Snow skis on a portable sled?

[Mistermojo]

Has anyone played with putting snow skis on the bottom of their portable's sled? I have a Fish Trap Guide and it pulls OK, but thinking if there's an easier way to go, skis may work? Also thinking the metal edges on the skis may help keep it from sliding around like when I was out on Mille Lacs during the gale force winds a week ago on glare ice.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[cavalierowner]

That's what I did to pull my CanvasCraft 4' x 8' suitcase portable. The house folds to a 4' x 4' and sits behind a 2' x 4' box with sides that holds all my gear and then some. All this is mounted on a pair of old downhill skis that I took the bindings off of. The only materials I had to buy was a 2'x4'x1/4" plywood, 3: 2x4x4' and 2: 1x8x8'. It pulls very easily right now. The only thing I don't know is how well it will pull in a lot of snow because the cross members are only 1-1/2" above the skis. If I knew how to attach a picture I would.

[Woody Erickson]

Mojo,

I just added downhill skis to my Frabill Guardian sled. I should have done it years ago to my FT Guide that I had also. It pulls so much easier by hand now, which has been handy this year.

I found a pair of the older style skis, straight ones. Can get them for free since everyone wants the shaped skis now.

First I bolted four 10-12 inch 2x2's to the bottom, kinda like this:

After drilling hole for bolt, I used a spade bit so the bolt head and washer were below surface of 2x2.

I then screwed the skis to the 2x2's. Drill small hole for screw, then use a larger drill bit for counter-sinking:

Sorry for the crude drawings, I don't have any pictures yet.

So far so good for me!

[Mistermojo]

Thanks Woody - what kind of screws did you use for the skis and bolts for the 2x2's?

[simple1]

I made a base from PVC pipes and skis for hauling my suitcase tent around... I just have not used it for a few years. Works good though and light.

Simple1

[Gekhang]

anyone ever thought of just waxing the bottom of the portable? the same kind of wax you would use on skis and snowboards. was going to try this but havent had a chance to get out yet.

[Reservoir Dawg]

I won't go fishing with out my ski's under my shack. I just have a few 4x4x12" blocks screwed to the top of the skis.When I get on the ice I just slide the ski's under the sled and away I go. I do have eye bolts on the tips of the skis and a short rope that attaches to the front of the sled to keep the sled from sliding off.

When there is no snow I use the ski's to hold the flaps down to the ice.Where I go fishing it's a 1/2 walk so making it easier to pull the sled really makes a big difference.

[Tipupdown]

+1

I made a base from PVC pipes and skis for hauling my suitcase tent around... I just have not used it for a few years. Works good though and light.

Simple1

[Woody Erickson]

Thanks Woody - what kind of screws did you use for the skis and bolts for the 2x2's?

I had some 1 3/4 - 2" stainless bolts / washers / nylone lock nuts laying around. 3/8 " diameter if I remember right (I will check though).

I used these type of screws - #8 Cabinet Screws 1 1/2":

I found them at an Ace Hardware. I like them since they are fairly low profile and have a washer built in. The washer is nice because most skis you will find have a foam core, so the washer will compress the foam nicely down to the aluminum base.

I recommend using a drill press when attemting to counter-sink for the screw head, so the drill bit doesn't grab and pull the bit through the whole ski.

If you find a better process, let me know.

[art321]

Got my skis from Goodwill for about $6.00. Drilled through the skis and mounted to 2x6 risers that attached to the 1/4 inch Plywood deck. Smoothed over the holes in skis with whatever you want just to make it streamlined. Gave me some clearance for deeper snow. The lake I fish is pretty popular and some guys would be loaded up and hauling out to "the hole" before I was even out of the truck. With the skis I would pass them on the way out. Effortless. Even with all my gear and my 2 kids sitting on it snapping the rope telling me to "MUSH!!!!! MUSH!!!!" And by kids I mean more gear too. You know what I mean.