How Much Can a Snowmobile Tow?


Although most people use snowmobiles for daytime joyriding, others get behind the wheel of a sled for long-distance travel. These types of sledders might require cargo and equipment transport, which would mean using a sled with towing abilities. How much can a snowmobile tow?

The max amount of weight a snowmobile can tow depends on its make, model, and type, but some of today’s sleds can easily pull 1,500 pounds. Touring and utility snowmobiles are the best picks for the job, and they’re available by manufacturers like Ski-Doo and Yamaha. 

In today’s article, we’ll talk further about snowmobile towing capacity by type of sled. We’ll also present some of our favorite sleds with awesome towing capacities, so make sure you keep reading!  

This Is How Much Weight a Snowmobile Can Tow

When it comes to towing, snowmobiles might not be one of the first options that would come to mind. Yet for snowy-weather cargo-carrying, they’re among the best picks, as the towing capacity of some models is extraordinary.

As we said in the intro, the towing abilities of most of today’s snowmobiles are up to 1,500 pounds. Whether this is how much weight your own sled can pull depends mostly on its type, which we’ll talk more about in the next section. 

As an FYI, the average car has a towing capacity of somewhere around 1,500 pounds. That’s the same case for smaller SUVs. Mid-sized SUVs can generally tow up to 3,000 pounds, and full-sized SUVs can tow 5,000 pounds, as can half-ton pickup trucks.

The towing capacity of snowmobiles is on par with most four-wheel-drive cars as well as small SUVs then. That’s not too shabby! 

The Best Types of Snowmobiles for Towing

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about it, but snowmobiles come in different types. If you can envision yourself regularly towing cargo on your sled, then you need to carefully select your snowmobile to ensure it’s compatible with the activities you’re interested in doing.

As a refresher, here are some heavy-duty snowmobile types that can easily tow 1,500 pounds, sometimes even more than that!

Utility Snowmobile

We’d most recommend a utility sled for towing, as a snowmobile of this type boasts incredible engine power and a long, wide body for easy transport. Most utility snowmobiles use electric starts to turn on easily so you can get going where you need to be. Electric reverses are common as well. 

Utility snowmobiles are built for tough weather and can navigate even heavy snow. These vehicles are also a solid choice for trail-riding where the snow has lessened or melted. You can’t maneuver in one of these sleds with ease, and that’s among its biggest downsides.

Utility snowmobiles are so renowned for their towing capacity that you can tow another snowmobile with one of these vehicles! They’re also quite adept at pulling work sleds and toboggans. 

Touring Snowmobile

Another type of snowmobile with a stellar towing capacity is the touring snowmobile. This sled is built for long-distance travel. When we say long distance, we mean it, as touring snowmobiles can travel for hundreds of miles at a time. 

Like a utility snowmobile, a touring sled is big and bulky, although not as much so. If you’re traveling alone, you’ll appreciate the extra cargo space. For sledders who like to bring a buddy or several, a touring snowmobile is a good pick, as you have room for passengers.  

Since touring snowmobiles are built for long-term use, they come with amenities centered around your comfort. For instance, your sled might include a communications system/radio, backrests, heated seats, and smooth suspension.

You can’t turn particularly fast in a touring sled, but you do get to choose the type of engine you want so you can make one of these bad boys very fast or only moderately speedy.  

6 Utility Snowmobiles with Reliable Towing Capacities

You’ve decided that you want your next snowmobile to be one with an awesome towing capacity. If so, then consider any of these 6 utility sleds. Each can pull cargo and small vehicles, so they’re just what you’re looking for. 

Ski-Doo Tundra LT 600 EFI

First on our list is the Ski-Doo Tundra LT 600 EFI, a sleek sled that starts at $8,849. You have your pick between two Rotax engines. The two-stroke, liquid-cooled Rotax 600 EFI engine has 599.4ccs of displacement while the four-stroke, dry-sump, DOHC Rotax 600 ACE engine boasts 600ccs.

The Tundra LT 600 EFI is surprisingly lightweight. With the Rotax 600 EFI engine, the sled weighs 491 pounds, and the Rotax 600 ACE version weighs only 515 pounds. The overall length of this sled is 129.3 inches, its overall width is 39.1 inches, and its overall height is 59.6 inches. 

The wide body, Pilot DS 2 skis, and short two-up seating are other great features. The U-shaped handlebar is made of aluminum with J-hooks. An electric start makes it easy to ride whenever the mood strikes! 

Yamaha VK450

From Yamaha, the VK450 is a phenomenal utility sled. Starting at $9,649, it’s moderately more expensive than the Ski-Doo Tundra, but not by a huge margin. 

Included with this sled is a two-stroke utility engine with 540ccs of displacement. The three-speed YXRC transmission makes this sled drive over the snow like a dream. Pro comfort rear suspension with flip-up rails, as well as gas cell hydraulic rear shocks, cover the rear.

Other performance features include the special clutch calibration that smooths roll-out and high-pressure gas shocks for better control. The electric start is standard, and you also get a manual recoil starter if the electric start happens to fail. 

The tow hitch included with the VK450 is mounted to the rear of the snowmobile so you can get towing!  

Arctic Cat Blast LT 

If you’re a fan of Arctic Cat, their Blast LT is one of their most highly regarded utility snowmobiles. Starting at $8,665, the Blast LT is equipped with a 4000 Series two-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine with 397ccs of displacement.  

The CVTech Trailbloc drive clutch and Arctic Drive System make operations smooth and easy. Stealth hydraulic master cylinder brakes with lightweight calipers help you stop on a dime. Well, at least as much as you can in a utility sled.

The Blast LT’s chassis measures 128 inches long, up to 45 inches wide, and 50.5 inches tall. Some other cool features of this sled are its heat exchanger, turnkey electric start, hooked handlebars with a grab handle, and mountain-style seating. 

Ski-Doo Skandic WT

The Ski-Doo Skandic WT is one of the most popular utility snowmobiles. The latest model for 2022 costs $10,249. You have your pick among four different engine types: the Rotax 600R E-TEC, the Rotax 600 EFI, the Rotax 900 ACE, or the Rotax 600 ACE. 

The Skandic WT weighs 575 to 620 pounds depending on the engine. Its overall length is 126.9 inches, its overall width is 42.8 inches, and its overall height is 59.6 inches. LTS front suspension with motion-controlled front shocks complements the SC-5U rear suspension system with a motion-controlled center shock.

The REV Gen4 chassis is built for long-term snowmobiling with wide-design bodywork. The two-up modular seating features storage beneath the seats for stashing more gear. U-shaped handlebars are lower on the sled for easy grabbing. They also feature J-hooks.

With an electric start, a Brembo brake system, and a tongue hitch on the bumpers, the Skandic WT could be just the utility sled you’re looking for! 

Polaris Voyageur 550 155

From Polaris, the Voyageur 550 155 starts at $8,999. As one of the most heavy-duty offerings from this manufacturer, the Voyageur includes a fan-cooled engine with 544ccs of displacement. The RMK adjustable front suspension system and INDY articulated rear suspension will make longer rides in your sled feel easy as pie.

The dry weight of this sled is 478.5 pounds. Its overall length is 132.25 inches, its overall height is 56 inches, and its overall width is 48 inches. 

This model comes equipped with standard electric start, thumb and hand warmers, one-piece handlebars with mountain hoops, a standard tow hitch, PERC reverse, and a digital speedometer. Although it’s meant for only one user, the multitude of great features makes the Voyageur 550 155 very much worth your while.

Yamaha VK Professional II 

Last on our list of high-capacity towing snowmobiles is the Yamaha YK Professional II. This great-looking sled is more expensive than the rest at $13,999, but it’s also the most powerful sled we’ve talked about.

Its four-stroke utility engine features 1,049ccs of displacement. A three-speed YXRC transmission system is the Yamaha standard. The chassis is among the toughest that Yamaha makes, and with wide utility skis, this sled can handle deep snow with ease. 

The YK Professional II features gas cell hydraulic front shocks, double-wishbone independent front suspension, and pro comfort rear suspension with flip-up rails. With a cargo rack, you can bring more equipment with you, and electric power steering with a velocity sensing system will lessen negative feedback.

Visit Our Winter/Snow Page for More Great Content!

Final Thoughts

Utility snowmobiles can tow around 1,500 pounds, sometimes more depending on the model. Whether you have a lot of gear to transport or your friend’s snowmobile broke down and they need to get back to their car, a towing snowmobile will come in handy again and again! 

Geoff Southworth

I am a California native and I enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. My latest adventures have been taking the family camping, hiking and surfing.

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