Author Topic: Gear Sled Ideas (Read 3064 times)

baboosicfisherman · « **on:** Feb 12, 2015, 03:02 PM »

I purchased a snowmobile for ice fishing and i was wondering what people preferred to haul their gear in. I have a jet sled but that doesn't do the best at hauling people. The question i have is whether people have their sleds towed from behind their machine or whether they use a the same idea behind a hitch and trailer. I guess i don't know which works better, having all the weight on the snow and the sled has to overcome a lot of friction to get the sled moving or having the "tongue" of the sled rigidly attached to the back of the machine so it acts more like a trailer than a skid. What have people experienced works best?

thanks!

nixstyx · « **Reply #1 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 03:59 PM »

I'm not sure I completely understand the question, but I do know that if you want to tow people, you need a rigid hitch. Was "talked to" by a warden a couple weekends ago before we installed ours. He was very nice about it, but made it clear we needed one if we wanted to haul people.

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #2 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 04:05 PM »

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #3 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 04:06 PM »

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #4 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 04:09 PM »

I built this it has a stiff tow hitch in the front carries an extra guy mush style and all your gear I had an old truck box i used has a built in light ,live well ,Murphy fold down cook table ,carries my brother he's 245

baboosicfisherman · « **Reply #5 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 07:30 PM »

Thanks guys. How does that tow? Are the skis 1x6? So that style is dragged behind a machine, has anyone towed the caboose style that has half the weight balanced on the hitch?

SALMONEMIA · « **Reply #6 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 07:38 PM »

Quote from: fisherhawk55 on Feb 12, 2015, 04:09 PM

I built this it has a stiff tow hitch in the front carries an extra guy mush style and all your gear I had an old truck box i used has a built in light ,live well ,Murphy fold down cook table ,carries my brother he's 245

Ive ridden on this, its a sweet ride, its like being on a dog sled.

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #7 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 07:59 PM »

The skis are 1x6 they are made of composite and I added a ski strip to the bottom ,the stiff tow bar attaches by pins for my wheeler when I want to pull it by hand I switch to the rope the next thing I want to add to it is a folding fish house that attaches to the side any way you can buy a dog sled and add a hinge box for gear or buy a metal one that cabelas sells but is very heavy you can also make a big jet sled into a mush sled or seat set for a second person

CA1492 · « **Reply #8 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 08:00 PM »

Nicely buit sled. Did you make the handle bars?

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #9 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 08:14 PM »

Yes I bent them using a electrical pipe bender3/4 and pipe foam for grip

xjma · « **Reply #10 on:** Feb 12, 2015, 09:09 PM »

My brother has a similar setup for an ice fishing box, just a truck box on some old skis, no handles, not quite as fancy as the one above but does the trick for sure. Two guys can sit on top while it's being towed....handle bars would be nice. We have had three 200+ lb. guys on it at a time but the guy on the back fell off and was left for dead, hehe.

I think I understand your question, and generally nobody puts any weight on the tongue of a snowmobile hitch. You could tow 500# or more, with two people on the sled, generally no problem with a snowmobile. Obviously some sleds can pull more than others. Good skis on the sled, no issue. I use my jet sled XL to get wood from my stacks to my back door, loaded over the sides, my 550 pulls it like it's not even there.

ice fisher · « **Reply #11 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 04:34 AM »

nice piece of equipment .

stompa13i · « **Reply #12 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 06:10 AM »

Quote from: baboosicfisherman on Feb 12, 2015, 03:02 PM

I purchased a snowmobile for ice fishing and i was wondering what people preferred to haul their gear in. I have a jet sled but that doesn't do the best at hauling people. The question i have is whether people have their sleds towed from behind their machine or whether they use a the same idea behind a hitch and trailer. I guess i don't know which works better, having all the weight on the snow and the sled has to overcome a lot of friction to get the sled moving or having the "tongue" of the sled rigidly attached to the back of the machine so it acts more like a trailer than a skid. What have people experienced works best?

thanks!

When I am carrying a lot of gear or additional people (kids) I will use this setup...Somebody can stand on the back of the sleigh. Can sit inside but will get snow kicked up on you

I got this one from Cabelas right after they opened in Scarborough. Don't think they sell them anymore though. Can find them online if you look around. Not that expensive...about the same as a large jet sled.

jethro · « **Reply #13 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 09:26 AM »

Quote from: nixstyx on Feb 12, 2015, 03:59 PM

but I do know that if you want to tow people, you need a rigid hitch.

If you wanna haul anything with a machine you need a rigid hitch, even just gear. It's in the OHRV regs and honestly is a good idea no matter what. Even pulling a bobhouse you are supposed to have a rigid hitch. I use an XL Jetsled and love it. I have had 2 adults in it in a pinch. I frequently have 250-300 lbs of gear in it and have pulled it miles to get to remote spots.

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 03:09 PM »

Quote from: stompa13i on Feb 13, 2015, 06:10 AM

When I am carrying a lot of gear or additional people (kids) I will use this setup...Somebody can stand on the back of the sleigh. Can sit inside but will get snow kicked up on you

I got this one from Cabelas right after they opened in Scarborough. Don't think they sell them anymore though. Can find them online if you look around. Not that expensive...about the same as a large jet sled.

go to a auto store buy a rubber car mat zip tie it to the back of your quad or snowmobile to stop snow spray

800stealth · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 05:23 PM »

Cool setup Fisherhawk... I could just picture putting one of my buddies to the test at 70 across the ice... will he hang on or will he tuck and roll lmao.

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 06:48 PM »

thanks for the nice comment, but at 70 mph he would have to change his underware afterwards, I did add a foot brake to keep it safe or slow it down if it breaks loose .never had it at 70

DU4LIFE · « **Reply #17 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 06:50 PM »

I just picked up the pelican snow trek 82 http://www.pelicansport.com/en/products/utility-sleds/snow-trek-sport-82 . I t comes with a real nice rigid mount, and is rated for 700lbs. It just came today and it is a beast. I am very confidant it would haul a full grown man and some. It will probably hold more than my snowmobile will tow.

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #18 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 07:27 PM »

It's all fiberglass it comes with a stiff steel hitch in good shape no cracks ,big boggan by Equinox it's a big sled fish creek sales sells them

hardwaterNH23 · « **Reply #19 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 08:44 PM »

heres what i did . stole some ideas from this site and used downhill skis and some leftover plywood . pulls nice and can carry gear plus a 220 lb guy pulling another sled behind him on top of deep snow

baboosicfisherman · « **Reply #20 on:** Feb 13, 2015, 08:58 PM »

Awesome ideas, thanks everyone. I have a sled exactly like the bottom one in the pelican link a couple posts back. I think using bent conduit to create a dog sled style is what I will end up doing. I like the rubber mat idea too. Thanks!

IceGrizz · « **Reply #21 on:** Feb 14, 2015, 05:42 AM »

I figured why not share mine since everyone has....
This is one I made a few years back. Slides like buttah on snow and ice. I don't a have a snowmobile so I had pulled it by hand up until a couple weeks ago. The deep snow was too much for me to pull it through. It could easily have a rigid hitch mounted to it.
Since I've bought a jet sled I'd be willing to part with it.
My auger fits right on top and is secured with two bungees. Bait bucket in the front and room for a lunch cooler next to it. And tons of room inside for all my gear. And covered so the snow doesn't get all over my gear.

fisherhawk55 · « **Reply #22 on:** Feb 14, 2015, 03:01 PM »

Ice grizz nice sled ,I betcha that Eskimo auger runs like a top how old is that?

fishingidjit · « **Reply #23 on:** Feb 14, 2015, 04:02 PM »

Quote from: stompa13i on Feb 13, 2015, 06:10 AM

When I am carrying a lot of gear or additional people (kids) I will use this setup...Somebody can stand on the back of the sleigh. Can sit inside but will get snow kicked up on you

I got this one from Cabelas right after they opened in Scarborough. Don't think they sell them anymore though. Can find them online if you look around. Not that expensive...about the same as a large jet sled.

Stompa has got the right sled and the back and sides fold down and in for storage/transport.

PoolGuy · « **Reply #24 on:** Feb 14, 2015, 04:45 PM »

Quote from: stompa13i on Feb 13, 2015, 06:10 AM

When I am carrying a lot of gear or additional people (kids) I will use this setup...Somebody can stand on the back of the sleigh. Can sit inside but will get snow kicked up on you

I got this one from Cabelas right after they opened in Scarborough. Don't think they sell them anymore though. Can find them online if you look around. Not that expensive...about the same as a large jet sled.

If anyone is looking for a sled like stompa13i has pm me. My father in-law has one he's looking to get rid of...

IceGrizz · « **Reply #25 on:** Feb 14, 2015, 05:27 PM »

Quote from: fisherhawk55 on Feb 14, 2015, 03:01 PM

Ice grizz nice sled ,I betcha that Eskimo auger runs like a top how old is that?

Runs like a champ and cuts holes like buttah. I like watching the guys with their brand new Jiffy 10's struggle to get 'em started, after I'm cut and set. And drilling 15 more to work my jigs down.
As far as the age of it, you tell me.... I can find no info on it. It's an "Eska-Mo" model 2000. My guess is the 70's. Although I've been told 60's. Either way, reliable and wouldn't part with er.

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Author Topic: Gear Sled Ideas (Read 3064 times)