Getting a trailer for snowmobiles may sound simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind that may dictate what kind of trailer you end up purchasing.
Sled trailers come in different lengths, are either open to the elements or enclosed and made with steel or aluminum. New buyers need to know what they’re going to be using their trailers for, said Steve Whittington, trailer division manager for the Flaman Group of Companies.
“They need to know exactly what it is they’re looking for. If they’re looking to go on a highway and park in a parking lot in a staging area, that’s a different game than someone who’s actually going to go up some backroads and try to eke their way around a mountain,” he said.
There are pros and cons to all the different types of trailers, Whittington added.
Steel versus aluminum
Steel trailers are heavier and require a vehicle with more towing power, but are more durable than aluminum. Customers who haul around heavy equipment tend to double the use of a utility trailer for work and play.
Those interested in steel trailers tend to be drawn to “highboy” configurations, which have more clearance; steel tends to have heavier axles and bigger tires.
Aluminum trailers are lighter and don’t require as much towing power to haul, which adds up to savings at the gas pump.
These trailers can be up to a third or even half of the weight of their steel counterparts—and they don’t rust.
Open deck versus enclosed
Open deck trailers tend to be cheaper than enclosed trailers, but your sleds will be exposed to whatever elements you drive through when heading to your destination.
Enclosed trailers tend to be more expensive and there are a few things buyers must consider.
“This is where the consumer really has to be wary, because there might be something that’s advertised for a great price but it has very little frame and a lot of whipped cream on it so it looks nice but is not a strong structure,” Whittington said.
Depending on frequency of use, investing in a mid-quality enclosed trailer that is robust and well built will save consumers from the grief of fixing up something shoddily built.
The enclosed trailer protects sleds from the weather and, depending on your budget, can come loaded with creature comforts like propane heating, insulation and shelving units.
Whittington likens it to a mobile garage on wheels with space for tools that you can lock up to prevent sled theft.
No trailer at all?
Of course, there’s always the option to load your sled up onto the back of your truck but truck decks can cost almost the same amount as trailers. Truck decks tend to be used by the hardcore riders to drive up mountains and navigate tight spaces.
