Venture towing capacities

[DaveA]

Hello all,
The 09 Venture will be coming out of the shed tomorrow for the first trip to the cabin this season .
It pulls two 8' toboggans heaped with firewood at the same time with ease.
A question for the heavy haulers here - on trails or travelling behind another sled breaking trail in 16" of powder, will this snowmobile struggle with an 800 lb. 5' x 11' fish shack with 8" under clearance and 8" wide puckboard skinned skis? Thanks, DaveA

 

[Mooseman]

I think it can pull just about anything, to a point. On packed trail, I once towed a dead sled with the parking brake on and I didn't even notice. Another time I towed a dead Doo with two passengers on it and a passenger on mine. While breaking trail though, it will probably sink but at 16", you'll dig to the ground under so it might work.

Is yours a VL or MP? The MP does have a wider track.

 

[thelake]

I love the towing capacity of this machine. That's one of the sweetest things about it. But, I've mostly done it on trail. I have pulled wood and heavy loads through narrow and bumpy trails at times. And I have hauled very heavy boggans through deep snow. I rarely notice.

I was told by a former owner that he was caribou hunting in Labrador. He had a load of caribou, and so did his buddy. His buddy broke down. He towed both loads of caribou and this friend's sled back home in remote northern Labrador.

That said, Mooseman is right, every sled has a limit.

 

[asmerch204]

I installed one on my '08 VL. Mine wasn't too bad, just had to make sure I only threaded the four bolts a couple of turns each before I torqued anything down. I also noticed that one of the mounts where the bolts thread into was bent up do to an impact. I straightened to with channel locks and was good to go. After an oil change or two, you'll get the hang of it!

Oops just posted this in the wrong thread!

 

[YukonMP]

Glad you said that, it was really messing with this old guys mind.

 

[DaveA]

Thanks guys. This machine is a bone stock VL. It does seem to have great torque and traction. I'm thinking it will do alright hauling an 800 lb. shack because even the old 250cc Bravo does OK pulling 2 toboggan loads of wood, on the level.

Another thought - what would be involved in "gearing" it lower?

 

[Mooseman]

Not much. The MP is geared a little lower. Check the FAQ for the differences.IIRC, it's just the lower gear that's changed.

 

[YukonMP]

As I read it you could drop from 19t drive gear to 18t(as the MPs have) or 17t without a drive chain change. In regards to the tow I'd be looking to use the stretchiest rope I could find, maybe even a snow bungee. Please post pics and let us know how it went.

 

[Pat tremblett]

Pulled this broke down Bombi 21km down the trail.
Love my MP

 

[wacnstac]

I just had to tow a dead sled with my Venture Lite 7 miles. The dead sled did have a rider on it for steering and braking but had its belt off. My question is if I should now think about replacing my drive belt after that? How do you know when you should replace the belt?

 

[Mooseman]

When the top of the belt is below the top secondary sheaves. I doubt you need to replace the belt. They're tough.

I once towed a dead Doo and forgot to take the parking brake off. Didn't even feel it.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

The manual also gives the measurements for the belt as new and the wear limit or tolerance. I love mine for hauling as well... great for my annual firewood getting.

 

[Psycho Dave]

Have been doing about 700 km of trail grooming during the winter.

Worked well up to the point when I got a nasty noise and it turned out to be a bad belt. I have to add that it had been working really heavy in warm conditions.

 

[Mooseman]

That belt wasn't bad, it was probably overworked and overworn. These sleds can pull but they don't have a low gear to make it easier on the belt. Still amazing that our sleds can do this!

 

[Psycho Dave]

The belt was not worn that much, it only had some 2000 km on it. It had overheated, when it had been pulling really hard I could smell the rubber.