Smitty sled help...

[snow snake]

 If looking for "Cheap" skis
try Salvation Army  Stores
if you have any stores near you
I have gotten them there
last pair was $ 10.00
or maybe second hand stores?
good luck
snow snake

[Unclegillhunter]

If looking for "Cheap" skis
try Salvation Army  Stores
if you have any stores near you
I have gotten them there
last pair was $ 10.00
or maybe second hand stores?
good luck
snow snake

See them on CL once in awhile.
Keep it safe! JDL

[bigfoot86]

A lot of good ideas.  Thank you to everyone.

[ndfisher]

Cross country skis will work also, maybe not as well but still better than pulling a tub without any at all.

[JohnJ1981]

I thought about ordering the kit and building one, but having a hard time finding an old pair of downhill skis. They are not real plentiful in Des Moines IA.

Do you have a play it again sports store? That’s where I got mine. Or if you have a local ski shop/resort???

[JohnJ1981]

I thought about ordering the kit and building one, but having a hard time finding an old pair of downhill skis. They are not real plentiful in Des Moines IA.

Also someone on here suggested water skis too. They are wider and will float on the snow better. Never tried it but that is an option as well.

[Iceassin]

I thought about ordering the kit and building one, but having a hard time finding an old pair of downhill skis. They are not real plentiful in Des Moines IA.

Got mine on FB marketplace in my area. Usually a little more than you'd pay at Goodwill, etc. but they are plentiful.

[Dave R]

Got mine on FB marketplace in my area. Usually a little more than you'd pay at Goodwill, etc. but they are plentiful.

I've been looking on ours. Even posted an ISO.

[Brozy21]

How long of a ski do you need?

I found a cheap pair but the are about 6" shorter than my tub.

[Iceassin]

How long of a ski do you need?

I found a cheap pair but the are about 6" shorter than my tub.

Should be ok. How long is your tub?

[spoofhoundicefisher]

the last few i found i found at antique malls.  just have to get in and walk around.  i took my boys and was on a mission to find a set and divide and conquer.  actually at the big antique mall up in des moines.  good luck.

[rdhammah]

I used 2x8, reg. pine is fine. yes you can do carriage bolts for easy removal and breakdown [galv].  bottom of skis stainless screws to upper 2x8.
notch top of 2x8 for 1x4 or 2x4 for the tub to sit on.

what he said, but I use 2x6 uprights

[Chris338378]

I used T-nuts for my carriage bolts; washer on top, t-nut on bottom. Remember that the notch in the riser has a lot of torque when turning. So you may want to be sure your risers are longer and put a metal strap on the ends of the cross piece to keep the ends from splitting or extend the cross piece beyond the riser. Also, consider how wide you are making your Smitty. Mine is wide enough to fit my sled and my hub side by side.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Hardware-Fasteners-Nuts-T-Nuts/N-5yc1vZc2a4?mtc=SEM-B-F_D25H-G-D25H-Multi-Multi-NA-NA-ETA-NA-NA-DSA&cm_mmc=SEM-B-F_D25H-G-D25H-Multi-Multi-NA-NA-ETA-NA-NA-DSA-71700000032381673-58700003840805524-39700030713366846&gclid=Cj0KCQiAl5zwBRCTARIsAIrukdNhNXUvZKjJCvTkcyRquy2LT1sStJx_t3Ma9g6azmo1IMPM1knR_90aAgh7EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

What size bolts did you use?  I was thinking of going with 3/8" or 1/2".  What I did on my risers to keep them from splitting in front or behind the cross pieces is I ran two 3" deck screws down into the risers from the top in front and behind the cross piece notch. 

[JohnJ1981]

Should be ok. How long is your tub?

Just a thought about that post you’re replying to: (correct me if I’m off base here, I’m just a character  if the skis are shorter than the tub make sure they sit forward from the tub by a few inches. Essentially have the bulk of the weight to the back. That is if it’s not too short like by a couple feet!?!?

[Iceassin]

Just a thought about that post you’re replying to: (correct me if I’m off base here, I’m just a character  if the skis are shorter than the tub make sure they sit forward from the tub by a few inches. Essentially have the bulk of the weight to the back. That is if it’s not too short like by a couple feet!?!?

I concur 👍

[lynng]

What size bolts did you use?  I was thinking of going with 3/8" or 1/2".  What I did on my risers to keep them from splitting in front or behind the cross pieces is I ran two 3" deck screws down into the risers from the top in front and behind the cross piece notch.

3/8 x 4 1/2”. Deck screws are a good idea. As I mentioned, I also put flat braces on the ends of the cross pieces.

[LSHD69]

My first build was pine and scrap lumber that I had lying around. I found the build to be heavy overall and a bit cumbersome to assemble and disassemble. I ended up rebuilding it with 1" PVC which I like a lot. It is light and strong, friction fits for easy set up and take down, and for the more permanent joints, I just used small self-tapping screws rather than glue so that I can easily change things around if I decide something is not working.

Bearnoob I like your setup. I had drawn up a similar design but with square aluminum tubing. What did you use to mount the pvc to the skis?