2018 Can Am Maverick Trail 1000 DPS 3 year, 4000+ mile Review and Answers to a Few Common Questions.

I bought my 2018 Can Am Maverick Trail 3 years ago today. With just over 4000 miles on the machine I feel it's time for a long term review along with some answers to some commonly asked questions. Plus, we just hit 2000 Subscribers, Thank You ! Lots to talk about in this video.

[@dantracy7314]

Great explanation of what this machine is designed to do.

[@steveburns6628]

We love our 2020 Maverick Trail. We looked at other machines, but at the end of the day, we felt there was no comparison. Most importantly, my wife loved it from day one. 🙂 Good enough for me.....

[@jarheadmarine5655]

Happy wife happy life Hahahaha

[@JoeandCarieScarborough]

Found a 2018 with 920 miles. After watching these videos i think this is my option over the razor

[@MyATVlife]

Still very happy with mine. 6700 miles on it now.

[@1gr8oil]

I've always like your video's as they provide not only entertainment, but also lots of good information about the trails you ride!

[@MyATVlife]

I appreciate that. Before I went to the Paiute for the first time (years ago) I searched for every video I could find. There were some (ATVTV) but not a lot. If someone is doing research I just want to give them some idea about the area and what to expect. Nothing fancy, just trying to make videos of the type I was looking for back in the day. I also researched the crap out of machines both ATVs and SXS and accessories for them. Again, just trying to make videos that give the kind of help I was looking for. 👍

[@Bigben-pz8bx]

We’re picking up our trail 1000 Dps tomorrow. I’ve enjoyed your videos while waiting for the dealer to get ours. Made me sure of our decision watching your videos

[@MyATVlife]

That's awesome ! Thank You. Congratulations on the new machine ! 👍

[@terrypetersen4039]

Yes, Please do a video on all of your accessories. I just bought a new 2021 Trail. I did see one of your other videos before I purchased it. We use to have a Can Am Maverick XMR . And yes the front lights I would have LOVED them on my machine. I did purchase the aluminum roof, upper doors, front DOT safety glass w/wiper, and finally the rear window w/ vents. I like the enclosed cab for hunting up in Montana.

[@edbrick7689]

I also have a 2018 Maverick Trail 1000. I only have 1000 miles on mine. Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado usage. I had it stored for a year while running two long winter mining projects at extreme high elevation. I did have a 3” diameter come thought dead pedal passenger side, fully impaled the unit and took about fifteen minutes for my wife and I get it unimpaled. Was a near miss on wife’s leg as she had just moved her foot from that location. My one pet peeve is the instrument cluster, I wish it would stay on the trip odometer screen rather than auto returning default speedometer screen. Love the machine, trouble free. Thinking of switching to four point harnesses.

[@earlfletcher4814]

This is the most stupendous video for the Maverick trail that I have seen and I've seen a lot on KZbin but you are very passionate about telling people the truth and more in depth about the all spec's and feature's great video. Thanks for your time.

[@MyATVlife]

You are very kind. Thank You.

[@thichogsmanoutdoors5401]

I bought a 2020 trail 800 dps in June love it and love your videos

[@MyATVlife]

Thank You !

[@joekearney]

Gave you a sub for detailed informative unbiased content . I’ve owned multiple brands and this 2020 Maverick Trail 1000 DPS is my first can am machine. Still have my Polaris premium xp 1000 four wheeler , and some Honda recons . We traded the brute force 750 on the maverick . One thing I’ve seen over the years is Japanese build quality overall just isn’t matched by North American Offroad manufacturing. I like the trail a lot but don’t enjoy the brake noise , excessive drive train pop and clunk from the front end (possibly sway bar ) , excessive engine noise , and pointless grease zerks when every single bushing should be sealed compressed bushings . Overall we love the trail and I’m happy to hear no major issues in 4000 miles for y’all ! I too take considerable care of my machines . It badly needs more ground clearance though , but don’t want the issues that come with lifts and bigger tires . Happy trails .

[@091200xr]

We just picked up a 2020 Maverick trail 800 used rental, looking forward to running 50" trails and pushing further into the wilderness. Liking your videos..

[@MyATVlife]

Congratulations on the new machine ! Thank You for watching 👍 We appreciate it

[@richardgallant3371]

I watched your whole video even though I bought a Yamaha Rmax about 1 month ago . Im a subscriber and enjoy your video s

[@MyATVlife]

Thank You ! That Rmax is a bad ass machine, congratulations ! 😎👍

[@craighudson4382]

I love the spots talking about resting your arm on the door, with the sticker in frame telling you not to rest your arm on the door. Ha Ha. Great video man! love my 2018 MT 1000DPS.

[@MyATVlife]

😆

[@nal13nal13]

I figured that's why they make the doors higher, so your arms stay in the cab.

[@roscoesraiders5361]

We have a 2020 maverick sport xmr (though not a mudder). Would love to ride on one of your rides, but I'm way beyond the 50". As for the seat belts, dont count out a harness. I put the 5 point Simpson D3 - 2 inch in ours. Im a big boy, and the sub belt keeps everything in place. Wife hated the stock belt. We both LOVE the harness. They are extremely comfortable. The design of the D3 eliminates the sternum strap that I hate. Wife said an added benefit is the harness helps hold the girls in place when the trail gets rough. Love ryfab. Like you I ride in eco most of the time. We are looking at doing Silverton Colorado this summer. Maybe we'll pass you on the trail one day. Keep the vids coming.

[@nal13nal13]

After watching your videos and others I went to pickup my 2020 MT 1000 DPS back in July, I was really upset and confused when I go into it and there wasn't a sport mode or rear diff switch. I almost thought it was the wrong machine. They were so hard to come by at the moment that I put money down on it before seeing it. I do have to drive this through my precious lawn to park it in my shed and if I go easy, it doesn't tear up the grass. It would still be nice to have, even just to have another cool switch on the dash.

[@kong3]

I've had 2 Rinos and had EildcT Trail really liked it, and have a 2010 rzr eps. Like them all, alot was very concerned about CanAm but really like it overall and have 190 mile days on it. I do miss the rear disconnect because when you have to do big miles on a forrest road it really improves the mileage. My 21 is broken in now and almost ready to rip Spring Summer n Fall..

[@agliem1]

Good video! Just checked my machine regarding the inner wheel well. No hole on mine. I guess Can Am fixed the problem. I have a 2020 model year.

[@MyATVlife]

My son just bought a 2021 and is has an updated firewall/footwell. Wasn't sure if it was a 2021 thing, but good to know they solved it in 2020. It needed to be done

[@scottbarnard1958]

Jason, would love to see a video of you guys loading the machine in ur toyhauler and what u guys bring with you? I know I’m asking a lot but I think subscribers would be interested. Thanks! Great vids and keeping coming!!!

[@MyATVlife]

There is a bit of me loading the machine in our Wallace Part 1 video at the beginning. But yeah, we could do a more detailed video some day. 👍

[@chrispaul9068]

Very informative video Jason, thank you for sharing! I love what you did to your machine with all the accessories. Is the belt difficult to change? Also, when you upgraded to better tires, where and how do they mount them?

[@MyATVlife]

The belt was actually very easy to change. There is one bolt on the cover that is kind of a pain to get to, but once you figure out the right wrench to get to it everything is pretty easy after that. I bought the tires online and when they showed up I just took them up to my local tire store and had them mount them up for me.

[@chrispaul9068]

@@MyATVlife Thank you! 👍🏻😉

[@GetlostwithKenny]

I ended up buying a 2020 Maverick sport after my dad bought his polaris 900 trail. The build quality, seating position, standard features and layout of the Maverick are leaps and bounds ahead of his polaris. After watching this I went out and looked at my machine, can am did add a plastic protector in the df footwell to prevent intrusion like you talked about. I had the same rattle issue on my drivers door hinges. Warranty repaired it, but the dealer said there are some batches of bushing that the hinge hole is too large and will cause play and rattles. So just a few heads up. Loving the videos, giving me, my friends and family ideas on places to go ride around the state and surrounding states! Keep it up and enjoy the content! 👍

[@MyATVlife]

Thank You !

[@craigr6763]

They added the locking front diff now! The headlight accents are still available but you have to get the X model. I’ve been doing my research I’m looking for a maverick sport XXC model.

[@tenpnt]

I have the 2021 XXC and love it it’s a good choice

[@Kyle4America]

Like your videos, but definitely hoping you do an extensive video over Can-am accessories and after market accessories. Likes, dislikes, prices, pro's, con's and so on.

[@MyATVlife]

It's on my to-do list 👍

[@rogerpaul6835]

Great a very informative video. Thank you for posting. We are looking at either two Outlanders or one maverick trail. We want the 50in life. One question I have is, what is your maverick trail overall length (no spare tire). I know the Can Am site says 118in. I need to get it down to 108. Is that even possible? We are Building a custom full time toy hauler. Again thank you for posting.

[@MyATVlife]

Really no practical way to make it shorter. The rear tires stick out the back of the machine the furthest, so you could (in theory) put smaller diameter tires on it, but that wouldn't be a good idea, and you're only going to get maybe 1/2 inch doing that. No way you could shave 10 inches off of it.

[@ric03014]

Good video. I've watched all your videos. But I don't recall if you've ridden the Gooseberry trails off I-70. If not, give it a try.

[@MyATVlife]

Haven't done the Gooseberry yet. It's on my list, for sure

[@paulmillen2101]

Very informative video. Thank you. I'm gathering as much information as I can prior to a buying decision form my wife and I to enjoy some of our senior years (very senior). I see that you're carrying a spare tire. Then you must also carry a jack. Is there one that stores nicely? Quite a lot of our trail riding will be on unmaintained sugar sand trails in the Nebraska sand hills (desert). Low tire pressure is an advantage on an auto. Is that also true of an ROV? If so we'd need to carry a small 12-volt compressor.

[@MyATVlife]

I don't air down depending on terrain. Going to low invites pinch flats and cut sidewalls in some circumstances. I do carry an air pump and tire plug kit in case of emergencies and the spare tire is just for catastrophic tire failure. I have yet to need my spare tire, but it's just another thing I carry with me that I hope I'll never need. Tusk makes a good scissor jack with a mount that attaches to a roll cage tube, ours hangs on the rear cross tube of our machine.

[@paulmillen2101]

Thanks for the prompt reply@@MyATVlife

[@danaclay7800]

We purchased the 2021 Marveric Trail, pretty much bare bones options, we have been looking at what we thought we needed and where people purchase the options. I really like the looks of your machine options, but as you know cam an options are expensive, and there seems to be alot of UTV custom options, and places to purchase from out there. Can Am made options appear to be high quality as I bought the sport top and glass windshield from them. I purchase a back windshield from a utv custom shop, and one can see that difference and in fit with other options. Please make a vedio w your options and if you can where purchased. Since we are in our 70's and are looking at trail riding mostly, and want to ride everthing from our Oregon coast trails in the rain, to hunting in the cold in the Rockies, to going on desert trail in the heat in Utha, Arisona, Colorado,so I think we need options that can be exchange easily. Looking forward to your future vedios, as I enjoyed this one which convince me, we purchased the right machine, and that my FJ40 is too wide for 50 " trails!! Happy retired Trail riders!!

[@MyATVlife]

Nothing wrong with an FJ. They have their place in the world too for sure, but we do love our 50 inch trails. I plan to do a video of accessories soon, it's on my list. I'm just trying to push out the last of my 2020 videos. One is uploading now, and the other will (hopefully) be up soon.

[@businessgalmukoff4716]

Near ready to purchase a Maverick Trail. You mention you like the un-locking rear differential on your 2018 which is not offered on the 19' we are looking at. Not having any such experience with anything off-road other than my old DRZ400 motorcycle, I am curious as to what advantage one has with having a un-locking differential. Thank you!

[@MyATVlife]

I think the 2019 still has the unlocking rear diff if you can find one. I believe the change happened in 2020. Couple of benefits. One it doesn't leave black marks on the driveway from the tires when turning, and it doesn't tear up my lawn having it unlocked. Two when I'm on a side hill the rear end will have a tendency to slide downhill if the diff is locked, so I usually have it unlocked when doing tight technical stuff, and lock it when I'm going straight up something gnarly. Also, something I noticed right away, and it has to do with the long wheelbase, when doing tight turns on the trail and the rear diff is locked you can feel each end of the chassis fighting against itself. If the rear is locked it's trying to push the machine straight ahead while the front end is trying to round the corners. You can almost feel the "conflict" between the front of the machine and the rear when trying to navigate tight turns on the trail. It's not horrible, but you can feel it. Plus when driving on pavement I like just having it unlocked.

[@businessgalmukoff4716]

@@MyATVlife Thank you, and thank you for your time!

[@bigpoo02]

Can you list where you buy your oil and filters and different things like that? I just bought one but i have to wait for it to get delivered to the dealer so I would love to know where I can buys some stuff. And where is the best to order half doors or just the normal doors mine is going to just have the mesh. Thanks

[@MyATVlife]

Dealer can probably get you the best deal on doors. Most will give you a discount on parts and accessories when you purchase a machine from them. Some discount as high as 15% off MSRP. As far as oil and filters Can Am sells an oil change kit that comes with everything you need. Oil, filter, oring, drain plug washer, etc. I work part time in an auto parts store so I buy my oil and filter from work. I use Rotella T6 5w40 oil and the K&N oil filter part number KN152 and just buy the drain plug washer and oring from the dealer. But for sheer convenience the Can Am kit is all inclusive and even available on Amazon. Not sure of the part number.

[@Nano9.11]

Hi there, can you please specify the exact size of the tires? I'm looking to put some bigger tires on it as well. Greetings from Romania

[@MyATVlife]

Tires are 27x9-12 Tusk Terrabites on all 4 corners mounted on the stock wheels. That is for watching in Romania ! 👍

[@chrispaul9068]

Hey Jason! Question, the white Rotopax on each side of your MT, is that water? Used for drinking? Washing hands? Or perhaps both??

[@MyATVlife]

Yes, they are for water. Can use for just about anything. 👍

[@MyATVlife]

Should clarify. Can be used for anything, but you only want to put water in them. They're made from a "food grade" plastic, so they're different than the typical fuel packs. If we are going somewhere to have a little campfire I'll fill them up to have water to put on the fire to put it out. Also carrying distilled water in them is a good idea if you have to add water to the radiator or something. One day we hope to do some overnight camping and these are to carry extra drinking water. I don't use them often, but they are handy when you need them. 👍

[@chrispaul9068]

@@MyATVlife Great, thank you! 😉

[@jamesemanner9671]

You mention the Rear "Diff" lock. Unless I am mistaken, there is no differential action, i.e. no spider gears. Is it not just a 1-wheel drive when in Turf Mode?

[@MyATVlife]

Feels like one wheel drive to me. If I get one rear wheel off the ground it'll spin, but mine is a 2018 model. 2020 and newer do not have the unlock feature.

[@jamesemanner9671]

What should happen, if my theory is corrrect, one wheel, always the same wheel, is still connected solid to the drive train, and the other spins completely free. Probably just a splined sliding lock/unlock sleeve. There would be a ring and pinion, but no center spider gears. Would be nice to have this added feature, but it will not stop me from purchasing a current (2021) model. What would REALLY be nice is with the spider gears. Sure do appreciate your in-depth review! I'm sold, well except for the price. :(

[@MyATVlife]

My son just bought a 2021 Maverick Trail. When I'm able I'll try to do a video comparing the two. 👍

[@terrypetersen4039]

It would be great if you put a listing of your accessories and wear you received them below subscribers.

[@MyATVlife]

Ok will do

[@bobpierce4324]

Nice video! That Ryfab spare tire mount. How much does that add to the length of the machine? Thanks

[@MyATVlife]

Depends on the size of your spare tire, but in my case I'd say around a foot.

[@bobpierce4324]

Our machine is still on order and it comes with narrower tires on the front. You mentioned 28” tires but what about tire width to keep you in the 50 “?

[@MyATVlife]

Mine are actually 27x9-12 all around on stock wheels. Keeps me at stock width. 28's fit well, but not much of a selection of 9 inch wide tires in a 28, so I went 27.

[@bobpierce4324]

Thanks. Have done anything with door seals?

[@MyATVlife]

I installed the Can Am door seal kit. Fit great and work pretty well keeping the dust from coming in the doors.

[@max4459]

hi, I like your roof rack, can you tell me where I can buy it? link thanks but I'm Italian.

[@MyATVlife]

Www.ryfab.com

[@garysmith2292]

What is your take on EMP's shift gate and brake set accessory.

[@MyATVlife]

I just really don't see the point of either... I just don't see the point of a "speed shifter" for a trail machine. I understand the idea, but it just feels "gimmiky" to me. The brake thing in theory makes some sense as it'll take a little pressure off the tranny, but just seems a bit expensive and unnecessary. Again, I do understand the theory behind both, I just don't think either are necessary. I know people that have them both, and the review seems more like "look what I got" instead of "life changing mod".

[@garysmith2292]

@@MyATVlife Bought the shift gate and the brake set. The brake set is junk as it has a possible loose mount and if it came loose would interfere with the steering and lock it up from steering. My son was installing it in the spring and called EMP and they admitted it could be a problem but because I bought it at Xmas and it was the next spring, wouldnt take it back. I love the shift gate as I have a paralyzed rt hand and it makes shifting easier. Trying now to find the right tool to pack wheel bearings.

[@MyATVlife]

I met someone recently that has the shift gate and another that has the brake thingy. The guy with the shift gate really likes it. He says it takes the guesswork out of shifting for him, he really likes it. The other guy with the brake lock thingy said about what you said. It’s finicky. Also found out riding with him, at one point he forgot to release the brake and it threw his machine in to limp mode. Apparently after a mile or so of the machine recognizing the brake and accelerator are both being applied for an extended period it freaks the machine out and puts it into limp mode. User error, not a problem with the accessory, but just one other thing to worry about. I still think both are nice ideas, and for some (for you the shifter is very helpful) maybe a great addition,. I personally have never felt the need for either, but the shift gate IS growing on me. 👍

[@johncantone40]

How deep can it go thru a stream?

[@MyATVlife]

The CVT exhaust is probably the lowest thing to worry about and it’s probably about the level of my hips in the machine. Deep enough to get you wet for sure.

[@tommygunss7031]

I wont buy a product that a company wont stand behind. Can Am is terrible (or has been to me) for coming good with repair under warranty.

[@MyATVlife]

Nearing 5,000 miles on my Maverick Trail now. Zero issues (knock on wood). 👍