How Much Does a Snowmobile Weigh?

average snowmobile weight

Every machine will weigh differently based on multiple factors, but the average weight of a snowmobile is around 500 pounds. A full-size sled will range from 400 pounds on the light side to over 600 pounds on the heavy side. 

My name is Chaz, and I’ve been snowmobiling for most of my life. Over the years, I’ve ridden on all types of sleds – light, heavy, and everything in between. 

Weight can be important when factoring in snow conditions, fuel costs, and traction. In this article, I’ll show you some examples of average snowmobile weights and how your snowmobile loses weight on the trail. 

Get your sled on the scale, and let’s go!

Average Weight

As you can imagine, every snowmobile model will weigh in differently. This has to do with the various types of materials used in the construction and the engine’s size, as well as the fluids found throughout the sled.

Five hundred pounds is the average weight of a snowmobile. Most machines out there will be within 50 pounds on either side of this. But there are plenty of exceptions, with some very light and very heavy sleds out there as well. 

Let’s take a look at Polaris, for example. This is a popular brand with many riders, and they offer many different types of machines. 

The Polaris 800 Titan Adventure 155 has a dry weight (more on what that means soon) of 605 pounds. 

The Polaris 650 Pro RMK Matryx, on the other hand, has a dry weight of 428 pounds.  

Polaris 650 Pro RMK Matryx courtesy of Polaris

Most snowmobile manufacturers have a few different models that span the average weight, similar to the Polaris examples above. There is no exact weight of every snowmobile, and that’s why I’m giving an average here. 

Again, the average weight of a snowmobile is around 500 pounds, but they can range from 400 to 650+.

Dry Weight vs. Loaded Weight

Dry weight will be listed as the snowmobile weight on a manufacturer’s website or magazine. This is the total weight of the machine before any fluids are added to it. 

Fluids can easily add 50-pounds or more – so it depends on how you think about the weight if you want to get an exact number. 

A gallon of gasoline weighs just over 6 pounds. Snowmobiles will have a gas tank ranging from 10-15 gallons. So with a full tank, you add another 60-90 gallons. Oil and other fluids will add weight as well, though not as much as fuel. 

You obviously won’t always have a full tank, so your snowmobile’s actual weight at any given movement will be different from one day, or even one minute, to the next. 

Why Do Snowmobiles Weigh Different? 

On top of the ever-fluctuating fluid weight, other factors cause snowmobiles to weigh differently from one another. Most of these have to do with the construction of the sled. 

The engine is the heaviest part of a snowmobile. Bigger machines will have larger engines which leads to an increase in weight. To keep up with a more powerful engine’s demands, you also need to have additional components built-in. 

Every snowmobile has a different engine, and each one of these has a different weight. That’s why snowmobiles from the same brand with different engines (think a 650cc vs. an 800cc) will have a pretty big weight difference.

The snowmobile track also adds weight to a sled, and the machine’s size can result in a different weight here as well. Larger sleds will have a larger track and be heavier. 

The main body construction also has a significant influence on how much a snowmobile will weigh. If your sled’s body is made mainly of fiberglass, it will weigh less than a sled of similar size with a metal body. 

Older snowmobiles are often heavier because they have more metal used in the build of the body and other areas of the machine. 

What’s Better: Heavier or Lighter Snowmobile? 

The best sled for you comes down to many factors, and weight is certainly one of them. Most of these factors are personal preferences, and you may not know what is best if you don’t have experience with different machines. 

In general, heavier sleds have larger engines which means more power. A powerful, heavy machine will be faster and give you enough power to navigate through all sorts of different conditions. 

But if you are just learning how to ride, too much weight or too much power can be a lot to handle. Heavier sleds can also sink into soft snow -so that’s another factor you’ll want to keep in mind. 

There is also a noticeable difference in handling between a really light sled and a really heavy one. I wouldn’t say that one handles better than the other, it again comes down to personal preference. 

Lighter snowmobiles can be a bit easier to handle on quick turns, but they can feel more bouncy. Heavier sleds can have more bite and dig and take more effort and energy to turn. 

Can I Make My Snowmobile Lighter? 

If you want to shed a few pounds off of your snowmobile for better fuel efficiency, small speed boosts, or any other reason, it is possible. But you’re not going to be able to make that drastic of a difference without serious customization. 

One easy way to do this is to install lighter skis on your sled. You will sacrifice some durability in the long run with this modification, but you can lose a few pounds very quickly while getting some added steering benefits. 

Other major modifications such as a lighter steering column, driveshafts, and tracks are also possible. Still, I wouldn’t recommend doing any of these unless you are an experienced rider who knows what you are looking for.  

The Bottom Line

Weight is a consideration when purchasing a new or used snowmobile, but it doesn’t need to be a significant deciding factor for the average rider. Experienced riders might have a strong preference but for everyone else, just get the sled you think is best for your needs. 

How much does your snowmobile weigh? Do you have an ideal weight you like? Let us know in the comments below. 

About Chaz Wyland
I’m a snowmobile fanatic. I live for riding and am out on the trails or backcountry as often as possible during the winter months. I was born and raised in the Rocky Mountains and have snowmobiled in dozens of North American locations. When the snow is falling, you’ll find me on a sled.

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