There are many different ways to store a snowmobile, but the most common places are as follows:
- Outside
- Shed/Shelter
- Trailer
- Self-storage
- Garage (floor/dolly/rack/lift)
If you want to find out what the best snowmobile storage ideas are, this post is for you.
From snowmobile storage racks to lifts, from sheds to self-storage, we cover everything!
Where Should I Store My Snowmobile?
When looking for storage space for your snowmobile, you should consider the following factors:
- Spaces available inside and outside
- Local conditions (safety, local regulations)
- Where you ride regularly
- How many sleds you have
- The value of your sled(s)
- Your budget
- Other individual preferences
As these vary from owner to owner, there isn’t an explicit “best place” to store your sled.
In the following sections, we will take a closer look at the best snowmobile storage ideas one-by-one. In this way, you can weigh the pros and cons of each solution to determine which one would work best for you!
Outside Storage
The cheapest way to store a snowmobile is arguably by keeping it outside. You will only need a good quality cover, a tarp, and some pallets.
This way you can just ride the sled onto the pallets and then carefully cover it. It’s as simple as that! This is why many owners store their sleds outside, especially during the season.
Drawbacks?
Faster wear out, less security and protection, longer warm-ups, and you have to dig the sled out of the snow occasionally.
You can consider storing your sled outside if you:
- can’t give it indoor space
- regularly ride nearby (no trailering needed)
- you don’t have a new, high-end sled
- are on a budget
- allowed to store it outside by law
You can learn more about the pros and cons of outside snowmobile storage here!
Shed/Shelter
If you are looking for more protection, you can consider building a small shed or shelter for your snowmobile.
You can find different factory-made snowmobile sheds on the market, but you can also build a custom one based on your needs. Best practice is to make a plywood or pallet floor to protect the sled’s track.
The main advantage of having a shed is that it protects your sled better and keeps it clean as well. No digging before your rides!
Trailer
Do you need to regularly trailer your sled? Then you can even permanently store it on the trailer.
This way, you don’t have to load and unload your sled all the time, just hook up the trailer and you can go! This solution is even more advantageous if you have two or more sleds.
If you have an open trailer, you can leave your sleds on it. Just make sure you put the cover and a tarp on them so they are protected from the elements.
If you own more snowmobiles, you should consider investing in an enclosed trailer.
These trailers offer great protection for your sleds, even year-round. They work like mobile garages! An additional benefit is that you can store your gear in them as well.
Self-Storage
If you haven’t space in your yard for a shed or a shelter, you should consider self-storage. If there is a self-storage unit close to your home, it makes sense to store your sled there.
Self-storage units offer great security and protection, and the sled won’t take up space in your garage.
How do I Store My Snowmobile in My Garage?
One of the most popular ways to store a snowmobile is simply to keep it in the garage. To keep your sled mobile in your garage, the best practice that you move it on a dolly. It’s good to know that your toy is nearby, and you can check on it anytime. Another benefit is that you can easily maintain it and make any needed repairs right there in your garage.
On the other hand, this solution also has its drawbacks, such as:
- the sled takes up a lot of space in the garage
- it’s hard to move the sled around
- studs can damage the garage floor and driveway
Lack of space can be a problem especially if you have a small garage or have more toys.
Fortunately, there are many solutions to these issues. If you want to learn more about snowmobile storage systems, keep reading.
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the best snowmobile storage racks, lifts, and dollies under one roof!
Snowmobile Dollies
Snowmobile Dolly Wheels
Snowmobile dolly wheels are designed to make it easier to move the sleds around.
The simplest snowmobile dolly set consists of three small dollies, which you have to put underneath the skis and the track.
The biggest advantage of these dollies is that you can move your sled on them in any direction!
One drawback of this design is that you have to lift the sled to put the dollies underneath it.
It could be a problem if you have back issues, your sled is quite heavy, or you simply don’t want to lift the sled every time.
Drive-On Snowmobile Dollies
But fortunately, an improved version of these dollies already exists. This unit is known as a drive-on snowmobile dolly, as you can simply ride onto it!
Are you wondering how you can keep the dolly from moving around when loading or unloading the sled?
Since the track hits the dolly before the skis, this means that the track pulls the dolly under the sled.
Because of this, you must be very careful and easy on the throttle while riding on and off these dollies. You should also double-check to see if anything is behind your sled.
This is because if you apply too much throttle, the track can “shoot out” of the dolly at the back!
Keeping this risk in mind, never point the rear side of the sled towards your garage door, car, or other valuables!
Regarding prices, factory-built dollies come with hefty price tags. As an example, SledEz Snowmobile dollies costs around $300.
If you are looking for something cheaper, you can even build a DIY snowmobile ramp from plywood.
“Lift-up” Snowmobile Dollies
With the “Lift-up” snowmobile dollies you can simply lift the sled in front of the track, and move it around.
If you want to take the sled out of the garage with the dolly, this design usually does a better job.
Why?
They have much bigger (about 15”) rubber tires, which means you can easily move it on uneven ground or snow.
Other snowmobile dollies are typically equipped with very small casters, which only work well on the garage floor.
There could also be a problem if your track is studded, as studs can damage your garage floor as well as the driveway. Thus, it’s recommended that you not ride a studded sled directly into the garage!
Best practice is to first move it onto the dolly, and then move the whole setup into place by hand.
Lift-up snowmobile dollies can help with this as you can load the sled onto them before you reach your garage, or even the driveway.
Additionally, you can store your sled on them in the long run. As they keep the sled off the ground, it means they relieve the pressure off the track, the skis, and the suspension system.
Drawbacks?
The main con of this design is that you can’t move the sled easily in any direction. So, it could be tricky if you have to move your sled into a tight spot.
Another drawback is probably the price, as these types of snowmobile dollies costs around $150-$200 depending on the make and model.
If it’s out of your budget, you can even build one from steel.
Snowmobile Lifts
Another common way to store a snowmobile by placing it on a small lift. These snowmobile lifts have casters so they also act as dollies.
Additionally, they make your sled easier to work on, as they keep it in a higher position. As the track hangs completely in the air you can spin it anytime you need to during maintenance:
Snowmobile Storage Rack System
Dollies do a really good job when it comes to moving snowmobiles around. But the main problem is that they still leave the sleds on the garage floor!
This could be a problem, especially if you have two or more sleds or other toys like ATVs, or dirt bikes.
This is where a snowmobile rack system comes in handy. With these vertical storage solutions you can simply lift your sled and store another toy under it.
If you want to build one, you can find many snowmobile storage rack plans at Pinterest, on YouTube, or other online sources.
The frame of these racks is usually made of steel or wood, and they also have an electric or hand winch.
Snowmobile Storage Lift for Garages
Finally, let’s talk about snowmobile storage lifts.
Simply put, it’s a lift system with a winch and pulleys, which is designed to be incorporated into your garage ceiling. If you position it perfectly, you can even drop your sled directly onto the sled deck.
To build a lift system for your sled, you will need the proper ceiling height, a winch with pulleys, and appropriate connection points as well to support the weight.
The drawback of this system is that for safety reasons it’s not recommended that you stay or walk under the suspended sled. If you store something valuable under it like your car or other toys, they can get damaged if the sled accidentally comes off.
Keep these safety concerns in mind when planning a snowmobile storage lift for your garage!
Conclusion – The Best Snowmobile Storage Ideas
Are you wondering: „Where should I store my snowmobile?” The best snowmobile storage ideas are:
- Outside
- Shed/Shelter
- Trailer
- Self-storage
- Garage
When it comes to snowmobile storage in a garage, you can choose from many accessories to help move and store your sled more effectively.
There are four main types of snowmobile dollies to choose from. The most popular models are arguably the „lift-up” and „drive-on” sled dollies, as they do not require lifting the sled.
Other popular snowmobile storage systems are the racks and the ceiling lifts. With these units you can save a lot of space in your garage, as you can store other things under your sled.
Finally, which one is best for you depends on your individual preferences.
This is our short compilation of the best snowmobile storage ideas. We hope you find it useful!
