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's 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 backward.

Winter Road Conditions

While transporting your snowmobile in the winter, you may encounter a wide range of road conditions, including dry pavement, black ice, hard packed snow, ice, loose snow, slush, and every combination. Even though the roads may be plowed periodically, road conditions may still be very difficult. Most unpaved roads at higher elevations are single-lane with turnouts and a two-inch cushion of snow/ice on the roadway to protect the gravel surface.

• Use an appropriate towing vehicle. High-clearance vehicles with four-wheel drive and good mud/snow tires are best. Other vehicles—especially RVs—may find the going very difficult at times.
• Be especially careful going downhill when there is packed snow and ice. Towing a trailer makes this even more difficult.