Snowmobiles are made to traverse through soft and slushy snow using the skis at the front and tracks at the back end. While the skis and tracks can be great when you have to crunch around on icy terrain, they won’t help you move the snowmobile on normal surfaces like gravel, tarmac, grass, etc.
So, how do you move your snowmobile when you have to store it away at home or bring it out every now and then for maintenance? You use snowmobile dollies, of course.
In the roughest definition, snowmobile dollies can be described as latch-on wheels fitted below a snowmobile to facilitate easy movement on hard surfaces. Just like crates and gas cylinders are moved around on wheeled trollies, the same thing happens with snowmobiles…except dollies are not exactly trollies. They’re a bit different.
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7 Best Snowmobile Dollies In 2024
In this post, we will look at seven snowmobile dollies you can buy in 2022. Finding the right dolly for your snowmobile can be difficult, but we’ll try to make it a little easier by listing some good options.
There are a lot of different things that you have to be careful of when buying a dolly for your snowmobile. While we will elaborate on this later on in the ‘Buying Guide’ (scroll down past the reviews), some usual and common factors include:
- The size of the dolly
- The strength and durability of the dolly
- The wheel sizes
- Ease of use
How Is A Dolly Used On A Snowmobile?
While we did describe this a little just now, it wasn’t elaborate. So, let’s elaborate a bit on it now.
For this explanation, let’s consider two main types of dollies that are typically used for snowmobiles: individual dollies and joint dollies.
Individual dollies are pieces/brackets of metal that have wheels underneath. A set of three individual dollies are latched onto the underside of the snowmobile, i.e., one under each of the front skis and one under the track at the back. Once all the dollies are in place, the snowmobile can be pushed around easily thanks to the rolling motion of the wheels.
Also read: Best Snowmobile Goggles
On the other hand, joint dollies are bigger, and they come in the form of an entire frame that is inserted underneath the snowmobile. The snowmobile is mounted on the frame, which can move around.
Mind you, there can be a lot of other types and forms of dollies as well, but we think we made it clear how they’re used.
Why Is A Dolly Necessary For A Snowmobile?
As mentioned above, a dolly is necessary for a snowmobile on dry land. In other words, you need to have a dolly underneath the snowmobile so that you can move it when you have to take it for repairs or when you have to bring it out on your driveway for light maintenance.
Without a dolly, there are two not-so-helpful ways in which you can move your snowmobile. You can either drag it around (without caring what that does to the underside of the skis and track) or lift and carry it instead. Although lifting the whole thing won’t harm it, it’s not very practical.
Considering the above, we can understand the need and importance of using a proper dolly for storing and moving your snowmobile. Here are our choices:
1 . Extreme Max 5800 Monster Dolly M2 – Best Overall
The Extreme Max 5800 Monster Dolly M2 is a one-piece full-size dolly that you can use for your snowmobile. If we stick to the terminology we employed above, we can say that the Monster M2 is a ‘joint’ dolly, not an ‘individual’ one.
The Monster M2 comes with two large 20-inch wheels spaced 40 inches apart. Thanks to the large size of the wheels, the Monster M2 facilitates easy traction when being moved across gravel, grass, or tarmac. The reinforced spokes also add to the overall durability of the wheels, making them suitable for easily lifting a ~800 lbs. snowmobile on top.
Moving on, the design of the Monster M2 dolly is also remarkable. Instead of going below from the front, it does so from the back. This allows the frame to fit on the underside of the snowmobile without impeding the windshield, handlebars, etc. Once this dolly is installed, the handle comes out from the back of the snowmobile, making it easy for you to steer and roll it wherever you want.
Apart from the easy-to-use design and the large set of wheels, the raw strength of the Monster M2 is nothing short of excellent. This dolly weighs around 81 pounds and uses heavy gauge steel topped with a powder coat finish.
The powder coat finishes on top increase the durability of the frame and helps it last longer against rust and corrosion.
The lifting bars of the Monster M2 (that go beneath the snowmobile) have dual lifting points, as the company puts it. This can make installation easier and less tricky. Plus, since no single fixed point can be used for lifting the snowmobile, the size compatibility is also increased.
Related: Best Snowmobile Gloves
Why Is The Monster M2 Dolly Best For Large And Heavy Snowmobiles?
The Monster M2 dolly can be great for large and heavy snowmobiles because it is large and heavy itself. The hefty steel construction combined with the powder-coat finish gives the M2 the strength it needs for lifting even large 750-pounders.
On the other hand, the large wheels and the securing strap can help you move your snowmobile around easily without worrying about snaps, fractures, and breaks.
Besides the strength you can enjoy with the Monster M2, the overall design is also very suitable for larger vehicles. The big wheels and the handle protruding from the back make it easy and convenient for users to steer and push the dolly.
2 . Extreme Max 5800 0200 Power Wheels – Runner Up
So, remember how we mentioned a little something about ‘individual’ dollies a little way back in this post? The Extreme Max 5800 0200 Power Wheels are in that category.
This dolly (or ‘dollies,’ we can say) is basically in the form of three individual wheeled brackets that are made to fit on the underside of the snowmobile. Two brackets are made to go underneath the skis at the front, whereas one is for the back, i.e., the track.
Once the dolly is fitted beneath the snowmobile, it can easily move around.
Before we move on to discuss the features of the Extreme Max Power Wheels, we want to quickly point out the main perk and downside of buying it when compared to the Monster M2.
The main benefit you can enjoy when using the Power Wheels over the Monster M2 is the discreetness. While the Monster M2 is a bulking and hulking structure – weighing more than five stone (yep, stone…it’s around 36 kilograms) – the Power Wheels dolly is only around 19 pounds.
Unlike the Monster M2, the Power Wheels don’t stick out or take up extra space in the garage. You won’t realize they are installed if you don’t look below the snowmobile.
Let’s move on to the downside.
Funnily enough, the benefit of the Power Wheels dolly is also its downside. Since it is not a big protruding structure, there is no additional handle or support that you can use for steering and pushing the snowmobile.
While this is not something that many people will count as a con, it is amiss when compared with the Monster M2.
Now, let’s move on to look at some of the features that you can enjoy with the Power Wheels dolly.
The wheels installed on the Power Wheels dolly have a 5-inch diameter and a cotter pin assembly. Cotter pins reinforce the connection between the wheel and the axle. This helps in improving the overall durability of the assembly by allowing it to withstand rough rolls and bumps without falling apart.
According to the brand, the wheels are ‘drivable’ and ‘steerable’ and can be used on pavement, grass, dirt, and gravel surfaces.
3 . KASTFORCE KF2014 – Budget Pick
The KASTFORCE KF2014 is also like the Power Wheels in shape and structure. Unlike the Monster M2, the KASTFORCE is made to fit each of the two skis and the track, allowing the snowmobile mounted on top of it to move around easily.
The KASTFORCE KF2014 comes with a number of excellent features. To start off, the KF2014 dollies have four wheels underneath instead of just one or three. This allows for better movement and mobility. Instead of ‘wheels,’ the brand refers to them as ‘casters.’
Wheels and casters are more or less the same things, except that casters are those wheels that have a bracket installed around them, which enables them to fit on a surface.
As far as the dolly for the back tread goes, it’s a simple square alloy structure. However, the dollies for the front skis are a lot more intricate and feature-rich.
For starters, the front dollies come with rubber padding on top, which allows them to hold the skis without damaging them. On simple steel, the skis can get a bit scratched, but this is not a problem with the KASTFORCE.
Furthermore, the front dollies have a V-shaped recession on top. This particular design is made to hold the skis so that they don’t budge around. This grip is further reinforced thanks to the nylon straps on top.
You can simply slide the skis of the snowmobile inside the curved dollies and then secure them using the nylon straps.
Other than these features, the looks of the KASTFORCE KF2014 are also pretty good…as far as dollies go. The bright green color can make them easy to spot in the garage, and they can also stand out brightly from below your snowmobile when installed.
4. Shepherd Hardware 9298
The Shepherd Hardware 9298 resembles the KASTFORCE when it comes to looks and features. Like the KASTFORCE, it has a recessed construction for the two dollies that go beneath the skis. This can help the ski pads to fit snugly inside the space without budging and moving around.
The dollies have a nylon strap on top to help keep the skis even more securely in place. You can pull the strap on top of the skis to hold them in place. This is a common feature found in both the KASTFORCE and the Shepherd Hardware 9298.
Unlike the Power Wheels discussed at number 2, the Shepherd Hardware has four wheels underneath each dolly instead of just one. But, since we’re talking about the wheel system, we have to point out one downside.
The wheels (or casters) are made of rubber rather than steel. This can affect the overall load capacity of the dolly. According to the brand, the maximum capacity for this dolly is 1,000 lbs. While this can be ample in most cases, it is significantly less than the 1,500-pound capacity boasted by the KASTFORCE mentioned at number 3.
Other than that, the construction of the plates themselves is pretty decent. The material used is high-quality steel, topped with a rust-resistant powder coat finish. This combination of manufacturing elements helps to give the dolly a nice bit of hefty durability.
From an honest perspective, buying these Shepherd Hardware dollies can be useful and worth it if your snowmobile is not particularly heavy and hulky. Plus, while these dollies won’t provide you with as much mobility as the Monster M2 (discussed at number 1), they can be suitable if your storing/moving needs are scarce.
5 . Black Ice SNO
When it comes to the general shape and structure, the Black Ice SNO will fall in the category of the dollies that we earlier dubbed ‘joint.’ But, despite being a one-piece dolly, it is not very large (as was the case with the Monster M2).
The Black Ice SNO comes with a modest and minimalist design. It consists of a large horizontal bar with casters at both ends (this bar must be inserted below the snowmobile’s skis). Then, a diagonal bar is attached to one end of the horizontal bar. The diagonal one serves to hold the track end of the snowmobile.
One of the main and major features you can enjoy with the Black Ice SNO is the leverage mechanism. Instead of huffing and puffing to push your snowmobile on top of this dolly, you can simply insert the horizontal bar (while lying it flat down; this will basically involve you holding the diagonal bar in a perpendicular/vertical position) beneath the front.
Once inserted, you can leverage the diagonal bar downwards. This will automatically pop the snowmobile up and on the dolly. You can then bring the diagonal bar in its diagonal position, setting it below the track.
Now, considering this somewhat rigorous installation method, you’re probably wondering what this whole leveraging process does to the underside of the snowmobile. But don’t worry.
For the front part of the dolly, i.e., the bar that goes below the skis, a plastic covering that protects the underside of the snowmobile from picking up scratches or abrasions. And on the diagonal bar, a small rubber portion protects the rear contact point, i.e., the tread, from getting damaged.
Considering this dolly’s features, we can say that it is ideal for people who have to move snowmobiles around rather than just storing them away. So, if you have a snowmobile shop where you need to pick up and transport vehicles now and then, the Black Ice SNO can be a good choice.
Like the dollies discussed above, the Black Ice SNO also has a durable steel construction with a powder coat. Steel itself is pretty hardy and all, but the finish on top can make it all the more durable.
6 . Extreme Max 5800.0228 V-Slides
And we’re back with another Extreme Max 5800 dolly.
The V-Slides (that’s what we’re going to call them for now) also resemble the KASTFORCE a lot in their design and features. Let’s look at those one by one.
To start off, the V-Slides have a (you guessed it) V-shaped structure that allows the skis to be easily and snugly fitted in place. The plates are large, and they can handle skis of almost every size.
The front dollies i.e., the ones made for the skis, also have a rubber lining on the ‘V’ part. This can keep the skis from picking up scratches and abrasions while being mounted and moved on the dolly.
The front dollies also have nylon straps on top that can securely secure the skis more…securely.
Each of the dollies in the set of three comes with four wheels at the base to facilitate easy movement. Incidentally, the wheels are also the same aspect as these dollies falling short. Instead of steel, the wheels are made with rubber/nylon. While this can be seen as a detriment to the overall durability, the brand assures a capacity of 1,500 pounds.
7 . Extreme Max 5800 2018 Pro Series
The Extreme Max 5800 2018 Pro Series are a little different than the other dollies we’ve looked at on this list. They have a unique and distinct design, which could be difficult for some users – especially beginners.
The 2018 Pro Series comes in the form of two-wheeled brackets that are made to fit underneath the skis of the snowmobile. Besides the skis, there is no third bracket that you can slide underneath the track at the back.
From the looks of it, there are two ways in which you can use this dolly. You can drag the snowmobile around, with the dollies under the skis and the backtrack rotating directly on the ground. Or, you can lift the back (either yourself or with the help of a lone square, wheeled dolly) and then push it.
As we said, the idea’s somewhat new, so you’ll have to work your way around this one.
The design of this dolly is pretty good. The two large tires can help you move your snowmobile around, even on tough and challenging surfaces like grass and gravel. Another benefit of this dolly is that it has an ‘insert-fit’ design. In other words, you don’t have to screw anything or add any sort of external bolts, etc. The hooked bracket is designed to hold onto the ski without budging around.
Buying Guide: How To Buy The Best Snowmobile Dolly In 2024?
So, those were some good dollies that you can buy in 2024.
Did you still not find what you were looking for? No worries. Before we end this post, we are going to go through a guide on how you can find the best dolly for your needs. We will look at the various features you have to watch depending on your particular requirement.
So, we discussed some types of dollies earlier on. We classified them (by the way, this is not some sort of official classification) into ‘joint’ and ‘individual’ ones depending on their structure as well as the methods in which they are used. Now, none of these two types is decisively better than the other. For some people and situations, the individual dollies may be better, whereas some circumstances may demand a ‘joint’ dolly instead.
So, when you want to start looking for a dolly in the market, you should consider your own requirements and not just judge the products on their looks. For example, the Monster M2 (that we discussed at number 1 on the list) looks good. But, if you have a small snowmobile that you only take out during one month of winter, investing in the M2 won’t be very wise. The KASTFORCE or V-Slides would be much more suitable.
This is a bit of general advice, but if you act accordingly, you will be able to buy something that is of actual use to you…rather than something flashy but useless. With that out of the way, let’s check out the features and factors you must keep an eye out for when buying a dolly for your snowmobile.
Supported Weight
The first thing that you have to look for when buying a dolly for your snowmobile is the weight that it can support. You can buy a flashy dolly with many cool features, but it won’t be of any use if it can’t support your snowmobile.
When you pick out any dolly, check the ‘Maximum weight capacity’ section on the product description. Usually, a 1,000 lbs. weight limit is enough for most snowmobiles. But if you have an unusually heavy machine, you will have to look for something a bit heftier.
The KASTFORCE dolly that we discussed above has a weight limit of 1,500 pounds. So, if you have a heavy snowmobile, you can look for something like that.
Wheels
Next up, after you are done with the weight limit, you have to move on to checking the wheels. There are different factors that you have to watch out for, so we will list them one by one.
Size: First off, you have to check how large the wheels are. Generally, the bigger the wheels are, the better. (This is the case with ‘one-piece’ dollies)
Big wheels are easier to move and can cover a greater distance with less input. They can also be good on surfaces like grass and gravel as compared to smaller wheels and casters. On the other hand, when we talk about ‘individual’ dollies, then smaller wheels are better since they can be quickly maneuvered and turned.
Number: Moving on, you have to look at how many wheels there are on the dolly.
The ideal number of wheels in one-piece dollies is around 2 – 3. Any less than that would be…just one wheel, which won’t be very pleasant. Any more than that would mean around 5 – 6…which would require a lot of effort to turn and steer.
On the other hand, in smaller multi-piece dollies, the situation is a little different. Some smaller dollies have just one wheel underneath them, whereas some have four.
The benefit of one wheel is that the dolly is easy to turn and steer. When working with more than one wheel, you have to adjust the castors a little so that they are all in the same direction before you can push them smoothly. But, with four wheels (or three), you can enjoy more stability than just one.
Material: The next thing you have to watch, vis-à-vis the wheels of the dolly, is the material. If you are looking to buy a one-piece dolly, you have to look at the material of both the wheel and the rim. With smaller dollies, the casters usually have a one-material uniform construction.
As long as the wheel is constructed with materials like steel, rubber, and nylon, you should be good to go. It’s a good idea to check the customer reviews of the particular product you want to buy. That way, if there is something specifically amiss with the product, you’ll get to know about it.
You want to avoid materials like plastic or iron etc. These materials won’t really facilitate well in the dolly’s movement, and they will also not be able to last very long.
Material Used for Dolly Construction
Last but not least, the material used for the construction of the dolly itself is also very important to check.
Materials like alloy steel and aluminum are usually suitable since they can hold up under the weight and not get deformed/bent. They can also be good against rust and corrosion, which can help in their overall longevity.
ideally, you should also look for rubber padding in the dollies since they can help protect the skis from picking up unnecessary damage. This feature is available in three or four of the products mentioned above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Move A Snowmobile Around In A Garage?
How Do You Tow A Snowmobile By Yourself?
What Is A Snowmobile Dolly?
Is It Better To Push Or Pull A Dolly?
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the best snowmobile dolly, it comes down to your particular need and requirement. In the post above, we looked at several different dollies, each of which can be ideal for a particular situation.
To wrap it up, we’ll simply say that if you are looking for a hefty and durable dolly for a heavy snowmobile, the Monster M2 (#1) is the ideal choice. But, if you have a light snowmobile (and a light budget to boot), the 2018 Pro Series (#7) can be a good choice to go for.
