Maybe you’re new to snowmobiling and can’t wait to feel the winds of winter as you navigate the white-covered trails or perhaps you’ve enjoyed the sport for a while now and are ready for the season to begin again.

Maybe you call the activity “snowmobiling” or “sleddin’” or perhaps you’re looking forward to “snowmachining.” In any case, since locales typically don’t allow snowmobiles on public streets, you’ll need to transport yours to where you can freely enjoy your snowmobile.

The safest, easiest, and most practical way to do that involves two main items: a pickup truck and a snowmobile ramp.

Using a Snowmobile Loading Ramp

For safety reasons, ensure that the loading ramp you use is of good quality. Wooden or flimsy metal ramps raise safety concerns about the people who are doing the loading—and, when a ramp isn’t up to the task, this can lead to injuries with the possibility of also ruining the snowmobile and/or the truck.

You may have heard stories about or even witnessed people who build ramps out of snow and ice. Although that may at first sound creative, it’s not safe. Besides being too slippery for secure usage, ramps that aren’t specifically created for snowmobiles won’t have the side panels that allow the vehicle’s ski runners to slide up. Without that feature on a ramp, you can damage the snowmobile and put yourself at unnecessary risk for an injury. In addition, snowmobile ramps are designed to rest at the appropriate angles for ease of loading.

Now here are five steps to load up your snowmobile safely and efficiently.

#1 Connect Your Ramp to Your Truck

If you still need to choose your ramp, know that there are general-purpose loading ramps and ones that are specifically snowmobile ramps. (We’ve already described the benefits of the latter type.) Some snowmobile ramps are make and model specific while others are universal fitment ramps—and some of these fold up for your convenience.

Check to see where the ramp you select will attach to your vehicle: either at the tailgate or to the truck bed. Don’t connect to any plastic parts.

Place the ramp in the correct spot of your vehicle and attach it using the ramp’s system. With the Enthuze snowmobile loading ramp, for example, you’ll receive adjustable straps and S-hooks for a secure connection. Once all is tightened, move on to step two.

#2 Appropriately Position Your Snowmobile Skis

In other words, make sure all is properly aligned before proceeding. This includes matching up where the skis should go on the ramp so that the snowmobile won’t slip; since the average snowmobile weighs about five hundred pounds, you sure wouldn’t want slippage to happen.

#3 Drive Up the Ramp

Use just the right amount of gas: not too much and not too little. Drive front forward rather than backing the snowmobile in. Otherwise, the wind could damage your snowmobile’s windshield as you drive to your destination.

#4 Secure the Snowmobile

Tie it down so it won’t bump around while you’re driving to your destination. If you’ve secured an ATV or other vehicle, the process will be similar. Whether you use ropes or chains, take your time with this step so that the vehicle won’t accidentally fall off. Not only will this do serious damage to your snowmobile, but it could also cause an accident for the drivers behind you.

#5 Enjoy! Then Use the Snowmobile Truck Ramp Again

Ride the trails! Then when it’s time to take your snowmobile home again, repeat the same steps.

Enthuze Snowmobile Ramp for Trucks

Enthuze manufactures the truck accessories you need for work and for play—and that includes our snowmobile truck ramp. (Note that you can also use this ramp to load ATVs and golf carts.) Crafted from heavy-duty, fully welded, rust-proof aluminum, this universal tri-fold ramp holds up to 1,500 pounds (680 kg.). Other features of the 84” x 54” snowmobile ramp for trucks include the following:

• Adjustable straps/S-hooks
• Embossed holes for 360° anti-skid protection
• Directional traction pads for all-weather use
• Full width top plate for even weight distribution
• One-year warranty

Find the dealer location nearest you!