Pop-up/suitcase house transportation

[scottiecoach]

How do you guys transport pop-up, suitcase style houses, if you are not using a trailer? Do you load it on a sled and if so what type?

[Minnetonka]

I use a flip over now, but back when I had a clam 5600 I used to put it in the back of an SUV with the back seat folded down and the house flipped up on its side. Like this I, not like this __.

[scottiecoach]

I'm looking for how to transport it on the lake, without using a vehicle. I've heard of people using sleds but was not sure what kind or type.

[pmcrawler]

I had the same problem with the clam 6800 I have. I finally built a sled with old water skis and 2x4's. Water skis are more stable for towing behind my snowmobile than X-country or downhill skis. Make sure you leave a 6-12" gap between your suitcase and the ground for deep snow!

[DavidH]

Quote:

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I'm looking for how to transport it on the lake, without using a vehicle. I've heard of people using sleds but was not sure what kind or type.

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Can you not just pull it with the rope? That's all I do. Sometimes I spray some WD-40 on the bottom so it slides nicer.

[hoggsback]

I usually pull it out on my Otter sled. I strap it on with a few bungees. I have a Frabill speed shack. That way I can pull out my other gear in the Otter also.

[tisch008]

I just bought this sled at Fleet Farm for my suitcase. It's made of really sturdy plastic, is really long, has a lip on the back so your suitcase won't slide off and has holes along the sides for bungees. I found it by the hunting sleds (camo version) for $30 I think. Then I went to the back of the store and found the same sled for $5 cheaper along with all of the other kids sleds. I kinda like the bright green! I've used it three or four times so far and love it!

My 2 cents.

[frabillfisher]

I had one of the old suitcase styles with the wood floors, heavy sucker not bad on ice but in snow to much for me to pull so i made a frame type sled out of thing square steel pipe it only had to skis so there was less friction and it pulled much much easier...also i made it so it would come apart into 2 seperate pieces

[Hoffer]

tisch008 Hey what was the kind/make of the sled you bought at Fleet that works well?? I have been using an otter sled to pull my clam 5600 - however, I usually put it on top and sometimes by the time I load up the sled there is too much in it for the Clam to sit on top. So, I was thinking of buying a seperate sled just for the clam and then I could fill up the otter with everything else I need. Since you have used yours and like it - and the price sounds right I was just wondering which sled it was that you bought???

Thanks!

[Predator]

Try putting your Clam on a tobaggon and see if that helps. Worked for me on the 6800.

[folke2000]

I made one out of an old pair of snow skis. You can by them cheap at goodwill etc. Then built a frame out of 1x2's, and some manufactured floor joists for legs. It was very light weight, and pulled fine over snow and ice. Probably had $10.00 in it.

[KB]

I just solved this problem about two weeks ago. I took my "tub" sled and built two simple racks out of 1"x1" wood that stand about 16" above the top of the sled. Then just bolted them to the sled with reinforcing pieces of wood on the outside of the sled. I have a 6x8, and it works great. Throw all of your stuff in the sled and toss the portable on top of the racks and anchor it down with one ratchet tie down. The racks will also act as roll bars when I pull the kiddies around the yard in the tub with the snowmobile.

[RoadRunner]

KB, that sounds like a good idea. Care to post a pic or two?

[tisch008]

Hoffer,

I can't remember. All I remeber is i saw it by all of the hunting/ice fishing sleds in camo (probably used for hauling deer). I then went back by the tires and found it in with the kids sleds. It's a long tobaggon (sp) style that's bright green. It's fairly sturdy...I have one of the old suitcase style houses with the wood bottom.

Good luck!

[Hoffer]

KB-

Would love to see a picture too. Now with being able to drive out to most places - its less of an issue - but for next year - I would like to build something like you mentioned.

[KB]

Yeah, I can take a couple of digitals. I don't know how to post the pictures, but will find someone to help me (Chuck?).

[tisch008]

FYI, I saw the camo version of my sled on sale for $25 at Fleet Farm in BP last night.

[Ryan_V]

When I used a suitcase, I went to play it again sports and got a used pair of downhill skis for $9 and built up a sled to haul from there. I think I had a total of about $11 in the whole think when I built it. Sat about 18" off the ground and everything sat on top of the house. Still have the sled, I'm just going to put a base on it now for toting my daughter around the yard in!!

[ChuckN]

Here's KB's sled.