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Buying a sled hauler?
Consider your options and make sure you get the right one
by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER
Buying a snowmobile hauler is one of the most important purchasing decisions a sledder will make. More than a means of transporting your machine, a hauler provides safety and protection for your toys. Just like snowmobiles, they come in all shapes and sizes; choosing the right one can be a tough decision.
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| —Photo courtesy Advantage Trailer World |
Enclosed trailers
According to Josh Parker, general manager of Continental Cargo (a division of Forest River) in Dallas, Oregon, one of the company’s most popular snowmobile trailers is the enclosed steel-framed SnowKing.
“In this day and age, people want their sleds out of the elements,” said Parker. “The good thing about having an enclosed trailer is you pull the sleds in there at the beginning of the season or you leave them in there all the time and just hook up to a truck and go riding.”
We Haul is another enclosed trailer made by Continental Cargo. This unit is constructed of fibreglass and—just like the SnowKing—it comes with front and rear spring-loaded ramp doors for easy loading and unloading. Both trailers are available in steel or aluminum frames and each material has its pros and cons.
“Basically, steel is more maintenance but it’s cheaper,” said Parker. “Aluminum is more money but less maintenance.”
Parker pointed out that steel is stronger than aluminum but susceptible to rust—and while aluminum is lightweight, it is harder to produce and therefore more expensive. Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice.
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| —Photo courtesy Advantage Trailer World |
Open utility trailers
Open utility trailers are probably the most common type of trailer. They come in a variety of styles, including single and tandem axles and either steel or aluminum construction.
For loading and unloading, some utility trailers tilt while others come with ramps that allow you to drive your machine on and back it off. This method works well, but if the sled doesn’t have reverse, it can be a back-breaking task to drag it off by hand.
There are manufacturers that make V-front open trailers, which allow snowmobilers to ride on and ride off.
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| Photo courtesy Marathon Decks |
Truck decks
Another system for hauling snowmobiles is a sled deck that mounts on the back of a pickup truck.
The one pictured above is made by Marathon Decks in Edmonton, Alberta, and features a brushed aluminum design with a welded headache rack and a telescopic ramp system.
The journey ahead
When shopping for a sled hauler, you should consider your needs and usage requirements as well as the unit’s construction and features. With trailers, Parker said, flooring is important.
“Snowmobiles are wet and they are going to soak the floor,” he said. “If you have standard wood inside the trailer and it gets soaked, it’s going to delaminate. You want a trailer with pressure-treated flooring or a spray-in floor liner.”
If you are buying an enclosed trailer, Parker recommends one with a sturdy roof and side walls that will support the snow load.
It may take some time to find the right snowmobile hauler but it’s well worth it in the long run.
TRAILER TIPS:
Here are some tips that Josh Parker, general manager of Continental Cargo in Dallas, Oregon, has for trailer owners:
Before you go:
• Make sure the trailer lights are working.
• Check the brakes on the trailer and ensure they are functioning properly.
• Check that your cargo is strapped down.
• Spread your cargo evenly over the axles and ensure there is between 12 and 15 per cent tongue weight on the trailer.
• Adjust the brake settings.
On the road:
• Take it slow through the mountains.
• Get to know your trailer.
• Give yourself time to see how your vehicle handles the trailer load.
• Don’t have your brakes cranked up too high—you don’t want your trailer to overcompensate
for the truck when you apply the brakes.
• Keep your brakes adjusted properly.
Regular maintenance:
• Lubricate all hinges on the trailer.
• Grease the bearings annually.
• Remove snow from the roof every so often
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