small den modification

[picksbigwagon]

Okay, I have the sled, now how do I make modifications to a sled that is not square and angles "in" in the front of the sled? Do most people use 2x2's on the side of the otter sleds or do you use a full 2x4? I want to make a raised platform since me sitting 10" of the ice is not that comfortable. Thanks for the help.....yes I realize most people buy a sled in the fall and have it ready for the beginning of the season instead of the opposite

[federline]

Plywood is what most people have used. Go here for lots of pictures from the portable mods FM get together last fall.

click here

Keep us updated - I'm thinking of getting the Den tent for my sled, too. I'd like to see what you end up with.

[picksbigwagon]

I have been looking at these pages for the last week. I guess I don't see anyone using a brace under the front of the sled decking (make sense?) I am debating whether to use 5/8" or 3/4" plywood. Yeah I know there is a weight issue, but I don't think 5/8" will hold my big wagon up!

I will take pictures when I finally get started

[hanson]

Have you come across the mod I did for my Otter Den??

I may have to go digging around to find it but there are a number of topics on it from the last few years.

I used plywood (1/2") with no other lumber used as a frame. There just isn't enough room in the sled for extra wood. Its all glued and screwed together and absolutely rock solid. The plywood sides have to be massaged pretty good with a belt sander to get the angle on the bottom and edges of the plywood.

[picksbigwagon]

gimme gimme, I would love to see that, I don't think I have, I will try looking at the 1st port. modification get together

"3minutes later" Okay I found it, do you haul out a gas auger with that sled? I have a jiffy 2hp 9" that I am trying to figure out how I am gonna get it in the sled to haul out there. I noticed you have the otter chair, I don't, I was hoping to incorporate a chair into the decking, but now I think that will be useless. Hope gander has a seat left. I haven't given up my plan yet, but would 1/2 inch plywood hold a person of larger than normal size?

[hanson]

I have hauled my auger on that sled. What I've done is carefully fold the tent down, and then lay my auger on top of the house (sort of behind the seat, but in front of the poles laying on the canvas). The Otter Cover will then fit over the entire thing and it has worked fairly well.

Couple things to consider though...

- The auger is laying on the canvas and it will eventually wear the canvas. My canvas is probably 4 years old but it has some thin areas and some small holes in it now.

- Don't lay hot auger muffler on the sled/canvas either. I was fishing outside and using the den to pull my stuff around. I augered a bunch of holes, and then put the auger "away" so I was ready to move next time. Well the hot muffler landed on my zipper and melted the teeth together. $60 later and a trip to Canvas Craft fixed the zipper.

I do like the little Otter Seat in this sled. Its actually pretty comfy. You can flip the entire bracket and seat up to get at something underneath it. I also think 1/2" plywood would work for a seat base. My Otter Lodge mod is made of 1/2" plywood and I have the seats mounted right on the plywood. No one has fallen through yet!

[picksbigwagon]

Thanks Hanson, I am taking my boys to FF and GM this morning, I will see how much energy I have left to start the Mod's. I don't have a snowmobile or atv so I won't need a cover, I am kicking around the idea of making a rack that stands up above the deck and the canvas, but haven't figured that out yet....

[DEADhead]

Quote:

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I don't have a snowmobile or atv so I won't need a cover

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you still might want to consider a cover. I had one for my house even before I bought my sled. It is nice to keep snow, dirt, dust, rain, etc. out of the house while transporting and also works well at keeping mice and other animals out of the sled during storage. also, you can lay loose items on top of your house and then cover them without having to worry about them falling out or off of the sled.

good luck with the mods!

[picksbigwagon]

It's on the list but not high on the priorities right now. I have a tonneau cover on my truck and this house fits in my truck under the tonneau cover. so it is at the bottom of the list. I did just buy a jump seat for my voyager and I just figured out how to make it work in my den, so now I can take it out tonight fishing after I get: my new license, my new dark house license, time to put it together this afternoon.......Guess I should have done that the last couple of no school days huh? gotta go plug in the lx5 and charge her up. I am going fishing tonight....I will post a picture of the seat modification this afternoon