I have to pick up a sled tomorrow. I'll be traveling about 200 miles. What is the proper way to tow the single sled on a two place trailer (open trailer)? Some people say put it in the center of the trailer and some say it's safe to put off to the side? Please Help!!!

it does not matter, if you can get it in the middle without causing damage to the trailer and you can secure it then put it there.

I have no idea why anyone would say its unsafe to tow one sled on a 2 spot trailer. Tip over factor on hard corners maybe? I have towed mine by itself on a two spot all over the place including long sledding trips tied down on the passenger side. Use a cover and tie the back bumper bar down with a tie down and you will be fine. My only advice is put the sled on the passenger side of your vehicle as less oncoming debris from passing cars will smack into it. If you put it in the middle, how can you use the tie down bar over the skis? Put both bars in, one over each ski?
'02 MXZ 600

I agree with paul. Center it if possible, if not, put it on the side.


bauer

Putting your sled on one side makes it a little more likely to sway,especially if the springs are a little weak.I always put it in the middle when towing one sled just to be safe.

if you have week springs it still shouldnt be a problem with one sled on a two place trailer......if you do have a problem with too much weight for the weak springs with only one sled on the trailer I think it is time to invest in a new trailer.

Put it on eather side and your not going to have any problems, use common sense when you drive. Never heard of a trailer tipping over due to haven the snowmobile on one side of the trailer. Who ever told you that its not safe to have a snowmobile on one side of the trailer needs a little more life experience.

In a 200 mile trip you might see a little more tire wear on one side. Around town I leave one on and have no trouble. (Even haulin ### or hard cornering). But for a 200 miler, I'd put it in the middle. I used to use a strap from each front tiedown track to the spindles and two in the rear. Now I have a track in the middle so I can use the regular tie down. You most certainly will be o.k. on one side, but any load, on any trailer, is better off centered.

I'll usually try to put it on the driver's side, just because it kind of helps with the crown in the road a little on two lane roads. Mine is also closed, so I don't have to worry about debris. Plus I can't put mine in the middle.

When I had my 2 place open Triton I just put it on one side or the other, but last year I saw somthing sort of funny. Someone pulling a open two place with a small car made a U turn in front of my house, needless to say the trailer went up on its side until he finished turn and then fell back down, the guy never even slowed down at all. :dazed:

for long trips, I put it in the centre. Put a wood block about the same height as the ski's on each side and use the hold down bar from both sides to hold each ski individually.

I load on one side, and use a couple pieces of old carpet to protect the bed when sliding the ski's over to the middle. A bit of work, but for a long trip, I just prefer it.

That being said, straight highway running, you won't have a problem on one side.

FishHog

Originally posted by FishHog@Nov 23 2004, 08:37 AM
for long trips, I put it in the centre.* Put a wood block about the same height as the ski's on each side and use the hold down bar from both sides to hold each ski individually.

I load on one side, and use a couple pieces of old carpet to protect the bed when sliding the ski's over to the middle.* A bit of work, but for a long trip, I just prefer it.

That being said, straight highway running, you won't have a problem on one side.

FishHog
366550



If your hold down bars are the center mount type, This may not be a very good idea. Unless you put a strap in the rear also. But still may not be wise. If this is center mount, they can still turn and allow the sled to go through the middle. Just my 2 cents. In my two place pop up, I only use the front tie down. It's the center mount. No strap in the back. I figure, if the accident is that bad, then insurance is going to be involved anyway.

The only thing I can think of to justify moving it to the center would be less wind blockage-don't believe there would be any other real benefit, besides that.

I always put my sled on the side. Never had a problem at all. I always secure front and rear so it stays put.

No sense in ripping up the middle with the studs.

My 2002 Northtrail 2 place tows perfect.

Trailer is designed to carry one or two.

Often I stop at a buddies and pick up his sled on the way out. He is 30 minutes up the freeway. After grabbing his we hop back on the freeway. I notice no difference either way.

I often trailer many hours, all weather with a single sled no problems at all. I do carry my sled on the passenger side to keep it out of the centerline salt pile. Tires are both like new.

I don't baby it either.

Originally posted by JasonF@Nov 23 2004, 08:24 AM
I saw somthing sort of funny.* Someone pulling a open two place with a small car made a U turn in front of my house, needless to say the trailer went up on its side until he finished turn and then fell back down, the guy never even slowed down at all. :dazed:
366546

LMAO, probably a kid on a mission that got sidetracked along the way.

I trailer a single sled 600 miles a couple times each winter and never had a problem. When it's one sled on the trailer I have it on the left side. See better when passing, and lighter on the right side for the chuck holes.