Snowmobile Transport Services
Professional snowmobile shipping services across the United States. Learn how snowmobile transport works and how we can help.
Interested in snowmobile transport services? If so, we can help! Shipping a snowmobile is a bit different from shipping any other kind of automobile. This is due to its size and configuration. Unlike a regular car, snowmobiles travel on kevlar tracks that are designed for snow, not asphalt. They're typically shorter than a regular car, fitting two people at most. Also, snowmobiles are not as wide as a regular car.
What all this means is that shipping a snowmobile is going to be different than shipping a regular car. Because of the tracks and the width, they can't fit on a standard car hauler. So they usually need to be transported via some kind of flatbed transport truck.
But because they move under their own power and move on tracks, they're still automobiles. This means that auto transport companies such as us can ship them! However, it's important to know what those differences mean for your shipment, including prices and carrier availability. So keep reading to learn more about snowmobile transport services and how American Auto Shipping can help you get yours moved.
The basics of snowmobile transport services
Let's start with the basics. Snowmobile transport services are absolutely available to or from anywhere in the United States. Like any other vehicle you ship, your snowmobile will be fully insured by any carrier that hauls it. And there are absolutely carriers on the road that can transport your snowmobile.
However, finding a carrier that is willing to take it is a different story. Snowmobiles are built different. With tracks instead of tires, loading and unloading can be a bit more challenging. This is especially true if there isn't snow where your snowmobile is. That said, most modern snowmobile tracks are made of kevlar, which should be just fine to ride up on asphalt for a minute or two.
But other than the difference in size, weight, and means of transportation, shipping a snowmobile is a lot like shipping a car. You'll contact a transportation company and get a quote and choose a snowmobile shipping company to move it. They'll find a carrier that can move it for you at a competitive rate and assign your snowmobile for pickup. It'll be moved, you'll pay the carrier, and that's that!
What carriers are best for snowmobile transport?
Most snowmobiles are treated as heavy equipment, even if they aren't all that heavy from an automotive standpoint. As we're sure you can suss out by now, this is because of the way they're built. With a smaller width and length than a regular car, they just don't fit on a standard car transport trailer. This means they have to be shipped either enclosed or on a flatbed truck.
Enclosed transporters can probably move it, but more modern enclosed trailers have tracks for cars to drive onto. This can result in a lot of enclosed haulers being unable to take it. But there are some that don't have tracks, so it's possible to ship a snowmobile enclosed. But most will be moved on some kind of open trailer. Standard flatbeds are typically used to transport big, heavy equipment, such as construction equipment. But they work just fine if that's the kind of carrier your shipper finds.
Gooseneck trailers and lowboy trailers are more common, though. Gooseneck trailers are typically hitched to a pickup truck (this is known as hot shot transport). But they're great because they allow for a lot of different types of awkwardly-shaped vehicles to be loaded on them. This includes snowmobiles.
Lowboy trailers are also great because they have a section that's really low to the ground. This makes loading and unloading certain types of vehicles a lot easier, and potentially cheaper. We can't tell you which trailer is going to be used to ship your snowmobile until we actually talk to the carrier. This is true for any shipping company. But it'll usually be moved by some type of flatbed truck.
How this affects snowmobile transport prices
At the end of the day the price is what the price is. Flatbed transport is inherently more expensive than shipping on a standard open trailer. This is because there are fewer flatbed haulers out there on the road. But this is mitigated somewhat by the fact that you're shipping a snowmobile. It's not heavy equipment - it's a small, relatively lightweight vehicle. This helps bring that price down quite a bit.
But rest assured, pricing for snowmobile transport services is different than a regular vehicle. Be sure to have the length, width, height, and weight of your ski doo on-hand when you're shopping for quotes and services. This will help shippers give you a more accurate quote. It will also help them find a carrier for your snowmobile more quickly.
Shipping in the winter time will likely be cheaper than shipping in the summer, but it may be harder to find a carrier. This is because there's fewer vehicles being shipped and flatbed transporters are hit harder than most in the winter time. So they have to tighten their routes, and this can result in longer wait times - but lower prices - for you.
Ultimately, you want to discuss your snowmobile transport prices and services with a professional transport representative. Which we can help you with a free quote!
Snowmobile Transport FAQ
Snowmobile transport costs $300 to $1,000 depending on distance and the type of trailer used. Short-distance moves (under 500 miles) average $300 to $500, while cross-country shipments run $600 to $1,000. Shipping is typically cheaper in winter when carriers have fewer loads, though availability can be more limited.
Snowmobiles cannot fit on standard 10-car auto carriers because of their tracks and width. They are shipped on flatbed, gooseneck, or lowboy trailers. The snowmobile is strapped down securely using tie-downs rated for its weight. Some carriers also use enclosed trailers for additional protection.
In most cases, no. Snowmobiles require flatbed trailers while cars typically go on multi-car haulers. However, some flatbed carriers may be able to accommodate both if there is room. Ask your shipping representative about combo loads when requesting a quote.
The best time for the lowest prices is winter, when fewer vehicles are being shipped and carriers have more availability on flatbed trailers. However, wait times may be longer due to fewer carriers operating in cold weather. If you need guaranteed dates, book 2 to 3 weeks in advance regardless of season.