camp it on the river bank. I've gotten away from the Sorel booted hunting guys by crossing a river using a pair of chest waders and one of those inner tube floating things with the seat built into it.

when I said 'duck boat', I didn't mean a duck hunting jon boat. I meant one of these. They have a propeller for rougher water.

That would certainly do it! ^^

Duckster, nothing much good being written about Argos up in the Hunters Campfire general discussion forum.

That about explains it. Also, don't fet the wide tracks. They bend inward and pops your tire off the rim

My experience with them is from 20 or more years ago. I hope they are better now. High maintenance and poor performance back then.

Thanks for the information. We are still trying to figure out our next step

I just picked up a 2019 Argo Aurora SX 800 with the Adair Mud Pro tracks, took it to the cabin 2 weekends ago and have to say, I was impressed that the ride didn't beat the hell out of me and I went places I couldn't even think of with my Rhino. We've got the full soft cab so we stayed dry and warm while it was 30 degrees and snowing outside. They are not a fast machine but will get you anywhere you want to go.

Until they break down, then they won't. I hope you have better luck than the Argo's I've been around. The owner's become Argo mechanics pretty quick.

Hope it works out for you man! There are a bunch of them running around in that neck of the woods, that's for sure.

Yeah, my neighbor 2 lots of over from our cabin has one and he crosses the swamps easily, unlike my Rhino where I have to go around everything to get to our place plus I can't visit my friends cabins in the summer and fall with the Rhino either, now I will be able too. We'll see how she goes, as long as I stay on top of the maintenance we should be ok.

A Weasel......in line 6 Studebaker