Summer Storage Tips for Touring Snowmobiles

With spring setting in soon, now is the time to brush up your knowledge about storing away your touring snowmobile for the season. As a winter sport enthusiast, you’d certainly want to delay this activity. But proper storage and timely care will ensure that the next time you take out the machine, it will be in just the condition you like.

For maintenance tips and service assistance, visit Road Track and Trail in Big Bend, Wisconsin. We also serve our customers from Milwaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois. To get you started before spring arrives, here’s a handy list of storage tips for you to follow.

Clean the Touring Snowmobile Thoroughly

Hose down the dirt on your snowmobile and then work up a lather using soap and warm water. Clean the hood, seat, tunnel, and nose pan and properly remove all the grime that may have accumulated during the rides. Apply a coat of wax to bring back the shine before you store away the rig for the summer. Clean the brakes and clutches, too.   

Add a Fuel Stabilizer to the Tank

Once you’ve cleaned the exteriors, add a fuel stabilizer to the tank. Read the owner’s manual to use a recommended stabilizer and in the correct proportion. A stabilizer prevents the leftover fuel in the machine from going bad or evaporating, which can eventually cause corrosion. To evenly distribute the fuel stabilizer, run the engine for a few minutes. This will allow the mixture to evenly flow through the system.

Spray Fogging Oil into the Engine

The rods, rod pins, and cylinder walls need to be lubricated before the rig is stored away. Spray fogging oil into each intake of the engine while running it. Oil up the cylinders till you notice a white, foggy cloud exiting the exhaust. You may need to remove the air box and foam to reach the innermost parts. Note the orientation to correctly connect them once the job is done.

Lubricate the Machine Parts

Just as you grease the moving parts – the fittings and the suspension systems – before the onset of winter, lubricate your touring snowmobile while storing the rig for summer. Protect the chassis while you properly lubricate the points. Use WD-40 spray to prevent damage to the metals from moisture and give the rig’s rear rails, exhaust, chain case, and cylinder heads a cover against corrosion.

Store the Machine in a Clean, Dry Spot 

Complete the process by identifying a dry spot (not on the dirt) to store your touring snowmobile through the summer. Elevate the rear end and unhook the springs. Set the front end on a wooden box and keep the suspensions from hanging freely. Cover the machine using a soft, breathable cover to avoid moisture buildup during the humid season. Throwing in a few mothballs will keep your seats safe by keeping rodents and pests away!

Exposing your touring snowmobile to the elements can degrade its condition and push you towards costly repairs and replacements. Add life and shine to the rig by maintaining it well during the winter season (when it’s in use) and following the best practices for storage during summer. For service assistance, visit the Road Trail and Track dealership in Big Bend, Wisconsin. We also serve the greater Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois and Milwaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin.