I will try to find the best snowmobile covers for your snowmobile and present them as objectively as I can. But first, let me introduce you to the subject.
Don’t you love winter? Well, I do. That cozy feeling of chilling wind and falling snowflakes. Whenever you get to live this moment, the first snow will spark a sudden rush of thoughts in people. And there are two kinds of people out there:
Either those who are hit by all the nostalgia about the long gone winters of their childhood; because let’s be honest, we are still kids. But with money.
Or us. Namely, those whose first thought when greeted by winter is: ”I’m going to rev that engine something, fierce mate!”
We all love all that snow and the cold. In the end, they can only spell fun. For us. For the machines, however, it is an entirely different story. Don’t get me wrong, our sleds were made specifically for those conditions.
We need to cover it
But keep in mind one thing: that riding your sled through the snow and wind is one thing. Parking it overnight uncovered, at the mercy of the snow and the wind, can’t be good for its prolonged health. The elements do not care for capitalism and for your financial well-being. And be assured that if left unchecked, they will mess your day.
Also, when the summer comes, you really need to store the sled covered. Otherwise, you will have to clean it when winter comes, and that’s no fun. What’s the point of hours spend when a snowmobile is pretty cheap and will last you many years.
What to do then?
Welcome to today’s lesson on snowmobile covers!
Why a cover? Do I really need one?
Have you ever strolled at night through the streets just to see that one motorcycle or A.T.V. covered with a dirty rag? It’s basically that, but more specialized. There are many types, sizes, colors, and materials found in those covers, but in concept, they all work the same. They protect your engine.
It doesn’t matter if it is summer or winter, dusty or snowy. They will protect your ride from the elements and you should never skip them. The water, snow and ice that accumulate over the night will make sure that expensive repairs will be necessary.
Here are the top problems you will face if you won’t cover your sled:
- It will become hard to clean: we all know how hard it is to clean frozen snow from any vehicle. It is difficult and tiring.
- It is harmful to the paint: despite not having the size of a car, the sled will still need to be repainted. Especially when stuff like hail and thick snow come down on it. In the case of hail, you will most likely need to also get those scratches and bumps out. And it will cost you a lot over time. Snow is also considered one of the main reasons why vehicles have to be repainted regularly.
- Cannot get started: what is the point in having a sled if you cannot ride it, because the engine froze? Those covers are made so that they will keep the snowmobile warm-ish overnight.
- Fluids thicken: when exposed to snowfall, fluids such as engine oil, brake oil, gear oil, and others can thicken, thus increasing the viscosity of the fluid.
Besides, they are very affordable. They can go from 15$ to 200$, but the 50$ ones are just ok for what you will need.
What is the difference between all those covers on the market?
For the untrained eye, sled covers are all the same. And to a degree, they are. Their sole purpose is to cover your sled right? Well, snowmobiles come, just like people, in all shapes and sizes. This means that you will need a cover that best fits your sled specifically.
What are the best covers on the market?
There are as many types of covers out there as there are producers. And it is a chore for the untrained eye to find the perfect one for the occasion without the proper knowledge.
Some are meant for field use, while some are better used for storage purposes.
In no particular order, the best ones on the market, as per review, are as follows:
The Rage Powersports 68123 Snowmobile Deluxe Large Cover
This weatherproof fabric can do just about anything it is meant to do. It protects against the rain, snow, dirt, dust and UV rays. The thick, yet light UV- and the mildew-resistant fabric does wonders against the elements. As such, you can be assured that there will be no problems with it protecting the paint.
And you couldn’t ask for more from something this effective at only 3kg’s or 6lbs in weight. The price is also agreeable, at 56$ on Amazon. When buying a cover, buy it with the knowledge that it will last you many years from now on. And you will regain your investment a hundredfold during the course of a single winter.
It comes in both standard and deluxe format, which depends solely on how much you want to spend on it. Regardless of their appearance, both water and water are the same in the end.
Most producers will throw in an additional storage bag and six tie-down straps just for good measure. That’s the beauty of it, regardless of where you buy you covers from.
The Trailerable Snowmobile Snow Machine Sled Cover Arctic Cat ZR 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000-2006
What a lovely name, ain’t it? All that it lacks is ”-nator” at the end (for those of you who know Dr. Doofenshmirtz). And for all it’s worth, people really like it. At the time I was writing this article, there were no reviews that gave this one less than 5/5.
Other than the default storage bag for, well, storage, it comes with the following configuration. A dense, technologically advanced 600 Denier, woven polyester material. This highly resilient texture will make sure that the sled will see no damage or harm all throughout the year.
Furthermore, this cover sports a fully elastic bottom in order to assure a secure fit and to keep it in place. Moreover, it comes with an incorporated heavy-duty trailering system and a fuel tank access door for added convenience.
But this apple is not sweet only on the surface, oh no. Its structure doesn’t just come equipped with a hood liner on the inside. The double-layered system will make sure that it will not lose heat over the night as to jeopardize your fun the next day. Or week. Or even month.
It is heavy duty and it is made to last. And what else did you expect for the low-low price of 76-80$? It might be a tad much, but remember, it is a long-term investment that will protect you from really expensive damages.
The Rage Powersports Standard Snowmobile Storage Cover 300 Denier
Another fan favorite and this is due to multiple reasons, all added together. First of all, it is as such due to its simple, yet effective design. It is a slip-on type of cover, meaning that it was made for easy use. If you have ever used one of those disposable shower hairnets, the same principle also applies here.
Thus, it is very easy to transport and install, following the standard (6) tie-down strap system that most covers do. Furthermore, in order to add more stability to it, it comes with an added bottom-side elastic cinch cord for very windy days.
Just like the aforementioned covers, it does wonders in protecting your sled from UV rays and from snow. The 300 Denier polyester fabric is made from an impermeable fiber, making is a good choice even for rainy seasons. That is if you choose to park it outside, of course.
However, this one is an old fart and comes with a slight drawback. In order to use it, you must sport an older model of a snowmobile. This means that it is not recommended for use with newer body style snowmobiles and for snowmobiles with handlebar extension hooks.
You can’t have it all, can you? It is a very good buy and it is a budget one. Most retailers and/or manufacturers will sell it for about 40-50$. Durable, effective and relatively cheap, what else do you want?
The Parts Unlimited Custom Fit Snowmobile Cover – 4003 – 0117
Not one for the cheap-hearted. At three times more expensive than The Rage 300 Denier, this bad boy really outshines the competition. Namely, the whopping price of 150$. Again, this a fan favorite, as there are no reviews out there lower than 5/5. But why is it so good?
Just like any producer with a ton of self-respect, only the finest materials on the market are used for its production.
For starters, it is very light. At 2.6kg or 5.2 lbs, you wouldn’t even know you carried something so expensive in your bag-pack. It is made out of a light 600-Denier polyester fiber with double-sewn seams and it follows the ”Custom fit cover” type.
This structure allows it to offer a great deal of protection against both water and mildew. But it doesn’t end here. Just like all of its contestants, it also offers a great deal of protection against hail, mild and strong winds, snow and ice.
Imagine that it doesn’t even end here, otherwise why the steep price? The manufacturer made sure to improve the quality of life by adding a few additional quirks.
In addition to all of the above, it comes with an adjustable over-cover body strap to accommodate different windshield heights and other such accessories. Furthermore, the cover is tailor-made with soft panels to cover the windshield and the important paint areas. And as if it wouldn’t be enough, it comes with optional under-liners for added extra protection for the windshield and paint.
Its built-in vents reduce any heat and moisture that could accumulate due to its strong ability to preserve building heat. They also work wonders in stabilizing the cover when trailering.
And as a final note, for added convenience, 3/4 in the adjustable perimeter webbing includes a quick-disconnect side-release buckle.
The Parts Unlimited Black Total Cover – 4003 – 0123
Here we are. The most expensive of the bunch and the leading one in the industry. At a bloody 196$, this thing is made only for those of you willing not only to invest, but to dedicate yourselves to your sled. But what does it do that it costs four times as much as the average ones on the market? It does many things, my friends.
First of all, it follows the standard procedure applied only for the best sled covers:
It is very light, at only 3kgs or 6lbs, so not much of a difference here than the aforementioned covers. It is important for those things to be light. And for added convenience, it sports a zippered access for fueling.
Like its predecessor, it is made of a light 600-Denier polyester fiber coaxed in a water and mildew- resistant treatment. It sports double-sewn seams for added extra protection. Its cover features a built-in soft liner on panels that make contact with the windshield and the painted areas.
Extra features
It boasts an over-cover body strap to accommodate multiple windshield heights and accessories such as risers and hooks. Same goes with the expendable fabric that will easily cover and protect any type of windshield height. It does, however, not cover any extended tunnel and/or tracks. It could, but you will have to spend a lot extra on a custom made one.
The quirk with this one, compared to the others, is that it comes as an extra-large Universal Fit Cover. Which means that it will cover 1-Up and Long Track models, even those with handlebar risers and hooks. But how, you ask? Simple. In addition to its normal coverage, it also covers the skis, the suspension, and the handlebar. And those areas are reinforced to prevent tearing. Did I mention that this fabric is highly resistant to tearing and fading?
Conclusion
And like this, I bring to you five of some of the most respected and desired snowmobile covers out there on the market. Again, it depends solely on you how much you wish to spend on a cover, but do keep in mind: those things last. And they will protect you from any damages caused by the elements. Just make sure to also protect them.
