A suspension assembly for a snowmobile is provided that rotatably supports
a closed-loop track in the rear tunnel of the snowmobile and also
supports both vertical and horizontal travel of said closed-loop track
during suspension system travel. The suspension assembly includes at
least one elongated ground contact that supports rotational travel of the
closed loop track and at least one swing arm angularly disposed in the
closed-loop track and having a front end portion pivotably coupled to the
rear tunnel and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground
contact. In the preferred arrangement, a front resilient member is
arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the at
least one ground contact during suspension assembly travel and a rear
resilient member arranged to bias against displacement between the
chassis and the swing arm during suspension assembly travel. A tensioner
couples the rear end portion of the swing arm to the at least one ground
contact. The tensioner is extendable and retractable during movement of
the suspension assembly to maintain the closed loop track at a generally
uniform tension during assembly movement.