Preparing to Ride
Transporting a Snowmobile
Preparing To Tow
The snowmobile trailer must meet your state’s safety requirements for lights, hitching, coupling, and safety chains. A solid ball with lock washer and nut is legal in all states. Also consider these important features.
- Use a snowmobile trailer with a tilt bed for ease in loading and unloading.
- Make sure the towing vehicle has a heavy-duty flasher and rearview mirrors, inside and outside.
- Know your trailer’s weight capacity rating, and don’t exceed it.
- Avoid rope or rubber tie-downs since they are frayed easily by metal edges and any stretching may allow movement.
Following Safe Towing Procedures
- Load the snowmobile with a winch or with help from others. If you have a tilt bed, you also can drive the snowmobile onto the trailer.
- Fasten the snowmobile tightly to prevent it from moving in any direction.
- Use a bar to secure the front end.
- Ideally, use a chain with a ratchet-type load binder to fasten the rear end.
- Place the snowmobile on the trailer so that about 60% of the load weight is in front of the trailer axle.
- Latch the trailer bed securely after loading, and check periodically during a long trip to make sure it stays latched.
- When you unload, release all tie downs and keep them in a safe place. Tilt the bed and pull the snowmobile off backwards.
Trailer Pre-Start Checklist
- Make sure the ball hitch lever is latched properly.
- Cross safety chains under the tongue, and latch them to the towing vehicle’s frame.
- Latch the trailer bed properly.
- Check wheel bearings for proper lubrication.
- Check tire pressure (proper PSI).
- Check lug nuts. Are they tight, or are some missing?
- Is there a spare trailer tire?
- If your trailer has brakes (electric or hydraulic), make sure they work.
- Test all lights—left turn, right turn, brake, rear, and license plate; they are required by law.
- Make sure the snowmobiles are secured to the trailer: chain, bar, or metal clamps in the front and chain with load tightener in the rear.
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