As is often the case on the trail, at dealerships, during pit stops or in photos or videos, when you look at a snowmobile, you often look at it either from the side or from the front. You look at its design, its sex appeal, its lines … but have you ever looked at its rear end and everything that might be there? You may be missing a nice viewpoint!
The rear end of the Skandic
And it’s exactly from this angle today that I approach the subject by presenting you the rear end of my new 2021 Skandic WT and all it has to offer. I’m going to give you my point of view on six of the rear accessories: the 80 L soft bag, the SR-50 bag, the chain saw, gun boot and axe holders, and the trailer hitch. Of course, these accessories are not only compatible with the 2021 Skandic WT; they are, as a matter of fact, also compatible with models on the extended 20 or 24 inch REV Gen4 platform and some others. Check carefully in the catalog to validate the compatibility with your snowmobile. All my comments in this article apply to other compatible models.
In this text, you will find photos and an amateur video made and put online to show you the elements explained visually. But first, to give you an idea of what these accessories look like, check out the Ski-Doo 2021 utility accessory advertisement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztD7sGyTpMw
[[YT]]Amateur video to show you the elements explained visually
New Large LinQ Plate
To begin, it should be pointed out that the new LinQ plate installed on the 2021 Skandic is really huge and allows several possibilities. By installing the chain saw, gun and axe holders around this plate, there’s lots of room left for several other LinQ accessories such as a cargo box, topped with a fuel and an oil caddy or any other possible combinations.
Large LinQ Plate
Gun Boot Holder
Let’s start with the gun boot holder, which is a significant improvement over the previous model, as it’s now easily removable when not needed. The new model is secured with a LinQ fastener, and when removed, it can be withdrawn with one hand, and the remaining two-hole receiver clip on the side of the tunnel remains very discreet. The boot is secured in the holder with a removable dowel pin. A well thought out and solid result!
Gun boot holder
The gun boot securely attached and easily removable
The gun boot holder can be easily removed with one hand
Removable dowel pin to hold the gun boot
Fasteners remain discreet and unobtrusive when the holder is removed
Caution, if you do not install it yourself, be sure to inform your dealer that you want this accessory. If you have any skill at all, by following BRP’s instructions, you can do the installation yourself, and you’ll be satisfied. Unfortunately for me, my dealer did not ask my preferences. Not only did they install it on the wrong side, but they also installed it in the wrong place according to the installation procedure. Two holes in the tunnel for nothing! So, install it yourself or be present during its installation.
Fixed holder on the bumper and non-removable tunnel on the previous model
Axe Holder
For the axe holder, two anchors must be screwed into the tunnel to accommodate the two LinQ holding fixtures to hold the axe. Then, the axe is easily accessible for quick use. If you want to leave the axe and its holder at home, its remaining fasteners are as inconspicuous as the gun holder. It’s a great product, but I do have doubts about the rubber anchors’ durability because, as you know, Ski-Doo doesn’t always stock those little items that make life easier for customers. Time will tell.
Axe Holder
Easily removable fasteners
Discreet fasteners for axe attachment
Unfortunately, once again, my snowmobile preparation at the dealership was quite unsatisfactory. They did not ask me where I wanted to install the axe holder anchors and just left everything in the glove compartment. If you have these anchors installed by the dealer, be present and bring your axe to ensure a perfect installation.
Chain Saw Holder
Let’s now turn our attention to the chain saw holder, a handy accessory for forest guys. Unfortunately, BRP’s engineering designers dropped the ball on this one. They certainly didn’t cut a lot of wood or take many walks in the forest to create a “wow” product!
Chain saw holder
While the chain saw receptacle’s design is perfect, its mount leaves much to be desired in several areas. First of all, the holder’s angle rotation is slightly adjustable. When fixed on the outside of the snowmobile, it’s at risk of hitting obstacles, and on the inside of the snowmobile, it hides one of the two taillights. The instruction manual clearly states not to install the holder in a position where the taillight is hidden, which means we must install it in a position where it’s at risk of catching.
Exterior ‘catching’ position and interior position that hides one of the two taillights
As a result, as soon as you encounter a sturdy branch or tree that catches the holder, the whole thing will fold up like a pancake, and the accessory will become unusable. And since it’s usually not possible to purchase the accessory parts as spare parts, it will have to be replaced completely. The angled holder gives a nice look, but if broken, it’s of no use. It would have been preferable to put the holder completely vertical. The end of the holder would have been above the trailer hitch and between the two taillights. A simple modification of drilling the holder upright to the bumper would have allowed this possibility.
As a temporary solution, I slightly loosened the four bolts that allow the adjustment of the receptacle’s rotation to allow me to move it manually. So, in thick woods, I can put the support inside without any risk and in the trail, I clear the taillight by turning the support outside.
Another major irritant with this holder is the fixed mounting that does not have any simple possibility to remove it when not needed during a leisurely ride. Why is it so easy to remove the axe and gun holders, but it wasn’t thought of for this holder? It would have been so “ingenious” to install a removable and discreet system. I’m willing to test it if the system is redesigned!
Impossible to make this holder removable without tools
Trailer Hitch
What looks the worst on a motor vehicle or pickup truck? It’s the famous trailer hitch which, when left on permanently, sticks out like an ugly sore. Well, Ski-Doo was able to get rid of this protrusion on the Skandic by installing a 1 ¼ inch square to allow the possibility of inserting different fasteners. The square is relatively unobtrusive, but what goes into the square is less so. To be able to pull a sled, you must install a $95 multiple drawbar with an $80 hitch tongue bolted to it. Why not leave the usual basic hitch for light towing and give customers the choice of having heavier (wood towing, winch, etc.) as an option? Fortunately, the good news is that this hitch can be easily removed with a folding tip lock.
Removable trailer hitch with collapsible rod end and its 1 ¼ inch square
Soft Bag 80 L
I didn’t choose the 135 L LinQ utility cargo box because I preferred to save space on the LinQ plate. So, I opted for a flexible and waterproof 80 L soft bag that can be installed laterally or longitudinally, giving me more room to install my LinQ gas caddy or to bring the oil and gas for the chain saw. The soft bag is interesting because it’s placed on the LinQ plate and fixed with four straps ending with buttons on the side of the tunnel. This bag comes with a carrying strap and an extra soft protective cover.
In the center, the 80 L soft bag in the lateral position
Buttons for attaching the 80 L soft bag
SR-50 Utility Bag — 50 L
Finally, I chose to install the SR-50 50 L semi-rigid utility bag on my snowmobile (see photos or video above). This bag is installed in place of the passenger seat, and they can be interchanged very easily. There are two sturdy fastening bars that lift up to remove the seat or bag. Underneath the lid, which is held in place by four quick-release plastic clasps, a zipper can be opened to gain access to the inside of the bag. Everything seems to be well thought out to keep everything watertight. This bag is a little high to pass the leg from one side to the other easily, but with this type of vehicle, you have to make choices, and it’s always a question of compromise. I’ll keep an eye on it and see how it fares in real conditions.
In Conclusion
If you follow the instructions, the gun boot and axe holders can be installed on either side of the snowmobile and the chain saw holder could be installed by removing the chain saw from either side.
I would have liked to test the rear LED work light, which I find quite interesting. I do wonder though about the light’s durability if it undergoes constant vibrations in the closed compartment when not in use. I will get back to you on the subject if I have the chance to see it in action.
Accessories make a snowmobiler’s life easier. You have to consider them and put them in your budget when buying your new sled. You will rarely be disappointed, and you will always have the option to resell them on the second-hand market. I still invite you to watch the video to complement what the text and photos have explained to you.
[[YT]]
Hopefully, you’ll never see the rear end of a snowmobile the same way again with these beautiful accessories to install. Enjoy your shopping!
