Towing a dead sled

[mooseflyer]

So let's say your buddy's snowmobile won't start for whatever reason and needs to be towed somewhere (home, trailhead, nearest road, etc). What precautions need to be taken to avoid damage to the machines? My buddy says the belt needs to be removed. Is he right? Any other considerations?

What about attach points? My Venture has a beefy front bracket that bolts to the frame. I would have no concerns hooking up and towing from this point. But, not all snowmobiles have such a point on the front. What then? Tow from a ski loop? Both ski loops together? Seems like it may tweak the ski alignment?

 

[APEX 06]

Pull the belt and hook up to the a-arms.

 

[yooper1]

If here is telling you that the belt has to come off, then tell him to fix his sled while you wait in the bar.

Take off your belt and like stated before hock to the a-arms.

 

[natedawgedog]

x2, if its an engine problem yea just pull the belt and hook up, however if its a drive/rear suspension/track problem then you need some sort of a sliding skid, they are sold out there but Ive never looked for one, not to practical to put in a "trail" macgyver survival kit, its to bulky from what Ive seen

 

[bottlerocket]

Can bend rear bumper from dragging heavy sleds. If you make it your day job get a hitch and charge them for the belt your going to smoke.

 

[Irv]

Great question!

A few of you have suggested hooking up to the A-arms?
Personally I think the spindles would be a better place wouldn't they?

They are stronger, thicker etc and wouldn't be prone to bending like the A-arms would be, imo?

 

[Mooseman]

Having towed a bunch of Doos with blown engines last season, this was my experience.

- Used a tow strap made specifically for towing. Worked well and it can be looped either to the skis or a-arms. It hooks to a tow hitch. This is the one I have:
http://www.princessauto.com/all-seasons ... -tow-strap

- The towing ability of a sled depends on how it's designed and setup. My MP is geared lower so it had no problem towing. Towed one for 30Km, no sweat and belt was still good.

- If just an engine issue, you must remove the belt. I have seen a towed sled with the lights on because the belt was still on and spinning the engine.

- If using the parking brake to remove the belt, remember to release it before towing

- Remember that you are towing a sled when coming to a stop. If you stop too fast, whatever you are towing will mate with you sled

I have read that some bring along and use crazy carpets during organized events to put under sleds that have locked up tracks or gears. Another way is to put the rear of the dead sled on the back of the towing sled and tie it down. Apparently it's like rubbing a cat the wrong way and the towed sled will go all over the place. I think that method should only be used as a last resort.

 

[TRUE BLUE SINCE 1980]

Also; get the guy in the group with the oldest sled to do the "DEED".

It seems that I always have to do it, So i have to switch out sleds with whoever is riding my 2-smoke SXR.
My Polaris buddy says I tow faster than most people ride

 

[tmk50]

When int the mountains or deep snow we have had to use two sleds to get over hills and out of drainages. Sometimes we hook a sled to each spindle, other times we hook sleds up in a row. Depends on he snow and situation. You need to have good riders working together in those situations.

 

[Gone Blue]

I like towing a friends dead sled by the spindles after removing the belt G.B.

 

[pat the rat]

i got towed a cpl years back,broke the drive shaft on my high mile warrior,spindles are a great spot to hook up,plus i needed a crazy carpet under the track,towed nicely,sad thing was the guy towing had a large smile on his face,plus he was on a doo but its ok,we got him back a few times after,but all in fun

 

[Vectornut]

If your sled has to be towed by someone elses sled, at least offer to buy him a new belt.

 

[APEX 06]

If your sled has to be towed by someone elses sled, at least offer to buy him a new belt.

Or supper

 

[Sled Dog]

I put a hitch on my 2011 rs venture just for pulling doos poos and cats. lol

 

[Crewchief47]

Another way is to put the rear of the dead sled on the back of the towing sled and tie it down. Apparently it's like rubbing a cat the wrong way and the towed sled will go all over the place. I think that method should only be used as a last resort.

We've done this and it works great for shorter distances. Used some tow straps to tie it to Maim's sled (not in the picture yet).