10 Snowmobile Tool Kit Must Haves
If you’ve been following our blog lately, it’s pretty clear that we’re into snowmobiles. When living in an area that gets below-zero highs, you can feel a little antsy being stuck inside. In fact, we just broke our cold spell and got fresh powder over the weekend. This has amped up a few of our corporate staff for sledding time. Snowmobiling is a therapeutic activity for northerners. Getting out and enjoying the outdoors year-round is good for the soul.
For the most revitalizing experience, proper planning can save you from headaches. Here are 10 snowmobile kit must haves that we came up with for your next ride:
- Spare spark plugs and plug tool – If you’re not using AMSOIL synthetic two-stroke snowmobile oil, plug fouling can be a common problem when you’re out on the trail. Having a spare saves you from getting sidelined. Many sleds come with a handy tool to help you get the job done.
- Spare belt – Broken belts are an issue for a lot of powersports equipment, including snowmobiles. It is always a best practice to carry a spare.
- Tool kit – Back in the day, most snowmobiles came with a handy tool kit. Today, however, most sleds come with just a spark-plug tool and maybe a clutch tool to help replace the belt. Build your own tool kit and include a screwdriver, small wrench set and pliers.
- Zip ties – These come in handy if you need a quick fix.
- Bailing wire or duct tape – If something big breaks, like a control arm or plastic shroud, these can help bind your machine together if you need to limp back home.
- Pull-cord rope – You never want to yank the starter cord and have it come out in pieces. An emergency rope can get you going again. Some modern electric-start sleds don’t come standard with a pull cord. If the battery fails, you can wrap your emergency pull-cord rope around the primary clutch to start the engine.
- Towing rope – Getting stuck is a bummer. Have a tow rope to pull you out and avoid any frustration.
- Spare fuel hose – Extra fuel hose can be used to fix a cracked fuel line. Plus, it doubles as a siphon if someone in your crew runs out of fuel. Some sleds have fuel caddies on the back for carrying extra fuel, too. If you have a two-stroke sled, extra oil is also essential.
- First-aid kit – Accidents happen when you least expect it, so it’s a good idea to carry gauze and bandages.
- Survival kit – If things turn for the worst and the cold rushes in, it’s important to have items to keep you protected, including a flashlight, fire-lighting tools, emergency blanket, hand warmers, high-energy snacks and water.
What do you have in your snowmobile kit? Let us know in the comments!