Towing

Towing a Utility Sled

• Always use a rigid tongue hitch when towing a utility sled or any type of work loads
• Ensure that the rigid tongue is securely fastened to a properly mounted hitch on the snowmobile and that the fastening system is sturdy enough to handle the total weight of the load being towed
• The driver of the tow snowmobile must be very cautious and operate at slow speeds to keep the load under control at all times while also considering the potential need for greater stopping distance
• Avoid stopping in an uphill position since extra power required to initiate moving the load forward from a stopped position may lead to spinout and becoming stuck
• The driver of the tow snowmobile must be very cautious when crossing a road so that the tow snowmobile does not spin out and become stranded in one of the driving lanes
• Always be certain the rear snow flap on the tow snowmobile is in place and properly functioning to avoid filling the utility sled with snow

Towing a Disabled Snowmobile
Towing a disabled snowmobile behind your snowmobile requires extreme caution to avoid injuries and damage to either snowmobile. Always follow these important precautions.

• Remove the drive belt from the machine that will be towed
• It is best to use a rigid tow bar instead of a rope or chain
• If you must tow the disabled snowmobile with a rope or chain, tie the left ski of the disabled sled tight against the tow snowmobile's hitch or right rear to keep it from wandering into oncoming traffic on the trail
• The driver of the tow snowmobile must be very cautious at all times and should always operate at slow speeds
• It is recommended that passengers not ride on the snowmobile being towed since they could be injured from snow or ice chunks thrown from the track of the tow snowmobile, or if the disabled snowmobile gets out of control
• If passengers must ride on the towed snowmobile, they should keep their feet on the running boards at all times and help steer and brake during towing
• Always be certain the rear snow flap on the tow snowmobile is in place and properly functioning to avoid injury to passengers
• When crossing a road, passengers should get off the towed machine and walk across the road while watching carefully for traffic
• The driver of the tow snowmobile must be very cautious when crossing a road so that the tow snowmobile does not spin out and become stranded in one of the driving lanes
• Use flags or ribbon on both machines while towing to warn others that you are towing or being towed

Skiers
Skiers should never be towed by a snowmobile since it is impossible to safely watch the skier and the trail ahead at the same time.

Inner Tubes/Sleds/Toboggans
It is not safe to tow inner tubes, sleds, toboggans, or any other type of sled that does not have a rigid hitch with a snowmobile, particularly on trails. Persons being towed in any sled without a rigid hitch risk serious injury since they cannot steer or guide their vessel. This is especially true when turning corners, which can cause the tube or sled to swing dangerously far to the outside and potentially overturn.

Cutters
A cutter is a specially designed snowmobile sled with a rigid hitch built to carry passengers. This is the only passenger device that can be safely towed behind a snowmobile. When pulling a cutter, operate at a slower speed, increase your following distance to provide greater reaction response time and allow for greater stopping distances to help keep towed passengers safe. Always be certain the rear snow flap on the tow snowmobile is in place and properly functioning to avoid injury to cutter passengers.