Hello to everyone out there.  Today was a great day.  Today started out as payday.  Of course, just that in itself makes it a great day.  Today has been one of those days that everything has gone well all day long.

We also were busy at work all day, and I was busy changing a couple components.  Everything went smooth for the most part, and the day raced though.  The next thing I knew, it was time to go home.  It’s good to have days like this, when you are already in a great mood, and it gets even better.  Nothing happening here for Halloween, but thats ok.  Later Everyone!!

Hello to all the slednecks out there.  Since I’ve arrived in Jeddah, I have been dwelling over which new sled to buy.  I have decided for the time being, I am going to hold off and allow myself more time to decide.  During this wait, I will continue the upgrades to my 1999 Yamaha Mountain Max 700.  This will soon become my backup sled.  I am not sure when I will order the new parts.  Everything is based on my upcoming vacation.

For my front suspension, I have decided to stick with after market parts from Mountain Performance Inc.  Polished Aluminum trailing arms will lighten my sled 4 pounds, along with giving the snowmobile a great custom look.  Complimenting these trailing arms will be new aluminum radius rods, billet spindles, and billet aluminum steering arms.  The new suspension will lighten the sled by a total of about 9 pounds.

One thing I wish I would have done long ago is replace my stock reeds with V-Force Delta 3 reeds.  With this addition, greater throttle response, horsepower, and fuel economy are all increased.  The reed spacers I already have now help, but both together will be great asset.

I also have decided to install a new stainless brake rotor, with an aluminum hub to lower the rotating weight.  At this time, I have not decided with manufacturer’s parts I will purchase.  I should see approximately 2 pounds in weight reduction.  Since, its rotating weight, weight reduction will feel much higher.

My Boss seat is another subject entirely.  Three years in thinking, and I still couldn’t decide which style I wanted to purchase.  In the end, I have decided to stick with a stock look in a Boss Seat.  I have pondered on this decision for way too long!  My Boss Seat is now on order.

After I purchase everything, I will continue to think about which manufacturer my new sled will be.  Basically, I am torn between a Ski-Doo Summit X 800 with a 151 inch long track, and a Yamaha Apex Mountain SE.  I have to continue pondering.  Let me know which of the two sleds you like more.  Everyone enjoy the upcoming season!

Today, there was a serious change in the weather.  Instead of the desert sunrise peeking through my window, bolts of lightening and crackles of thunder were my wakeup call today.  What a great way to wake up!  The change of weather was nice to have.  Approximately every few seconds, cracks of lightening would light up the early morning sky.  Desert thunderstorms are so spectacular to watch.  Thunderstorms and blizzards are my two favorite types of weather.

Since it only rains here once or twice a year in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, you can imagine the difficulty for the morning commuters to get to work.  Reports from people in the area, was flooding all over the city.  Drainage designs here are not exactly up to par, due to that fact that rain is so rare throughout the year.  I was informed by coworkers today the last good rainfall was in March of 2004.

I tried to capture the moment with my digital camera, but the camera speed was set too slow.  I couldn’t remember how to reset the speed before it was time to stroll down to work.  It’s difficult to capture lightening, and I hope to succeed next time.  That’s it on this subject, I’m gone.  Later everyone!

Due to Hagg, I have had to postpone my trip to Volgograd by 7 days, but I am also adding 5 days to my vacation.  My flight plans have changed, and dates of stay at the hotel needed to be changed as well.  Fortunately, I haven't applied for the Russian Visa yet.  Date changes required a formal letter to the hotel.  Thats easy! 

I have made the required money deposit to the hotel and have received my final paperwork.  I am now ready to go down to the Russian Consulate and apply for my entry/exit visa.  I am fortunate the Russian Consulate here in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia can issue a visa.

One thing that I learned is if your payment to the hotel is sent by a bank as a wire transfer, you need to give ample time for the hotel to receive the payment.  My wire transfer actually took about 10 days to reach its final destination.  After 5 days, I was worried something had gone wrong, but everything was fine. 

I have been warned to look over the visa very closely.  If for some reason the visa dates are incorrect, they must be corrected before you set out on your trip.  This is not very common, but these things have happened before, and people can, and will be denied entry upon arrival.  Your immediate departure is at your expense.

Once I go down to the Consulate and get my visa, I will only need to return to the travel agency, to purchase the ticket for my flights.  Once this is done, I am ready for my arrival to Volgograd.

If you are looking into purchasing a new snowmobile trailer, I suggest you take the time to seriously think about what demands you will have for it.  Most people don’t look at a trailer purchase as an important investment, but in reality, it is a huge investment.  In most cases, your trailer will out last your snowmobile by a number of years.  This decision should not be taken likely, but unfortunately, many people do.

There are many different types of snowmobile (snowmachine as us Alaskans call it) trailers out there.  There are enclosed trailers, open bed trailers, enclosure trailers, and different sizes to fit your needs.  You also can’t forget about the sled bed which is installed on the bed of your pickup.  The question is, which one is right for you?  The price tags vary and also can be a driving factor.

My hope is to help people choose which trailer is best for them.  Anyone that has found the trailer they prefer over other trailers, or has found one that has met their needs; please leave a comment for others to read.  It could benefit, and aid in their decision on which brand, and model to buy.  Also, for families out there, don’t forget about the possibility of more snowmachines in the near future.

For open trailers, my experience is with a 3 place, Spirit Trailer, which worked wonderfully for me, although many different manufacturers make these styles.  I only like to use these in situations where a trailer is not needed often, and when you do, the distances to drop zones are close by, and roads conditions are dry, or compact snow and ice.  I do require that the open trailer has drive on, off capabilities.  The drop ramps installed on the front serve as drive off ramps, as well as reduce the splash/spray of the road grime as well as rocks kicked up from your tow vehicle.  Without the drive off capability, you have to tilt the trailer, and pull your snowmachine backwards off the trailer.

In my experience, the enclosed trailer is best.  You can tow without the worries of road grime, and other debris getting on, or damaging the snowmachines.  You have lots of room, and if you buy one with all the bells and whistles, you have the Cadillac of trailers.  These trailers are quite bigger than everything else, which is one of its disadvantages.  People that want to keep their snowmachines in great condition should obviously look in this direction. 

Enclosure trailers are not nearly as good in my eyes.  You cannot really stand straight up while getting your sled secured/unsecured, or ready for the snow.  If you do choose this style, aluminum is a great way to go, and fiberglass is growing with everyone, but it can add a lot of weight to your trailer.  These are easily identified as a trailer with a top covering made of aluminum, plastic, or fiberglass. 

Wells Cargo, Pace American, Triton… which is better?  These enclosed trailers are a matter of preference, with lots of manufacturers building these.  These are by far the best trailers to purchase.  I have found the Charmac Snow Sport to be my enclosed trailer of choice.  The quality of this trailer is superb, along with location of everything on the trailer as well.  Loading ramps are as enclosed trailers are setup, the back and the front (V Nose).  The RV door is strategically located on the left hand side where it seems to be best in snow parks, as well as gas station stops.  The gas pump access door is perfect too.  For specifications on this trailer model, check out http://www.charmactrailers.com/snowsport.pdf.

When trailers are impractical, you always have the option of the sled bed.  This is a great way to transport your sleds.  More weight on top of the rear tires of your truck as you ascend a mountain pass is a great advantage.  The disadvantage, your truck can be top heavy.  If you need to take a ferry to get where you are going, the price for the trip will be greatly reduced, and the price difference alone can add a few days to your trip.  A great example, taking the Alaska Marine Highway, to Haines, Alaska, would be much cheaper with a sled bed, than a trailer. 

If you have more snowmachines to tow, the use of a sled bed, with an open bed trailer is perfect. When loading, you use the trailer to reduce the height of the sled bed before you load onto the truck.  What a beneficial way to carry more sleds with one vehicle.

Take the time to look at all the possibilities that are on the market.  This decision will outlast the snowmachines that it hauls.  Don’t forget to leave your comments.  If you can’t leave a comment, feel free to email me at redwine2615@yahoo.com and I will post your comments for you.