How to Load a Snowmobile into a Truck

Whether getting ready to hit the trails, or finishing up after a ride, safely loading your sled into your pickup truck is the first step for proper snowmobile transportation. With your snowmobile ramp in tow, here's a step-by-step guide on how to properly load your snowmobile into your pickup truck.

Before You Start: Make Sure You Have the Right Ramp

Not all ramps are created equal. Snowmobile ramps have distinct side panels so that ski runners can slide up effortlessly. If you try to load a snowmobile with a ramp designed for other vehicles, your ski runners could catch on the rungs and lead to severe damage to your snowmobile, as well as personal injury. To soften the transition from ground to ramp, ramp extenders reduce the angle of the ramp and help the track catch. For snowmobiles with studded tracks, we recommend either using using a ramp designed for studded tracks, or installing ramp grips that will prevent any damage to the center rungs.

Additionally, making sure you have the right length for your truck height will determine how much of an angle you're be riding up. Most snowmobile ramps for trucks are around 7' 6" long (90") and the average tailgate height is 33"-35". That puts your approach angle around 22 degrees, within the typical loading range of 16 to 24 degrees. However, if you have a lifted truck there's a chance you will need to explore longer ramp options to ensure that you're loading your sled safely.

Most snowmobile ramps have a weighty capacity of 1,500 lbs., which is generally more than enough to accommodate most snowmobile models and their riders.

For more details, read How to Choose a Snowmobile Ramp to learn about the key features and styles you can find that are unique to snowmobile ramps.

1. Secure Your Sled Ramp to Your Truck

After you’ve placed the top of the ramp on your tailgate and the plate or finger connectors are firmly in position, use a ratchet strap or chain to secure the ramp directly to your truck. Make sure your anchor point is metal, not plastic, as those could snap and break. Most trucks have holes incorporated into their frame, or you can secure the straps to your hitch. Always set the connection point directly behind the ramp to prevent any unwanted side-to-side movement during use.

2. Align Your Snowmobile With the Ramp

Because most snowmobile ramps have separate sections for the track and skis, it’s crucial to line them up properly. Riding up on any angle is a recipe for disaster! You risk the snowmobile slipping and falling, which could result in a heavy, expensive and painful situation. If you're using a lie-flat ramp extender, use it as a visual point to line up your track with the ramp.

3. Ride Your Snowmobile Up and Into Your Pickup Bed

Take a couple of breaths, exude confidence, and ride up with control. Try not to stop on the ramp, and don’t be afraid to give your snowmobile a bit of power to successfully summit the ramp. The rule of thumb is to always drive your snowmobile in front-first; this will prevent wind damage to the snowmobile windshield during transit.

4. Secure Your Sled to the Truck Bed

Once your snowmobile is in your truck, break out those tie downs. Your sled is most likely longer than your pickup bed, making it all the more important to tie it down appropriately as the tailgate will be down in transit. There's two ways you can tie down a snowmobile: two straps in the rear and a front clamp, or two straps in the rear and two straps in the front. Anything less and you run the risk of your sled bouncing around in transit. Always use ratchet straps, never bungee cords or rope, as their tensile strength is no match for the rated webbing and securing mechanism of a ratchet strap.

Method 1: Rear Straps and Front Clamp

Caliber makes a tie-down bar called the SuperClamp that effectively secures front skis to truck bed or trailer surfaces; it requires pre-installing an anchor point, then you simply secure the bar over the skis to the anchor point and ratchet strap the rest of your sled.

Method 2: Rear Straps and Front Straps

The goal is to have two straps in the front, and two in the rear. At the front, look for sturdy connection points such as the front bumper or the ski spindles, and in the rear, look for the rear bumper or suspension arms.

Keep in mind that whatever your tie-down method, the suspension will bounce a bit while moving so all of the strap hooks need to be tight enough that they won't pop out when you go over the first big bump. After you’ve double-checked all of your connections, you can remove your ramp and be confident that your snowmobile isn’t going anywhere.