New sled, RMK Assault vs SB Assault

[J.Jensen]

Looks like the missus have made an opening for a new sled.
It will probably be used 70/30 trail/off-trail, with lots of the trail time towing a sleigh ap. 4-500lbs.
I really want an RMK for the time I'm not bringing the family with me, but I also need a sled that won't overheat going slow towing **** and it needs to stay put without tipping over when the wife rides it. Due to the latter, I'm considering an SB Assault.

What are the main differences between the RMK and the SB? Slightly different front suspension? Both without sway bar? And the undercarriage is different with the slightly shorter and tipped rails on the SB. Is that it? Both got the extra cooler, both got the same shocks and over here (Norway/Sweden) both got the same track height.

We don't have any 10000ft mountains to play in, nomatter how far I take it. Its 3-5000ft at most, so its more playing in valleys and open powder fields and we got lots of trees. Would the SB cover my play-needs in 1-3ft of powder while still be suitable for the wife on the trail?

thanks for any advice

JJ.

 

[tdblakes]

have you considered a standard RMK that has the extra tunnel cooler? You can upgrade the shocks and just have to take it a little easier on the the corners than you would on a SB.

The SB has a old style torsion suspension, 144x2" track.
The RMK has the new coil over suspension, 155x2.4" track.
Front suspension is the same width for the RMK Assault and SB Assault.
The SB Assault weighs like 20lbs more than the RMK Assault.
As far as I know, the only RMK with the extra tunnel cooler is the Standard RMK 155.

I think the SB is an awesome all around sled. I had a 2011 SB Assault w/ 2" track that was great. I traded up for a 155 RMK Assault because I wanted the new suspension and you can't really feel the extra track length, plus it will only help. The SB is a very capable sled, on and off trail, and is definately a great option.

 

[max-nut]

The bulkhead cooler is found on the standard RMK (both 144 and 155) and Switchback Assault only.

for 70/30 trail/off-trail, towing and probably riding with a passenger, I personally would lean towards the SB Assault because of the shorter and tipped rails, extra cooler and wider footboards.

 

[mickyd32]

if you are towing I would go with the shorter tunnel. Less strain that way. You will also have to replace the bumper on either sled for towing since they will not handle it. They won't actually take much abuse at all.

I have a 11 SB Assault and use it for the occasional trail ride with the club, no issues with cooling or handling

I have also put a 1 3/4 Backcountry on it and do about 80/20 off trail / on trail and it gets me everywhere I need to go with ease

 

[J.Jensen]

The tow kits they put on them have long support braces that an extra bumper with hitch is attached to. Kinda like the ones Aksnowrider posted about a while back, so I'm not worried about bending the tunnel while towing.
But towing makes the sled push a lot more in corners

Can the extra cooler be added to an RMK Assault, or can the RMK or other aftermarket RMK 155" skid be put on an SB Assault if I want more track/better skid on it later?

 

[tdblakes]

Can the extra cooler be added to an RMK Assault, or can the RMK or other aftermarket RMK 155" skid be put on an SB Assault if I want more track/better skid on it later?

it would be a lot of work to add the cooler to a Pro or Assault. And you could upgrade the SB rear suspension to a timbersled or something and have some rail extensions put on or custom rails made if you wanted more track under the SB assault... in which case you would have an RMK... You could buy the standard RMK and put a wide A-Arm kit with longer shocks on it if you wanted...

Its alot cheaper to buy the sled that you want rather than buy something less and build up to it... Its alot less work to change the front suspension than it is to add a cooler or install/relocate a skid that didn't come stock in the sled.