Rendering Assistance

[trail traveler]

Hi everyone,
I only have 3 years experience into snowmobiling. I'm learning a lot and loving every minute that I can riding the trails but am seeking your advice/opinions. It didn't take long to realize that we all need a little help here and there for whatever reason. In most cases, it was probably an easy fix like getting a sled unstuck or getting a flooded sled to start. Simple fix...have a great day. My question revolves around scenarios where there is a potential higher risk of harm to human life due to mechanical failure or an injury.
This is what happened this weekend. My wife, two teenage girls and myself were wrapping up a day of riding when we came across a couple with a snowmobile problem. At this point we were an hour from dusk any many miles to get back to the Sno-park. It was determined that the sled would not move under its own power and I offered to tow them to where I was parked. (I had a sno-bungee and line) After we arrived, the husband backtracked on their running snowmobile to get his vehicle that was parked elsewhere. When he returned to where I was parked, I grabbed a come-along and got his sled back on his trailer. We could have left the"dead sled" and got the couple to safety only, but choose to tow it instead. It all ended well.
I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter. I don't ever want to find myself in a position where someone needs assistance and my ignorance puts them in jeopardy. What are options for getting help?

Vince

 

[thor452]

as long as your not running solo as in if your sled breaks down and now there is no ride to safty then sure as long as you are willing to put your sled thru the stress if you are ridding solo you offer to ride them to safety in my opinion. my ask is why did you tow with your sled if they had a working one? maybe i misread and he went to their truck right away and didnt follow to yours but otherwise I would have borrowed my tow rope to them and let him wear out his belt. either way as long as everyone got to safety that is what is important. but in my opinion i will not tow unless there is at least 1 more sled with that is running and not towing.

 

[trail traveler]

as long as your not running solo as in if your sled breaks down and now there is no ride to safty then sure as long as you are willing to put your sled thru the stress if you are ridding solo you offer to ride them to safety in my opinion. my ask is why did you tow with your sled if they had a working one? maybe i misread and he went to their truck right away and didnt follow to yours but otherwise I would have borrowed my tow rope to them and let him wear out his belt. either way as long as everyone got to safety that is what is important. but in my opinion i will not tow unless there is at least 1 more sled with that is running and not towing.

I felt that using the sno-bungee and tow rope was the best choice. Their sled did not have a hitch or any good place to attach the sno-bungee whereas our sleds did. And I agree, I would have preferred to escort them, rather than tow. How hard a toll does towing another snowmobile do to the towing snowmobile?

 

[actionjack]

Getting everyone home is the most important component of every ride. I wondered why they didn't tow themselves myself. I always check with a group pulled over or with the hood up. You never know if you have the resource they need. I've towed sleds numerous times among our group rides. Worst thing directly attributed to has been busted ski handles.

One time rescued a lone Quebeciose motoneigeist walking near Mt Apica who was super lucky to survive his off trail excursion that ended 8' down a ravine with nose of sled impact to a car sized boulder. His Apex needed new A-Arms at least but he rode it away after we extricated it. We would have accepted his round of beers offer but needed to get to town to check in and have dinner before resto closed.

 

[trail traveler]

Getting everyone home is the most important component of every ride. I wondered why they didn't tow themselves myself. I always check with a group pulled over or with the hood up. You never know if you have the resource they need. I've towed sleds numerous times among our group rides. Worst thing directly attributed to has been busted ski handles.

One time rescued a lone Quebeciose motoneigeist walking near Mt Apica who was super lucky to survive his off trail excursion that ended 8' down a ravine with nose of sled impact to a car sized boulder. His Apex needed new A-Arms at least but he rode it away after we extricated it. We would have accepted his round of beers offer but needed to get to town to check in and have dinner before resto closed.

He's lucky you came by. I think the majority of snowmobilers do slow down and help a person if they need assistance because it can happen at any time. These folks also offered monetary compensation, I said no thanks, just pay it forward..........it may be me next time.

 

[Pstn head]

What you did were all good choices, you used the best sled that you thought would do the job, no one was left alone at any given time in the cold. And everyone arrived home at the end of the day. Well done imo. It's always nice to help people stranded on the trail. Main thing whenever possible nobody is left alone in the cold. As for using your sled to tow probably the only wear was to your belt.

 

[Sevey]

I have to agree, you used solid judgement and everything worked out.
Just be careful when towing. I always ask the guy steering the lame sled to run along side at the start as the sleds get going, that absence of 180-200lbs is way easier on the clutch. I have also asked a friend (if available), to ride ahead and signal any road crossings are clear so you don't have to stop and have the clutches re-engage. My buddy towed a guy in his group a year ago and snapped his secondary spring by not doing the above.
MS

 

[trail traveler]

I have to agree, you used solid judgement and everything worked out.
Just be careful when towing. I always ask the guy steering the lame sled to run along side at the start as the sleds get going, that absence of 180-200lbs is way easier on the clutch. I have also asked a friend (if available), to ride ahead and signal any road crossings are clear so you don't have to stop and have the clutches re-engage. My buddy towed a guy in his group a year ago and snapped his secondary spring by not doing the above.
MS

The guy's sled I was towing did stay off of his sled and pushed it until we got a little momentum. The sno-bungee was a big help in reducing the initial weight of the sled. Handy tool to have in certain situations. Thanks for making the point about that, it helps!