Runner Sled for Portable

[bobbers_down]

I have gotten really tired of pulling a heavy portable around the lake, so I decided to make a runner sled out of 2x4's and mount it on a set of old downhill skis. The design seems to work great, and it is perfect size for both my little one man and the big quad portable.

One problem, when I took it out yesterday and went over a couple of two-three foot hills, the bracket popped right off of the ski. I had it held on to the 2x4 and the ski with a corner bracket (L shaped) with short 1/2" screws and construction adhesive (beats the nail)on each 2x4 base. Now I am looking for other ways to mount the 2x4 base to the skis. I would like to keep the bottom of the skis as smooth as possible and not have screws sticking out of them.

Any Ideas? The only thing I could think of is some sort of epoxy that is made to hold better on plastics, especially in cold and wet conditions.

[herefish101]

If you put the screws in from the bottom of the ski just countersink the head flush with the bottom of the ski, you'll never know the difference. Maybe post few pics. I'm wondering how much easier it pulls?

[Oranda]

If you put the screws in from the bottom of the ski just countersink the head flush with the bottom of the ski, you'll never know the difference. Maybe post few pics. I'm wondering how much easier it pulls?

Counter sink is the way to go! I did this a few years back. But I used a metal bead frame. It comes apart and folds up. Great for storing it out of the way. I never had an issue with the screw heads. Use stainless though.

[bobbers_down]

I ended up countersinking 16 bolts into the skis and it works like a charm! I've gotten plenty of use out of it and even put it to the test a couple of times, it works great! Thanks for the input!

[Hoffer]

Boobers down - can you post some pics?

I have been thinking of doing this as well.

However, I would like to mount skis to my Otter sled.

I would add in a 4 inch riser between the sled and the skies. It would all be screwed together with bolts that are countersunk into the bottome of ths skies - and the end of the bolts would be fashioned so they end up in the bottome on the otter sled with some washers. The washer end might end up sticking out a bit in the bottom of the otter sled - but thats fine.

[Jim Almquist]

Just make sure not to drag the sled across tar because it will eat the P-tex. If you think that you will be dragging it you might want to put a strip of UHMW on each ski.

[BuckyBadger]

Boobers down - can you post some pics?

I have been thinking of doing this as well.

However, I would like to mount skis to my Otter sled.

I would add in a 4 inch riser between the sled and the skies. It would all be screwed together with bolts that are countersunk into the bottome of ths skies - and the end of the bolts would be fashioned so they end up in the bottome on the otter sled with some washers. The washer end might end up sticking out a bit in the bottom of the otter sled - but thats fine.

can't link directly to it per the rules here, but you find a followign of these "smitty" sleds on another forum. just do a google search for Smitty Ice sled and you will find a great thread on these.

[bobbers_down]

Hoffer - I will try and get some pictures of it up as soon as I can, I built mine with a 12" riser to avoid deep snow and try to keep the resistance down. I like the idea of the sled being more portable like the one that buckybadger posted. Mine is pretty big and it goes on the roof of the vehicle for travel.

jimalm - What is UHMW? and where would a guy find it?

[Hoffer]

I love the pic of that sled...its very similar to what i want to do. However, i want it on my otter sled - and want it on there permanently. I wont be dragging it on tar etc...

The one question i do have is that I have access to old cross country skis - they are wood and a bit thinner than snow skis. i wonder if these would work - or if I would need to stick with snow skis?

[bobbers_down]

I think the cross country skis will be fine, possibly a bit more flexible. I have also talked to a guy who used old waterskis, he said those worked great as well.

[McGurk]

I'd stay away from wooden skis, as they have more friction in most cases. Plus, they are harder to find relative to the dozens and dozens of used modern downhill skis, which will hold up better anyways. I've used both, and ended up breaking a wooden ski on one of it's first trips out. The modern ones are both stronger and glide better regardless without needing excessive waxing.

If you need to cut them down for length, you may need a grinding wheel instead of a band saw as some of them have a very tough outer edge. Predrill your holes, and countersink your heads. Another hint; the taller you make it, the less snowplowing you'll be doing and the easier it will pull.

[Hardyboy]

Garage sales are wonderful for picking up old used ski's

[LightningBG]

I wonder if Goodwill ever has skis?

I already have an extra pair that will be going into a sled, but trying to think of other places for people.

I got mine and a set for Ebiz sitting next to a garbage can back when I lives in Mpls.

[laughterin]

I have seen em at goodwill. I have also seen at a place called savers in st cloud.

[McGurk]

Also check out second hand sporting goods stores, and ask for the cheapest set they've got or offer to take any freebies off their hands for them.

[ibleedice]

Here are some picures of the sled I made this year. Lumber $14, skies from goodwill $15, being able to go where others can't on the lake PRICELESS!! To attach the skies I simply drilled holes in the bottom of the skies, counter sunk them and screw them on. I only pull this by hand and am not sure how it would hold up being pulled by and atv. Pulls like a champ.

[bobbers_down]

I got the skis for the sled that I built at a gooodwill, I believe they were 6 or 7 bucks. Sorry about not getting the picture up quicker, my camera is being a royal pain in the arse. Hopefully I can get it figured out this weekend and get the pics up.

[bobbers_down]

There is a 12" clearance on the sled, it really makes a difference when trekking through some of the deeper snow. I also attached a deer dragging harness that goes around the waist and shoulders to the rope, I have found it be much easier to pull it this way.