IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: jrp454 on Jan 27, 2010, 02:11 PM
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Ok you all know of the problems pulling a suitcase shanty.
I have the Clam 5600, great once there, but a pain in snow to pull.
I have got the parts together to build the sled, was woundering if any mods
would make it easier to haul gear prior to building?
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Not sure if they fit your sled but i have a shappell 2000 and they make a pair of skis for their suitcase models. I bought and put a pair on mine and it's really easy to pull now. Cost me $25. plus shipping. My buddies that have had suitcase sleds for years, are ordering them now.
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I thought about shappell's ski's but wanted a heavier built ski.
was looking for a more secure way to haul gear with a smitty sled
than just strapping on. I have seen ways guy's come up with things for other stuff.
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I put a small piece of wood in the center of each crossbar, for my Shappell DX300 as it is has a grooved bottom when folded. Not sure about the Clam though? I use a couple of rachet straps to secure thing for a long haul, but most of the time I can just load it up and go.
You may have seen this thread but lots of pics on different sleds
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=9812.0
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i wish i took a pic of my sled before i tore it apart but what i did was i built a box that sat on skis about 18" high the box had no bottom but it did have supports going across so i could put my clam (closed up) in the box and that became the bottom of the sled then just put your gear on top of you shanty,hope this helps
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I have the 5600 too, and made a sled out of old skis and a rack out of pvc...pulls like a dream and nothing falls off the top.
(http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af156/screamingees/burtisjan10.jpg)
(http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af156/screamingees/clamsled.jpg)
hope that helps
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silvercreeker and mealworm thanks, after reading mw's post I thought of the pvc rack and the next post there it is.
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Hey silvercreeker, looks like you haul the same amount of gear as me. How does that pull on loose snow, that has not glazed over?
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The skis seem to make it pull easy. If I was to build another sled, I would have the base highe, maybe 12 inches. Still, a LOT easier then just the suitcase.
I aways bring way more then I need ;D
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My hieght is 4.5", the snow in my part of Illinois rarely get more than 6", with out getting froze solid. Then have freezing and thawing to pack it down. If I run into problems I have some 2x12's around, that will get 11.5" up.
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I used 2x8, and so far so go. But we do get a little snow in Western NY ;D ;D
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Yes you do. My Daughter is stationed at Ft. Drum.
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silvercreeker, I also have the clam 5600 and a similar sled to pull it. I love your idea for the pvc rack. Nicely done !!!!
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Thanks on the rack. Its made to break into 2 halfs, easier for putting into the truck.
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<a href="http://s860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/fishinpo1e1/Ice%20Sled%20-%202010/?action=view¤t=Roomformilkcratetoholdlanternsandfu.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/fishinpo1e1/Ice%20Sled%20-%202010/Roomformilkcratetoholdlanternsandfu.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
This is my first attempt to paste a picture using photobucket.
Shown is a "smitty" sled of my own design. It uses cross country skis and 3 sets of risers with a shallow box above to fit the grooves of a Shappell DX-3000. It holds 4 extra buckets in front and two buckets on the shanty. I have more pictures if you have questions.
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Trying again:
<a href="http://s860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/fishinpo1e1/Ice%20Sled%20-%202010/?action=view¤t=Roomformilkcratetoholdlanternsandfu.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/fishinpo1e1/Ice%20Sled%20-%202010/Roomformilkcratetoholdlanternsandfu.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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3rd try.
(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/fishinpo1e1/Ice%20Sled%20-%202010/Roomformilkcratetoholdlanternsan-1.jpg)
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(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/fishinpo1e1/Ice%20Sled%20-%202010/Sled3risersandshallowbox.jpg)
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nice! looks like your ready to rock n roll.
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(http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab164/fishinpo1e1/Ice%20Sled%20-%202010/UndersideSkiTipshavesomeroomtoflex.jpg)
Underside show 2x4 cross members cut down to 2x2 in middle.
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Is that a "green box" fish lokator!!!
SWEET!
Wanted one so bad when they first came out!
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Yes , still works after over 40 years.
Never a problem.
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Here is our pair of Smitty Sleds. The first one is under the Cabelas suitcase shanty. The second one we built a box on to carry all our equipment in. It also doubles as a work station out on the ice. As you can see, it is being used in its "kitchen" mode. LOL Easy to build and even easier to pull.(http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz264/geothefisher/018.jpg)
Here is a closer shot of the equipment sled in kitchen mode!
(http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz264/geothefisher/014.jpg)
We paid $1 per pair for the skis at a local flea market. At that price, we just had to build them!
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nice sleds guys
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built the sled, I can't believe how much easier it is to pull.
Just need to build rack. thanks for the ideas guys
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Glad I could inspire all you guys, good job, they look great. Smitty
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years ago i made 1 up. i got a shipping crate from work that was being thrown out[ about 2x4 feet] and found the skis in the trash. used 4- 4x4x4" pieces of wood,attached skis to them then crate to wood. bought 4- 4 foot long pieces of conduit for the 4 corners, drilled the holes used a tarp and made a wind breaker. total cost was under 20 $ and worked great.
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(http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn116/huxiiihammer/polebarn036.jpg)
Here's my Smitty.
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Wondering if you gus use any adhiesive to connect the wood to the skies? I used both adhiesive and screws.
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Is that an old Lowrance green box flasher I see. Haven't seen one of them in years. Nice sled BTW
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Rails use bolt that drops into pipe
Cross member Boards have a bolt on each end that drops thru rails
- separates into 2x Skis w/Risers + 2x Cross Members
- use min. 10' Rope Lead
BEFORE - LEAD SLEAD
AFTER - LIKE BUTTER
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb334/neveruminda/IMAG1268_zps83423512.jpg)
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Yes , still works after over 40 years.
Never a problem.
That's the trouble I guess. has to break before it can be replaced and they're built like a tank. Sure the newfangled ones are nicer but the old stuff does what you need.