‘18+ Snow Flaps

[brendank69]

‘18+ Snow Flaps

What are guys running for snow flaps after adding an aftermarket rear bumper? Most aftermarket bumpers don’t support the back of the flap like the stock bumper does. I have one ride on my alpha and the factory flap is cracked and almost ripped out of the rivets on the tunnel already because of this.

Would prefer to avoid skinz as I’ve had a terrible experience with them in the past. What are the other options?

 

[blackcat09]

I was looking at the PDP ones, I can't say for sure how good they are as the snow flap was low priority on the list of things to buy so i havent gotten one yet. They do look pretty good and are fairly inexpensive.
http://www.sledsolutions.com/index.php?id_category=49&contr

 

[summ8rmk]

What happens if run without a flap?
Deep snow performance will be improved, that i can promise.
My 09 made it 3,000 miles without a flap. No downside to me or the sled, just people behind me on the trail... lol

[emoji12]

 

[blackcat09]

Did you ever have trouble keeping it cool on the trail? My 09 m8 is a PITA to keep cool at the best of times even with the flap on. Maybe I have an issue or something but she likes to creep 140°F unless conditions are mint

 

[summ8rmk]

09 Temp light came on two times in 4,000 miles. I had a gas can on top of the heat exchange both times and it was after 4 miles of up hill ice road riding. Most of the time i didn't even use scratchers on the trail. Just drag a foot here and there.

My 14 cat, whole nuther story.. can't even go down hill on a trail without scratchers down.

18 cat seemed almost as good as the 09.
I shortened the flap but never removed it.

[emoji12]

 

[pruner]

I'm running a 2016 Polaris RMK snow flap. $40 and works just fine.

 

[ultrasks700]

I went all of last season without a snoflap and didnt miss it one bit. Zero overheating problems(the HX is in the front so it doesnt matter if its there or not). IF you did really want ot have one Hubs performance offers rebadged polaris Pro one that alot of guys like

 

[summ8rmk]

Wonder if anyone has tried the ski-doo removable flap? That would be ideal.
Use it when u need to ride some trail, take it off when the snow is plentiful.

[emoji12]

 

[Vertical-Extreme]

No flap since 09 for me. Run the scratchers on the trail all the time and be done

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5000 using Tapatalk

 

[CO 2.0]

Yeah I haven't ran a flap in years. First thing that comes off my new sled. Only have overheat issues in real hard pack snow where the scratchers aren't kicking enough up. Happens maybe a couple times per year. Flaps just get too much in the way when you're stuck and digging out.

 

[kidwoo]

I like the PDP ones. Simple and the fact that they're smooth means they collect less buildup than the stock ones. And they don't auger into the snow because they actually flex. Also, why any sled company still makes horizontal bumpers is just stupid. Skidoo figured it out and finally raised the handles. Like tethers and powdercoated tunnels, there are some things that should be universal on mountain sleds. With a raised bumper it doesn't matter if your flap folds out when you get stuck.


Running without a flap seems crazy to me given how hot these sleds get (and quickly) with 3" tracks. Riding up in Pemberton last year in the mornings on icy groomers was a constant effort to keep cooling the sled down. Sometimes there's just not fresh snow at staging areas.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

Flapless For sure. The cat track hooks and throws so much snow back into the tunnel it has to be the best stock sled for not overheating on the trail with no flap. Obviously on real icy days it is still a bit of an issue, but not enough to justify a flap.

The OEM flap is crazy stiff, dang near a wheelie bar.

 

[brendank69]

Thanks guys. Not sure if I’m ready to go flapless yet, I do have some concerns about cooling on the trail. Looks like PDP is probably my best bet.

 

[F_ast]

I run a rogue rear bumper on mine

I used a ratched strap band and bolted it on with a stud washer.

 

[Dam Dave]

Thanks guys. Not sure if I’m ready to go flapless yet, I do have some concerns about cooling on the trail. Looks like PDP is probably my best bet.

PDP is junk

 

[kidwoo]

The OEM flap is crazy stiff, dang near a wheelie bar.

Rigid snowflaps are up there with wobble clutches and anytime polaris comes out with "new lightweight crankshaft"

Just shouldn't be done.

 

[SledGuru]

I know u preferred not skinz but I love the short flap on my 18. I ordered off Ebay and never had any issues. Minor trimming was required

Hoss

 

[Matte Murder]

I ran the removable flap on my 18 Doo last year. Stopped packing it around after half the season because I NEVER put it on. Really noticed a difference in better performance too. Had to reset my “sensors” on when I though I was going to be stuck. Late in the year on ice I did regret not packing it on the tunnel and over heated on that trail ride to the goods so I just put it on the back of the sled and kept it on for the last few rides.
For what’s its worth.....
You guys got me thinking I don’t need no stinking snowflap on my Alpha this year.

 

[j hoalst]

Itek industries in canada offers a bumper that has a bracket that rivets to the stock location on the stock flap. Also had bad luck with pdp unless u get their super long flap. I doesnt attach to the bumper and hangs down into the track on bumps

 

[jim]

Did you ever have trouble keeping it cool on the trail? My 09 m8 is a PITA to keep cool at the best of times even with the flap on. Maybe I have an issue or something but she likes to creep 140°F unless conditions are mint

I have no flap on my 09 M8 Turbo. No overheating issues...not even close. I have scratchers. I don't miss the flap.

One thing about the 09 is that the flap can get sucked into the track and block the rear cooler...this will cause overheating. Come to think about it, the only time I've seen overheating on that model year is when the flap gets sucked up into the tunnel and blocks the cooler.