About: What the Dealers Sell

A powersports vehicle typically refers to a small motorized vehicle on four wheels that is designed to be ridden over rough terrain, rather than paved roads, although some dealers may group snowmobiles and motorcycles into this category. The powersports vehicles that Leadventure most often write about include all-terrain vehicles (ATVs, known as quads or four-wheelers) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs, also known as side-by-sides).

ATVs are ridden more like a motorcycle, with a seat the rider straddles and handlebars for steering. UTVs are operated more like a passenger vehicle, with bench or bucket seats and a steering wheel with gas and brake pedals.

The most frequent use for powersports vehicles is as a means of recreational off-roading in special areas designed for the use of such vehicles, but they can also be used by hunters, farmers, construction workers, and other professionals as a means of transportation in areas without pavement or asphalt to drive on.

A motorcycle is a motorized two-wheeled vehicle designed to be ridden by one or two passengers at a time. Motorcycles were invented when a motor was placed on a standard bicycle at the end of the 19th century, and they have become much more powerful and varied since then.

Motorcycles are operated using handlebars and a throttle, and are ridden straddle-style. They can achieve high speeds similar to a passenger car or truck, so they may be ridden on highways, interstates, and other busy roads.

Motorcycles come in several types, including dirt bikes, touring motorcycles, and cruisers.

A recreational vehicle (RV) is a type of large vehicle or trailer which contains living accommodations within it. The living accommodations will typically include at least one bed (either in the form of a mattress and box spring or modular furniture that can be folded into a cot), storage areas, a bathroom, a kitchen or kitchenette, and a living room or den area, although the specific accommodations will vary by size.

RVs are designed to be used by people for traveling, typically to special campgrounds that contain the necessary power and water hook-ups and other facilities that RV owners might need while they're camping. People also use RVs to travel to tourist destinations or to visit friends and family, as they may be parked almost anywhere they can fit and are legally permitted to be.

A recreational vehicle can be either a towable trailer (which gets connected to a tow vehicle, which takes it to the destination) or a self-contained motorhome (which comes with its own engine, letting the owner simply hop into the driver’s seat and drive to the destination).

Our marine vehicle deals primarily with boats and personal watercraft.

A boat is a means of transportation that is specifically designed to be used on the water. Boats can be very small and simple, such as rafts or canoes, or they can be very elaborate and large, like yachts.

The boats written about at Leadventure are usually mid-sized motorboats that can seat anywhere from two to ten passengers and they may have an enclosed cabin or be entirely open to the air or have a canopy top. They are operated from the helm with a steering wheel and various controls. Our team almost never writes about human-powered boats such as rowboats or rafts.

A personal watercraft is similar to a boat, in that it is motorized and designed for usage on a body of water. However, personal watercraft (the singular and plural terms are the same) are smaller than most boats and are ridden more like a motorcycle, with a seat that the rider straddles and a set of handlebars and a throttle for power. There are also models that are ridden while the rider stands on a small platform, with no seat.

The engine of a personal watercraft usually sucks up water and forces it out the rear of the craft, which propels the craft forward. These crafts are always open to the air, and they seat anywhere from one to four passengers at a time, with a little space for cargo.

Some models have a swim platform to allow users to enter and exit the water from the personal watercraft. Most personal watercraft are used for recreational riding, but some models are used by rescue crews and patrol units to assist swimmers, boaters, and other people in and around a body of water.

CAVEAT: Many people refer to a personal watercraft as a "jet ski," but this term is actually a registered trademark for the PWC manufactured by Kawasaki. Never use the term "jet ski" unless it is properly trademarked and specifically referencing the PWC manufactured by Kawasaki.

Our trailer vertical includes a variety of trailer types, but there are two broad terms that come up the most: cargo trailer and utility trailer.

A cargo trailer (also known as an enclosed trailer) is a towed metal enclosure on wheels that has a rear gate or set of doors for access. Cargo trailers are hitched up to a standard car or truck and used to carry items that are too large to be carried in a passenger vehicle. Cargo trailers are used by everyday people, as well as small businesses, for hauling many types of items.

A utility trailer (also known as an open trailer or flatbed trailer) usually refers to a large metal base on wheels that is hitched up to and towed by a passenger car or truck. Usually, open and flatbed trailers are considered to be "utility" trailers, with low walls and a low gate at the rear. There may be a ramp that can be attached or extended to allow for easy loading of cargo. Utility trailers transport materials and items that do not fit in a standard passenger car or pickup truck. They may be used by everyday people, businesses, and various industries.