Portable Pulling

[masker]

What are people using on the bottoms of portables to reduce friction in this snow? I have an otter and have used ski wax, pledge and silicone spray. Anyone have any better suggestions. (Trying to avoid a major heart attack)

[mnfishman]

Best thing I ever did was buy a runner kit for my Eskimo QFII. Before I put the runner kit on it would pull like a bear across the ice and snow. With the kit it actually will run into the back of my legs if I am not careful.

The only other thing that would help is a 4 Wheeler.

[addictedjerry]

oh man, glad to hear i'm not the only one. i went out last night, i could hardly walk this morning. i thought it was just me being out of shape.

[slipperybob]

put the portable in a sled that's if you have a suitcase style one.

[Pleasant]

I put an old pair of cross country ski's under mine and like said earlier I have to be careful or it runs me over.

Lynn J.

[Dean Schellinger]

Yeah, you can easily make a little sled with skis to go underneath it. Hasn't been as much of an issue in recent years due to the lack of snow. We have a couple of snowmobilies and picked up a quad this year too. Less walkin, more fishin!!

[sjburnt]

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[Keith_MN]

Also, don't allow the bottom of your sled to get wet (easier said than done I know.) In the cold weather any moisture and snow combination will instantly freeze to the bottom of your sled turning it into sand paper.

[joneshat11]

I know I'm going to get shot for typing this on this site, but anyways. Weight is the number one reason why people don't move to better spots while fishing or don't make an attempt to go the best spot. With these mods people are putting into the Otters and other portables it is adding to much weight to move in snow effectivly. So the best way to make it easier pulling the sled is to reduce the most weight you can. That's why houses like the scout are the best and easiest to fish out of.

[Sandmannd]

I agree, the mods make the heavy. Mine is pretty heavy. I put hyfax on it and it helps, but with the snow it sucks. I recomend taking a buddy to pull it out for ya, right Kingfisher?

[irvingdog]

Here-here joneshat11!!! I see the mods, and it makes me salivate. How cool! How fun! How Heavy???

I keep my gear in a couple of leightweight tubs that pack nicely into my Guide. The tubs can be nice to have out on the lake, by the way. I've used them as windbreaks, tables, taking fish home, etc.... Even with a quad or sled (I use an old 3 wheeler) I like to keep my sled light for quick hole-hopping.

Don't get me wrong. I love you guys displays of creativity and craftsmanship; but I'm a lightweight backpacker who tries to approach hunting and fishing with the same attitude.

[Sutty]

I have some old downhill ski's I have been meaning to attach. I would imagine it would be easy to find some cheap used ones as well.

[so haaad]

Try adding snowmobile wear strips as runners. You can put them on any house, even the Frabils. And they are only like $8 or so. You just dril and countersink the head a little, and you are set. I put them on my Fish Trap Guide, and found them at Fleet Farm.

[Grant Pearson]

Sandmannd, all I have to say is "Tag, you're it!!!" Your turn to drag it out!!! I think I might have to go get the 4 wheeler if the old man will let me!!!

[so haaad]

Here's my version of an Otter Den modification. My goals were:

1) Keep it lightweight

2) Elevate the seat for my long legs

3) Maintain access to entire tub for storage

4) Add comfy seat

5) Secure minnow bucket

6) Side "shelf" for snacks, beverage, tackle bag, etc (In front of bucket).

[DzNuts]

Quote:

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Here-here joneshat11!!! I see the mods, and it makes me salivate. How cool! How fun! How Heavy???

I keep my gear in a couple of leightweight tubs that pack nicely into my Guide. The tubs can be nice to have out on the lake, by the way. I've used them as windbreaks, tables, taking fish home, etc.... Even with a quad or sled (I use an old 3 wheeler) I like to keep my sled light for quick hole-hopping.

Don't get me wrong. I love you guys displays of creativity and craftsmanship; but I'm a lightweight backpacker who tries to approach hunting and fishing with the same attitude.

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I love mine, I kept weight in mind the entire time I was building but figured out in the end I now NEED a wheeler or sled. I am proud of my sled and wouldn't take it back since I had fun building it and learning. But next time it will be all about weight. Not that the Otter quick flip 3 was light before...

[McGurk]

Well, my first report of pulling an Otter Cabin with all my gear and a mod. I don't think pulling this pig will be much of an option in any deeper snow by hand, without a snow-ski lift to stop it from plowing. I know, I know: extra weight. But the route I have chosen to fish is to have a second person in the house, so a trap or a den is out of the question. I do have an ATV at my disposal, but the lakes I want to try do not allow ATV's.

I used to have a speed shack that was even worse to pull, so I took a pair of downhill skis and made a lightweight frame that carried the house and lifted it about 6". I tried old wooden skis first; DON"T USE THEM! Pay the 10 bucks to get some waxed-bottom downhill castoffs from a used gear store somewhere. Also, mount the pull rope to the frame and don't use the house's rope. The whole thing consisted of less than 16' of 1x4 for the frame, 2' of 2x4 for legs, and some scrap 1/4" luan to square up the legs and strengthen the corners. I had some pictures, but I can't find them, and I sold the house and ski sled together. I did make one for my father in law that he loves. His best Christmas present ever.

[Shack]

I have not had my mod. out on lake (with slush) yet, but have pulled around by hand in front yard area. Its a pull, but not all that bad. For me, pretty much the same as before I did the update this year. I started out with a heavy mod. the day after I purchased cover and is been the mark of weight ever since. I placed heavy items to back of sled and I think this helps with plowing of front. After a path is made, it gets even easier. Look for the trails heading out and things will go easier.

I can not wait to use it this weekend. I will be pulling out with snowmobile though.

If you look at the last 10 years of early ice and even late ice, this year is a fluke. Its rare, but I figure next year will be back to normal.

Like me, if you are going out to find them, hole hope outside with flasher. Find fish then move. If not do like others guys do, buy the single man units and slighty mod those. Once ATV and sowmobiles are safe riding, the use of the mod. out weighs the weight.

[Hotspotter]

Quote:

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know I'm going to get shot for typing this on this site, but anyways

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No way! I'm with you! At the same time, I do a fair amount of hand-dragging my sled also. That said, I think the reason alot of guys mod theirs out is because it's always behind an ATV or snowmobile. Weight is much less of an issue then.

Just about any 2-man shack IMO, once loaded down with auger, electronics, bait, propane, etc. is going to be too heavy for the avg. guy to drag any longer distance. I think that's just a reality of the design/materials. For those types of situations, smaller one-man flip-over style shacks are the ticket. Add lots of snow to the equation, and I think this is doubly true.

Joel

[fishinJohn]

Yeah, I bought my first shanty ever and decided before I used it that having compartments would be nice as would raising the seat height. I took it out for my first trial and it took all of my effort to get it 30 or 40 feet from shore. The first chance I had I took all the wood off. Since then I can get around a little better but it is still tough to pull through snow. I even go without the 20 lbs of propane and the big buddy. I think I will try pulling with just the heater and 1 lb canisters but this has seriously impacted my site selection. It's not easy finding a good balance; I may try the ski route before I give up too many things. Where I live you have to have huge floats on your wheelers or sleds and they have to be certified. Maybe in a couple years... I would rather have a little boat.

[schweady]

Hauled the Otter Cabin about .25 mile last night. No additional mod, just the 2 seats and the usual stuff. Wasn't looking forward to the pull through all that snow, but it was pretty solid with just the occasional bust-throughs, so not so bad. Could be my imagination, but hauling by hand seemed easier since installing the hyfax last spring. ??

[Glockwinger]

I installed my hyfax from Thorne Bros that I bought at the ice fishing show and it does make a difference, especially over bare ice, but also on hard packed snow.

[DzNuts]

Does anyone use a 3 wheeler to pull there portable around with? How does it work out for you?

[McGurk]

Yeah, I used an old Yamaha 225dx yesterday to bull an Otter cabin with hyfax filled with gear and a guy riding on the sled, and didn't have any problems (yet). There wasn't a lot of snow to go through and there were packed trails already. I used it last year to pull my permanent, too. It was a struggle, but worked just fine blowing through about 6" of snow along the way. Chains are probably a good idea.

[Dog_Fish]

I pull my cabin all winter, I don't have a sled, wheeler or 4x4. I made a harness out of an old backpack and attach it to the portable. works great plus I have both hands free if I need them.