Storing sled outdoors

[Ndanger]

I have a new Pro Rmk that is pristine. In the past I stored my sled in a 25 ft storage shed along with my long bed truck in Idaho. This year I only have a 20 foot storage shed for a 20 ft truck. So I dont see a way to get them both in the shed. I have been offered by a friend to keep it at his place on my flat bed trailer. I have the Polaris cover for it and it would be stored in Dubois Wy which I would suppose a fairly dry area. Does anybody have experience with leaving the machine outside, would I be disappointed with it getting weathered if left for the off season outdoors?

Ps I fill the tank with Avgas which does not go sour and make sure it is a full tank so not much oxygen or condensation. I also fog the cylinders by taking out the plugs and spraying it. Cheers -Steve

 

[ElasDray]

I don't see any major issues with storing the snowmobile as you have described if it is your only option. Critters and UV light would be my only concern. Being up on the trailer deck may help some with keeping the Critters at bay but they are always on the hunt for a dry confined space to call home. Out of direct sunlight would be ideal too if possible. I would probably put a tarp over the OEM cover to protect it from the elements, but leave it semi loose on the bottom to allow for ventilation.

 

[03RMK800]

I don't see any major issues with storing the snowmobile as you have described if it is your only option. Critters and UV light would be my only concern. Being up on the trailer deck may help some with keeping the Critters at bay but they are always on the hunt for a dry confined space to call home. Out of direct sunlight would be ideal too if possible. I would probably put a tarp over the OEM cover to protect it from the elements, but leave it semi loose on the bottom to allow for ventilation.

Plug the exhaust, add mothballs in belly pan, on running boards (replenish--they evaporate quickly outdoors, and yes, protect that high dollar factory cover with a tarp. I used lumber bunk tarps--more durable than blue plastic tarps. Other idea-- no factory cover, just bunk tarp.

 

[Ndanger]

Excellent ideas, moth balls, exhaust, tarp. check check and check. I will put some mothballs in the engine compartment of the Tacoma as well.

 

[ratlover]

I had a problem with mice in my garage finding the coating on the wires of a camaro delicious. Put dryer sheets everywhere and didn’t have another issue. Plus smell better than mothballs lol Not sure how they would work outside? Watched a bunch of YouTube stuff on pests and shawn woods and his tests showed mothballs and dryer sheets didn’t work but he was also baiting them. Find most of his trap vids actually pretty entertaining.

 

[Fosgate]

Growing up we had one parts sled outdoors behind our shed, 2 in the shed. You could tell a pretty obvious difference between the parts sled after a couple years. Cover takes a beating pretty quick and seems water always found a way through and dried out the seat material. Seems no matter how hard you try to place mothballs in everyplace, they still come in and chew on something if they don't make a home somewhere. If not under the hood they find a way into the seat etc. If your friend is offering to store at his place indoors on your trailer I would take that option. At lease it is off there ground where there is normally a higher concentration of moisture for longer periods. If your still going to store it outside on the ground I would at least get the track off the ground though.

 

[hansenmac]

ive used some type of pepper to keep mice away with very good results. We would buy it by the pound seems like ground red pepper is what it was. sprinkled it on the carpet in campers and boats then just a quick vacuum to clean it up. starting the sled every few weeks and getting up to temp helps keep things up to par or fogging the engine too.

 

[powderhound1]

ju


Just a thought, but what's wrong with putting sled in back of truck and parking in container, or are you over 20' this way?

 

[Wintertime]

Put the truck outside. Garages are for Toys to be worked on and are a shop not for car storage.

 

[Ndanger]

Just a thought, but what's wrong with putting sled in back of truck and parking in container, or are you over 20' this way?

The Tacoma is a long bed and I have to remove the ball hitch to close the roll down door sort of like putting 10 lbs of potatoes in an 8 lb bag. At first I considered lifting it and setting diagonal on the top of the sides of the bed (what a clown circus that would be) or some kind of ramp angled above the cab (disaster in the making)

Put the truck outside. Garages are for Toys to be worked on and are a shop not for car storage.

Love the priorities!!! I totally get it after riding Dan Adams 900 super light carbon fiber, trick everything sled that was 70 lbs lighter / more hp than my sled. While having a drink at the end of the day I ran the numbers in my head and it was worth more than my new Tacoma TRD Yiikes...

If your still going to store it outside on the ground I would at least get the track off the ground though.

Excellent Idea, I agree that is a must.

I used lumber bunk tarps--more durable than blue plastic tarps. Other idea-- no factory cover, just bunk tarp.

I like the idea of a cloth tarp instead of plastic, it would breath and avoid condensation, just like car covers that are always a cloth material.

 

[Ndanger]

ive used some type of pepper to keep mice away with very good results. We would buy it by the pound seems like ground red pepper is what it was. sprinkled it on the carpet in campers and boats then just a quick vacuum to clean it up. starting the sled every few weeks and getting up to temp helps keep things up to par or fogging the engine too.

I am always surprised how pests seem to adapt to the "countermeasures" my favorite is the way a mouse can eat the peanut butter off of the trigger on a spring trap and not set it off. I finally gave up on trying to out fox the pigs on a farm in Hawaii so I think I will go with asymmetrical force and load the area with rodent bait. I live in Hawaii and spend my winters in Wyoming (my friends think I need a new travel agent) so starting the sled is not an option to keep things well oiled other than fogging.

Interestingly the Tacoma has a feature that I can start it from a distance via an app, so it would be possible to run the truck each month from anywhere in the world.

 

[revrider07]

Rent a small storage shed for the summer you will thank me later. Unless you are trading the sled next fall .

 

[Ndanger]

Rent a small storage shed for the summer you will thank me later. Unless you are trading the sled next fall .

I have a few more weeks here in Dubois Wy to line something up for storing it inside. My landlord appreciates that I will be renting his house for the next decade during the winters and may let me use a corner of his aircraft hanger when he gets back from a trip next week. How cool would that be!

ps out of dumb luck I was able to find a 21 Pro 155 (exactly what I had wanted) mid season. Wow what a relief it was to have a sled with 123 miles rather than years older with an extra zero on the mileage. I will be keeping it so I can avoid the complete disaster that is currently taking place with acquiring a sled. I will need to take good care of this one

 

[Reg2view]

Rent a small storage shed for the summer you will thank me later. Unless you are trading the sled next fall .

What he said, in gold. Store it off the ground in a rental unit, suspension unloaded. And also deploy critter countermeasures. If you like nice equipment. Storms happen, and it's a long way from HI to secure tarps in Dubois. Outside is outside, plain and simple. And you'll help keep honest people honest. If not found in Dubois, you should be able to find storage somewhere between Star Valley and Lander - will be worth it.

 

[Ndanger]

"off the ground in a rental unit, suspension unloaded." In the past I used pieces of 2x4 between the lugs on the track to keep pressure off of the track while it is sitting offseason. How do you suggest protecting the track and suspension, is there a way to suspend the track? This is a 3 inch track which has been awesome, loving the new generation of advancements.

 

[dman142]

I’ve been using peppermint oil to keep the critters away. Put a bunch of drops on a cotton ball. No problems in the last few year. It is actually funny to walk into the vitals/-all natural store in grubby snowmobile attire. First ever there, she looks at me and says, “Peppermint oil is over there.” I didn’t even speak to her until I was checking out.

 

[Fosgate]

"off the ground in a rental unit, suspension unloaded." In the past I used pieces of 2x4 between the lugs on the track to keep pressure off of the track while it is sitting offseason. How do you suggest protecting the track and suspension, is there a way to suspend the track? This is a 3 inch track which has been awesome, loving the new generation of advancements.

Good for easy storing and working on the sled.
Amazon product ASIN B00F9G8890

 

[jim]

Corrosion kills...especially in the spring/fall when you hit the dew point temps and have condensation on/in the sled every day/night. It corrodes the metal (clutches, pipes, etc.) and degrades your wiring connections...you will have more issues there. I had a M1000 I stored outside for 2 years with a cover because I lost a cylinder and wanted to keep it around for spares...it was trashed after 2 years. Suspension bolts rusted solid, even my clutches corroded pretty bad. Meanwhile, I bought a newer M8 around the same time, stored it in a garage without even controlling the temperature that much...10 years later and it is still pristine.

If I was storing a sled outside the only way is to seal it up...build a crate or something. If you go new every year, less of an issue...but if you want the sled to last at all, you have to seal it from the condensation/moisture invasion. That's the only way.