Storing a sled outdoors (year round)

[gdhillon]

What do you guys do for storing your sleds outside? I have mine covered with the Polaris travel cover and a large tarp over the entire set up (to keep sun from fading cover and also completely cover skis)

I also stuffed a few dryer sheets in the engine bay to prevent tree rats from using it as a shelter.

Anything else recommended? The sled is a 12 assault 800 with the piggyback clicker type shocks...should they bet set to soft for storage?

 

[Caper11]

Id lift it off the ground or put it on pallets. Id also stuff the exhaust outlet with a rag.

Make sure the engine is fogged as well but thats what we did back in the day.

 

[RXN]

Keep the track off the ground.
Steel wool works to keep mice out
And cover up to keep sunlight off.
Plug the exhaust.
Dont forget your fuel stabilizer.
And some guys will pull their belts for the summer as well

 

[LUCKY 7]

if you have any moisture kits then put one in the engine area. In the spring I take a kit from my camping trailer and put one in the engine compartment on both of my sleds. In the fall I take them out and put them back in the trailer. Always have water in the trays of the kits and I store my sleds in the garage.

 

[JMCX]

I think it's important not to wrap it too well with the tarp. You're not trying to create a greenhouse just keep the sun and weather off.

 

[Stg2Suby]

I add stabilizer and fill the tank right up to minimize the airspace that can put condensation water into the fuel. Back the track tension off, grease any zerks to push out the water. Spray some things with WD40 if they're prone to surface rust.

 

[gdhillon]

Awesome, thanks for the info guys!

When you say tightly do you mean don’t bungee it around the sled?

 

[Stg2Suby]

Regarding shocks the clicker position won't matter but you could back the spring preloads off and even block it off the ground so the suspensions are unloaded. In general springs tend to sag over time if left compressed.

 

[Couch]

Store inside!!

If outside clean well (salt will pit a lot of stuff) then we use a liberal spray of fluid film or similar to vunerable parts, bit of armourall for the hard / soft surfaces, mothers for the track (uv will rot it) grease, fog, place in shade, raise out of grass and cover including the track

 

[lilduke]

yeah you better buy a garage for that 2012 assault.

 

[Trashy]

yeah you better buy a garage for that 2012 assault.

Even those portable sheds you can get at CT for a couple hundred.
They work great, I have 2 and put cheap plywood down on pallets, for a wood floor.

 

[lilduke]

Even those portable sheds you can get at CT for a couple hundred.
They work great, I have 2 and put cheap plywood down on pallets, for a wood floor.

I was only joking. it's fine outside

 

[freeflorider]

Even those portable sheds you can get at CT for a couple hundred.
They work great, I have 2 and put cheap plywood down on pallets, for a wood floor.

I found they sweat, I had a larger one 8 by 20 I think, alway wet in there even if the front door was unzipped. Snow finally killed it. No sorry it’s gone.

 

[Trashy]

I found they sweat, I had a larger one 8 by 20 I think, alway wet in there even if the front door was unzipped. Snow finally killed it. No sorry it’s gone.

I have 2 of them, both 12x22 and don't find them sweaty. But hey, what ever works or doesn't

 

[freeflorider]

I have 2 of them, both 12x22 and don't find them sweaty. But hey, what ever works or doesn't

Mmmmm, I’ll have to make sure it’s not parked over the in ground sprinkler head next time lol.

 

[Trashy]

Mmmmm, I’ll have to make sure it’s not parked over the in ground sprinkler head next time lol.

Lmao...……...

 

[moyiesledhead]

I found they sweat, I had a larger one 8 by 20 I think, alway wet in there even if the front door was unzipped. Snow finally killed it. No sorry it’s gone.

Everything sweats in the West Kootenays. Only place I ever had an engine seize from moisture over the summer.

 

[gdhillon]

Portable shed isn’t a terrible idea! It’d keep the snow off it come winter.
I want one for my quad anywho.

thanks for the info guys! I feel better about leaving it outside now. Can the engine be doused in brake clean then fluid film? Or should I hand scrub it and avoid electrical connections.

 

[freeflorider]

Portable shed isn’t a terrible idea! It’d keep the snow off it come winter.
I want one for my quad anywho.

thanks for the info guys! I feel better about leaving it outside now. Can the engine be doused in brake clean then fluid film? Or should I hand scrub it and avoid electrical connections.

if it’s that dirty maybe it should have a cleaning...a light fog of degreaser and a hose might work best, avoid high pressures around electrical, cables, engine seals etc, I’d stay clear of the brake clean to. Any time you have bare metal it will rust, some cast and aluminum you should be ok. any lube that will cover bare metal is good when going into hibernation. My main concerns would be balljoints, bearings,clutch components exhaust. These will rust if super cleaned before storage...pipe may smoke like crap first fire up but it should stay rust free. Be careful with oils and lube around your brakes.
Air flo is a good thing to have passing through, just keep it dry. won’t hurt to fire it up for a good lawn blast this summer too lol.

 

[Bikeswithtrax]

Any chance you can get some lumber cheap, even from a torn down building, and throw up a 6 by 12 shed, basic design, not too expensive.