Are you planning to go snowmobiling with your kids and family?
If you are a novice and just starting with snowmobiling, it is understandable if you are bewildered about getting your snowmobile in the bed of a truck.
This article will give you all the information you need to load a snowmobile in a truck and anyone aspiring to hit the snow this winter.
Keep reading to find out how you can load your snowmobile in a truck safely with or without ramps.
Things You Need For Loading Your Snowmobile
Unlike a usual vehicle, a snowmobile is very mechanic-friendly and does not require a professional mechanic.
With the necessary tool kit, you can be your very own mechanic for your snowmobile. All you will need is a few tools to help yourself load your snowmobile in a truck.
Ramps
Snowmobile ramps are one crucial accessory that can be very useful to help you load your snowmobile in a truck.
However, all ramps are not built the same.
Snowmobile ramps are different and have distinct side panels for the ski runners to slide up effortlessly.
A snowmobile cannot be loaded into a truck with the help of a ramp made for a different vehicle.
If a snowmobile is tried to be loaded with a ramp designed for other vehicles, the ski runners could get caught on the rungs and leading to severe damage to the snowmobile and causing personal injury. I have written a dedicated article on how you can use the best snowmobile ramp for loading and unloading, so that article can be very helpful for you.
Ramp Extenders
For the transition to be softened and smoothened from the ground, ramp extenders need to be used to reduce the angle of the ramp and help the track be evened out with the main ramp so that the ski runners get on quickly.
For snowmobiles with studded tracks, it is advised to either use a ramp design for studded tracks or install ramp grips that prevent any damage to the center rungs.
Dollies
Dollies are used to quickly move the snowmobile around on the dry ground and get it on the ramp manually.
It can be dangerous for your back if you try to lift and turn a snowmobile on dry ground without being careful and without the help of any other tool or device. A dolly is a trolley used to move the sled quickly.
Different types of snowmobile dollies are available. The most basic snowmobile dollies are built of a set of three plates with caster wheels.
This is placed under the track. Two plates have four wheels and are placed under the skis; on the other hand, the third has only three wheels.
There is a second type available which is much larger but moves the snowmobile much more quickly.
These have two wheels, two pads, and also a strap on a large frame.
Underneath the sled, the pads are slid in front of the track, and the strap is secured to the rear grab bar. The snowmobile can then be lifted easily and moved about.
Now let’s answer the bigger question, how to load your snowmobile in a truck.
How to Load Your Snowmobile Into Truck
The first and foremost thing to remember while even planning to load your snowmobile in a truck is to get expensive and good-quality ramps, preferably steel.
Choosing the Right Ramps is a Must
The ramps must be of sturdy steel so they can hold the weight of the snowmobile and last you for quite some time as it is, anyway, a lot to invest in.
So, it is better to ensure you invest in a powerful one if you want to load your snowmobile in a truck safely. Investing in a ramp extension is also a good idea; it helps to make the transition from ground to truck smoother and soft.
Also, it provides an excellent grip to hold the snowmobile from moving while mounting onto the truck.
Attach the Ramp to the Track
Once the ramp is set in place, a ratchet or even a chain must be used to secure it directly to the truck, preferably at the hitch.
The connection point needs to be set directly behind the ramp; otherwise, the ramp might shift while mounting the sled onto the truck.
Alignment with the Ramp
The most vital step in order to load your snowmobile in a truck by using a ramp is to correctly line the ramps, as most have separate sections for the track and the skis.
If the sled is mounted onto the ramp at an odd angle, there might run a risk of the snowmobile slipping and falling out of the ramp, which could cause severe damage to your vehicle.
Riding it On
Ride the snowmobile onto the bed of the truck head first without hesitating to give a bit of power while taking off, do not be shaky, and try and do it with utmost care.
Secure It
Once it is mounted, you are now ready to get going on your adventure that awaits.
Secure the snowmobile properly with ropes and tie it down so that it stays put while in transit so you can be carefree while driving it to your destination.
The suspension might bounce a bit while moving, so it is suggested to ensure that your hooks are tight enough, so they don’t pop out.
After all, is done, it is time you remove your ramp and set off for the journey ahead.
Follow all these steps, and you can easily load your snowmobile in a truck with the help of a ramp.
Precautions You Need to Take While Loading
Safety first! While trying to load your snowmobile in a truck, never underestimate the weight of your sled; no matter how muscular you are, you cannot lift the snowmobile alone to mount it onto a truck without a ramp.
It can be dangerous for your back.
Get help. Have someone with you to help you in the process to load your snowmobile in a truck and through the entire process. The more, the merrier, so why not include an extra hand!
Secure the ramp well. Double-check the ramp and the angle that it is placed at. Remember, the odder the angle, the more risk of your snowmobile slipping, falling, injuring yourself, and damaging the vehicle.
Always make sure not to drive it back into the truck’s bed. It should continuously be operated only front-first.
It is not like towing a car; it is much different from it. The catch is that if the elements are exposed, it will damage the windshield and the “board components” while riding on the road.
It is only accepted that the sled should always be placed face-first.
Use only car towing ropes to secure the snowmobile when on the bed of the truck. Chains might scratch the body of the snowmobile, but the strings will not.
Can You Load Your Snowmobile Alone?
Yes, you can load your snowmobile in a truck alone, but just because you can, it is advised not to do it on your own.
But if you have already decided to do it yourself, you can build a small deck that sits right over the wheel wells.
Use a ramp that is either bought or built that will slide under the deck when the sled is being loaded.
You could also pull the snowmobile up to the truck, lift the skis so they stand up against the tailgate, and then jump in the box and lift on the ski loops while you pull it up.
Once that is done, lift on the bumper and pull the snowmobile in.
This should help you to load your snowmobile in a truck easily and without injuring yourself.
Is It Possible To Load Your Snowmobile Without a Ramp?
It depends on the person. However, I would say it is not an impossible task for a person with muscles to load your snowmobile in a truck.
All you have to do is line up the sled behind your truck and, with the help of your partner, get it mounted.
Ask your partner to grab a ski and lift it; you grab another and do the same and forward until you have both skis resting on the tailgate.
The skis only need to be lifted high enough to get the ski’s tip, so it mounts the tailgate.
Then each of you should lift the rear and slide it in. In the absence of good ratchet straps to secure it, I’d suggest one of you lift the back end off the bed while the other should close the gate, so at least gravity helps to hold it in place.
Or you can always back your truck up to any snow dune and use it as a ramp.
It, of course, is not easy to find an exact ramp-like good spot to do this in all parking lots, but most of the nine times out of ten, there’s a place you can find that helps you drive your sled right in.
Final Words
It is not rocket science to load your snowmobile in a truck; however, the right trick of the hat can make it a lot easier to do the same and make it a lot less taxing.
If you keep in mind all the pointers I mentioned above, getting on the snow with your snowmobile, this season should not be any trouble.
Of course, if you are thinking to load your snowmobile in a truck by yourself, please take extra caution and make sure that you are not ignoring any safety measures.
We wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself in this process so ensure complete protection before you undertake the task to load your snowmobile in a truck without anybody’s help.
Have safe steering!
