Snowmobile maintenance & Gear

[huntandjeep]

Going to look at some sleds tonight '02 600 RMK , '05 550 RMk and '10 600 Ski doo  Rev Xp . I know nothing about them , but we've been thinking about getting some and this package came up along with an 18' enclosed trailer.  What's the routine maintenance needed . What extra parts should I look into throwing in the trailer or on the machines ?
What about clothing ? Do we need Klim,  etc or would basic Marino wool base layers and Snow pants / jackets get us started.

[huntandjeep]

Well wound up buying them  , pick it all up Friday/ Saturday . So far I think I'm going to grab some extra plugs for the machines , a shovel and tool bag with tools and a 1st aid kit . Already has extra belts . Probably hit up the local dealers to look at gear . We're excited

[Boss .300 winmag]

Someone brought up some good advice on another thread but I can’t find it.

Snowmobiling is a different exposure to Mother Nature that has to be thought about before you get into situations you can’t get out of when things go wrong.

I never owned them, but have ridden them in conditions that could kill you if not prepared for in advance.

On the west side you could get into snow so deep you can’t walk in it, or so far back you can’t walk out in it. Avalanches, running out of gas, gear that doesn’t keep the elements out.

Lots of things to consider. But they are a blast to ride, until you get one stuck in 5’ plus of powder, that took 30 plus minutes to get out.🤣


When I get one I’ll definitely carry snowshoes on it.😉

[Caseyd]

Going to look at some sleds tonight '02 600 RMK , '05 550 RMk and '10 600 Ski doo  Rev Xp . I know nothing about them , but we've been thinking about getting some and this package came up along with an 18' enclosed trailer.  What's the routine maintenance needed . What extra parts should I look into throwing in the trailer or on the machines ?
What about clothing ? Do we need Klim,  etc or would basic Marino wool base layers and Snow pants / jackets get us started.

Maintenance-  change chaincase oil annually. Grease up the skid. Make sure sliders on the skid are good, so your track doesn’t stick. Every couple years shocks are supposed to be rebuilt/recharged. Have the appropriate tools for your sled, you’ll find most bolts are same size so can get away with only a few tools. Know how to change your belt. Do it at home so you know what to do for when it happens. The belt is a wear item so check it. Clean clutches when needed.

Parts- always carry extra plugs on you while riding. On you, Not in the truck as it does you no good. An extra belt for each machine.  Zip ties. As far as parts in the trailer I wouldn’t worry about it. Just fix things as they break.

Clothing- yes you can wear your existing snow clothes. Layer just like you would for winter hunting, skiiing etc. Overtime you might find you want some snowmobile specific gear but it is not needed. GoreTex is GoreTex, but you’ll find snowmobile gear tends to be tougher then ski gear.

[Wazntme]

One thing I practice up in the mountains is I don’t sit and have a beer or hang out below steep hillsides because of avalanches, and also if you end up in a big open flat area with no trees, you are probably on a lake or pond so be aware of your surroundings.

[Romulus1297]

Fun

[MIKEXRAY]

If I bought used sleds I would right away change the chain gear oil , change the plugs and throw a new belt on each . That way you start out knowing all good and learn to change a belt in the garage instead of in a snow storm. Maintenance after that depends on miles ridden each year , if not riding 1000 miles a year maintenance will be minimal. As stated clothes you have are fine to start , pick sunnier days for your first rides as they will be much more enjoyable.  Have fun.

[huntandjeep]

Owner changed all fluids before this season and put all new belts and carbides ( on 2 machines ) . Think I will go through all of them and look for loose , broke , missing hardware etc .

[farmin4u_98948]

Make sure you get extra belts. And practice changing one so that you know how

[Angry Perch]

Make sure you get extra belts. And practice changing one so that you know how

X 3

All the belts in the world won't help you if your stuck in 5 feet of snow and don't know how to change them.
Also have an emergency pull (starting) rope/ strap and , again, know how to use it. I've been on the idiot side of both situations, but luckily on trails.

[KFhunter]

Just starting out its not too big a deal, but once you start breaking trail and exploring it becomes survival gear. I started out with ski gear, and got hypothermic.  Seemed like it took days to warm up again!   The problem is the "fun" stuff is 20 miles from the truck,  once you finally reach the good riding you play hard, sweat out your gear, then that 20 mile ride back to the truck is torture.  My heated grips quit working and my hands were frozen into the gloves frozen to the handle bars.  My wet ski gear clings to my body and saps the heat out, it sticks to your torso and legs making it even more difficult to move and saps more energy.  It isn't long before you start into mild hypothermia, then your wet gear becomes dangerous.   

I was sopping wet head to toe inside my *water proof* ski gear, the outer layer was frozen stiff with ice.   I think the ice layer kept me from getting even worse as ice makes a great wind break, but still it sapped my heat and sapped my energy. 

I put on a set of KLIM and rode hard, I was utterly and completely shocked at the difference.  Motorfist, Klim and other HIGH END snowmobile gear is mandatory safety gear IMO once you start riding hard. 

A fisherman slinging crab traps on the bearing strait wouldn't use frogtogs would they?   

[grimace]

Snowmobiling is a blast, defiantly the most fun of all my hobbies. I'm sure will enjoy it.

Lots of great info from others but I would like to add probably the most valuable piece's of gear. If you already have a spot or inreach excellent. A beacon, probe and shovel for each rider and most importantly, take a avalanche awareness class.  And if you can swing it, a airbag backpack if you get more adventurous as you gain experience. You never know when disaster strikes, it could be you saving some stranger or they could be saving you.  I've seen first hand the smallest hill can be deadly.

Cheers,

G

[Cylvertip]

I used to ride a ton.  It is fun and beautiful, but I don't think there is anything that I have worked harder at in my life. There were the family ride days and then the days when it was just the boys - AKA - Combat Day.  Lots of boondocking on those days.

 I always wore non insulated ski gear.  I would have polypropylene bottoms on underneath the pants, a long sleeve t or polypro and a long sleeve fleece on under the jacket.  Most of the day the fleece was in my pack.  Keep essentials on you, in a pack, or in a handlebar bag.  Anything in the trunk will get pulverized. No food or drinks in the trunk for the same reasons. -100 boots are pretty much a must in my book.  And I ended up wearing flexible volleyball knee pads under the ski pants too.  One slip of your foot off of the running board while landing a jump, resulting in you pile driving your knee into that same running board will lead you down that path. An extra set of gloves in the pack, On rainy warm days we would wear wet bike or waterski gloves and save the insulated ones in our packs. Motorcross type helmets with goggles ended up being the best choice too.  One mirrored set for daytime, and a clear or orange set for night. 
Probably some good videos on towing sleds out that you should watch.  It will happen.   We found that a rope tied to the tip hoop on each ski and then the middle off to the bumper of the tow sled was the best way  - oh, and pull the belt off the dead sled.  Old belts can be made into skids that you throw on your skis to slow your decent on an icy hill.  Probably some vids on that too.
 
And as stated previously, a good folding saw is a must.  Good flashlight and headlight are critical too. And again good fire starting gear.  Note that you have gas and can dip the end of a paper towel in it to get things started.

The gear at the steelership will be high dollar.

Finally, never ride alone - minimum of two sleds go out if you are going to go. 

[Cylvertip]

One more thing to look up Fish Eyes (Has to do with creeks).

Oh, and wind drift cornaces on the back side of  ridge tops. Don't ride or walk out on them.  You may go for more of a ride than you anticipated.

[Romulus1297]

Long tracks will get stuck.

[Boss .300 winmag]

One more thing to look up Fish Eyes (Has to do with creeks).

Oh, and wind drift cornaces on the back side of  ridge tops. Don't ride or walk out on them.  You may go for more of a ride than you anticipated.

Googled it but found nothing.

Is it where the snow has not completely covered the creek in spots due to the water not being frozen over completely and the wind blowing snow causing a hole around it?

In sand dunes holes like this develop from wind blowing and for some reason certain areas holes develop that vary in size and depth, makes dune riding interesting sometimes. The holes can vary greatly in width, and depth.

[huntandjeep]

Good info guys . What about Goggles , are the heated ones worth the price? Am I going to hate life using my ATV helmet ? Think I might pick up a Balaclava for trail riding . You guys think Sorel boots would suffice until I can get some dedicated boots ?

[Boss .300 winmag]

Good info guys . What about Goggles , are the heated ones worth the price? Am I going to hate life using my ATV helmet ? Think I might pick up a Balaclava for trail riding . You guys think Sorel boots would suffice until I can get some dedicated boots ?

Definitely balaclava, when I ride my street bike in temps below 50 degrees without one it’s unbearable on my neck.😉

[Cylvertip]

Yeah, fish eyes  - at least that is always what I heard them called - where the snow falls in on a creek - like a sink hole.  you can't see some of them until you are on top of them.  Snow bridges are right there with them for trouble too.

Sorrels work - I used the ones that closed up more like a gator at the top for a long time.  the ones with the fur at the top are going to get filled with snow if you can't keep them under the pant cuffs.

I cant remember if we used ATV helmets or winter ATV type helmets.  The ATV helmet would work in wet warm weather., and probably all the time, but I would have a poly head cover to go along with it just in case.  I am hot blooded, so venting was key for me.  Running down the roads/ trails at 60++ can get a little nippy, but never was unbearable. 

[Cylvertip]

One more good note - and this one I believe should be a fairly common sense one either bikes, atv's or sleds.  If you are riding with a big group, we always put someone that could handle themselves in back to bring up the rear.  They can help with anyone having trouble and keep the herd moving. 

along with that, another pretty common sense thing was to let any group you past going the other direction know how many more folks you had behind you on the trail.  Flash five fingers if you had a bunch, and so on down through the group with the last in line holding up a fist.  Just good trail courtesy.

[KFhunter]

+1 on the knee pads, Ive put mine through the cowlings of several sleds

Not even on drops, but stuff just sneaks up on you and next thing you know your plastered to the handlebars and driving your knees through the cowlings...oooof!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[meatwhack]

You don’t need a special helmet but you’ll want a breath box to help keep your goggles from fogging up.

[Cylvertip]

OK, one more key piece of equipment.  A decent hand held GPS.  It is very easy to get turned around, especially when you aren't leading.   Or the " I don't need to know where we are cuz buddy boy does". . And then something happens to buddy boy.    One with a topo Map would be ideal.   Sometimes it's a matter of should we go back through the he'll we just came out of or is there another way?


Don't ride with your feet tucked up in the little footwell area under the cowling.  Good way to get a broken ankle.
Do be prepared to be standing and/ or kneeling on the seat a bunch, mostly when off the main trail.   You need to throw your weight around to get that pig to go were you want it.  Folks that really ride aren't in the seat a whole lot.

[huntandjeep]

Cant find an answer on this , just what people have told me . Is there a law about riding Double on a sled ? Is it legal for my 7 year old to ride on the sled with my wife ?

[KFhunter]

Cant find an answer on this , just what people have told me . Is there a law about riding Double on a sled ? Is it legal for my 7 year old to ride on the sled with my wife ?

If it were specifically against the law it would be here:
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.10.490


This is as close as I could find:
RCW 46.10.495

Additional violations—Penalty.
(1) No person shall operate a snowmobile in such a way as to endanger human life.


That said, I do it all the time and have done it lot's.  BUT I've never been checked while doing it,  so YMMV

I could see some harassment by LE over this,  so I'm not going to give you a definitive "yes it's legal"
So don't give them a reason to write you a different ticket, like having a loud exhaust






Federal law follows state law:
§ 2.18 Snowmobiles.
(a) Notwithstanding the definition of vehicle set forth in § 1.4 of this chapter, the provisions of §§ 4.4, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22 and 4.23 of this chapter apply to the operation of a snowmobile.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the laws of the State in which the exterior boundaries of a park area or a portion thereof is located shall govern equipment standards and the operation of snowmobiles. Nonconflicting State laws are adopted as a part of these regulations.

[jrebel]

They make 2-up sleds so how can it be illigal to ride with two on a sled??  We will be riding two up next week....trail riding only and at very reasonable speeds.  I will say this.....2-up changes the balance so slow and and steady and stick to the trails. 

[KFhunter]

They make 2-up sleds so how can it be illigal to ride with two on a sled??  We will be riding two up next week....trail riding only and at very reasonable speeds.  I will say this.....2-up changes the balance so slow and and steady and stick to the trails.

Ya, it pretty much sucks   

[Grit dog]

PM me if you want to talk sleds. I could type for days, but suffice to say, you can be very well geared up without spending a pile of money on Klim and Motorfist gear.

[jrebel]

Good info guys . What about Goggles , are the heated ones worth the price? Am I going to hate life using my ATV helmet ? Think I might pick up a Balaclava for trail riding . You guys think Sorel boots would suffice until I can get some dedicated boots ?

I bought a pair of 509 ignite goggles (heated) and they are the only way to go!!!  I have a huge noggin that produces a lot of heat.  I have never found goggles that didn't fog....until I bought the ignites.  Best $200 ever spent.  Prior to buying these goggles, I found I leaned toward just wearing sunglasses instead of goggles.  Again, my head is a heater so weather has rarely been a factor. 

[KFhunter]

Good info guys . What about Goggles , are the heated ones worth the price? Am I going to hate life using my ATV helmet ? Think I might pick up a Balaclava for trail riding . You guys think Sorel boots would suffice until I can get some dedicated boots ?

I bought a pair of 509 ignite goggles (heated) and they are the only way to go!!!  I have a huge noggin that produces a lot of heat.  I have never found goggles that didn't fog....until I bought the ignites.  Best $200 ever spent.  Prior to buying these goggles, I found I leaned toward just wearing sunglasses instead of goggles.  Again, my head is a heater so weather has rarely been a factor.

I too suffer from giant noggin syndrome,  thanks for the (big) heads up my huge noggin brother