Moving a 400 lb snowmobile is not easy. If you pull or drag it, you will end up damaging your snowmobile. For this specific task, you must use snowmobile dollies.
Buying the perfect dolly is a confusing task, and you might end up with the wrong dolly for the job. I have wasted my money on buying cheap dollies that last only a season and get rusted.
Here in this article, I will be testing and reviewing eight dollies for snowmobiles. Most of them are three dollies set that are small and easy to store without taking much space, and the others are lift-style dollies that are more robust and perfect for outdoor use where the floor (or road) is not as smooth.
Best Snowmobile Dollies
Snowmobile Dolly | Dolly Type | Weight Capacity | Buy |
---|---|---|---|
Black Ice SNO 1509 | Lift Type | 700 lbs | See at Amazon |
Black Ice SNO Dolly | Lift Type | 1500 lbs | See at Amazon |
KASTFORCE KF2014 | Roller Type | 1500 lbs | See at Amazon |
Extreme Max 5800.2000 | Roller Type | 1000 lbs | See at Amazon |
KASTFORCE KF2011 | Roller Type | 1500 lbs | See at Amazon |
Raider SM-12165 | Roller Type | 1500 lbs | See at Amazon |
Shepherd Hardware 9298 | Roller Type | 1000 lbs | See at Amazon |
Goplus 3-dolly set | Roller Type | 1500 lbs | See at Amazon |
Black Ice SNO 1509 – Best Snowmobile Dolly for Gravel or Uneven Surface
Best lift-type dolly for small to medium-sized snowmobiles
Black Ice SNO 1509 is a lift-type dolly with big wheels and a strong frame. It will hoist your snowmobile, and you can move it simply by lifting, just like a cart. It can hoist up to 700lbs.
The dolly is made of steel. It is 40 inches long, 50 inches wide, and 65 inches in height. It has big wheels which are 15 inches in diameter. Big wheels make it easy to move your snowmobile on different surfaces.
There is a handle that is 35 inches long. It gives enough leverage to get under your snowmobile and push it down to hoist it. The net weight of the dolly is 61.5 lbs.
There are two rubber pads to grip the frame of your snowmobile. They are good as rubber is not going to damage your snowmobile.
There is a strap with buckles included in the package. You can hook that strap to the handle and loop it around the rear bumper rail of your snowmobile. It gives stability while moving the snowmobile.
When I used it for the first time, I was amazed at how easy it is to use. Even a single person can use it without any difficulty. The wheels are good and do not feel wobbling while moving. You might find it tough to maneuver outdoors, but it is good indoors, such as in your garage.
I asked my fellow snowmobilers about this dolly, and I found that sometimes you might get a defective piece. Immediately contact the seller to replace the product and get your unit replaced.
Before using this dolly, assemble it properly as instructed in the manual. Then check it for any loose pieces, for example, the handle.
If you receive a defective unit, you might face some loose pieces in the dolly, even after you have tightened all the bolts. In some cases, I have seen the wheels are not aligned. It will make it difficult for you to move your snowmobile.
There is one thing that you must check before buying this dolly. Before buying, you must check if this dolly can hoist your snowmobile or not.
It will not hoist new chassis snowmobiles, and this is what you will not find until you buy it.
For $180 on Amazon, it is an easy-to-use dolly. All you need to check is if it can hoist your snowmobile and the unit you receive is not defective. If your snowmobile is more than 700 lbs, then the Black ICE SNO snowmobile dolly is the perfect lift-type dolly for you.
Black Ice SNO Dolly – Best for Outdoors use
Best lift-type dolly for any snowmobile
Black Ice SNO is the best lift type dolly I have used. It has a sturdy build and durable casters for outdoor use. It has rubber paddings to protect the dolly from studded tracks. You can hoist up to 1500 lbs with this dolly.
This dolly does not have any particular model number. It is just called Black Ice SNO Dolly.
It is built from powdered coated steel. When fully assembled it is 83.25 inches long, 46.25 inches wide, and 20.38 inches in height.
For compact storage, you can fold the crossbar and the lever arm together. When folded, it is 83.25 inches long, 20.375 inches wide, and 10 inches in height.
It has two front casters, which had wheels 5 inches in diameter and 1.125 inches thick. It has one rear caster that has a wheel 3 inches in diameter and 1 inch in thickness.
All the wheels are made of steel and covered with rubber for smooth maneuverability.
It has plastic padding on the front bar, which protects the dolly and the snowmobile from damage. There is a 17.75 inches long rubber strip on the rear bar to protect itself from the studded track.
It has a simple design and a simple process to use. Even one person can easily use it.
Put the front bar under the snowmobile and lift the lever. Then raise the rear of the snowmobile and slide the lever under the track. Lower the track down onto the lever, and you are ready to move your snowmobile.
In my testing, it performed excellently, both indoors and outdoors. There are no straps to secure the snowmobile with the dolly. Slight jerks can unbalance it, and the snowmobile may slip off. So, when moving on uneven surfaces or outdoors, keep it slow and gentle.
For $210 on Amazon, it is the best dolly I have ever used. And you can use it with any snowmobile. With proper use, it lasts for years.
KASTFORCE KF2014 – Best Snowmobile Dolly for Indoors and Garage use
Best 3-dolly set for any snowmobile
KASTFORCE KF2014 is a three-set dolly. It is sturdy and easy to use. It has V-type dollies for the skis along with nylon straps to secure the skis.
The dollies are made of steel. There are two V-type dollies for skis and a flat-type for the track. The V-type dollies are 10 inches long, 8 inches wide, and the flat-type is 7 inches long and 7 inches wide.
The V-type dollies have nylon straps and velcro to secure them to the skis.
Each dolly has four swivel castor wheels which can rotate 360 degrees. The wheels are 2.5 inches in diameter and covered with rubber.
This dolly is sturdy and robust to maneuver any size snowmobile. It can easily bear the load. Must note that while moving, make sure you do not go fast. It is because if all the wheels are not aligned in one direction, they might get damaged.
It can be used indoors and outdoors both. For outdoors, move slowly and carefully. Uneven surfaces such as concrete pavements might damage the wheels. So, be careful on such surfaces.
In my testing, I experienced that the velcro on the nylon straps gets frayed over time. I have asked some other snowmobilers, and they have confirmed that it happens too.
If you buy this product, check the wheels before using it. There are some cases where the customers have received defective products. If you have got a defective product, contact the seller and ask for a replacement.
So, for $50 on Amazon, I think it is a good option as I have wasted more money on useless dollies.
Extreme Max 5800.2000
Best budget-friendly 3-dolly set
Extreme Max 5800.2000 is a budget-friendly dolly set for smooth and flat surfaces. It has nylon wheels which can be used on hard and flat floors only.
This dolly set is made of steel. There are two slotted dollies for skis and a flat one for the track. The ski dollies have a 1.25 inches wide slot for ski runners and nylon straps with velcro to secure skis.
The ski dollies are 10 inches long and 7.75 inches wide. The flat one is 7 inches long and 7 inches wide. The top surface of this dolly set is made of rubber to grip the snowmobiles. Each dolly has four nylon wheels.
When I tested this dolly for snowmobile, I kept in mind that it comes on a budget, and I do not have to expect too much.
I found that it is best for flat and hard surfaces only. The nylon wheels start getting frayed on uneven concrete or cement floors.
The rubber does not do a great job of holding skis on the dolly. So, you must make sure that the nylon straps are tight because the skis can easily slip off the dolly.
I found out that the bearings (on the dolly set) got rusted. The dollies themselves are painted and do not rust. To avoid rusting on the bearings, you will need to keep them dry when storing.
For $45 on Amazon, it is an average option to consider. But you will need to dry off the moisture, so the bearings don’t rust over time. If you need a dolly set for indoor use only, then it will work for you.
KASTFORCE KF2011
Best 3-dolly set for indoor use
KASTFORCE KF2011 is a good option for indoor use. Although you can use it outdoors, its small wheels might make it difficult to maneuver over sharp turns.
It is a three-set dolly made of steel. There are two slotted dollies for skis and a flat one for the track. The slotted dollies have nylon straps to secure the skis, and the slots are rubber-padded to prevent any damage to the ski runners.
The slotted dollies are 10 inches long and 8 inches wide. The flat one is 7 inches long and 7 inches wide.
Each dolly has four swivel castor wheels. Each wheel is 2 inches in diameter, and it can rotate 360 degrees.
In my testing, they performed well. The wheels are small, and that is the only problem when you use them outdoors. Otherwise, it is sturdy and a durable dolly set.
If you are using it outdoors, then keep it slow and careful. The wheels are the sensitive part. There is a chance that by sudden movements over uneven surfaces, the wheels might get damaged.
With dollies, there is always a chance that you might get a damaged unit. So, check all three dollies before using them and contact the seller if you get any damaged product.
For $45 on Amazon, it is a great option to consider. I have used it for more than two seasons, and it worked flawlessly.
Raider SM-12165
Best for heavy snowmobiles
Raider SM-12165 is a mini dolly that is strong enough to move heavy snowmobiles weighing up to 1300 lbs.
It is a three-dolly set for snowmobiles. It is made of steel. There are two slotted dollies for skis and one flat type for the track. The slots support the ski runners. Instead of straps, it has raised edges to secure the skis.
The slotted dollies are 10 inches long, 7.25 inches wide, and 3 inches in height. And the flat one (for track) is 7 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 2.5 inches in height.
Each dolly has four swivel casters made of hard rubber and steel bearings. The wheels are 2.5 inches in diameter.
In my testing, it is one of the best dollies that I have used. It is made of high-quality materials.
There is a half-inch difference between the height of slotted dollies and the flat dolly. It increases the overall stability when moving your snowmobile.
There are no straps, but there are side supports for skis. I have used it indoors, and it worked fine. For outdoors, if you doubt that the skis might slip off the dolly, then you can use reusable cable ties to secure the skis with the dollies.
There is rubber padding in the slots to prevent any damage to the ski runners.
Overall it is a good and durable option. For $60, I think it is the best you get.
Shepherd Hardware 9298
Best for small-sized snowmobiles
Shepherd Hardware 9298 is a budget-friendly option for small to medium-sized snowmobiles. It has hard-rubber casters that are good for indoor use.
It is a three-dollies set made of steel. Two of them are for skis, which have slots for ski runners and nylon straps to secure the skis. The other one is flat, and it is for the track. The dollies for skis have a rubber surface on the top for increased grip.
The ski dollies are 7.75 inches long and 7.125 inches wide. The flat one is 7.125 inches long and 7.125 inches wide.
Each dolly has four caster wheels made of hard rubber. All the wheels are about 2.3 inches in diameter.
In my experience, it is best for small to medium-sized snowmobiles because the rubber wheels are not easy to use with a heavy load. The ski dollies are small, which are not compatible with big skis.
The rubber wheels will start to fray on uneven outdoor surfaces. I recommend being slow and gentle when moving your snowmobile out on this dolly.
If you put on more than 650 lbs or 300 kilos, there is a chance that the dollies might get bent or slip out.
Another important thing is to check the unit that you receive before you use it. I have experienced that some of the units are defective out of the box and need a replacement.
Check for the adhesive that holds the rubber surface to the steel. Sometimes there is weak adhesive, and the rubber surface slips off.
Also, check the balance of the wheels. Put all three dollies side by side and check if there is any fault with their alignment.
This dolly set will cost you $57 on Amaozn. I have seen it as low as $46. But I think for $46, you can get a better option such as KASTFORCE KF2011, and by spending $3 more, you can have Raider SM-12165 for $60.
Goplus 3-dolly set
A good option for indoor use
Goplus 3 is a sturdy dolly set for indoor use. It is best for moving any size snowmobile in or out of your garage. It will work outdoors, but it is better to use it indoors because of its small wheels.
Goplus 3 is a sturdy dolly set for indoor use. It is best for moving any size snowmobile in or out of your garage. It will work outdoors, but it is better to use it indoors because of its small wheels.
It is a three-piece dolly set. There are two V-type dollies for skis and a flat-type for the track. The top surface of the dollies is rubber, which has grid-type lines for increased surface grip. The V-type dollies are 8 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 4.5 inches in height. The flat type is 7 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 4.5 inches in height.
Each dolly has four swivel castor wheels. The wheels are two-inch in diameter. They are made of steel and covered with rubber.
In my testing, it worked well, but I found a few things that are not as advertised. The manufacturer says it has a 1500lbs weight capacity, but that is not true. It may bear a load of 1500 lbs, but the wheels are not strong enough to move stably with that much load.
It will be very tough to use outdoors, especially on concrete pavements with expansion joints.
As the wheel hits a joint, the skins come off the dolly because there are no straps to secure them. It is inconvenient to put the skies on the dollies over and over again.
The wheels wear on hard surfaces like concrete or cement.
There is also a chance that you might receive a defective unit, and you must check it before using it. Mostly it’s the wheels. Check the nuts and the threads on the dolly. Contact the seller and ask for a replacement if there is anything wrong with the unit you received.
For $65 on Amazon, it is an average option that you can only use indoors or on smooth surfaces.
In the end…
There are two types of snowmobile dollies that I have reviewed and I will recommend, lift-type and three-set dollies.
The Black Ice SNO-1509 is a lift-type snowmobile dolly that costs $180. It is easy to use, and it has a weight capacity of 700 lbs. Its large wheels make it a good choice for outdoor use.
If your snowmobile is heavier than 700 lbs, then Black Ice SNO dolly is the best option for $210. It has a weight capacity of 1500 lbs. It is a little bit technical to use, but you can use it both indoors and outdoors.
For $50, KASTFORCE KF2014 is the best three-dolly set. It includes two specially designed dollies for skis and a flat one for the track. The ski dollies have nylon straps to secure them. It has small wheels, but they can maneuver 1200 to 1300 lbs.
So, these are the best dollies that I would recommend to anyone. Although each product has some drawbacks, I have mentioned them in their reviews. I hope I have helped you choose the best dolly for your snowmobile.