Pulling Bigger Portables

[eyechaser99]

I dont have a atv and I dont want to risk driving out and I tried pulling my portable out and it was really tough with the snow on top. Anyone know of a easier way to pull a bigger portable?

[iffwalleyes]

Does your portable have hyfax runners under the sled. This would help alot.

[Eric Wettschreck]

work out, lift weights, use a lawn mower, find a friend with an atv.

[hanson]

Like this...

[AQUAJOE]

Hanson that is funny an Arctic Cat so what do you when that breaks down(rumors say that happens alot with that brand) and you need that pulled!!

Might be better off working out!!

(aw come on that was funny)

I have asked this question to many people and the first answer is alway HIFAX. Now I did put them on but agree and disagree with the results.

Here are the Pros and Cons that I see.(I have a clam Voyager)

Pros

1. The HIFAX are there to minimize wear to the tub.

2. They are great for when pulling behind a snowmobile and or 4 wheeler at speed to help it track straight.

3. When pulling by hand on glare ice it is easier.

Cons:

1. Cost

2. Installation sucks by yourslelf and it is even more of a pain if everything is already put together.

3. When pulling by hand on snow they actually act like rudders locked straight and it makes it a pain to turn, spin around and adjust closer to or farther away from the holes you drilled.You have to pickup end by end to adjust or move the whole sled forward and back. Especially with alot of weight in the sled.

The Deer drag harness was the best suggestion given to me. Also spikes or claws for the boots for traction makes night and day diffence when pulling on ice will minimal snow.

Just my .02 cents.

[slicerboy]

i agree - add the runners. I put some on my yukon, what a difference... I can pull like 150# with one hand (the sled weighs about 100 pounds, and my kid is about 40 add the gear... probably closer to 175#

[oil painter]

I have a clam 6800 I pull it out on a sled made out of cross country skis, works great on snow or ice less mass to come in contact with surface.

[eyepatrol]

I was able to buy an already made aluminum tube sled. It has 1/2" (or 3/4"..can't remember) aluminum tubes for the skis and aluminum rods running horizontal between the skis for lateral support. I can put my dad's old wood/canvas 5x7 portable on there, then I stack all my gear on top the flat wood of the portable. Rope is looped around and attached to the front of each tubular ski. Pulls pretty darn easy too, plus it is light weight...ski probably only weighs about 15 pounds or less.

[Jim Hudson]

Always tough pulling those bigger portables by hand... But if it has to be done, there are a few things a person can do. One, as already has been mentioned.. Add some hyfax runners. This will make the shelter track straighter.

#2, Wax the underside of the tub. Just use regular car wax, but do it in a heated garage or just bring the shelter into the house to do this. This will really let you pull easier, and help prevent snow from sticking to the tub. One of the biggest reasons they are hard to pull.

Also, get a deer drag type system or an equivalant. This will allow you to use your entire body to pull and leave your arms to swing normally. Gives you tons more power then putting your hands behind you to grab onto the rope.

And of course, just try to eliminate as much weight as possible!!!

[eyepatrol]

Quote:

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Also, get a deer drag type system or an equivalant. This will allow you to use your entire body to pull and leave your arms to swing normally.

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I second that! First time I tried pulling my portable and gear out I used my hands & arms. They weren't completely exhausted when I got to the spot, but it definitely made drilling more of an effort. Put the rope around your waist...you'll be glad you did!

[Bob Horn]

If the snow is deeper you have to get the shelter off the snow. Skis of some sort are the way to go. I put skis on a shelter a few year back and it made a huge difference. Also as Jim said wax the bottom with car wax, ski wax, anything that will make it more slick.

[tashit]

I thought that the hyfax runners made it harder to pull by hand? I can see how they would help tracking when pulling behind a snowmobile or ATV but mine doesn't have any problems tracking when pulling by hand. Maybe it's because mine weighs 200 lbs when fully loaded?

[BIG DIESEL]

I was kicking around taking my dual shoulder harness off of my golf bag and figuring out a way to clip it to the rope. Should be easy since the clip is already on there. Since I wont be using my golf bag anytime soon figure it might be an easy fix!

[FISHER ED]

I sell custom made hyfax runners to people and one of the first questions I get is "will they make my sled pull easier?" The answer is always "no." They won't make it pull any harder thought either. Hyfax runners are all about the protection of the bottom of your sled and it's tracking ability when being pulled behind an ATV or snowmobile.

To get your sled to pull ,easier give it a good coating of wax. Wax the heck out of the entire bottom of the sled and you will fill in any tiny pores and scratches in the plastic that will create the snow drag.

With all the crusty snow this year it can be really good or really bad. Good if you can keep your sled on top of the hard stuff but if it keeps breaking through the crust, then you had better have had a big bowl of Wheaties that morning

[picksbigwagon]

I took an old pair of down hill ski's screwed a 2x4 sideways on top of the ski's then put cross pieces acrosson top of the 2x4's last weekend we put my voyager on top of it plus a ton of stuff, probably had at least 200 pounds all together, and it pulled very easily by hand.....use downhill ski's. If you want pictures I can try and post them later tonight..........

[art]

I'll second, third the downhill ski deal. Just go to a pawn and get a cheap pair. Mount them to the sled or build a carrier type sled and throw the tub on top. Mine pulls so easily it's ridiculus. No idea what the weight is but well over 150#.

[Old Guide]

picksbigwagon, how about some pics. Thanks Pat

[picksbigwagon]

I need to be at home to take the pictures, and move my ice house off of the sled in the first place....I will try after 4 tonight..........

[metrojoe]

I'd like to see some picks also. I've always wanted to build some sort of sled for my 4x8 suit case style portable.

[McGurk]

PBW has the right idea, get that tub up off the ice and snow. After reading about this idea, I made a 2 part sled that is 2 skis about 7" off the ice with a lightweight cross brace system, and a separate plywood box that both sits snug on the sled and will also sit on top of my suitcase fishhouse which fits on top of the sled. I LOVE IT! Other than the LX3 it is the best thing to have for portable suitcase fishing. Just make sure to lay out all of your gear before making a gear box so it all fits and you don't have wasted space. As far as pulling I ripped apart one of the fall arrest harnesses that come with portable tree stands (had a couple of extras) and reconfigured it to be a pulling harness. The only thing left is that I'm still trying to figure out a way to secure the gas auger. Good Luck! McGurk

[Huck]

When loading your sled, put the heaviest items in the back, minnow bucket, power head on auger etc... This will keep the front of the sled up going over the snow instead of having it sink in.

Huck

[smmurphy]

I have an Eskino Lodge suitcase style that is 110 # and 4x8 when closed, so I made a sled out of gray pvc conduit and a piece of plywood that works great.

[huntingislife]

I made my own runners from 3/4" conduit. They just pop in and out so you can put them in to pull and remove them to fish. It's easier to put them in with an empty sled, unless there is more than one person. All you have to do to remove them is step on them and lift the sled up. This makes it MUCH easier to pull through snow. I don't even know its there on pure ice. Also the deer drag is a must. Here are some pics

[eyechaser99]

I think either the skis or the conduit would work for mine. I have the suitcase style bigger Frabill Xl portable, anyone have this one?

[booshy]

I have been thinking about something since this season is so mild and puling out the Frabill is wearing me out. I actually could use the exercise but it getting old!

Can you send me your picts when ya get a chance

[email protected]

Sounds like a great idea and well worth the price of some old used downhill skis.

After today, I might just have to strap the hockey skates on and pull er out that way!

Thanks