pulling porty with atv

[lutzy]

For those of you that pull your proty with an atv and use a rope through a piece of pipe, how long of pipe do you use? Also do you run both ends of the rope through 1 pipe or each through their own pipe then attach them to the sled? If that makes any sense. I can't spend the $60 for one from clam.

[JSK76]

I never heard of this before but I would think you would go to the far end of the loop of rope on the porty and bend it so it fits through the pipe and then make sure the pipe is the right length so you have enough rope to make a smaller loop to put over the ball hitch. I like this idea because if your pulling buy hand you could just remove the pipe. You might need a coat hanger or something to pull the rope through the pipe.

[FrontenacPike]

This will be my first year pulling my frabill with my new ATV. I'm kinda confused Lutzy, what is the purpose of the design? Any other tips for pulling a porty would be greatly appreciated.

[McGurk]

The purpose of a rigid towbar/tow rope is to keep your house from riding up under your tires and getting the rope wrapped around an axle when slowing down or stopping. I'd say a pipe for each length of rope would be better, resulting in a triangle of sorts. The connection point to your ATV can be a simple loop, though, as long as there's not too much slack.

[FrontenacPike]

Ahh just seen a pic of it, got-cha.

[lutzy]

1 it also keeps the house from hitting the back of the atv when stopping

2 where did you see the pic

[FrontenacPike]

Clam HSOforum...drop down menu (accessories) and then click towing

[lutzy]

o u ment the real one I would like to see a pic of one with rope if someone has one

[thorson]

Take a 10 foot piece of 3/4" metal conduit. Cut it in half. Smash it flat with a hammer or in a vise on the ends about 2". Drill a hole about 3/4" back from the end. Put a heavy duty carabiner in each end. takes 4 carabiners. Put 2 eyebolts in your sled and one on your atv. Been running that system for 8 seasons now. works great. I even pull 2 heavy dudes and all my gear in the sled probably 700 lbs with no problems. Easy to hook up too!

[lutzy]

i LIKE that idea but how did you attach the eyebolt to the atv

[FrontenacPike]

thorson do you have a pic of your rig?

[LakeDocktor]

Here is just something quick that I would do if I wasn't looking at a rigid hitch.

[Northlander]

I seriously recomend a rigid hitch from your houses maker. Better when starting and stopping and doesnt allow as much tipping side to side. They arent too expensive and you can have someone make one even cheaper.

If you do the PVC pipe trick put 1 on each side and a big washer on the end and a big clip to go on the wheeler/sled.

[jeffeg64]

I have tried the rope thru the pipe method. Then I went and bought the hitch.

It does'nt track very well and going downhill or stopping quickly the sled will try to pass you, usually dumping your stuff breaking something that cost more than the hitch, plus ruining your trip. I know they cost too much, but you should have something rigid. Make your own?

[thorson]

I attach the eyebolt on the 4wheeler up on the rack. my suzuki king quad has a tube that sticks up on the rack and I attached it there. I will see if I can find a picture of it. My dad had a purchased hitch that he broke when the sled came around when the ice was clear with no snow and wedged against the tire. Mine will never do that because I am attaching it up above the tires. Also attaching up high gives you better traction and helps lift the front of the sled if it freezes down.

[PerchJerker]

I used to have a DIY towbar very similar to the one thorson described. Couple of buddies and I made them for our portables at the same time.

We used cold rolled metal conduit, probably 3/4", and we used a vise to crush the ends instead of pounding them down with hammers.

We used 2 caribiner clips and attached them to 2 eyebolts that we put in the sled for the portable.

For the other end of the towbars, we bolted them together with 1 long lag bolt, and we ran the lag bolt through a large snap hook.

On the atv hitch we put a clevis hitch, and the snap hook snapped right into the clevis.

It worked great and I used it for many years, ended up selling it with the house.

[lutzy]

Thanks Perchjerker between you and Thorson I am going to copy whay u 2 did. I would think it should be the same as a purchased one, that is ridged and sturdy, and much less expensive.

[Creek Kid]

I tried the pvc + rope idea but they did bend when stopping. I used the 2pc metal conduit idea and it works well. I pounded them flat, drilled a hole to accept quick links. The edges were very sharp. Rr rounding off the flattened ends helps. When you stop they can cut into the sled. Another remedy is to use a oversized fender washer or a large metal plate of some sort behind the eye bolts on the sled. Also, make sure to make the bars long enough. My first attempt were too short and clipped my tires when turning sharp. Just some things to consider.