Homemade ice sleds

[icenewbie]

Well, I'd like to construct my own custom ice sled. Do you think an old wooden toboggan could be used as a base? Or would it be too heavy and bulky? I'd probably use an old kid's wooden toboggan. It's around 4 feet long or so. I've seen some homemade sleds made from old skis, but I don't have any of those laying around. The toboggan I've got. Thanks, everyone for a great site.

[johnnywalleye]

go to your local salvation army store and buy a pair skis for 5$$$ the weight you save will be huge

[snohiker]

the problem your going to have is the sled is to wide and  going to weigh to much loaded  they  drag like a snowplow in the soft Snow I'm telling you this from my own experience i try to drag my fish trap guide and it s##ks I'm building a fish box on narrow skis with a rack for the fishtrap for when the snow is to deep   just my 2cents so take Johnny's advice got get some cheap skis

[WHITETAIL111]

icenewbie,
              I'm telling you I have a sled that I built myself out of wood.  I figured years ago that I needed one...so....I built it.  Well that sled now sits in my cellar and houses all my tip ups from one season to the next.  It has all my tip ups a few pots, pans, utensils, a lantern...etc., but it never comes out on the ice anymore.  You know why?  Because they built the Jet Sled!  That sled slides beautifully, its low to the ground so it doesn't tip over... and I can put everything I need for a day in it.  You can drill holes in the sides and use bungy cords to keep everything contained.  You can buy a cover that goes over the top of everything if the weather turns foul.  Take my word for it....in the amount of time it will take you to build a wooden sled, the wood, screws ...etc.  Just go out and buy yourself the medium size Jet sled....you won't regret it. 

[Mentiply]

I built a sled a few years ago the best thing I did was but skis on it and gave it about 10" of ground clearance.

[jimmyclaude]

I think pimpin your jet sled would count also as home made. I use plastic tulip shipping crates and they sit right on top of the rails of my jet sled bungeed in so they don't move.

 I have seen a guy take two Jet sleds and hinge them together so they fold up like a clam.  

[adkbrookie]

thinking of making my own out of polyester and epoxy. might even turn it into a flip over.

[topher7694]

i built mine out of an old pallet and made a frame of 1 x 3 furring strips. then lined the inside with 1/2 inch foam insulation and 1/8 inch paneling on the outside.    mounted it up on skis..also built a flip top for it so it doubles as a shanty ( like a fish trap design)  I have pics coming soon..

[fishinjim]

This is what I use, set my portable on top and my minnow bucket on the back. Pulls like the cats meow.

[BlackIce]

This is what I use, set my portable on top and my minnow bucket on the back. Pulls like the cats meow.

I like the wheels on the skis.

[wile.e.1]

heres something I made while waiting for ice this year, It slides great on ice or snow.....NOT in parking lots. The wheels are a great idea. I think I'm gonna try out a jet sled, this box is a bit heavy. It is nice to bring anything you want though

[hardwater Rick]

Anyone put skis on your fish trap pro?  I have some old skis and was thinking about
it   if so can you post a pic  thanks Rick

[fishinjim]

The wheels are lawn mower tires, mounted 1/4 inch below the ski's, used carrige bolts double nutted so they dont move in or out. It help's slide across the parking lots and also on glare ice.

[fishinjim]

Anyone put skis on your fish trap pro?  I have some old skis and was thinking about
it   if so can you post a pic  thanks Rick

If I was going to do it I would use carrige bolts and also maybe a 1 by 3 between the ski's and the sled for ground clearence to help it so it doesn't drag snow.

[powderburns]

Wnen i built my sled (no pic's), I used an old pair of water ski's for runners. Works great, pulls easy. I made the width the same as my snomobile as I use it alot up here. with a different hitch (rope) it can be pulled by hand easily. Summer time garage sales are a good place to find water ski's.

[duramaxdan]

got room for the shanty underneath, not sure of layout on top yet. need bait bucket rod holders and so on.

[Captain]

icenewbie,
              I'm telling you I have a sled that I built myself out of wood.  I figured years ago that I needed one...so....I built it.  Well that sled now sits in my cellar and houses all my tip ups from one season to the next.  It has all my tip ups a few pots, pans, utensils, a lantern...etc., but it never comes out on the ice anymore.  You know why?  Because they built the Jet Sled!  That sled slides beautifully, its low to the ground so it doesn't tip over... and I can put everything I need for a day in it.  You can drill holes in the sides and use bungy cords to keep everything contained.  You can buy a cover that goes over the top of everything if the weather turns foul.  Take my word for it....in the amount of time it will take you to build a wooden sled, the wood, screws ...etc.  Just go out and buy yourself the medium size Jet sled....you won't regret it. 

What is a Jet Sled?  Got pictures?

[perchhogslayer]

I think a Jet sled is a brand of hard plastic sled with deep walls to haul a bunch of loose Ice gear. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

[vermonner]

What is a Jet Sled?  Got pictures?

Standard issue Jet sled capable of hauling a lot more gear than a kids red plastic jobbie
It holds my power auger w/no problem in addition to all the other stuff

[esoxmaster]

Deffinately go with the toboggan, the skis are a pain in the a$$ when your in the snow, the toboggan will float nicely right on top, and when your on ice you shouldn't even feel it when you're pulling it.

[dabluz]

I use something similar to a jet sled.  It's much lower and a not quite as wide.  It's 5 feet long and when empty, weighs maybe 1 lb.  It's very easy to pull when fully loaded.  However, when going downhill, I turn it around and let it slide backwards in front of me otherwise, it keeps running into the back of my heels.

I've often used it behind my snowmobile but when it comes time to brake, I need to do that slowly.  It would be easy to install a solid hitch for snowmobiling.  I drilled some holes along the sides that flange outward so that I can hook elastic cords.
 
The nice thing is that it only costs 14 dollars.

[Walltrout]

Nice Duramaxman.  I was thinking of building something very similar to that but ran out of time before the ice hit.  I will do it this summer.  How does the PVC pipe work for you?  Is it sturdy?  Looks a lot lighter than wood

[martenpine]

Jet sled works fine I build an aluminim tongue that bolts to the sled for hauling with a snowmachine.

[perchhogslayer]

Nice Duramaxman.  I was thinking of building something very similar to that but ran out of time before the ice hit.  I will do it this summer.  How does the PVC pipe work for you?  Is it sturdy?  Looks a lot lighter than wood

In cold weather.. (neg temps)  how well will the PVC hold up. I dont' know that I've had much experience with that. PVC looks nice for the frame, but I still might try and find an old pair of skis for the bases. they should hold up to more abuse when dragging across rough ice.

[Walltrout]

I got an old pair of skis I bought just for that purpose.  Metal conduit might be a better option for our MT winters.  Anyone know of a good way to bend that stuff???

[perchhogslayer]

I would think that you would have to bend it around a fairly big fixed object, as smaller objects will cause it to pinch and not bend evenly. I'd try to setup a jig with sawn to the correct diameter wood posts attached to a big piec of plywood?

[taildancer]

In cold weather.. (neg temps)  how well will the PVC hold up. I dont' know that I've had much experience with that. PVC looks nice for the frame, but I still might try and find an old pair of skis for the bases. they should hold up to more abuse when dragging across rough ice.

Hey guys I made one of these also you definitely want the skis on the bottom or you will eventually break the pvc frame.

[capt.shay]

I got an old pair of skis I bought just for that purpose.  Metal conduit might be a better option for our MT winters.  Anyone know of a good way to bend that stuff???

Ummm... how about a conduit bender ?




Here is a good how to site http://www.mikeholt.com/documents/freestuff/BendingRoundRaceways.pdf

[Walltrout]

Ummm... how about a conduit bender ?

Great! I never claimed to have any industrial skills. I'm an accountant!

[lcrep2000]

I bolted runners on my fish trap, the plastic will wear through very easily, also heavy use over bear ice is hard on it as well.