Maintaining and storing your snowmobile can be a hassle, especially when space is limited or when you need to perform routine maintenance. Snowmobile dollies and lifts are essential tools that make moving and servicing your sled easier and more efficient. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the best snowmobile dollies and lifts on the market, along with key considerations to help you make the right choice.
Why Use a Snowmobile Dolly or Lift?
Snowmobiles are heavy machines, often weighing over 500 pounds. Moving them around a garage or shop without assistance can be challenging and potentially damaging to both the machine and the floor. Here are some key benefits of using a snowmobile dolly or lift:
- Ease of Movement: Dollies allow you to easily maneuver your snowmobile in tight spaces, making storage and organization simpler.
- Maintenance Efficiency: Lifts provide elevated access to the undercarriage, making maintenance tasks like track replacement and suspension work safer and more ergonomic.
- Floor Protection: By lifting the snowmobile off the ground, dollies and lifts prevent damage to the floor from studded tracks or prolonged weight.
Top Snowmobile Dollies and Lifts: Reviews
In this section, we'll review some of the best snowmobile dollies and lifts available, considering factors such as lift capacity, durability, ease of use, and customer feedback.
1. KASTFORCE Snowmobile Dolly - Best for Heavy-Duty Snowmobiles
KASTFORCE is a well-known brand in the snowmobile accessories space, and the KF2014 is one of their better models. Built with heavy-duty operation in mind, this tool is ideal for lifting and moving your snowmobile from the driveway to the storage area. Snowmobiles are pretty large vehicles, and can easily weigh over 500 pounds.
The reason is that each piece in this tool is made of heavy-duty, rust-resistant steel. Of the three pieces, two are meant for supporting the skis, while the remaining one fits under the rear track. Each unit comes with 2.5-inch, high-quality swivel casters that allow 360-degree rotation capability. While this is a well-made unit, the rear caster base did prove to be too small for some snowmobile models.
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2. Extreme Max Snowmobile Dolly System - Best for Maneuverability
Another three-piece snowmobile dolly system, this time from Extreme Max. Available in a range of colors, this tool is sturdy, durable, and widely compatible with most snowmobile models. First off, the inherent simplicity of the device had us impressed. The three-piece unit comes with two ski dollies that have built-in grooves.
Since these dollies are made from high-grade steel, they are guaranteed to last a long time. The platforms’ supporting surfaces have been reinforced with high-quality rubber, which means there’s no chance of the vehicle slipping. Finally, we must mention that the product also comes with a one-year replacement warranty. This shows that the company has full confidence in its products.
The straps on this unit are made of Velcro. We’d have preferred elastic straps, as they offer better fit and flexibility.
3. KASTFORCE Snowmobile Dolly Set - Best for Affordability
KASTFORCE is a brand we can’t have enough of; hence we’ve decided to include another quality product from the banner. The KF2011 is the perfect choice for moving snowmobiles from one place to another on a flat surface. Snowmobile dollies need to handle a lot of weight; otherwise, they may just balk under the load.
Made from high-quality steel, this three-piece set contains two ski dollies with grooves for fitting the skis. Since each dolly in the set comes with high-quality, 2-inch swivel casters, the wheels provide a 360-degree turning radius. The ski dollies also come fitted with durable nylon straps that help to hold them in place.
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The unit could benefit from a double-strap design. Though the single set of straps works just as well, two is always better than one and provides more protection.
4. Extreme Max Snowmobile Lever Lift Stand
In case you’re looking for a device that can help lift your snowmobile for maintenance, then look no further than the 5001.5013 model from Extreme Max. When it comes to lifts, snowmobiles require a durable design coupled with a stable base. Thankfully, this unit offers both of these features and then some.
The cushioned handles of this unit provide comfortable operation. Plus, they also afford a stable grip, which ensures no slippage. Made from a powder-coated steel frame with zinc-coated hardware, it promises long-term operation and guarantees durability. Also, we like the fact that it comes with clear instructions for assembly.
For a simple lift stand, this unit is rather pricey, and we think it could have been priced lower.
5. Extreme Max Snowmobile Dollies
The 5800.0203 is another quality product from Extreme Max. This is a three-piece, wide-base dolly that you can quickly drive and steer on any kind of terrain. Whether you’re looking to use it on grass, gravel, or dirt, this is one tool that’ll never let you down.
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The oversized wheels with a cotter pin assembly provide maximum stability and maneuverability. The ski dollies can fit skis over 7 inches wide, and the track dolly helps to support the rear of the vehicle. Since it’s suitable for both motorized as well as manual use, you can utilize the unit in any way you feel fit.
Decided the price, which could have been a lot lower. But since this is a premium product, after all, we can’t complain.
6. Extreme Max Snowmobile Lift Stand
Extreme Max has a wide range of offerings when it comes to snowmobile accessories, and the 5001.5037 lift stand is one of the better ones. Routine sled maintenance tasks cannot be done unless you have a lift with a sturdy frame and a steady base.
With a design that accommodates most modern snowmobile brands, this product offers unmatched quality and stability. We just love how it incorporates a forward-angled design since this minimizes snow flap rubbing. The cushioned handle of the unit offers excellent grip and prevents slippage during operation.
The plastic plugs that cover the end of the bottom tubes are of low quality and very loosely fitting. We found them automatically falling off several times.
Eazymove Snowmobile Cart
The Eazymove Snowmobile Cart is another excellent option for moving your snowmobile. This cart features a unique design with a carpeted pad that lifts the skis, making it easy to move the sled around without damaging the track or floor.
At our shop we have various contraptions that we’ve collected over the years to move around our demo sleds. And, with an increasing number of sleds utilizing pre-studded tracks like the Ice Ripper and Ice Cobra designs, moving the entire snowmobile off the cement floor without spinning the track is more important than ever.
The design has essentially been unchanged in the two decades since our last test: How well would it stand up to current sled-moving designs, we wondered. Our Eazymove cart showed up, theoretically unassembled, in a long and narrow 35-pound box.
The base of the cart is a 2-inch diameter square steel hallow tube. Attached to its bottom were two 5- by 1.25-inch hardened Ecoforma composite wheels with a rubberized tread. Atop that base was a carpeted, 47- by 4.5-inch landing pad. It’s held on a riser above the base bar and can be adjusted to two positions using some insertable pins.
Those pieces were all assembled and ready to use after rotating the carpeted pad into place. We did have to put together the two-piece handle. Like the base, it is adjustable in height using a latch pin - it can either be 81 or 86 inches tall. Further adjustability is offered by the fact that the T-handle that mounts the strap that’s eventually wrapped around the sled’s rear bumper runs in a channel on the upper part of the handle.
After the T-handle is slid over the top handle, we had to install one screw as a “stopper” for the sliding T, plus a plastic cap, then we were ready to roll.
To utilize the Eazymove Snowmobile Cart, the user brings the base and carpeted pad up beside the snowmobile, perpendicular to the direction of the sled, and slides it in the gap behind the skis but in front of the track - with the carpeted pad forward of the base. Next, you square-up the base and pull it rearward until it touches the track.
Then, standing beside the sled, you pull down on the long handle back toward the rear of the sled, which causes the carpeted pad to rotate under the sled’s bulkhead and pick up the skis. The handle should now be near the sled’s rear bumper. Suddenly the 500-plus pound machine you’re trying to move feels feather light.
When your sled is where you want it, you pull down on the long handle to let the snowmobile’s track touch the ground and take the pressure off of the security strap. For these instances, Eazymove offers an optional tire and wheel kit, featuring pneumatic wheels, with 4.10/3.50-4 rubber tires mounted on metal wheels and attached to 10-inch extensions that insert into the ends of the base on each side.
The Eazymove Snowmobile Cart is made of high-grade material - with e-coated steel components, bearings instead of bushing at the high-quality wheels and even high-grade indoor/outdoor carpeting on the pad. And that leads to the only possible downside of the product that we see - at 35 pounds, it can be a bit clumsy to carry around and slide into place vs. just grabbing some of the little under-ski and under-track metal plates with caster wheel on the bottom.
Key Considerations When Buying
Before purchasing a snowmobile dolly or lift, consider the following factors to ensure you choose the best option for your needs:
Weight Capacity
Snowmobiles aren’t lightweight machines, and snowmobile lifts should be capable of withstanding the weight. Therefore, when buying a lift, you need to be sure that it can handle your vehicle’s weight. We suggest going with a model that has a load-bearing capacity of a few hundred pounds more than your vehicle.
On average, snowmobiles weigh around 500 pounds, but the weight can vary depending on the model and size.
Material and Build Quality
The next thing that you should be concerned about is the building material and quality. Snowmobile lifts have to bear heavy weights, which is why a durable body is a must-have. We suggest going with steel as the primary build material, as it has the greatest weight-bearing strength.
While checking the build quality, you need to make sure that the device is painted, or at least powder-coated. Snowmobile lifts have to bear heavy weights, which is why a durable body is a must-have. While aluminum lifts are reliable, they might not withstand regular use.
Portability
How you use the lift will determine how portable you need it to be. However, if you’re a traveler and need to be on the road, we suggest a lightweight unit that can be packed easily.
Brand Reputation
The most common problem that you might face when getting a snowmobile lift is the of choice. All other things being equal, we recommend going with a reputable manufacturer, as their products are generally of a higher quality.
Warranty
Along with the above, it’s also essential to pay attention to the warranty. A product with a good and extended warranty not only gives you complete peace of mind.
Adjustability
The snowmobile lifts you buy should be adjustable according to your needs. This way, you can be sure that you’ll not have to break your back in trying to use it.
Straps
When thinking of the straps, we recommend going with high-quality material that doesn’t easily slip off your sled.
Accessories
Many snowmobile lifts come with added accessories such as rubber pads, extra straps, or even removable wheels. So when getting your lift (or dolly), you need to check out whether it comes with all the necessary accessories.
Stability
No matter how strong or durable your chosen lift is, if it wobbles, you’re in trouble. A wobbly snowmobile lift can lead to severe accidents and damage the vehicle. That’s why, when buying one, make sure that it’s stable and doesn’t wobble.
DIY Snowmobile Dolly
Some users have found success building their own dollies using materials from local hardware stores. These DIY solutions can be cost-effective and tailored to specific needs.
Built my own out of 2x6, carriage bolts and the biggest casters I could find at Lowes. They work FAR better than the off the shelf set that I had previously bought and now that I have them I use them for a TON of other stuff.
Timbersled Wheels
Big thumbs up for the Timbersled wheels. I have drove them down the road on the front of the heavy roadbike just to see how well they hold up 35-40mph on gravel with studder bumps and they do just fine. The only cons to them I am going to add a rear strap for reverse.
Custom Fabrication
Custom-fabricated dollies can be designed to meet specific requirements, offering a tailored solution for unique snowmobile models or storage situations.
Here's what we use. I fabbed it out of some scrap steel we had laying around so alot of it is complete overkill. Bar under the machine is loose and slides into a couple pieces of channel. Have a few layers of hose around the tube to just hit the chassis.
We also have a Sno Stuff dolly with the arms that come in...on any of our XP's/XR's it lifts by the plastic and sure flexs around in there alot.
Table: Top Snowmobile Dollies and Lifts
| Product | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| KASTFORCE KF2014 | Heavy-Duty Use | Rust-resistant steel, 360-degree swivel casters |
| Extreme Max Dolly System | Maneuverability | High-grade steel, rubber-reinforced surfaces |
| KASTFORCE KF2011 | Affordability | High-quality steel, 360-degree swivel casters |
| Extreme Max Lever Lift | Maintenance | Powder-coated steel frame, cushioned handles |
| Extreme Max Dollies | Versatile Terrain | Oversized wheels, wide base |
| Extreme Max Lift Stand | Stability | Accommodates most snowmobile brands, forward-angled design |
| Eazymove Snowmobile Cart | Floor Protection | Carpeted pad, adjustable handle |
5800.2018 Pro Series Adjustable Snowmobile Dolly System
tags: #best #snowmobile #dolly