Tips for Snowmobile Storage

By John Funk, January 27, 2022

The fierce rush of adrenaline that you feel while speeding through snowy landscapes on a snowmobile makes the freezing temperature of the cold winter barely noticeable. These exhilarating vehicles are perfect for going on joy rides and also for exploring nearby trails. A snowmobile allows you to access terrains that cannot be navigated with other vehicles, especially during the winter season.

Snowmobiling is a popular sport and fun recreational activity that allows family members, friends, and colleagues to bond and have fun together. The sport also provides various health benefits. Snowmobiling is an outdoor activity that allows you to socialize and through this sport, you are exposed to nature as well. This helps to relieve stress and improves your mental health. It is also an easy and fun way to exercise and burn calories. It helps to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and a variety of diseases.

The arrival of warm weather may evoke mixed emotions among those who love to get out and ride on their snowmobiles. No matter how much you love snowmobiling, the bittersweet truth is that you cannot ride a snowmobile all year round. Once the last of the snow melts away, you need to take the necessary steps to store your snowmobile in the right way to help you save your hard-earned money and precious time. Proper snowmobile storage enhances your beloved sled’s lifetime, ensuring that its value depreciates much more slowly.

There are several snowmobile storage ideas that will help you safeguard your sled, irrespective of the storage location.

How To Store a Snowmobile During the Off-Season

Snowmobile storage is a straightforward process that can effectively protect your sled from damage. Here are some tips that will help you understand how to store your snowmobile during the off-season. These snowmobile storage ideas will make it good to go when the snow flies.

Keep your snowmobile clean. Once the snow begins to melt when the weather warms up, things like mud, grime, salt, and dirt can corrode parts of your frame. Clean your snowmobile using a hose, brush, and sponge, and then use soapy water to clean the seat, hood, and panel. You can also apply some wax to prevent dirt and dust formation.
Add the proper amount of stabilizer. The gas that’s left in the tank may evaporate or even go stale over the summer. This can be avoided by adding a proper amount of stabilizer and sloshing it around in the tank. Once this is done, run the engine for a few minutes and drain any excess gas from the carb.
Keep the frame lubricated. If you don’t lubricate the moving parts, it can cause rusting. This can be avoided by greasing all zerks in your rear suspension, front suspension, and steering. This will also push out the old thick grease and dirt deposits that have been accumulated over time. Other metal surfaces can be protected by using a WD-40 or any other comparable spray.
Remove the battery and store it in a controlled environment. When you leave your battery in your snowmobile during the off-season, it may cause the battery to drain and you may have to deal with a dead battery when you try to start after a long gap. Removing your battery and using a battery charger and maintainer will keep it at the optimal charge when it’s not in use and will also extend its lifespan.
Fog the engine if needed. If you are going to check on your snowmobile and start it at least once every month, then fogging isn’t necessary. However, if you are not able to do this and if your snowmobile is going to sit dormant for many months, then it is advisable to spray some fogging oil into each intake while the engine is running. This also protects your sled’s engine from corrosion.
Check the entire brake system for any leaks or cracks. Inspect the brake system including the brake hose, brake pads, and disc during the off-season, and replace them if you find any leaks or cracks. The replacement needs to be done before the weather gets cold again. Check your brake fluid for proper level and if needed consider changing it.
Keep your snowmobile off the ground. If you have a garage, then it is important for you to know how to store your snowmobile in the garage. Make sure to keep the tracks off the ground using snowmobile dollies so that your sled’s suspension doesn’t sit compressed without moving for many months. To remove tension from the rear suspension, the springs should be unhooked and the rear end should be jacked up. If you don’t have a garage, make sure to put your sled on a stand when you store it outside. For indoor and outdoor storage, a cover is a must to prevent moisture formation.
Shield your snowmobile with a cover. Shielding your sled with an effective cover is an extremely important step for snowmobile storage. A high-quality cover can comprehensively protect your sled from damaging elements, whether it’s parked indoors or outdoors.

These snowmobile storage ideas are effective and will comprehensively protect your sled for the rest of the year from external factors. Taking necessary steps for proper storage of your snowmobile ensures that it will run with ease for many years to come.

The Benefits of Using a Snowmobile Cover

An effective snowmobile cover can provide superior protection for your sled. Top-quality snowmobile covers have a ton of benefits, including:

When your snowmobile is stored outdoors, it is susceptible to damage caused by UV rays, hail storms, bird droppings, tree sap, branches, and pollen. A suitable cover can protect your sled from hazardous outdoor elements.
Your snowmobile is not completely safe in a garage either. The formation of dirt and dust can make the paint turn abrasive and cause minute scratches. A cover can protect your snowmobile from these damages.
When your snowmobile is shielded by an effective cover, it reduces the chances of theft as it can take more time for thieves to remove the cover. The more time the thieves are out in the open, the more likely it is that someone will notice them and call the authorities, which is why they usually skip covered vehicles and prey on uncovered ones.

There may be several snowmobile storage ideas; however, using a cover is the simplest and one of the most effective methods of safeguarding your sled.

Why Choose a Seal Skin Cover for Your Snowmobile?

Shielding your snowmobile with a suitable cover is an important step for snowmobile storage. At Seal Skin, we offer a wide range of snowmobile covers that will provide superior protection to your snowmobile. Here are some reasons why you should consider purchasing our products.

We offer semi-custom-fit covers that are cheaper than custom covers and offer much better protection when compared to universal-fit covers that tend to be either overly large or undersized.
Our covers provide a snug fit and also leave breathable space for ventilation. This allows moisture to escape and prevents mold and mildew build-up.
Our snowmobile covers include multiple layers of UV-treated poly shield materials to protect your sled from UV rays that can affect the finish and result in fading and cracking.
Reinforced grommets, loops, and buckle straps help in fastening our covers around your snowmobile to prevent them from getting blown away during strong winds.

Even if you are fortunate enough to own a garage, do not assume that your snowmobile will be safe in your garage without taking any precautions. You should do proper research and learn how to store your snowmobile in your garage to protect it from damage. It is important for you to understand and implement smart and effective snowmobile storage ideas.

Once winter arrives, you get excited and want to take your sled for that first ride of the winter. However, it can be frustrating when you notice a problem with your sled that could have been prevented with the right snowmobile storage. Taking the right precautions during the off-season is essential to the longevity of your snowmobile.

At Seal Skin, we offer an extensive range of snowmobile covers, and you can choose one based on your needs and budget. We offer a full 30-day return and exchange warranty with every purchase, and also offer a 10-year warranty for our covers. You can call us at 800-915-0038 during our office hours (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST) if you have any questions about our products, exchange, or refund policies and we’ll gladly answer them for you.