If you’ve spent time off-roading, you already know that suspension travel, ground clearance and your wheelbase/track width dramatically change how a machine handles rough stuff. A long travel kit is a bolt-on suspension upgrade that increases how far the wheels can move up and down, usually widens the stance, improves the factory suspension geometry and gives you room for larger tires and more aggressive shocks. Putting it simply; long travel suspension kits let your UTV soak up rocks, ruts and jumps more smoothly, keep the tires on the ground longer for better traction, and help the vehicle stay stable at speed or when you hit obstacles.
High Lifter builds long travel kits aimed at riders who want to push their machines harder off-road, whether that’s cruising the trails, rock crawling, hitting deep mud holes, or ripping through the dunes. Our kits include strengthened control arms, heavy duty extended length axles, and upgraded tie rods. All High Lifter Long Travel Kits also increase the machine’s track width a few inches to improve cornering stability and allow for taller tires.
What a long travel kit changes
Most well-designed long travel kits change several mechanical things at once, not just “lift” the vehicle:
- Longer A-arms / control arms: gives more vertical wheel articulation and maintains proper geometry through travel. Many kits use heavy DOM tubing or chromoly components for durability.
- Multiple shock mounting locations: lets you tune ride height vs. travel and choose shock rates and lengths to match aggressive terrain. Similar to what can be found on High Lifter’s long travel kit for the Polaris Ranger 1000.
- Upgraded axles: because increased travel and bigger tires add stress; quality kits include beefed-up axles.
- Wider track / offset changes: improves stability and lets you run larger tires without rubbing.
- Alignment/camber adjustment: to keep handling safe and predictable through the new range of motion.
Together these changes produce more usable wheel travel and more predictable handling off-road.
What terrain are long travel kits for?
Long travel kits aren’t just a one-trick pony, they’re useful across many off-road riding styles, but every type of terrain benefits differently:
Trail riding
Long travel smooths hits from roots, ruts and whoops. That means less rider fatigue and fewer times you’re bounced off line. Increased travel also lets the suspension manage off-camber obstacles without unsettling the cab. For long days on mixed terrain, that’s a big comfort and control gain.
Rocky terrain
When you’re picking a line over rocks, having more articulation and longer travel helps the tires maintain contact over uneven surfaces. High Lifter’s kits are engineered to provide more clearance and strength so you can tackle larger obstacles without quickly wearing out pivot points or axles.
Mud and deep ruts
In mud, traction is king. Bigger tires (which long travel lets you fit) plus more travel to keep the tires planted will help you pull through ruts and soft sections. The wider track also stabilizes the machine when you’re sliding through sloppy turns.
Dunes and high-speed open terrain
Long travel lets you run larger tires and beefier shocks for softer landings off lips, reducing bottom-outs and improving composure at speed. The result is increased confidence and an ability to use more of the machine’s power without hesitation.
Benefits of installing a High Lifter long travel kit
- Bigger tires & more clearance. Kits create room for larger tires, which improves traction and obstacle clearance. Bigger tires plus the extra travel change how the vehicle attacks soft or irregular surfaces.
- Improved ride quality. Longer travel equals more progression before the suspension hits the bump-stop. This means less shock to the chassis which translates to more control and comfort on long rides or aggressive trails.
- Stability at speed. Wider track and tuned geometry reduce the twitchiness that can occur when you raise a machine without correcting the suspension geometry. High Lifter emphasizes tuned geometry and camber/toe adjustability to keep handling predictable.
- Durability where it counts. Upgraded control arms and axles in quality kits reduce failures when you’re pushing the machine harder than factory spec. High Lifter builds our kits with heavier tubing and upgraded driveline parts to match the increased loads.
Trade-offs and things to plan for
No upgrade is free. Consider these points before you commit:
- Cost: Long travel kits are a significant investment.
- Installation complexity: Many kits are bolt-on but still complex; installation by a qualified shop is common. You’ll likely need alignment and possibly other tuning depending on weight and other accessories.
- Tuning is important: Better travel without correct shock valving or wrong tire choice can make the ride worse. Pair the kit with proper shocks and a tire setup that matches how you ride.
- Legal/insurance considerations: Changes in track width, overall height, or intended use can have implications for local regulations or trail compatibility; check before modifying.
Is a long travel kit right for you?
- Buy one if you want more capable off-road performance, plan to run bigger tires, tackle rocks/dunes/mud regularly, or want a smoother ride at higher speeds.
- Reconsider (or plan carefully) if you mostly use your UTV for light utility work, tight trail cruising where big tires hurt maneuverability, or you need to keep the vehicle strictly stock for warranty or farm/road rules.
High Lifter’s long travel kits are engineered to convert a stock UTV into a more capable, tunable off-road machine across trail, rocky, mud and high-speed environments. They offer strengthened components, adjustable geometry, and increased clearance. If you’re serious about expanding where and how fast you ride, a properly matched long travel kit is one of the most transformative upgrades you can make.