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QUOTE (ICEDOG @ Jan 24, 2016 - 06:26 pm)
I put the chain and carabiner on the front wheels aswell…incase you have to reverse.
Great idea with the wheels!! I might try to rig something up.
Does anyone use a tow bar of some kind? I was worried that the rope would try to pull the skiis together so i use a piece of PVC pipe to make up a bar of sorts.
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Nice job Icedog👍 I also thought about wheels. Was going to drill holes right through the ski's and put castor wheels with bolts up through and attach with easily removable wing nuts. I decided the build is cheap and easy enough that when I wear out the skis I will just get new ones or maybe make an all new sled. Actually hope to have a machine to pull all my crap by that time. Lol.
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FTR, I used my Smitty for the 1st time yesterday and am kicking myself for not building one years ago. What a difference, I was pulling 100lbs of gear for about a minute with only two fingers. Well worth the few $ and times investment.
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QUOTE (Shawarma @ Jan 25, 2016 - 07:38 pm)
That's an interesting setup for sure, ICEDOG. Well done! Have you test driven it yet?
I've been using them for the past 2 seasons. They work great…I hide them at the access point to the lake. No need to drag them around all day. The skis stay in great shape.
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had all my gear and my 5 year old in the sled on saturday, id guess at least 150lbs in total pulled like nothing. (too slippery for him to walk dont have cleats for him yet)
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Craig, I see you've attached the tow rope to the ski tips. I have seen that recommended before but I'm not sure what the argument for it is. The way I see it, the closer you can get the rope to horizontal the better----that way you are not trying to lift you load, just tow it behind you. Maybe the way you've done your X bars won't allow you to do that?
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QUOTE (Knuguy @ Feb 25, 2016 - 07:15 pm)
Craig, I see you've attached the tow rope to the ski tips. I have seen that recommended before but I'm not sure what the argument for it is. The way I see it, the closer you can get the rope to horizontal the better----that way you are not trying to lift you load, just tow it behind you. Maybe the way you've done your X bars won't allow you to do that?
Hey Harold, I had always planned on putting through the tips but originally had the knots under the ski tips. After reading some advice I decided to put the knots on the top of the tips. The reason is the in deeper snow or slush, the knots underneath add extra drag and pick up clumps of wet snow. FTR, I never planned to attach to the cross pieces. i am sure however I could by just drilling and adding eye bolts or even put the rope right through. Not a fan of doing so as it would put a lot of pressure on the joint and sideways pressure on the legs that could cause them to crack or break. My sled tows like a dream compared to the old and actually I would rather have the ropes lower and be able to lift the front over obsticals when necessary. I will say the only thing I am not used to is it seems to not want to take sharp turns. I think the edges or the ski's bite in a bite since they don't lean like they would for a skier. I just plan my turns a little farther in advance but if I want to turn sharp I can lift a bit with the rope while pulling.
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QUOTE (Knuguy @ Feb 25, 2016 - 07:15 pm)
Craig, I see you've attached the tow rope to the ski tips. I have seen that recommended before but I'm not sure what the argument for it is. The way I see it, the closer you can get the rope to horizontal the better----that way you are not trying to lift you load, just tow it behind you. Maybe the way you've done your X bars won't allow you to do that?
I have done the same thing on my sled after having it attached to the frame area. It actually makes pulling easier because it digs lees in drifts and hills.
Also, I dont use the rope supplied for pulling it when walking. I attach a way longer, like 20FT rope. Not sure how to explain it right, but at that length, you are not pulling the sled by the 2 sides but by one single line of resistance. You will not have uneven drag on each side, but rather one from the rope.
This and a backpack or towing harness makes it so much easier it is silly. The backpack keeps your hands free so you can have a normal walking motion.