How to Choose Snowmobile Rails for a Sled?
When choosing snowmobile rails for their sleds, riders must pay attention to a few things. They can assist them in finding a suitable model for their requirements.
Compatability
The primary consideration when choosing snowmobile rails is to check if they are compatible with the sled. There are various types of rails available in the market. They have different specifications and are designed to be compatible with specific models and packages from a particular snowmobile brand. A snowmobile rail for Polaris sleds may not be suitable for models from Ski-Doo and Yamaha or even with other models from Polaris. Sometimes, a snowmobile rail may only be compatible with a specific package of a snowmobile and not all of them. Buyers must ensure that the snowmobile rails are compatible with their machines. Size is an important specification to consider in snowmobile rails for checking their compatibility. Riders must choose an appropriately-sized model for their sleds. They can check the manufacturer’s recommendations for choosing snowmobile rails that are compatible with their sled. Many vendors will also entertain made-to-order requests from snowmobilers. It can be useful for owners who need snowmobile rails for sleds that are no longer in production.
Quality/Construction
Buyers must pay attention to the construction quality of snowmobile rails, especially for variants made by third-party vendors. They must have heavy-duty construction and should last for years easily. Their quality will depend on the manufacturing process employed and the materials used. Vendors that employ precise CNC machines for fabrication will have better quality snowmobile rails. Riders can check recommendations for the best snowmobile rails manufacturers.
Materials employed also play a role in determining the construction quality. Aluminum and carbon fiber are the two prominent materials used for constructing snowmobile rails. Their grade will determine the strength and durability of the rails. Generally, premium quality models are more expensive. Carbon fiber snowmobile rails are lighter and sturdier as compared to their aluminum counterparts. They also cost significantly more and are mostly preferred by enthusiasts with deep pockets. Aluminum rails are affordable and the stock option on almost all sleds.
Buyers may check if the required installation accessories are included along with the snowmobile sleds. These can include fasteners, screws and bolts, and installation manuals. If they are not provided, they may have to buy the same separately.
Why Replace Snowmobile Rails?
There are a few reasons that prompt riders to change the snowmobile rails of their sleds. They may want better performance or need to repair their machine.
Damaged Rails
One of the primary reasons to replace snowmobile rails is damage. They may wear down due to a malfunction of the track or other components. Snowmobile rails can also get bent or damaged due to accidents. Sometimes, unforeseen obstacles or aggressive riding can also cause harm to them. It can affect the structural integrity of the rails and increase the chances of sled malfunction or even lead to a total breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, it is important to replace damaged snowmobile rails timely.
Switching to a Larger Track
Many riders may need to change their snowmobile rails if they want to use a different-sized track with their sled. Aftermarket rails allow them to stretch a 154 or a 165 skid to a 174/175 track. Changing their snowmobile rails is necessary for the same.
Performance Enhancement
Enthusiast sled owners choose to replace the snowmobile rails for performance enhancement. They may want to lower the overall weight of their machine for better floatation and traction. Switching out the stock snowmobile rails with lighter aftermarket models allows them to accomplish the same. Factory rails are generally made of aluminum, while many third-party offerings have a carbon fiber construction. The latter may weigh half as much as the former and still be multiple times stronger. Changing the snowmobile rails can significantly lower the sled’s weight and boosts its performance.
Snowmobiles are vehicles used for traveling in the winter and recreation on snow. They are specifically designed to function on ice and snow with no need for a road but most are driven on open trails. They consist of a pair of rails at the bottom of their back, on the cleats of the track that hold the track in place while moving. This allows the vehicle to move faster and bridge any bumps that come in the way ensuring a smoother ride. Different companies manufacture this important piece for snowmobiles in the market. Here is a list of few popular options for snowmobile riders intending to buy aftermarket snowmobile rails for their sleds.
IceAge Performance Snowmobile Rails
IceAge Performance has been in the business of manufacturing a large variety of snowmobile rail options since it has embarked in 2005. They are one of the leaders in aftermarket slide rails for snowmobile suspensions. They include a broad selection of rails for Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski Doo, and Yamaha with customizable options for each one of them. They also offer to provide custom rails for your snowmobiles to your exact specifications. IceAge stocks a big variety of rail options along with great diversity in accessories for your sled. This company has maintained its position of being a premier manufacturer of rails and other accessories in the snowmobile industry by producing high-quality products.
Nextech Carbon Fiber Snowmobile Rails
Nextech Carbon Fiver Rails have provided a good solution to heavy, easy to bend and snow-holding aluminum snowmobile rails by switching to higher grade Carbon fiber recently. They have raised their bar by using IM7 fiber that is multiple times stronger and half the weight of the aluminum rails. This IM7 fiber is rated at 790 ksi. To ensure their durable beauty, these rails are coated with UV-resistant coating. The glossy finish of their rails that never fades along with fewer holes has proven to shed many large pounds of ice and snow, making them one of the good choices for snowmobiles. These carbon fiber rails require 8-inch wheels to run and serve direct fit with custom rear wheel offset available for larger wheels. All the rails manufactured by this company are made to order and precision cut utilizing special tools in their CnC machines. Their rails come with complete hyfax, tips, and bottom rubbers. Nextech carbon fiber rails are corrosion-free that makes them a long-lasting product.
K Mod Performance Suspension
K Mod Performance Suspension has been in the manufacturing business of providing snowmobile parts for over a decade now. They offer all sorts of important parts for Polaris, Ski Doo, and Arctic Cat Snowmobiles. These accessories include shocks, snowmobile rails, anti-stab kits, and turnkey skids. K Mod has been striving to design and manufacture skid solutions for contemporary mountain snowmobiles successfully. Their considerable work in the quick-adjust coupling of sleds with top-shelf rails and arms along with suspension makes them a good choice for snowmobile riders looking for good quality aftermarket snowmobile rails.
