[Mike C]

My first couple of rides on my F7 I only had the flat, grip plates on my sled, and I was impressed at how the running boards stayed clear of snow and ice, compared to my riding buddies.

Yesterday I also installed a set of the Cross Country Edge Grip Plates. I have to admit, I did it because I really liked the way they looked, and thought a little added protection to the running board heat exchangers couldn't hurt.

I was just wondering if anyone who has either both sets of grip plates, or even just the edge grip plates, noticed any difference in the ability of the heat exchangers to keep the ice and snow off the running boards. We are going riding in a couple of weeks and I was just wondering what to expect.

Think snow.

 

[arcticmannf7]

I've got the Rox sledtreds they stay clear of ice build up quite well when coupled with the heat from the coolers.

 

[switta]

what is up with all the ice that forms on the side of the tunnel and down onto the running boards <_< can i take the seat off and seal the tunnel so this will not happen!!! ?

 

[Davey_Boy]

Switta,

Have you taken the seat off yet? its only one bolt and its the one in the trunk of the sled, do not take the white straps off though! Once its off you can check it out.

You probbaly could seal it up but im not sure, i dont know how the ice devopes anyway i dont think any snow gets under the seat to melt?

 

[switta]

no have not checked it out yet still on the trailer im going to look at it mon morning . but it was alot of buildup on them right behind the running board stiffner and around the whole bottom of the seat

 

[mainecat]

switta I just noticed those stalagtites forming below my seat yesterday too. Let me know what you find under the seat.

 

[greenmtnF7]

Same mini glacier problems here....I have the AC running board grip plates...installed them after I just about flew off the sled on my first jump. The running boards are like polished glass with no traction add ons. Overall the rest of the running board stays pretty clear....except around the reinforced area. Noticed a small amout of water just behind the seat.....assuming that snow gets on the small part of the tunnel thats exposed between the seat and tail light......allowing water to run down onto the sides of the tunnel........I've only noticed this in powder....of in high snow dust conditions like we had in VT this weekend

 

[Mike C]

I was just going to mention that I am not having this problem, then I read greenmtnF7's post. I have the trunk bag on my sled, so maybe that explains why I don't see the stalagtities and stalagmites that some are seeing.

 

[hvf7]

I have 383 miles and I played in a lot of powder on sunday
and I don't have any ice on the outside of my tunnel. I
have the cc grip plates and they work vary good. No
build up on the running boards.

 

[skikvt]

I have AC edge grips and drilled half inch hole in the foot area of the running boards and used a flare tool to make grips the left side stays pretty clean but the right side tends to freeze up a bit. Since the heat exchangers cause the snow to melt, it acts like icicles on your roof. When the water moves away from the heat source it freezes. The flared holes give the water, snow and ice a place to escape and make it easy to kick out.

 

[Braap]

I had the ice forming on the sides of my tunnel all last weekend. Seemed worse when it was colder. What is causing this? How can it be prevented?

 

[F7_Ditch_Jumper]

The reason there is ice forming on the sides of the tunnel is because of the massive rear exchanger, which actaually butts right up to the seat. Where the heat exchanger is they actually cut away the tunnel from what it looks like.. Water/ and or snow gets under the seat from the rear, ( between the seat and the tail lamp). It then passes to the edge of the seat to drip down. But at that location it is too cold so it freezes. When i ride with my trunk bag it eliminated 95% of the problem. I only have a little ice on the rear cornes of the seat.

 

[bpwaters]

Maybe a piece of weather strip just at the back under the seat will help

 

[Nick]

I had no build-up of ice or snow and rode in 10 degree conditions. I have the stock boards on there!