HK1190369A - Side by side all terrain vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Row seat type all-terrain vehicle

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to row-seat all terrain vehicles.

Background

Typically, all terrain vehicles ("ATVs") and utility vehicles ("UV") are used to carry one or two passengers and a small amount of cargo over a variety of terrain. Due to the increasing interest in recreational use in row-seat vehicles, such as those used for track-bound driving, recreational use, and cargo transportation, have entered the market.

Most row-seat vehicles include seats for two to three passengers. Row-seat vehicles in which the driver and passengers sit side-by-side on laterally spaced seats have become popular because of their ability to enable the passengers to share the driver's field of view and driving experience, rather than being positioned behind the driver. Two types of vehicles are known in the market place: a known first motion version is: the driver is seated low in the vehicle and one such vehicle is shown in us patent 7,819,220 (and co-pending patent EP 2057060), the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. The second version allows the driver to sit higher in the vehicle and one such vehicle is shown in U.S. patent application publication No.20090301830, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Disclosure of Invention

In one embodiment described herein, a row seat vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle frame with a frame tube extending from a front portion to a rear portion. A vehicle seat frame is disposed in the middle portion of the frame and the seat frame is disposed at a raised position relative to the frame tubes. The powertrain is disposed rearward of the vehicle seat frame and is coupled to the vehicle frame. The side-by-side seats are supported by a seat frame; and one or more storage units are disposed below the side-by-side seats.

In another embodiment, a row seat vehicle includes a vehicle frame having a frame tube extending from a front portion to a rear portion. A vehicle seat frame is disposed in the middle portion of the frame and the seat frame is disposed at a raised position relative to the frame tubes. The powertrain is disposed rearward of the vehicle seat frame and is coupled to the vehicle frame. The side-by-side seat is supported by a seat frame. A rear suspension including at least one rear adjustment arm is coupled to each side of the rear portion of the vehicle frame, wherein the adjustment arms are coupled to the vehicle frame at a front connection location and a rear connection location. The distance between the front connection positions is greater than the distance between the rear connection positions, and at least a portion of the powertrain is disposed between the front connection positions of the adjustment arms.

In another embodiment, a seat row type vehicle includes: a vehicle frame; a vehicle seat frame disposed in a middle portion of the frame and at a raised position relative to the frame tubes. The powertrain is disposed rearward of the vehicle seat frame and is coupled to the vehicle frame. The side-by-side seat is supported by a seat frame, and one or more storage units are disposed below the side-by-side seat. The rear suspension has at least one first connection position to the frame, wherein at least a part of the drive train is arranged behind the first connection position.

In another embodiment, a seat row type vehicle includes: a vehicle frame; and a vehicle seat frame disposed in a middle portion of the frame, the seat frame being at a raised position relative to the frame tubes. The side-by-side seat is supported by a seat frame. The powertrain is disposed rearward of the vehicle seat frame and is supported by the vehicle frame. At least one storage unit is disposed below the side-by-side seats; and the storage box houses the electronic components of the vehicle.

In still another embodiment, a row seat type vehicle includes: a vehicle frame; a side-by-side seat supported by the frame; a powertrain supported by the vehicle frame; a cargo storage device supported by the frame; a storage area device having an aperture extending therethrough; and a tie down member extending through the aperture to an upper side of the cargo storage device and coupled to the opposite side.

Drawings

Embodiments will now be described by way of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front left side perspective view of a vehicle of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front left side perspective view of the frame of the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a rear right side perspective view of the vehicle of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the frame of FIGS. 2-3;

FIG. 5 is a partial rear perspective view of the frame of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a lower side perspective view of the frame of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the removable frame member of the frame exploded from the vehicle frame;

FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of a portion of a removable component;

FIG. 9 shows another portion of the removable component;

FIG. 10A illustrates a rear perspective view showing an engine and transmission disposed within the frame of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10B illustrates a top plan view showing the engine and transmission disposed within the frame of the present disclosure;

figure 11 shows a rear perspective view of the rear suspension;

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of an A-arm of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 shows a rear perspective view of the suspension assembly;

FIG. 14 shows an exploded view of a portion of the suspension of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a component disposed below the seat frame of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a partially assembled vehicle showing the chassis components disposed above the seat frame of the vehicle;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view through line 18-18 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 19 shows a side view of the utility tip box;

FIG. 20 shows an underside perspective view of one side of the utility tip box;

figure 21 shows an integrated tie down device provided in the utility dump box;

FIG. 22 is a front left perspective view of the roll cage attached to the frame;

FIG. 23 is a front left perspective view of the roll cage;

FIG. 24 illustrates the roll cage of FIG. 23 in exploded form;

FIG. 25 shows an enlarged view of the attachment location of the removable roll cage;

FIG. 26 shows a cross section of the roll cage showing the configuration of these components;

fig. 27 shows a transverse cross-section showing a cross-sectional configuration of a transverse roll cage member;

FIG. 28 is a front left side perspective view of the seat assembly of the subject vehicle when assembled to the frame;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a front right side perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a front view of the seat assembly of FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a left rear side elevational view of the seat assembly of FIG. 28;

FIG. 33 is an underside perspective view of the seat assembly removed from the vehicle;

FIG. 34 shows the seat assembly of FIG. 33 exploded away from one another;

FIG. 35 illustrates a seat frame of the vehicle;

FIG. 36 shows a lower side perspective view of the operator's seat; and

fig. 37 shows a cross-sectional view through line 37-37 of fig. 36.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1, a utility vehicle is shown generally at 2 to include a frame 4 supported by front wheels 6 and rear wheels 8. Utility vehicle 2 includes a front end 10, and front end 10 has a hood 12, a bumper 14, and side body panels 16. The utility vehicle 2 also includes a rear end 20, the rear end 20 having a utility cargo box 22 as further described herein. Utility vehicle 2 also includes an operating area 30, which operator area 30 includes a high back seat assembly 32, which high back seat assembly 32 has a driver seat 34, a passenger seat 36, and a center passenger seat 38. An operator control device such as a steering wheel is provided at 40. The roll cage 42 surrounds the entire operator area 30.

Referring now to fig. 2 to 6, the frame will be described in more detail. Referring first to FIG. 2, the frame 4 generally includes a frame front portion 50, a frame middle portion 52, and a frame rear portion 54. The center frame tube 60 extends generally longitudinally between the front frame portion 50 and the rear frame portion 54, having a front portion 60a and a rearwardly facing flared portion 60 b. An outer frame tube member 62 is provided, the outer frame tube member 62 being connected to the frame tube portion 60a by a tube portion 62a near the front and being spaced from the frame tube 60b by a frame tube portion 62 b. A transverse tube such as 64 joins the frame tubes 60 and 62 together toward the center of the vehicle, and frame channels 66 and 67 (fig. 3) join the frame tubes 60 and 62 together near the rear of the vehicle.

The removable frame portion 70 is attached to the frame tube 62 by brackets 72, as further described herein. As best shown in fig. 7, the removable frame portion 70 has a lower frame portion 70a, a vertical upright portion 70b, and an upper horizontally extending portion 70 c. The removable frame portion 70 also includes gussets 82 as described herein. A cross support 80 extends between the two portions 70 c. The frame 4 further includes a seat frame portion 90 having laterally extending frame tubes 92 and 94 supported by upright supports 96 and diagonal supports 98. As best shown in fig. 3, the support columns 100 are upstanding from the frame tubes 62 and support transverse beams 102. The transverse beam 102 is removable from the column 100 and, as further described herein, also includes an upper mounting area or flange 104.

Referring now to fig. 4-6, a rear engine pan 110 is provided extending from the channel 67 and the frame tube 60. The chassis 110 defines a support platform for a drive train of a vehicle as will be described herein. Vertically extending grooves 120, 122 (fig. 5, 6) extend from each side of the chassis 10 and define locations for mounting adjustment arms (a-arms) as described herein. A vertically extending tube 130 extends upwardly from the chassis 110 and supports an upper frame arm 132.

Referring now to fig. 7 and 8, the frame 4 further includes an upper mounting flange 134 attached to the diagonal tubes 98 and side tubes 136 (fig. 8), the side tubes 136 extending between the diagonal tubes 98 and the columns 100. As shown in fig. 8, the transverse beam 102 is provided with a bracket 138 and a flange 140, wherein the flange 140 is attached to the flange 134 by fasteners as shown, and the bracket 138 is attached to the side tube 136 by fasteners as shown. As shown in FIG. 9, the removable frame portion 70 includes a bracket 142 attached to the horizontally extending portion 70c, the bracket 142 being removably attached to the cross support 80 by fasteners as shown. The lower frame portion 70a is also attached to the frame tube 62 as shown by fasteners extending through the brackets 72.

Referring now to fig. 10A and 10B, an engine 150 is shown mounted on chassis 110 along with a transmission 152. It should be noted that engine 150 is of the type shown and described in corresponding PCT application PCT/US2011/52914, assigned assignee serial No.61/385,802 filed on 23/9/2010, the subject matter of both of which is incorporated herein by reference. The mounting of transmission 152, engine 150 and transmission 152 together, and engine 150 and transmission 152 to frame 4 is similar to that shown in any of U.S. patent applications 12/849,480 and 12/849,516, both filed on 8/3/2010, and corresponding PCT application PCT/US2011/46395, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As shown, an air inlet 160 is shown, which air inlet 160 would be mounted to a cover surrounding the roll cage 50.

In fig. 11 through 14, a redesigned suspension is shown generally at 200. The suspension is redesigned to provide space for the engine and transmission 150, 152 when mounted behind the seat as shown here. More specifically, the rear suspension is provided by an upper adjustment arm 202 and a lower adjustment arm 204, whereby the front links 206 of the upper adjustment arm 204 are spaced a greater distance apart than their respective rear links 208; i.e., W1 > W2 (FIG. 12). This provides a lateral distance or width W1 between the adjustment arms between which at least a portion of the transmission or powertrain can be received. In a similar manner, the lower adjustment arm 204 has a front link 210 that is spaced a greater distance apart than the lower link 212.

As shown, the upper and lower adjustment arms 202, 204 are both rectangular in configuration and are connected to the hub portion 220 at the front and outer corners of the adjustment arms. As shown in fig. 12, the adjustment arm is at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis LAnd each of the hubs 220 includes a spindle 222, the spindle 222 rotating along an axis X transverse to the longitudinal axis L. As shown in fig. 14, the lower adjustment arm 204 also includes a lower plate portion 230, the lower plate portion 230 providing a bracket 232 for both the damper 240 of the torsion bar 244 and the mounting arm 242. Torsion bar 244 is shown in fig. 10-13 as being rotationally mounted to upright 130, and torsion bar arm 246 extends forwardly. As best shown in fig. 12, the location of the hub 220 provides space for the damper 240 and mounting arm 242 of the torsion bar 244.

Referring now to fig. 15, the area under the seat frame 90 is now available for other system components due to the location of the engine behind the seat 32. As shown, the oil tank 260 is shown disposed below the seat frame 90, and the fill tube 262 extends outward from the driver's side and beyond the frame formed by the frame tube 62 and the post 100. The battery 270 is shown disposed below the passenger side of the seat frame 90. Meanwhile, an electronic component 280 is disposed below the center seat of the frame 90, and may include an engine control unit, a vehicle control unit, a relay, and the like.

Referring now to fig. 16-17, vehicle 2 is completed with a floor 300, side panels 302, seat side covers 304, and a seat front cover 306. The storage tray 308 is disposed above the frame 90 and above the cross bar 102 (fig. 10) and includes three separate storage areas, namely a storage area 310 directly below the driver seat, a storage area 312 housing the electronic components 280, and a storage area 314 disposed below the passenger seating area (fig. 12 and 17). A panel 320 surrounds the intersection of the rear roll cage portion 402 and the panel 104 (fig. 10), and an acoustic/thermal shield 330 (fig. 16) is provided behind the seat 32 and in front of the engine 150 to prevent heat and noise from the engine 150 from entering the operator's area.

Referring now to fig. 9 and 18, a trough member 350 is disposed above the frame tube 60 from a location at the front 50 of the vehicle to a location extending above the truss members 67 defining openings 352 (fig. 18). The trough member 350 defines an opening or duct between the front of the vehicle and a location beneath the seat for receiving a drive shaft that extends from the rear of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle to drive a front differential. The channel member 350 is coupled to the main frame tubes 60, 62 to define a rigid member that resists twisting. The top of the channel 350 defines a passageway 353 for receiving other necessary components extending from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle, such as wiring harnesses (light, electronic throttle control wires, etc.), cooling tubes, brake wires, etc. As best shown in fig. 3 and 18, the shear plate 354 also extends upwardly from the frame tube 62 to an upper frame portion 356, wherein the upper frame portion 356 is also configured to resist twisting to the vehicle frame 4. The shear plate 354 also allows for attachment of accessories to the shear plate 354.

Referring now to fig. 19-21, the rear utility box 22 is shown in greater detail. As shown in fig. 19, the utility box 22 has a lower surface 360, the lower surface 360 sloping upwardly and forwardly to provide a small draft bevel on the inside of the utility box. This makes it easier to dump the contents of the utility box and lifts the inner surface of the utility box for cleaning purposes due to the presence of the engine 150 and transmission 152 which are adjusted rearwardly. In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, the side edges of the utility box include a plurality of in-mold cuts 370, the cuts 370 extending downwardly through the bottom panel 372 of the box, the cuts extending outwardly of the inwardly molded posts 374 (FIG. 20). The tie down device 380 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 382 for extending through the cutout 370, a shank 384 for extending downwardly through the cutout, and a flange portion 386 for being provided against the post 374. A fastener may be disposed through the aperture 388 of the tie down device 380 to secure the tie down device to the utility box in a semi-secure manner. It should be understood that the tethering devices may be disposed in spaced orientations as determined by the owner/user.

Referring now to fig. 22 to 26, the roll cage 50 will be described in more detail. As shown, the stand 50 includes a front stand portion 400 and a rear stand portion 402. As best shown in fig. 24, front frame portion 400 includes an upright portion 404, a horizontal portion 406, a cross member 408, and a lower cross member 410. As defined, the front frame portion 400 defines a surface 412 of the upright portion 404, a surface 414 of the cross beam 408, and a surface 416 of the lower cross beam 410 all arranged in a plane for receiving an additional windshield. In a similar manner, a surface 420 is defined on the portion 406 and a surface 422 is defined on the upper beam 408 to define a planar surface for receiving an additional upper roof component or a framed moon roof. As shown, the upright portion 404 includes a bracket 422 for connecting to the gusset 82 (FIG. 9). Finally, the frame portion 400 includes a rear connector 424 for connecting to the rear frame portion 402, as described herein.

As best shown in fig. 24, rear shelf portion 402 includes uprights 430, cross-member 432, diagonal supports 434, cross-members 426 and 438, and cross-member 440 that retains a head restraint 442. The side support 450 extends forward from the upright 430. The rear portion 402 includes a bracket 452 for attachment to the upper flange 104 (fig. 8). As best shown in fig. 25, the intersection of upright 430 and cross member 432 defines a profile 460 for receiving connector 424. Thus, the front and rear frame portions 400 and 402 can be easily connected by the fastener 462. As also shown in fig. 25, shelf portion 406 includes an outwardly facing surface or lip 470, the outwardly facing surface or lip 470 being planar, having a surface 472 located on connector 424 and having a surface 474 of rear upright portion 320 (fig. 27). This enables the addition of additional doors. The exact configuration of the cross-section of the shelf portion 406 is shown in fig. 27, which is somewhat dribbling or the configuration of fig. 8.

Referring now to fig. 28-37, the seat assembly of the present disclosure will be described in greater detail. Referring to fig. 28, the seat assembly 32 is shown in an installed position in the seat frame 90. As shown, the driver's seat 34 includes a seat back 500 and a seat bottom 502, and the passenger seat 36 includes a seat back 504 and a seat bottom 506; and the center seat 38 includes a seat back 508 and a seat bottom 510.

As best shown in fig. 33, 34 and 36, the front edge of the seat assembly includes a hook 520 that pivotally clamps the hook 520 into an opening 522 of a bracket 524 (fig. 29) to clamp the seat into the seat frame 90. It will be appreciated subsequently that the seat may be tilted forwards towards the steering wheel and/or dashboard of the vehicle in order to remove the seat and access a storage compartment located beneath the seat.

As best shown in fig. 33 and 34, the driver's seat 34 and the combined passenger seat 36 and center seat 38 are separate components. As shown, the passenger seat 36 and the center seat 38 will include a lower structural frame 530, the seat bottom being configured on the lower structural frame 530, and the hook 520 being assembled or integrated to the lower structural frame 530. As shown, the driver seat occupies about 40% of the width of the side-by-side seat, and the passenger seat and the center seat occupy about 60% of the width of the side-by-side seat.

As best shown in fig. 36 and 37, the operator's seat 34 includes a lower slide assembly 540 with a hook disposed on the lower slide assembly 540. The seat 34 also includes an adjustment mechanism 542 and an inner slide track 544 (fig. 37), the inner slide track 544 allowing sliding movement between a lower track member 550 and an upper track member 552 of the track assembly 540. The frame 560 of the seat back 500 is attached to the lower track assembly 540 and, thus, moves with the seat bottom 502 as the upper track portion 552 moves relative to the lower track portion 550.

Although the power source of the present disclosure is shown as an internal combustion engine, with an internal combustion engine being exemplified, the engine may also be in the form of a multi-fuel engine capable of utilizing multiple fuels. An exemplary multi-fuel engine capable of utilizing multiple fuels is disclosed in U.S. patent application No.11/445,731 (and co-family PCT application No. PCT/US 07/70220), filed on 2.6.2006, under docket No. plr-00-1505.01P, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment, the power source may be a hybrid electric motor. In another embodiment, the power source may be an electric motor, wherein the space under the seat is used for a battery pack. An exemplary electric vehicle is in either assignee's application No.12/484,921 filed on 6/15/2009 (and co-pending PCT application No. PCT/US 2010/38711) or application No.12/816,004 filed on 12/16/2010, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The vehicle may also include a range extender of the type disclosed in application No.12/928,479 (and family PCT application No. PCT/US 2010/049167), filed on 12/13/2010.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims (61)

1. A tandem vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame including a generally longitudinally extending main frame tube;

a vehicle seat frame disposed in a mid portion of the frame and at a raised position relative to the frame tubes, a side-by-side seat supported by the seat frame;

characterized in that a powertrain is disposed rearward of the vehicle seat frame and supported by the vehicle frame; and one or more storage units are disposed below the side-by-side seats.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, characterized in that the seats are movable to access the one or more storage units located below the side-by-side seats.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, characterized in that the seat is pivotally movable for accessing the one or more storage units.

4. The vehicle of any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the side-by-side seats comprise a driver seat, a passenger seat, and a center seat.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, characterized in that the driver seat comprises about 40% of the width of the side-by-side seat and the passenger seat and the center seat comprise about 60% of the width of the side-by-side seat.

6. The vehicle of any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the driver seat moves forward and rearward relative to the passenger seat and the center seat.

7. The vehicle of any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the side-by-side seat includes a seat back and a seat bottom, and the side-by-side seat pivots forward about the seat bottom, exposing the storage unit.

8. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an oil tank is provided below one of the passenger seat and the driver seat.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that a battery is provided below the other of the passenger seat and the driver seat.

10. The vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the storage unit extends from a position below the side-by-side seat to the battery and the oil tank.

11. The vehicle of any of claims 4-10, further comprising a storage bin located below the center seat.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the storage bin located below the center seat houses electronic components of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the electronic components of the vehicle comprise an engine control module.

14. A tandem vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame extending generally longitudinally;

a vehicle seat frame disposed in a middle portion of the frame and at a raised position relative to the frame tubes;

a side-by-side seat supported by the seat frame;

a drivetrain supported by the frame; and

a rear suspension including at least one rear adjustment arm coupled to each side of a rear portion of the vehicle frame, the at least one rear adjustment arm coupled to the vehicle frame at a front connection location and a rear connection location;

characterized in that the distance between the front connection positions of the rear suspension is greater than the distance between the rear connection positions, and the power train is arranged behind the vehicle seat frame, at least a part of the power train being arranged between the front connection positions of the adjusting arms.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, characterized in that the connection location of the adjustment arm is disposed along a rotation line relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and the rotation line is at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis.

16. The vehicle of claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the adjustment arm is defined by an upper adjustment arm and a lower adjustment arm, and a hub portion connects the two upper and lower adjustment arms.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, characterized in that the adjustment arm is defined as generally rectangular, the hub being attached to a front outboard corner of the adjustment arm.

18. The vehicle of claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the adjustment arm extends outwardly and rearwardly from the frame at an acute angle.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the hub portion is skewed relative to the adjustment arm and extends outwardly at an angle transverse to the longitudinal axis.

20. A vehicle according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein a prop shaft is connected between the hub and a differential.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, characterized in that the prop shaft extends rearward.

22. The vehicle of claim 21, comprising a shock absorber coupled to the lower adjustment arm.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, characterized in that the shock absorber is disposed rearward of the prop shaft.

24. The vehicle of any of claims 20-24, further comprising a torsion bar coupled to the lower adjustment arm.

25. The vehicle of claim 24, characterized in that the torsion bar comprises a transverse bar portion and a longitudinal bar portion, and in that the transverse bar portion extends rearward of the shock absorber and the longitudinal bar portion extends forward and outboard of the shock absorber.

26. The vehicle of claim 25, characterized in that the torsion bar is coupled to the lower adjustment arm.

27. The vehicle of claim 26, characterized in that a link arm extends downwardly from each longitudinal rod and is coupled to the lower adjustment arm.

28. The vehicle of claim 27, characterized in that the link arm and the shock absorber are coupled together at their lower ends.

29. A tandem vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a vehicle seat frame disposed in a mid portion of the frame and at a raised position relative to the frame tubes, a side-by-side seat supported by the seat frame;

a powertrain coupled to the vehicle frame; and

a rear suspension having at least one first connection location to the frame;

characterized in that the drive train is arranged behind the vehicle seat frame and at least a part of the drive train is arranged behind the first connection position, and in that at least one storage unit is arranged below the side by side seat.

30. The vehicle of claim 29, comprising at least one rear adjustment arm coupled to each side of a rear portion of the vehicle frame, wherein the first connection location is a front connection location of the adjustment arm.

31. The vehicle of claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the adjustment arm is coupled to the vehicle frame at the first and second connection locations, wherein the second connection location is rearward of the first connection location.

32. The vehicle of any of claims 29-31, characterized in that a distance between the front connection locations is greater than a distance between the rear connection locations, and wherein at least a portion of the powertrain is disposed between the front connection locations of the adjustment arms.

33. The vehicle of any of claims 29-32, characterized in that the seats are movable to access one or more storage units located below the side-by-side seats.

34. The vehicle of claim 33, characterized in that the seat is pivotally movable to access the one or more storage units.

35. The vehicle of any of claims 29-34, characterized in that the side-by-side seats comprise a driver seat, a passenger seat, and a center seat.

36. The vehicle of claim 35, characterized in that the driver seat comprises about 40% of the width of the side-by-side seat and the passenger seat and the center seat comprise about 60% of the width of the side-by-side seat.

37. The vehicle of any of claims 29-36, characterized in that the driver seat moves forward and rearward relative to the passenger seat and the center seat.

38. The vehicle of any of claims 29-37, characterized in that the side-by-side seat comprises a seat back and a seat bottom, and the side-by-side seat pivots forward about the seat bottom, exposing the storage unit.

39. The vehicle of any of claims 29-38, characterized in that a fuel tank is disposed below one of the passenger seat and the driver seat.

40. The vehicle of claim 39, characterized in that a battery is disposed below the other of the passenger seat and the driver seat.

41. The vehicle of claim 40, characterized in that the storage unit extends from a location below the side-by-side seat to the battery and the oil tank.

42. The vehicle of claim 29, characterized in that the storage box houses electronic components of the vehicle.

43. The vehicle of claim 42, characterized in that the electronic components of the vehicle comprise an engine control module.

44. A tandem vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a side-by-side seat supported by a seat frame;

a drivetrain supported by the frame;

characterized in that the drive train is arranged behind the side by side seat and in that at least one accessory is arranged below the side by side seat and in that the accessory accommodates an electronic component of the vehicle.

45. The vehicle of claim 44, characterized in that the electronic components of the vehicle comprise an engine control module.

46. The vehicle of claim 44 or 45, further comprising a rear suspension having at least one first connection location coupled to the frame, wherein at least a portion of the powertrain is disposed rearward of the first connection location.

47. The vehicle of any of claims 44-46, characterized in that the suspension comprises at least one rear adjustment arm coupled to each side of a rear portion of the vehicle frame, wherein the first connection location is a front connection location of the adjustment arm.

48. The vehicle of claim 47, characterized in that the adjustment arm is coupled to the vehicle frame at the first connection location and a second connection location, wherein the second connection location is rearward of the first connection location.

49. The vehicle of claim 48, characterized in that a distance between the front connection locations is greater than a distance between the rear connection locations, and wherein at least a portion of the powertrain is disposed between the front connection locations of the adjustment arms.

50. The vehicle of any of claims 44-49, characterized in that the seats are movable to access the one or more storage units located below the side-by-side seats.

51. The vehicle of claim 50, characterized in that the seat is pivotally movable for accessing the one or more storage units.

52. The vehicle of any of claims 44-51, characterized in that a fuel tank is disposed below one of the passenger seat and the driver seat.

53. The vehicle of claim 52, characterized in that a battery is disposed below the other of the passenger seat and the driver seat.

54. The vehicle of claim 53, characterized in that the storage unit extends from a location below the side-by-side seat to the battery and the oil tank.

55. A tandem vehicle comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a side-by-side seat supported by the frame;

a powertrain supported by the vehicle frame; and

a cargo storage device supported by the frame,

characterized by a storage area device having an aperture extending therethrough; and a tie down member extending through the aperture to an upper side of the cargo storage device and coupled to an opposite side.

56. The vehicle of claim 59, characterized in that the cargo storage device is blow-molded.

57. The vehicle of claim 60, characterized in that the tie down member is metallic.

58. The vehicle of claim 61, characterized in that the portion extending into the upper side is shaped as a blade portion.

59. The vehicle according to claim 62, characterized in that the blade portion comprises a fastening portion.

60. The vehicle according to claim 59, wherein the fastening feature is an aperture in the blade portion.

61. The vehicle of claim 59, characterized in that the tie down member comprises a flange coupled to the cargo storage device.