| Sand Rail Purchasing Tips |
| Whether purchasing a chassis or turnkey from us, those of us here at Sniper want to ensure potential car owners are knowledgeable on industry standards and terminology. Not everyone who looking to purchase a rail or sand sport product may be aware of what sets a quality product apart from the rest. To ensure your sand sport product is both safe and worth the purchase price please use the information below as a guideline when researching both products and possible vendors. - The Sniper Sand Car Family |
| Please note the information below is intended as general knowledge not technical specifications. |
Sand Rail Industry Terminology:
C.A.R.B. Motor: Effective January 2008, the California Air Resource Board (C.A.R.B.) requires manufacturers
of off-highway recreational vehicles and engines to meet a set of objectives that include engine modifications.
When a vehicle engine is termed C.A.R.B. approved, the engine used in the vehicle meets the set standards.
Manufacturers that sell motors that are not C.A.R.B. approved are subject to fines.
Horsepower: A big selling point of any vehicle in the off-road industry is horsepower. Be wary of the amount
of horsepower as manufactures will often sell an engine that exceeds the performance of the drive train or
vehicle suspension.
To ensure your vehicle has the appropriate level of horsepower needed, be sure you discuss the following with
your vendor/manufacture:
Powder Coating: - A powder coat is a surface finishing technique that provides an abrasion resistant tough
coating to the steel of the vehicle. Color and finish options are almost limitless allowing for personalization of
off road vehicles.
Shocks: The type of shocks used on a vehicle is based on customers desired vehicle performance and
control. A Dual Shock System also known as bypass shock system provides customers with the ability to
adjust vehicle suspension with the simple turn of a wrench.
A Single Shock System still allows for shock absorption but does not allow for external control. A single shock
system is suitable for some vehicle applications.
Tabbed: The term tabbed refers to a vehicle's readiness. Vehicles that are tabbed have already been
equipped with drilled holes and brackets to allow the customer to install their own engine, transmission, seats,
seat belts, gas tank, etc. Purchasing a tabbed vehicle allows the customer to install their own vehicle
components without the need of heavy duty/specialized tools (ask manufacturer what tabs are included or
optional in chassis packages).
Transmission: The transmission is the heart of any off road vehicle. The transmission takes the most abuse
out of any other component. As a result the transmission is key in vehicle performance. Many vehicle owners
often make the mistake of purchasing more horsepower and putting less resources toward the vehicle's
transmission.
Travel: The term travel refers to the actual distance in which a wheel moves within the cars' suspension.
(Caution: be aware that vehicles do not always perform to travel specs advertised by manufacturers)
Types of Steel: There are several types of steel all with a variant of strength.
Chromoly - The strongest steel (the only type of steel used on Sniper sand rails)
D.O.M.- Medium strength steel. Commonly used on race products
Mild Steel - The weakest steel of the three
UTV: Utility Terrain Vehicles also defined as a hybrid between ATV's and a pick up truck . Also referred to as
Side-X-Side vehicles.
Vehicle Wraps: New to the industry, vehicle wraps provide customers with a variety of design options including
photographic images and unique designs. The breathable 3M material allows for images to wrap around
vehicle curves and provides a durable protective layer to vehicle panels.
Welds: One of the most important elements to view while shopping for off-road products is the quality of
welding that binds the product together. Poor welds are often masked with powder coating or paint. Check with
your manufacturer and inspect product welds carefully. Example of a good weld.
C.A.R.B. Motor: Effective January 2008, the California Air Resource Board (C.A.R.B.) requires manufacturers
of off-highway recreational vehicles and engines to meet a set of objectives that include engine modifications.
When a vehicle engine is termed C.A.R.B. approved, the engine used in the vehicle meets the set standards.
Manufacturers that sell motors that are not C.A.R.B. approved are subject to fines.
Horsepower: A big selling point of any vehicle in the off-road industry is horsepower. Be wary of the amount
of horsepower as manufactures will often sell an engine that exceeds the performance of the drive train or
vehicle suspension.
To ensure your vehicle has the appropriate level of horsepower needed, be sure you discuss the following with
your vendor/manufacture:
- What type of driving will be done in this vehicle?
- Drivers experience? (Novice/Moderate/Experienced)
- Terrain in which vehicle will be used in?
- Frequency or hours of use vehicle will see each season/year?
- Tire Size
Powder Coating: - A powder coat is a surface finishing technique that provides an abrasion resistant tough
coating to the steel of the vehicle. Color and finish options are almost limitless allowing for personalization of
off road vehicles.
Shocks: The type of shocks used on a vehicle is based on customers desired vehicle performance and
control. A Dual Shock System also known as bypass shock system provides customers with the ability to
adjust vehicle suspension with the simple turn of a wrench.
A Single Shock System still allows for shock absorption but does not allow for external control. A single shock
system is suitable for some vehicle applications.
Tabbed: The term tabbed refers to a vehicle's readiness. Vehicles that are tabbed have already been
equipped with drilled holes and brackets to allow the customer to install their own engine, transmission, seats,
seat belts, gas tank, etc. Purchasing a tabbed vehicle allows the customer to install their own vehicle
components without the need of heavy duty/specialized tools (ask manufacturer what tabs are included or
optional in chassis packages).
Transmission: The transmission is the heart of any off road vehicle. The transmission takes the most abuse
out of any other component. As a result the transmission is key in vehicle performance. Many vehicle owners
often make the mistake of purchasing more horsepower and putting less resources toward the vehicle's
transmission.
Travel: The term travel refers to the actual distance in which a wheel moves within the cars' suspension.
(Caution: be aware that vehicles do not always perform to travel specs advertised by manufacturers)
Types of Steel: There are several types of steel all with a variant of strength.
Chromoly - The strongest steel (the only type of steel used on Sniper sand rails)
D.O.M.- Medium strength steel. Commonly used on race products
Mild Steel - The weakest steel of the three
UTV: Utility Terrain Vehicles also defined as a hybrid between ATV's and a pick up truck . Also referred to as
Side-X-Side vehicles.
Vehicle Wraps: New to the industry, vehicle wraps provide customers with a variety of design options including
photographic images and unique designs. The breathable 3M material allows for images to wrap around
vehicle curves and provides a durable protective layer to vehicle panels.
Welds: One of the most important elements to view while shopping for off-road products is the quality of
welding that binds the product together. Poor welds are often masked with powder coating or paint. Check with
your manufacturer and inspect product welds carefully. Example of a good weld.
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