Snowmobiles are the most popular and reliable vehicles for snow-covered areas. They provide a means of transport and have many utility aspects too. They are lifelines for people who live in areas that are cut off from roads during the winter. Even though most snowmobiles come equipped with all the basic equipment, there are a few best aftermarket accessories that can be quite handy for the riders.
What are Aftermarket Snowmobile Accessories?
The best aftermarket snowmobile accessories are items that you can install on your sleds. They may be provided by the dealers or could be available from third-party sellers. These accessories may come handy in many situations, although a few of them are merely for decoration. Here are a few popular purposes fulfilled by aftermarket snowmobile accessories.
Maintenance
Many aftermarket snowmobile accessories are designed to make the maintenance of your sleds easier and prolong their life. The primary one is a cover that protects your snowmobile from dust, dirt, and moisture while it is in storage. Other accessories that help in maintaining your snowmobile are cleaning kits, waxes, and polishes. They provide a protective coating to the surfaces of your sleds and protect them from environmental elements such as sunlight and rain. Applying them minimizes the chances of parts rusting and prevents their colors from fading over time.
Communication and Navigation
Quite a few aftermarket snowmobile accessories are designed for the purposes of communication and navigation. Radios are a popular communication device that can help you stay in contact with your fellow riders. You can warn them of any obstacles and ask for help in emergencies. GPS-based navigation systems are popular aftermarket snowmobile accessories. They can make it easier to navigate the terrain and minimize the chances of you getting lost. A probe is another essential item that can aid you in gauging the depth of the snow.
Aesthetics
A few aftermarket snowmobile accessories add to the aesthetic appearance of your snowmobile. They add some bling to your sled and can make it stand out. Decals and stickers are one of the most popular decorative items used for snowmobiles. They allow you to deck out your snowmobile in the colors of your favorite sports team or ones that are to your liking. There are electrical aftermarket snowmobile accessories available as well for aesthetics. You can even light up your snowmobile like a Christmas tree by installing an LED light kit.
Convenience
A good number of aftermarket snowmobile accessories are designed to enhance the rider’s convenience. One of the popular items is a grip heater kit. If your snowmobile did not come with grip heaters, you could purchase an aftermarket one. They run off the sled’s battery and keep your hands warm. Lift stands are another popular aftermarket snowmobile accessories that will suit avid riders. They keep the track off the floor when the sled is stored. You can easily clean, wash, and perform minor repairs on your snowmobile if the need arises.
Utility
Many aftermarket snowmobile accessories are meant for improving the utility of your sleds. A shovel kit is a prime example of a utility item that can come handy if your snowmobile gets stuck in the snow. An extraction tool is another functional item among the aftermarket snowmobile accessories. It allows you to free a snowmobile that is stuck in the snow using another snowmobile or your bodyweight. There are a few tow straps suitable for towing a broken-down snowmobile with another sled.
10 Best Aftermarket Snowmobile Accessories – 2020
Here are the ten best aftermarket snowmobile accessories that riders can consider for their snowmobiles. These accessories may improve the performance of the snowmobile, enhance its utility aspect or simply add to its aesthetics.
1. Classic Accessories SledGear Deluxe Snowmobile Covers
One of the first aftermarket accessory that a snowmobile owner must invest in is a cover. Snowmobiles are exposed to harsh weather conditions when they are parked. They can also accumulate dust and corrode when they are in storage during summers or otherwise. Snowmobile covers can help protect your prized possessions and keep them in prime condition. The SledGear Deluxe cover from Classic Accessories is a popular aftermarket choice among snowmobile owners. It is available in different sizes and will fit most snowmobiles. The cover is made from heavy-duty fabric and comes with an elastic cord for a tight fit. It can also be used for trailering the snowmobile.
2. IUNIO Folding Shovel
Snowmobile riders can often face fresh snowfall that might encompass their vehicles. A portable shovel is a must-have item for the riders as it can help them in case of fresh snowfalls. The IUNIO folding shovel is one of the bestselling snowmobiles accessories as it is way more than a shovel. The kit features a shovel board with multipurpose extensions. It can be used as a saw, nail extractor, bottle opener, hammer, and an emergency whistle. The blade and handle are crafted from high carbon steel which is strong and durable. It comes with a waist bag that makes it easy to carry. The IUNIO folding shovel is also handy while camping and hiking.
3. PowerMadd Sentinel Hand Guards
Handguards are a necessary accessory especially for snowmobile riders who take trips into the wild. They protect the rider’s hands from debris, foliage, and other unseen objects. The guards can also shield the hands in case of accidents. PowerMadd is one of the renowned manufacturers of handguards. Their products are known for their stylish designs and durability. The Sentinel handguards are the latest offerings from the brand. They have a rigid spine with a flexible body and are highly recommended by their users. The handguards will fit most snowmobiles from different manufacturers. Snowmobiles riders who don’t have a handguard mounting kit will need to purchase it separately.
4. Heat Demon Dual Zone Snowmobile Grip Heater Kit
Do your hands freeze because your snowmobile lacks heated grips? Then an aftermarket grip heater kit is the perfect accessory for your snowmobile. Heat Demon’s dual zone kit is designed to fit most snowmobile models that come with a battery. The kit has two grip heaters and a thumb warmer that keep your hands and fingers snug in severe cold weather. It includes a controller that allows you to independently set the heat levels of the grip and thumb warmers. Its display unit comes with LED indicators with adjustable brightness. The kit shuts off automatically after two hours to preserve battery life. The package includes all components required to install the kit.
5. NOCO Genius 10 Smart Battery Charger
Snowmobile batteries may drain quickly in the cold weather. The low temperatures may also adversely affect the life of the battery. The NOCO UltraSafe Smart Battery Charger is a handy device that must be in possession of every snowmobile owner. It can safely charge snowmobile and other types of automotive and garden batteries. The charger also helps in maintaining the batteries and improves their battery life. It has various features including reverse polarity and overcharge protection. The charger is a great device for people who live in cold areas and keep multiple batteries for their snowmobiles. NOCO UltraSafe smart battery chargers are available with different current ratings, and you may choose one as per your requirements.
6. OPT7 Aura Snowmobile Body Glow LED Lighting Kit
If you are someone who fancies a little bling to their snowmobile, then consider accentuating it with an LED kit. The Aura Snowmobile Body Glow LED Lighting Kit enables you to add some colorful LEDs to your ride. It comes with ten flexible strips that can be placed on or under the body of the snowmobile. Two wireless remote controls enable you to choose from sixteen colors and four effects. The kit is waterproof and safe for road usage. It also comes with a one-year warranty. It is the perfect accessory for your snowmobile if you want to make your snowmobile the center of attraction.
7. Extreme Max Snowmobile Tow Strap
A tow strap is an essential item that every snowmobile rider should have with them. Snowmobiles can break down and may need to be towed. The tow strap allows the riders to tow the non-functioning snowmobile behind another one. It also enables them to pull a sled behind them for carrying goods or gear. Tow straps are also necessary for parents that go snowmobiling with their children. The child may get tired, and the parents may have to tow the child’s snowmobile behind them. The Extreme Max tow strap is a heavy-duty product designed for towing snowmobiles and ATVs. It occupies minimal space in the storage and comes highly recommended by its users. A two-year warranty against manufacturing defects covers it.
8. BC Link Radios
Snowmobile riders who travel in a group must maintain strong communication among themselves. BC Link Radios are one of the bestselling aftermarket snowmobile accessories that help riders stay in touch. They can be of great help for communicating with and finding separated riders or discussing plans. Each unit has a Smart Mic that allows you to operate the radio without having to take it out. The unit has glove-friendly buttons that are easy to press. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can easily last for up to four days in cold weather conditions. The BC Link Radios support a wide range of channels for minimizing interference.
9. Extreme Max 5001.5013 Snowmobile Lever Lift Stand
The Extreme Max Snowmobile Lever Lift Stand is one of the bestselling snowmobile accessories for individuals who like to tinker with their snowmobiles. It lifts the rear end of the snowmobile and holds it in a stable position. You can stud the snowmobile’s track, clean it and perform routine repairs with this lift stand. The stand has a 1” powder coated steel frame and supports easy height adjustment via a lever lift handle. It can also be used for storing the snowmobile for a long period as it improves the life of the track and suspension.
10. Snobunje Cobra Pulling Extraction Tool
Have you ever been in a situation wherein your snowmobile is stuck so hard that it wouldn’t budge? The Snobunje Cobra Pulling Extraction Tool is designed for these scenarios. It is a sled-to-sled pulling tool that can assist in pulling a stuck snowmobile. The tool has hooks at both ends which attach to the snowmobiles. You can use another snowmobile to pull the stuck snowmobile free. It can create a pulling force of 300 to 400 lbs. If you travel alone, then consider the Rattler pulling tooling from Snobunje that allows you to free stuck snowmobile by maximizing the pulling force of your body.