Snowmobiles offer an enjoyable mode of transportation for people living in snow-covered areas. Each model, make and size of a snowmobile has a specific weight based on its intended use and if any mods are installed in it. The snowmobile weights are of considerable importance when it comes to the intention of riding comfort and quality. The weight also plays a significant role when you want to transport or tow your snowmobile. Expert riders have good knowledge about lighter snowmobiles being able to run better on powder ice and heavier snowmobiles are preferred when intended to ride on hard ice.
Dry and Wet Weight of a Snowmobile
When looking at the specifications of different snowmobile weights you will see the weight will be mentioned as dry or wet weight. Dry weight refers to the weight of a snowmobile with no fuel and other fluids like coolants, engine oils, etc. On the other hand, wet weight is referred to as the weight of a snowmobile with nominal levels of working fluids. You can find out these dry and wet weights from the dealer as they may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Average Snowmobile Weight with Examples
Snowmobiles are made by different manufacturers with each model and differ in weight as they have different engines, chassis, and frames, all of them are heavy parts, and any variation in their weight results in overall weight change in a snowmobile.
Generally, an average snowmobile weighs about 476 lbs (215 kg). The weight of fuel is about 6.3 lbs (2.9 kg) per gallon of gas. The size of the fuel tank on a snowmobile ranges from 7-12 gallons and when you consider the weight of the fuel, it is expected that a full tank of gas adds 60 lbs (27 kg) on average.
Many snowmobile trailers that can carry up to two snowmobiles weigh as low as 350 lbs (159 kg) and four snowmobile trailers weigh 1000 lbs (454 kg). The weight of a snowmobile along with a small trailer on average is around 826 lbs (375 kg).
Below are examples of snowmobiles with different weights and fuel capacities from 3 well-known manufacturers.
Polaris
| Snowmobile Model | Dry Weight (lbs.) | Fuel Capacity (gal) |
| 800 PRO-RMK 163 | 413 lbs. | 11.5 gal |
| 600 INDY XC 137 | 462 lbs. | 12 gal |
| 600 Switchback PRO-S | 447 lbs. | 12 gal |
| 800 TITAN Adventure 155 | 658 lbs. | 14 gal |
| 600 RUSH PRO-S | 432 lbs. | 12 gal |
Arctic Cat
| Snowmobile Model | Dry Weight (lbs.) | Fuel Capacity (gal) |
| M 8000 Hardcore Alpha One | 460 lbs. | 11.7 gal |
| ZR 9000 Thundercat | 603 lbs. | 9.9 gal |
| Bearcat 2000 XT | 636 lbs. | 17 gal |
| LYNX 2000 LT | 567 lbs. | 11.2 gal |
| ZR 8000 RR | 521 lbs. | 11.7 gal |
3. Ski Doo
| Snowmobile Model | Dry Weight (lbs.) | Fuel Capacity (gal) |
| Renegade X-RS | 536 lbs. | 9.5 gal |
| MXZ X-RS | 486 lbs. | 9.5 gal |
| Backcountry X-RS | 484 lbs. | 9.5 gal |
| Grand Touring Sport | 498 lbs. | 9.5 gal |
| Summit X | 457 lbs. | 9.5 gal |
Factors Affecting the Weight of a Snowmobile
There are many components that can influence the weight of a snowmobile:
Engine
The engine size is certainly the main component that influences the weight of a snowmobile. It is the single heaviest part of a snowmobile with an average weight of around 86-160 lb (40-73kg). For example, the weight of the Yamaha Nitro Engine is about 120 lbs (almost 55kg) without turbo. Ski Doo 800R engine’s weight is another example that weighs around 86 lbs (39 kg) in a box and a 900 carbed engine weighs around 90 lbs (41 kg).
The engine’s weight varies according to its capacity that is measured in cubic cm or ‘cc’ mainly because engines with higher capacity burn more fuel as compared to lesser capacity engines. Moreover, the engines can be two-stroke or four-stroke engines. With similar capacity and power, a two-stroke engine is lighter in weight than a four-stroke engine generally. This is due to the fact, that a two-stroke engine has a lower working temperature than a four-stroke engine and manufacturers usually get away by using lighter-weight materials.
Snowmobile Tracks
Tracks are a second-most heavy component of a snowmobile. Snowmobile tracks weigh around 34 lbs. (15.5 kg). Their weight usually depends on the type, width, and length but some of them usually weigh:
- 51 lbs. (23 kg)
- 7 lbs. (6.6 kg))
- 37 lbs. (17 kg)
Seat
Seat in a snowmobile can also have a considerable impact on its weight because the base of the seat is made of thick metal to ensure that it does not bend when weight is placed on it. Secondly, the seat consists of a lot of foam that adds additional weight to the snowmobile.
Body Material
Generally, snowmobile consists of two types of bodies, metal, and fiber. Metal bodies are cheaper but heavier and it requires a lot of effort to fix any kind of dent if it appears on it. Rust is another big problem in steel frames which is almost unavoidable despite taking proper care. You should not get surprised if you see rust patches on the insides.
On the other hand, fiber bodies are lightweight and with the recent introduction of newer materials like carbon fiber, they have reduced their weight and increased their strength even further. But fiber bodies are expensive and are not repairable as they break or get damaged on hard impacts. The only solution when a fiber body breaks are to replace it, which can be costly.
How to Reduce Snowmobile Weight?
Riders reduce the weight of their snowmobiles by swapping out the factory parts with lighter aftermarket ones. While it may not be feasible to replace core items like the engine, it is possible to exchange many parts of sleds. Most of them can be changed by individuals who have a basic knowledge of repairing snowmobiles, while advanced parts may require some expertise. Here are a few stock parts of sleds that can be replaced with aftermarket alternatives to reduce snowmobile weight.
Skis
Skis are one of the first parts of a sled that owners choose to replace on their sleds. It is not that hard to replace skis if an individual has some experience tinkering with their machine. Many aftermarket skis are available that are lighter than the factory ones while having a similar size. Replacing the stock skis with these can assist in reducing snowmobile weight. It will also make it easier to handle the snowmobile due to the lowered weight of the skis. The only downside of lighter skis is that they may not be as durable as their heavier counterparts.
Track
Swapping out the track is another way to lower snowmobile weight. Riders can change the stock track of their sled with a narrower, lighter aftermarket option. Besides dropping mass, the snowmobile will have better acceleration, and the rider may also experience improved maneuverability. When selecting an aftermarket track, they must ensure that it is suitable for their riding requirements. It should still provide adequate traction and have requisite-sized lugs. Changing tracks is not as easy and requires some level of expertise. Individuals who don’t have adequate experience may consider hiring a professional for the same.
Suspension
Hardcore modders who want to reduce their snowmobile’s weight significantly may consider swapping out its suspension. Aftermarket suspensions made of carbon fiber can weigh as low as 27-28 lbs and can help shave off quite a few pounds of snowmobile weight. They don’t compromise on durability or stability either and are as strong as the stock suspensions, if not better. Many of them include or can be paired with lightweight shocks for reducing the snowmobile weight further. However, swapping suspension requires a high level of expertise and should only be undertaken by experienced individuals.
Shafts
Many sled owners also choose to replace the stock shafts of their snowmobiles. They are used for transmitting the power generated by the engine to the drive system or other parts of the sled through mechanical motion. The stock shafts are made of metals and generally have a solid construction, whereas the aftermarket models are hollow. It makes them significantly lighter without compromising on strength and durability as they have higher quality construction. These aftermarket shafts can help to reduce a snowmobile’s weight quite a bit.
Battery
A battery is one of the heaviest items in a sled. Replacing the same with a lighter aftermarket model can assist in reducing snowmobile weight. Many premium-quality lithium batteries are available that weigh significantly less than their lead-acid counterparts. Riders can lower their snowmobile’s weight by several pounds by opting for these. The major disadvantage with them is that they are quite expensive.
Other Accessories
In addition to the above parts, various other accessories can also be swapped to lower snowmobile weight. These include headlights, guards, rails, mirrors, seats, steering columns, etc. Riders can switch these stock parts with aftermarket items and reduce their snowmobile weight by as much as a pound or two. It may not seem much, but snowmobilers know the difference every ounce can make.
Snowmobile riders must never compromise on the quality of the components just to reduce snowmobile weight. All aftermarket components must be selected with careful deliberation and with inputs from experts. Otherwise, it can affect their riding experience and even compromise the integrity and safety of their snowmobile.
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