Improving sled's towing capability

[sr12345]

I have an 09 XTX, with a pretty stock engine/drivetrain. This past weekend I tried to tow a broken down sled. While I did OK on the flats, I ended up smoking my belt trying to tow her up a hill. The sled ran fine afterwards (without towing anything).

However, this exercise got me thinking. Unfortunately, unlike ATVs, sleds don't have a low gear you can shift into under these circumstances. Is there anything which can be done to a sled to help it tow, without totally sacrificing performance? Personally, I really don't need any speed capability over 60 mph, but would rather not forfeit much fuel economy. Besides more mechanically-sound riding partners, should I be thinking about a clutch kit or different gearing?

 

[bottlerocket]

Short of adding a little weight to the heel and mid position on the arms they really not made to tow. How far did you tow and what temps? Heat is the problem with the belt slip for sure.

 

[sr12345]

Short of adding a little weight to the heel and mid position on the arms they really not made to tow. How far did you tow and what temps? Heat is the problem with the belt slip for sure.

It was about 10F, and I made it about 3 miles down a trail until I encountered this steep hill (which unfortunately had a sharp turn at the bottom, so I couldn't take a run at it).

 

[yox185]

You have two options 1. Get a Venture 2. Stop riding with Skidoo guys.

 

[langow]

Did you pull the belt and loosen the track on the sled being towed? That will help it roll a little bit better.

 

[Daranello]

I burnt belts towing. I feel now ulmers kit bits harder

 

[thetruck454]

Off topic, Daranello hows the engagement/slow speed riding with your mods and ulmers clutch kit? We don't have snow to ride yet :-(

 

[canadianhunter]

For towing use an after market belt, they are softer.
I put on approx. 800 miles a year towing a sleigh with trail signs or a snow dump ( make snow piles to stand signs in ). Yamaha belts slip making the clutches so hot you burn yourself if you touch them, requiring deglazzing with 400 grit paper on the trail. Switched to Ultimax 3 belt and no problems for last 3 years.

 

[sr12345]

You have two options 1. Get a Venture 2. Stop riding with Skidoo guys.

You're clairvoyant! How did you know it was a Skidoo?!!

 

[Mtnviper]

I have an 09 XTX, with a pretty stock engine/drivetrain. This past weekend I tried to tow a broken down sled. While I did OK on the flats, I ended up smoking my belt trying to tow her up a hill. The sled ran fine afterwards (without towing anything).

However, this exercise got me thinking. Unfortunately, unlike ATVs, sleds don't have a low gear you can shift into under these circumstances. Is there anything which can be done to a sled to help it tow, without totally sacrificing performance? Personally, I really don't need any speed capability over 60 mph, but would rather not forfeit much fuel economy. Besides more mechanically-sound riding partners, should I be thinking about a clutch kit or different gearing?

Gearing down will help a lot. Should be able to go to a 20 tooth top gear and still use your stock chain and 39 tooth bottom gear.
If you don't mind replacing the bottom gear 20/40 and 19/40 work well also. Even with 19/40 it will hit well over 60mph.
Fuel economy is close to the same as before, since the clutches shift out further at a given speed.

 

[yamahabandit]

You have two options 1. Get a Venture 2. Stop riding with Skidoo guys.

Priceless!!!