How to Choose a Snowmobile Ramp for Truck or Trailer

Slicing through snow on your Yamaha Viper SR snowmobile, or smoothly riding the trails with your buddies is the goal this winter, which means you need a reliable, simple way to load your sled onto your pickup truck or trailer. A regular loading ramp designed for a motoryccle or ATV won't cut it. You need a snowmobile ramp.

What's the difference between a regular loading ramp and a snowmobile ramp?

A snowmobile ramp is specifically designed with non-metal guides the full length of the ramp that allows your skis to smoothly move up the ramp and onto your truck or trailer. Standard loading ramps are typically runged, which could create a disaster for a caught ski, or perforated punch plate, which runs the risk of scraping or damaging your skis.

Additionally, if you typically snowmobile with studs on your track then there's no way you'll be able to consistently use a standard metal loading ramp without tearing up either the studs or the metal as the track loads. That's why most snowmobile ramps come with a stud protector option. Some are available with the stud protectors already installed, and others require installation by the user. The pieces of rubber or PU, once added to the center rungs, allow the studded track to not only grip the ramp better, they won't damage the metal in the process.

Here are the key factors to consider when selecting the best snowmobile ramp for you:

The length of the snowmobile ramp, and the incline

Although short ramps might look more appealing in terms of pricing, weight and size, they can lead to steeper inclines and potential injury or damage when used in the wrong setting. Because snowmobiles are longer and connect to the ground in more places than other equipment, the more connection they need to have with the ramp at the least amount of incline. Otherwise, they run the risk of high-centering at the top, or not be able to make it on the ramp at all.

For loading onto trailers, which are usually closer to the ground than truck beds, we recommend a 5' L trailer ramp or 6.5' L trailer ramp (depending on height of your trailer).

For loading into a pickup bed, we recommend a 7.5' L long ramp to ensure you have an appropriate incline.

Whether you'll need stud protectors (ramp grips)

Ramp grips are an incredibly useful addition to any sled track, especially if you ride frozen lake, rivers or icy trails. Unfortunately, the razor sharp studs can damage your aluminum loading ramp over time. To keep your ramp and your studs damage-free, either think about a ramp option with stud protectors, or outfitting your existing ramp with a stud protector package so that the studs will make contact on the ppolyurethane ramp grips instead of metal.

Whether you'll need a ramp extension

If you regularly load your snowmobile on asphalt or pavement, such as a parking lot or your driveway, the track could probably use some extra traction getting up and onto the ramp, especially once your skis hit the ramps and the machine starts to lose traction on the smooth ground. Most snowmobile ramps have a snowmobile ramp extension available either as part of a ramp package, or as an add-on. It lays flat on the ground, connecting to the lowest rung of the ramp so that the snowmobile track can grip something before it reaches the ramp. Perfect for that little bit of extra oomph.

The width of your carbide stance

Most ramps measure around 50" wide with ski glide protectors on the outer edges. By measuring the stance of your carbides from outside edge to outside edge, or by knowing their adjustable range, you can select a ramp option that will work with your skis. Be aware that many manufactures list the stance of their models from center of carbide to center. Additionally, if you haven’t previously measured your total outside snowmobile width to make sure it will fit in your truck or trailer, now is a good time to do so!