Thinking about a 600 RMK

[Wrong Turn]

My 09 600 Etec Summit blew up this weekend (4000 miles). I was thinking of replacing it with a 600 RMK, non-Pro. I've ridden the RMK and prefer it over my XP. My concerns are related to a yearly 1,000 mile trip over the Brooks Range towing sleds that weigh 600 lbs. The XP was excellent for this trip; easy to start at -30 deg F, averaged 16 mpg, never over heated (even on long stretches of glare ice), and very strong tunnel/bumper. My questions are:



1) Is there a hitch/bumper available so that an RMK can tow a heavy sled?

2) Will I have an overheating issue?

3) What fuel mileage can I expect?

4) How is it to start when very cold?

 

[snowman80]

I have a skinz rear bumper on mine. I don't know for sure that it would hold while towing but I would guess it would hold a lot, it's very sturdy and I like it. As far as overheating goes you would have the extra cooler since you wouldn't be getting the pro so I don't think it would be a problem. If I use scratchers on my rmk assault I run at 127 no matter how hard packed and icey the trail is.

 

[Excalibur]

We have a 12 RMK 600 and had the chance to use it to tow another sled last weekend, Depending on the terrain it will get hot, we stopped whenever it got 160+ and let it cool. We did use the stock bumper hooked on both sides (we were gentle on it). I would advise a bumper that mounts and braces the tunnel sides. Excellent sled, but they are designed to be a light weight mountain sled, towing seems to be less of a concern for manufactures. Starts very well, 2 pulls cold, 1 pull warm, maybe an extra pull every once in a while.

 

[Wrong Turn]

Thanks for the replys. I am woried about the cooling. I'll have to think more about that. On another note, what's the best case mpg I could expect with a 600?

 

[Hurricane Tim]

Thanks for the replys. I am woried about the cooling. I'll have to think more about that. On another note, what's the best case mpg I could expect with a 600?

Not as good as the E-Tec. If you got 4,000 miles out of your '09, I would get another one just like it. I don't think Polaris is the sled you want for towing anything. They are fabulous for ripping techical terrain, but they would be my last choice for towing or dependability.

 

[meathooker]

In the mtns I get 4-6 ish with my 13' 600; but that is to the bar all day. Edge Works bumpers will tow anything you needs (pm me if you want one).

It runs decently cool with the scratchers down and I think the rmk with dept cooler would be alright. We have an 03 600 that probably has 3000 hard MTn miles on it and still going strong (with a big bore on it).

 

[65pony123]

We have a 12 RMK 600 and had the chance to use it to tow another sled last weekend, Depending on the terrain it will get hot, we stopped whenever it got 160+ and let it cool. We did use the stock bumper hooked on both sides (we were gentle on it). I would advise a bumper that mounts and braces the tunnel sides. Excellent sled, but they are designed to be a light weight mountain sled, towing seems to be less of a concern for manufactures. Starts very well, 2 pulls cold, 1 pull warm, maybe an extra pull every once in a while.

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[sno*jet]

i would agree the doo might be the better workhorse, but ya cant throw the 600 rmk motor into that bag of polaris motor shenanigans..
iv rented some with over 5,000 miles and you wou;d never know it. great motors, they based the 800 off this same bottom end.. 4000 miles and the etec failed - if i wasnt given a good explanation why i dont think i would buy another one personally.

 

[ak]

I love my 600 pro when it comes to performance, but when ski doo wins 1st 2nd 4th and 5 th place in this years iron dog, it's hard to pass up.

The polaris burns more fuel then the etec.

If your buying a rmk it will have the extra cooler so over heating shouldn't be a problem.

I have 2,200 miles between two 600 pros and they have been very good to me.

For what your using the sled for why not a tundra extreme?

 

[AZ800]

So you got at least 3000 mi pulling a 600 lb sled in not ideal conditions ( ice )?
Am I the only one that thinks you got good life out of the motor?
Get another etec.
I like my Pro but it's too light to use as a work sled IMO without really beefing up the back end.
With those kind of hard miles I'd go for a Yami 4 stroke. Then you'll have good fuel mileage and longevity. Only downside would be no pull start And losing the battery out in the bush.

 

[Powderforlife907]

I personally wouldn't use the winning team(Manf) of the iron dog as a buying point for my mountain sled.....
My dad has an RMK 600 144 and it will over heat in low snow conditions but not as fast as my pro 800 does. Just look for a set of scratchers to throw on and a heavier bumper.

I love my 600 pro when it comes to performance, but when ski doo wins 1st 2nd 4th and 5 th place in this years iron dog, it's hard to pass up.

The polaris burns more fuel then the etec.

If your buying a rmk it will have the extra cooler so over heating shouldn't be a problem.

I have 2,200 miles between two 600 pros and they have been very good to me.

For what your using the sled for why not a tundra extreme?

 

[mickyd32]

The 600 polaris can not be thrown in with the 800 in terms of reliability. The 600 has been bulletproof motor for a long time. I have personally had a few hit the 10000 mile mark with ease, the 800 is lucky to hit 3000

If you are set on an rmk standard, get a tunnel reinforcement for your pulling (see the thread on bumpers, many options there) and buy a set of scratchers. You won't see etec fuel mileage but its not terrible either.

 

[volcano buster]

I'm all for trying things that aren't used for what they are designed for. Ski-Doo has a significant line up of sleds for your purposes. They are purpose built and I would like to think they would be the workhorse you are looking for. A 600# sled is a substantial amount of weight to be dealing with in harsh conditions and you don't want any failures. I suggest strongly considering the Tundra or Skandic line up.

 

[Wrong Turn]

Thanks again for the replies. I'm not buying a new sled just to make one long trip each year. I'm considering an RMK for all the other days, but it would be nice if it could make this trip. For those that suggested Tundras and Skandiks; when we first started, that's all we used. We have found the 600 etec Summits to be much superior. They do better in the steep and deep and blow through overflow that would stop the Skandiks cold. I guess it comes down to fuel mileage. If I could get 13 mpg out of a 600 RMK, it would be possible. Other than for this trip, I don't care at all about fuel mileage.