Western Canada is a winter wonderland for snowmobile enthusiasts, offering countless trails, exciting adventures, and, let’s be honest- no short supply of snowfall either. However, safely transporting your snowmobile requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Otherwise, you risk causing damage to your snowmobile, your vehicle, and, most importantly, yourself.

To help you get the most out of your winter sports experience, we’ve compiled some essential tips for loading, driving, and maintaining your snowmobile trailer this winter. Whether it’s your first year getting out in the pow or you’re an old hand at snowmobile hauling, Factory Outlet Trailers can help you maximize your snowmobile trailer proficiency to get the most out of your expeditions this winter.

The Most Important Snowmobile Trailer Safety Considerations

1. A Basic Step-by-Step Guide to Loading and Unloading a Snowmobile

• Preparation: Always ensure your trailer is on level ground and that your snowmobile is in good working order prior to loading. Clear the area of any snow or ice to prevent slips.
• Loading: Align your snowmobile’s ski blades with the trailer’s ramp edge. Engage the parking brake and put the snowmobile in gear. Slowly drive up the ramp, barely pushing the engine past idle while keeping a steady pace and maintaining your balance.
• Unloading: Reverse the process- carefully drive the snowmobile down the ramp while maintaining speed and control and avoiding any big, sudden movements. If the ramp has become icy during transport, use sand or salt to improve your traction.

2. How to Secure Your Snowmobile and Trailer for Transport

• Tie-Downs: Always use heavy-duty tie-down straps to secure the snowmobile to the trailer. Attach the straps to the front and rear of your snowmobile, ensuring they’re right and positioned to prevent movement. The more hard points you have, the better!
• Wheel Chocks: To add extra stability, place wheel chocks, also known as chock blocks, against the snowmobile’s tires. These blocks will prevent your snowmobile from shifting during transit and work in tandem with your tie-downs to secure the snowmobile firmly.
• Trailer Check: Before hitting the road, always double-check that all tie-downs and chocks are secure. Ensure your trailer hitch and connections are properly attached and in good working condition- having glitchy brake lights is a major hazard on icy roads!

3. Towing Tips for Icy or Snowy Conditions

• Speed and Distance: Drive slowly and maintain an appropriate braking distance from other vehicles- reduced traction means you need more time to stop or maneuver. It’s harder to counterbalance your trailer’s movement when you’re driving at high speeds.
• Braking: Gently, gradually apply the brakes to avoid skidding. If you feel your vehicle slipping, ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want to go- NEVER slam on your brakes, as this will likely cause skidding, break seizure, or possibly jackknifing or tipping.
• Visibility: Keep your windshield and mirrors clear of snow and ice, using defrosters and wipers to maintain visibility. If your visibility is deeply compromised, pull over and engage your hazards to prevent being accidentally hit while you wait for conditions to improve.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overloading: Don’t exceed your trailer’s weight limit. An overloaded trailer can affect your vehicle’s handling, braking, and steering. Overloading the trailer and, therefore, your vehicle’s capacity can greatly increase the risk of accidents or breakdowns.
• Inadequate Tie-Downs: Failing to secure your load correctly can lead to it shifting or even falling off during transport. Always use high-quality straps and check their tension whenever you stop your vehicle. It’s ideal to have four unique points of contact for tie-downs.
• Ignoring Weather Conditions: Never drive if the weather conditions are too severe- icy roads and snowstorms can make towing extremely dangerous, and you’re likely to have a more severe collision or accident when towing during adverse conditions.

5. Pre-Trip Trailer Inspection Checklist

• Tires: Check the tire pressure and tread on both your vehicle and trailer. Ensure that they’re in good condition, properly inflated, and have no trapped debris. If you’re towing somewhere with deep snow, it’s worthwhile to outfit your trailer with snow tires as well.
• Brakes and Lights: Before starting your trip, test your trailer’s brakes and lights to ensure they function correctly. Proper lights are crucial for visibility and safety, as it’s common for electrical connections to fail during extreme cold or wet conditions.
• Hitch and Connections: Inspect the hitch and electrical connections to make sure they’re secure and in good working order. Lubricate any moving parts if needed, and ensure that you’re using a winter-weight lubricant that won’t freeze in cold weather.
• Trailer Floor: Prior to loading your snowmobile onto your trailer, examine the trailer floor for any damage or debris that could interfere with safe loading and unloading routines. After you’ve used your snowmobile, clear the ski blades before reloading your trailer.

Haul Your Snowmobile Trailer With Confidence This Winter

When it comes to enjoying winter sports, the right equipment, preparation, and safety routines are key. At Factory Outlet Trailers, we offer a top-notch selection of snowmobile trailers designed to make your winter adventures safe and enjoyable, as well as the parts, services, and expert advice you need to get you out on the road. With the right trailer and a bit of know-how, you’ll be hitting the trails with confidence all season long.

For more information on our selection of snowmobile trailers and other products or to book a winter servicing and maintenance visit for an existing trailer, visit Factory Outlet Trailers on our website, stop by a location, or contact our team today. We’ll see you out on the hill soon!