Best sled for towing behind Snowmobile/ATV

[Pickelfarmer]

Just wondering what Sled everyone likes for towing behind your snowmobile or ATV. I just got a snowmobile this year and from the looks of it I will be useing it alot this year out on the lake. This question can be for home made style sleds as well.I guess the design of the sled is more what I'm asking about not brand. I.E. Type of front,size,heigth of sides,Runners(if any)type of hitching system to whatever your towing it with,weight of sled?

[BoxMN]

I have a medium and magnum sized otter sled (just to give you sizes). I tow them both behind my snomo. I have an Otter brand rigid hitch on one, and I use a homemade rope and PVC "semi-rigid-hitch" for the other.

Night and day, the "real" rigid hitch is much better, and I will probably be getting another to replace the homemade. The homemade one keeps in line for the most part, and prevents it from coming forward into the snomo or other sled, but it really is squirrely when being towed, at least compared to the brand hitch.

I use hyfax kits on both, and that certainly helps.

Good luck and have fun with the sled!

[Pickelfarmer]

where do you buy a rigid hitch from? Is it something that will fit any kind of system? Also, what kind of a hitching system hooks to the sled/ATV? I mean is it a pin kind of hitch or something else?

[Sandmannd]

It connects with a pin. I got mine off of C-List. There are a lot of stores you could get them from. Not sure if he carries them or not, but look at pro fishing supply.

[Dead-C-Force]

Most snowmobile dealers will sell the hitch part you will need for your snowmobile, or check with Dennis Kirk up off 35 north of the cities. I had one on my Arctic Cat, it bolted-clamped to the rear bumper grab handle, and worked very well.

Like the other Gent said, get an Otter sled. They have any size you might want, and they have a good quick release semi rigid hitch system that just pins to the back of your snowmobile or ATV. They sell hard plastic runners if you really want to get some extra service out of the bottom of your sled, really a good idea. Otter Outdoors, or what ever they are called, is a Minn. company, located out near Maple Plain on 55. You can call them, place an order, they will ship or you can drive out and pickup. Nice to patronize a Minn. company.

There are other cheaper sleds, and lighter duty than an Otter. I will say you get what you pay for, and we all have to buy what we can afford. But some of the sleds that are not Otters are sort of "toy-like" and break apart- or the sides and front are not very high, or not very durable. I see posts on other forums, from guys trying to figure out how to modify their "non-Otter" sleds this year so that they do not drag and plow so much snow, and take so much snow over the top edge of thier "toy" sleds.

Enough said. Look around, Google "Otter sleds, Minnesota" and you will see. Didn't mean to offend anyone that has a non-Otter sled-- I actually own some Eskimo gear myself... I just like Otters sled best!

[&JAG]

Otter

[BoxMN]

Pickel farmer, the nice thing about actual rigid hitches is that they are made for the sled you will tow (different ones for differnt brands). Fits perfect. Also, they have sort of spring loaded "shocks" and will also keep it from flipping if you hit a slope hard. They are also quick release, make attaching them and taking them off real easy and quick.

You can go the hitch route on the snomo (I did and the one for the application works better than the generic hitch, but I do have both on two sleds - got one to fit my yamaha for $21) or you can just fabricate your own. Then you use a quick snap pin, or whatever they are called, to attach to the sled bumper/hitch. Works like a charm.

Even though I thought my homemade semi-rigid-hitch was going to work great, and be cheap, the $50 I would spend on a real one is well worth it, and I will be getting another soon. The sled just pulls so much better and straighter behind it over the PVC/rope one, but the PVC one does work.

[deadeye]

Otter w/hyfax

[superbee]

Equinox makes great sleds, do a search for them and check out all the different sizes and styles. They are very durable and will last forever. Takes a ton of abuse and shows no wear.

[jigginjim]

Otter sleds, w/ hyfax

[Sandmannd]

Otter sleds, w/ hyfax

They are the best and most durable.

[Ron Vroom]

For most of us in Minnesota, Otter does the job and are sold about everywhere. But you will get a different opinion in Canada with more extreme temperatures and conditions. Trappers use a couple different brands which are more durable but also much more expensive. Their hitches fasten about a third way back on the sled and give a much better ride on rough terrain. The sleds are made of different material which is less brittle in extreme cold which is one complaint they have about Otters breaking.

[Vex Guy]

Otters!!

[Ed Carlson]

I would recommend the original heavy Otter tubs or a Polar sled equipped with a Frabill Universal tow bar system. Hy fax's are a smart investment on any tow able unit.

The Frabill Universal hitch system in less costly and in my opinion offers more user friendly options and convenience.

One pin removed the hitch, and the single sturdy square tubing tow bar makes close corners on a ATV more doable than with a V bar hitch style system.