With 610,000 snowmobiles registered in Canada and a contribution of over $8 billion to the country’s economy every year, the snowmobile industry is booming.1 At the same time, when nobody’s looking, thieves may be setting their sights on your snowmobile. To keep it from being an easy target, read our five tips to prevent your snowmobile from getting stolen.
At home, the best place to store your snowmobile is in a closed, secure space such as a locked shed or garage. If you don’t have such a space, store your snowmobile in a lighted area. Thieves prefer to work in dark corners where they can’t be seen. Installing a motion detector light that will turn on if anyone approaches your snowmobile is also a good idea.
If you’re out on a snowmobile ride and you stop at a rest area, be sure to always park your snowmobile in a well-lit area where other snowmobilers can see it.
Whether you store your snowmobile inside or outside, it’s important to put a lock on it to discourage people from trying to steal it. Take the time to choose a good lock that’s boltcutter, hacksaw and sledgehammer resistant. Heavy duty disc padlocks are a good choice, as they resist many types of tools.
Know what’s even better for a thief than a snowmobile with official documents in it? One with the key in the ignition! It’s essential to avoid leaving your key in the ignition or anywhere near the vehicle. Without the key, your snowmobile is much less attractive to thieves and might even convince them to forget about stealing it altogether.
Many stolen snowmobiles are dismantled and sold for parts. If the main parts of your snowmobile are engraved with the last six digits of your VIN number, it will be much harder for a thief to sell them. Plus, if your snowmobile is found, it will be much easier to identify.
By following these tips, you’ll reduce the risk of having your snowmobile stolen and maybe even discourage some would-be thieves. In addition, don’t forget to get good snowmobile insurance, which will cover you in case of theft or other unpleasant surprises. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy your snowmobile and the outdoors with complete peace of mind and spend your winter nights sleeping like a log.
1 CANADIAN COUNCIL OF SNOWMOBILE ORGANIZATIONS, Snowmobiling By The Numbers