My homemade 8x8 suitcase hauler (warning lots of pics)

[Jim Almquist]

This is what I made to haul my big portable around that is used as a base camp.The front of the skis are reinforced in case you run into a slush hole so they won't break. I found out the hard way on Cutfoot and snapped the tips off. The floor that is on top drops in and is made of 1/4 plywood on both sides with 2" pink foam in the center. The weird cutouts are for a 30,000 BTU vented can heater. This year I plan on trying it with Insultex but in the past I have just put old sleeping bags across the ceiling to help hold in the heat. I have slept in it when it has been 20 below and was fine but the Insultex should make it better. I use pins and 1" aluminum tube that I flattened and drilled so when it is attached to the snowmobile it will stop when I do. If the snow and ice are good I will just strap my Otter to the top with all my stuff in it.

[Shack]

Very nice Jim!

Looks great!

[Sandmannd]

Great job!!

[croixflats]

Very nice! I think that will my project for tomorrow if I'm not fishing.

I was thinking of buying a inexspenive trailer from northern equipment for hailing the avt and hinging the side rails down as so it will ride on the top rail rather than the tires. Also putting skis on the top rail just gotta find some cheap water skis

[elkrivermn]

Fantastic work! Thanks for sharing!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Jim, dude...........your garage is WAY too clean.

[bgreen82]

how heavy is that guy, easy to pull?

[Lure Lightning]

Nice set up and thanks for the pics..

[Jim Almquist]

how heavy is that guy, easy to pull?

If you were on good flat ice with only a couple of inches of snow you could pull it by hand with no problem. The sled only weighs around 25 to 30 pounds I am guessing. It is all aluminum with stainless nuts and bolts. It was pretty much made with a drill,vise,hacksaw,ruler,file and a hammer. I will add some UHMW to the bottom of the skis. It has lasted me 12 years and only had to be rebuilt once and that was the slush hole incident. I always tow it with my snowmobile.

[minnbowhunter]

Looks good, the only thing I would add are soft plastic covers where the bolts stick thru, I found them at the hardware store when I built my grandkids swingset/playhouse. Don't want to get a rip in your Ice Armour suit.