Pulling a Sled behind a Flip Over Portable

[swmndeerhunter]

I keep bring more and more stuff out each time I go fishing and was thinking about pulling a sled behind my frabill portable. I've seen it many times on TV and out on the lake, but haven't heard how they connect them so it doesn't do any harm to the portable. Any one out there done this or have any suggestions on how to do it?

[BartmanMN]

Most people just screw in some eye bolts and connect it up with your choice of strap,rope, or bungee. No worries for sled.

[hovermn]

I bolted a stainless eye bolt to the back of my otter with large fender washers on either side to spread the weight, and an acorn nut to protect my gear from the threads. I worked very well.

[Ed Carlson]

Check these out, they do the job very well, and will not destroy your sled. It's the Universal Rear Hitch Kit, from Digger Anchor Co. They rear hitch kit will run $20.00.

I also have the Digger Anchor Universal Lightweight Tow Hitch kit on the front. $45.00

And this rear Digger Anchor Rear Hitch kit on back of my Frabill Commando.

We can "Wagon train" several shacks with no worries of damage to the sleds.

[Meat-Run]

Ed, hey that's a good fine. I've used two metal plates on the tub for extra support and used an eye bolt, that's what the crew on In-Fish crew do with the otters.

mr

[Ed Carlson]

Yes, that is key.

These kits use wide support plates on the inside of the front and the rear. These kits are made from high grade heave gauge aluminum, half the weight of other all steel hitch systems, and just as strong structurally.

Low weight, high strength, more adaptable, and highly functional.

[Steve Foss]

Most people just screw in some eye bolts and connect it up with your choice of strap,rope, or bungee. No worries for sled.

That's what I did, but also ran a 1x6 inside the rear wall of the tub so the load from the bolt/washer/nut combos was more widely distributed. When the gear load is heavy and/or the pulling conditions hard, there can be a lot of pulling pressure put on those bolt holes if they go through the tub alone.

Basically just used eyebolts, wood, rope and such that I had laying around the shop. I've pulled three heavy tubs in a line on my sled with this setup and no probs.

[harvey lee]

If you have a Otter sled, the holes are in the tub up front to connect a hitch. Otter sells a very nice hitch that fits the tub perfect and will pull forever.

Check it out on the Otter HSOforum. You can see it pictured there and you have to order the hitch to match the sled size.

http://www.otter.com/OtterIceCatalog09-10.pdf

For the Frabil portable, Ed's post shows more than likely the best option for towing. Looks like a nice unit.

I tried the rope method and all it did was wrap around my 4 wheeler tires when I stoped. It also would not tow in a real straight line for me.

[Steve Foss]

Tom, the OP was talking about how best to hook up a sled to the back of his portable so he can tow them both in line.

[JIM C]

I always pull a gear sled behind my Otter, and I usually have another Otter behind the gear sled when I'm fishing with a buddy. You definitely want rigid hitches between everything. Rope, straps, etc., will eventually lead to flipped sleds and busted up gear. Been there, done that.

Here's my version. Two calf sleds from TSC "clam shelled" together with 4 door hinges. I leave the standard pins in the back two hinges, and use removable wire lock pins on the front hinges for easy access.

Refinements include a "transom" inside the back end of the bottom sled corner to corner made from 1/8" aluminum plate, and a simple u-bolt to hitch more sleds to it. I also added some foam topper tape to the upper sled to help seal out any snow or slush.

A Rubbermaid Action Packer fits tight in the back. I use it to haul extra clothes and camera gear. The rest gets filled up a bait bucket, shovel, fish cooler, Coleman stove, and the tip up rocket launcher. Pulls great, works great!

Jim Carroll NPAA #13