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How Much Does a Snowmobile Trailer Weigh?

When transporting your snowmobile, the weight of your trailer is important to know so that you can avoid damage to your vehicle while towing. Also, to understand how much the trailer can support.

How much does a snowmobile trailer weigh? An average snowmobile trailer weighs at least 350 pounds (159 kg). Usually, the weight depends on how many snowmobiles it can carry. The more snowmobiles it can carry, the heavier the trailer is to support the vehicle without collapsing its platform or wheel system.

This article discusses the weight of each make and model of some of the most common snowmobile trailers available in the market, and any possible adjustments that could enhance the transport of snowmobiles to winter destinations while avoiding overworking and damaging your trailers.

Common Snowmobile Weight per Make/Model

Snowmobile on Trailer

The weight of every snowmobile affects the drag and push of the trailer when transporting it to your destination. Every snowmobile make/model has its specified weight and is contributed to by its various parts and accessories. Here is a list of common snowmobile models and how much they weigh (dry weight estimate) – which ultimately contributes to the weight of your trailer:

  • Polaris 600 RUSH PRO-S (432 lbs. / 196 KG)
  • Polaris 600 Switchback PRO-S (447 lbs. / 203 KG)
  • Polaris 800 PRO-RMK 163 (408 lbs. / 185 KG)
  • Polaris 800 TITAN Adventure 155 (658 lbs. / 298 KG)
  • SKI-DOO MXZ 850 E-TEC (475 lbs. / 215 KG)
  • SKI-DOO FREERIDE 850 E-TEC 165 (454 lbs. / 206 KG)
  • SKI-DOO SUMMIT X (457 lbs. / 207 KG)
  • Arctic Cat ZR 8000 ES 129/137 (503 lbs. / 228 KG)
  • Yamaha APEX LE (600 lbs. / 272 KG)

Most open two-placed trailers are at least 350 to 400 lbs. in weight. Closed two-placed trailers weigh much heavier because of their steel covers and added accessories that contribute to their weight. Some trailers have heavier tires to match rough roads. All of these amount to the total weight of the trailer. The weight is important to know because, if you do not have a truck or a pick-up SUV, to begin with, you would need a trailer to transport your snowmobile to your next winter destination.

The difference between the dry and wet weight of every snowmobile also affects the tow weight of the trailer. An empty tank in a snowmobile makes it less heavy compared to those with fuel-filled snowmobile tanks. Considering a snowmobile’s dry and wet weight makes it easier for you to estimate its tow weight and would determine whether your vehicle can drag the trailer without any problems or not.

Is It Possible to Have a Lighter Trailer?

For those who have an open trailer for their snowmobiles, you can apply every means available to lighten up the load without compromising the durability of the platform. Adding modifications to your trailers, like adding accessories that should make the load sturdier without adding much weight to the trailer’s total weight, should do the trick.

Aside from the trailer, modifications on your snowmobile should also help you lessen the load weight. A lighter snowmobile means less drag when pulling the trailer on an inclined road and an overall more manageable drive. The most common elements and accessories that should make a heavier snowmobile trailer are the storage compartments, other cargo, and even gasoline (when filling up the snowmobile’s gas tank before traveling.)

It’s a bit harder with closed trailers, whether two-placed or four-placed since there is so much drag to them. Nonetheless, this is highly preferred because of the additional usable space for other cargo aside from the snowmobile. Plus, you can make modifications on the snowmobile that should make it lighter and more manageable to load and unload, in addition to its lesser impact to the overall weight of the trailer itself.

What Could Possibly Make the Trailer Heavier?

Old Snowmobile on Trailer

Aside from the obvious components that make a heavier trailer to tow on the road, a snowmobile’s engine can be the heaviest you can drag along with the trailer. This is not just having an extra engine onboard the trailer (in case of engine mishaps on your snow rides with your snowmobiles) but also includes the installed engine in your snowmobile.

Normally measured in cubic centimeters (cc), the higher the engine capacity, the better driving you would get when riding your snowmobile. As friction is less in snow, it should not pose a problem at all. However, the temperature of the environment would affect the fuel and the engine components, thus the need for a bulkier engine to support the increasing heat and protection from cold.

If you have a two-stroke snowmobile, you wouldn’t have to worry about weight because this is lighter compared to four-stroke snowmobiles. It’s lighter is because of a smaller engine component required to power the vehicle. A two-stroke snowmobile on an open two-space trailer is a preferable transport as it does not drag heavily on the road. You may want to consider your car’s power to drive such transport before deciding on traveling with your snowmobile in trailers.

Useful Add-Ons to Your Snowmobile Trailer That Should Not Add More Weight

That being said, it becomes harder to equip your trailer without making it more cumbersome. Fortunately, many companies have manufactured trailer add-ons that could help load, unload, and secure the snowmobile. With the innovation of polycarbonate materials and special, lighter metals and metalloids for sturdier platforms and components, trailers should be more useful now without adding much weight to it while also increase towing capacity.

Trailer Ramp

The first challenge in bringing a snowmobile to a platform is the lack of a ramp. If it equips one, the incline of the trailer is not slippery enough to get your snowmobile up. Having a lifter can be useful, but it can be costly. A ramp is the best solution to bringing the snowmobile up the platform of the trailer and for unloading it when you arrive at your destination.

For a sturdier ramp, we recommend the Caliber Snowmobile and ATV Loading Ramp (view on Amazon). It has excellent low-resistance carbide skis and glides, heavy-duty aluminum, and a 500 lb. weight capacity. It should not impact your trailer weight. This ramp works best with an open trailer, whether two-spaced or four-spaced. However, we don’t recommend it for tilted trailers.

Salt and Spray Shield

Another concern when transporting snowmobiles is the salt and grime it accumulates after loading it onto the trailer. It adds to the weight if it is not removed before transporting it. Also, this would damage both the snowmobile and the trailer’s platform, so it is best to clean it up. The best way to clean them quickly is by installing a salt and spray shield on the trailer’s opening.

If you are looking for a salt and spray shield for your snowmobile trailer, you may want to consider the Premium Snowmobile Trailer Salt and Spray Shield by Raider Black (Check price on Amazon). It is designed to push salt and road grime to the trailer’s side for easier cleaning. Though it is recommended for trailers with widths of 92 inches up to 102 inches, it can be cut down to size and still functions perfectly. It can also be installed quickly and is lightweight, so it does not add to the overall drag of the trailer itself.

Conclusion

Trailer Front

There is lots to consider when looking at the weight of your snowmobile trailer. While this is something that is neglected by many, it is essential because most venues for snowmobile driving are on steep hills and upper areas. You may want to consider checking the overall weight of the trailer and the snowmobile to prevent being dragged downhill because your car cannot handle the weight of the tow. If it can pull heavier cargoes, it should do fine. If not, it is best to check its weight before heading out to your winter destination.

It is also good to check the specifications of your trailer to avoid untoward incidents when loading, unloading, and transporting your snowmobile. This way, you would know what to adjust with it, how to make it lighter and more transportable without risking its durability and security to hold the snowmobile in place.

If you are into extreme sports, snowmobiles can make your winter vacation much more enjoyable. The best way to secure that enjoyment is to make sure everything is safe before heading on to have fun. While we all want to mount snowmobiles and bring them to our next winter holidays, we don’t want to risk getting into an accident. The best way to prevent it is to know about it and secure everything before heading off.

If you are not sure with your trailer or you may have bought it from a friend who has no idea about trailers, you may want to check its manufacturer’s labels, like its model or body number or the manufacturer’s name itself. This way, you can get to know your trailers more and how you can take advantage of it in transporting your vehicle and some goods for your snow trips.