Snowmobiles and Trailers

[FullCryHounds]

I've got to rig up a couple of sleds for next season with a way to haul some dogs. I've got a trailer that sits on skis I've used in the past but I don't like that setup. There's been some talk on here about some of you guys that are using those plastic tubs like an Ice fishing tub to haul your dog boxes around. Lets hear how you like those setups and maybe some pics on how you've got them attached. My plan is to attached some carbide runners on the bottom of them and be able to fit one dog box on each.

[oswald]

I SAW A GOOD LOOKING SLED MADE BY LOBO OUTFITTERS(DICK/MIKE RAY).THEY TOOK 2 HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC SLEDS AND BOLTED THEM TOGETHER LEAVING THE HOLLOW CAVITY INSIDE PLENTY BIG FOR SEVERAL DOGS.THE POINTED END GOES TOWARD THE SNOWMOBILE AND THE SQUAREBACK END AWAY WAS THE PERFECT SIZE TO MOUNT A LARGE PET PORTER DOOR IN. IT LOOKED REALLY SIMPLE TO MAKE AND THERE ARE NO RUNNERS/SKIS TO BREAK AND NO NEED TO STRAP A DOG BOX ON IT. DAN PATTERSON

[Kevin D]

I experimented with tobogans for hauling dogs early on in my hound career but gave up on the idea. The biggest drawback was that snow kicked up by the track collected in the sled. It wasn't long before the weight of the snow I was carrying exceeded the weight of the dogs and the box. Side hilling too was a problem though I didn't have carbide runners on like you are proposing.

I remain convinced that sled boxes set on skis is still the way to go. I build a new one for myself about every other year and I've lightened them up enough that my current one weighs just under 30 lbs. The box itself is aluminum but the frame is lightweight steel with the traditional weak spots reinforced. I put a hitch on the back of each sled box so I can pull 2 or 3 of them at a time if I need to. Each sled box can haul 3 dogs comfortably and maybe one or two more in a pinch.

I still haven't come up with the perfect sled box.....I'm always looking to refine the design. Let's see what you come up with Dean and maybe I'll steal some of your ideas.

[FullCryHounds]

Well, crap. I thought you guys would have all the kinks worked out! I've got a sled on skis that I built years ago but I thought I read that the tobogans were the way to go. Kevin, did you try using a large snowflap behind your track? The carbides I'm planning on using are really for crossing roads and on dirt sections of the trail. Just so the plastic doesn't wear out too fast.

[Kevin D]

My only attempts at pulling a tobogan would have been with my first snowmobile.....a 1967 Ski Doo. I believe it had a rear flap that touched the ground but I don't honestly remember if it was still attached or not.....probably not, because I remember having to stop frequently to shovel the snow out. I do know that my current RMK's back flap only extends about halfway down and it would have a problem with kicking up snow into a tobogan.....there is always a semi-roostertail coming out the back.

I guess a lot depends on what you are pulling your dogs through. Most of my favorite areas to hunt have some fairly technical sections that I have to negotiate.....like river crossings, bad drifts, sidehilling, and ravines. It'd no doubt be easier if I just stuck to established roads where the going is smooth and the grades are gradual, but of course I don't use them. Most times there are time saving shortcuts through the rocks, ridges, jumps, and brush where you just gun it and go. This is where I gotta have a sledbox that is tough, light, and stable enough to follow me through wherever I might take it.

I dunno, a tobogan style dogsled may work well for some, but I'm trying to think of how one would be any advantage in the way I hunt and in the country I hunt. So far all I can see is the downside.

[Stubby]

I use am otter ice fishing toboggan. It's too narrow so I needed to add outriggers to keep it from tipping.
My next rig will be an aluminum platform large enough to carry 2 large plastic kennels with downhill skis as runners.

[cat and bear]

I use an otter sled, I had a alumium cap built for it, I cant say enough good about it. I use the large size, can fit five dogs in it, pull it with a tundra in flat ground, no problem. Guys bolt on down hill ski's on the bottom of them if they run dry ground some. The other benefits is if you break through the rivers during the winter, the sled floats like a boat, and comes up out of there, and also if you hit a dead end road, and have to turn around, you can easily un hook and pull it by hand, no problem, pm me if you would like pics, LOL

[pete richardson]

My next rig will be an aluminum platform large enough to carry 2 large plastic kennels with downhill skis as runners.

ive tried downhill skis ,wore them out fast

you will need steel or carbide runners on whatever you use for skis

downhill skis have steel edges -- but a very little bit of gravel will just eat them up --

i go to snowmobile shop and ask for any carbide runners theyve replaced- (usually free )

half wore carbides will last a long time on a sled