The wind whips across your face, a crisp curtain of white dancing around your sledge as you carve through the untouched snow. Then it happens – your glove slips, your heated grip fails, or worse, your gear isn’t up to the brutal winter landscape.
The difference between an epic adventure and a freezing nightmare? The right accessories.
Let’s go through the top snowmobile accessories you need.
1. Stands and Slides
Stands and slides are essential accessories for snowmobile owners looking to maintain and store their sleds with ease. A snowmobile stand helps lift your sled off the ground, providing a stable and convenient way to perform routine maintenance tasks such as:
- Oil changes
- Belt checks
- Ski adjustments
These stands are designed to support the weight of your sled, often with adjustable height settings for different models. By keeping your snowmobile off the ground, a stand prevents unnecessary wear on the skis and undercarriage, especially when storing the sled for extended periods.
Slide rails are used to reduce friction between the snowmobile’s track and the snow, allowing for a smoother ride. Over time, these rails can wear down, leading to decreased performance. Adding durable, high-quality slides helps maintain optimal performance by protecting the track from abrasion and ensuring a smoother glide over icy and snowy surfaces.
2. Clutch Pullers
A clutch puller is designed to safely and efficiently remove the primary clutch from your snowmobile’s engine, allowing you to inspect, clean, or replace the clutch or other components like the drive belt. This is especially important if you’re planning to upgrade your clutch system for better performance or if your sled is experiencing issues like slipping or unusual wear.
Without a clutch puller, attempting to remove the clutch can damage both the clutch and the engine, leading to costly repairs. A high-quality clutch puller ensures that the job is done right, minimizing the risk of damage while providing the leverage needed to remove even the most stubborn clutches.
3. Heated Gear
Heated gear is one of the best investments you can make to ensure that you stay warm during long rides, especially in extreme winter conditions. From heated gloves and mittens to heated vests, socks, and insoles, these snowmobiling comfort items provide a reliable solution to combat the chill.
Heated gloves and mittens are a must-have, as they help keep your hands warm and functional, allowing you to maintain full control of the snowmobile without the distraction of cold fingers. Heated vests and jackets are also popular, offering warmth across the core, which is essential for maintaining your body’s temperature during prolonged rides. For those especially cold days, heated socks and insoles can be added to ensure that your feet remain comfortable, as they are often the first part of the body to feel the cold.
4. Safety Gear For Snowmobiling
Don’t neglect safety when you’re looking at essential snowmobile equipment. The most important piece of safety gear is a high-quality helmet. A full-face helmet provides essential protection for your head and face against impacts, falling debris, and the cold wind. Look for helmets with built-in ventilation to reduce fogging, and consider models with a face shield or goggles to further protect your eyes from snow and wind.
For extra protection, knee pads and elbow guards can help prevent injury in the event of a fall, especially when tackling rough or uneven trails. A back protector or spine guard is also highly recommended for reducing the risk of spinal injuries if you’re involved in a collision or fall.
5. Snowmobile Cover
Whether you’re storing your snowmobile for the off-season or need to leave it outside for a short period, a high-quality cover will shield your machine from:
- Snow
- Ice
- Rain
- Dirt
- UV rays
All of which can cause damage over time.
These covers are designed to fit snugly over your snowmobile, preventing moisture buildup that can lead to rust and corrosion. They are typically made from durable, waterproof materials such as polyester or nylon, with reinforced seams to ensure longevity and protection. Some covers come with ventilation openings that allow air circulation, reducing the risk of condensation inside the cover, which can damage the snowmobile’s components.
6. Windshield Extension
While a standard windshield offers some protection from the wind and cold, adding an extension can significantly improve comfort by providing extra coverage, especially during high-speed rides or in extreme weather conditions.
Windshield extensions are designed to attach to the top of your existing windshield. Offering additional height to deflect wind and snow further away from your body and face. This extra protection keeps the cold, icy blasts at bay, ensuring that you stay warmer for longer periods while riding. It also helps reduce the amount of snow and debris hitting your helmet, improving visibility and reducing fogging.
These extensions are typically adjustable, allowing riders to customize the height to their preference and depending on the conditions they’re riding in. Whether you’re riding in open areas with heavy wind or navigating through deep powder, a windshield extension can make your ride far more comfortable by reducing wind resistance and preventing face fatigue.
7. Snowmobile Suit
Designed specifically for the cold temperatures and harsh conditions associated with snowmobiling. These suits are crafted to provide warmth, flexibility, and waterproofing, allowing you to ride for hours without discomfort. They’re super important when you’re shopping for winter gear for snowmobiles.
A good snowmobile suit combines insulation with waterproof and windproof materials to keep you dry and warm. Even when the snow is deep and the wind is howling. Many suits feature layered insulation that traps body heat while still allowing for breathability, preventing overheating during strenuous rides. These suits also typically include:
- Adjustable cuffs
- Ankle gaiters
- Reinforced knees
to protect against the cold and provide added durability in high-wear areas.
Start Shopping For Snowmobile Accessories Today
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to snowmobile accessories. Now that you know some of the best options, you’ll be able to enhance snowmobile experience with ease.
Are you ready to start shopping? HitchDoc Outdoors manufactures American-made products with quality you’ll be able to rely on for your snowmobile adventures.
Contact us today to learn more.