Towing a disabled snowmobile Towing a disabled snowmobile behind your snowmobile calls for extreme caution to avoid injuries and damage to either snowmobile.
Always remove the drive belt from the machine that will be towed
It is recommended you use a rigid tow bar instead of a rope or chain
If you must tow the disabled snowmobile with a tow rope or chain, tie the left ski of the disabled sled tight against the tow snowmobile’s hitch or right rear to keep it from wandering into oncoming traffic on the trail
It is not recommended that passengers ride on the disabled snowmobile being towed since they can be injured if the snowmobile becomes out of control, or snow or ice chunks are thrown from the track of the tow snowmobile
If passengers must ride on the machine being towed, they should keep their feet on the running boards at all times and help steer and brake during towing. Always be certain the rear snow flap on the tow snowmobile is in place and properly functioning to avoid injury to the passenger
When crossing a road, passengers should get off the towed machine and walk across. The driver of the snowmobile must be very cautious at all times and should always operate at slow speeds
Use reflectors or flags on both machines while towing to warn others that you are towing/being towed
Skiers
Skiers should never be towed by a snowmobile. It is difficult to watch the skier and the trail at the same time.
Inner Tubes/Sleds/Toboggans
Never tow inner tubes, sleds or toboggans. The person being towed generally cannot steer or guide the tube. Turning corners swings the tube to the outside and can cause injury.
Cutters
A cutter is a specially designed snowmobile sled with a rigid hitch that is built to carry passengers. This is the only passenger device that can be safely towed behind a snowmobile. Slower speeds, increasing the following distance and allowing for greater stopping distances should always be considered when towing passengers. Always be certain the rear snow flap on the tow snowmobile is in place and properly functioning to avoid injury to the cutter passenger(s).
