Ideas on how to make a dog hauling sled

kk · Post by kk » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:49 pm

I need to build or buy a sled to carry dogs in, and pull behind a snowmobile. thanks for any ideas.

Spokerider · Post by **Spokerider** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:29 pm

I've heard of guys using skis for the sled runners........

Spanky · Post by **Spanky** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:43 pm

I like used snow boards for runners. There more stable and will not allow the load to sink as much

Check your local ski shop that may have used ones without bindings......

COHUNTER · Post by **COHUNTER** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:43 pm

Ive built a couple. I use skis off an old snowmobile(they usually have suspension) I then make a frame that can hold a plastic dog crate, build a tounge with a spring hitch to help dampen the effects of having a sled behind you. A few things to consider. These sleds are hard on your snowmobile belts and clutchs. Also be carefull of were you drag it you may not be able to get back out of an area with it. I learn this the hard way. I ended up having to drag the sled by hand because the snowmobile keep digging in with extra weight that was a long day. Ill take some pics and post lattewr

kk · Post by kk » Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:21 pm

I have some old water skis, do you guys think they will work or will they wear out to fast?

Mr.pacojack · Post by **Mr.pacojack** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:22 am

Spanky wrote:I like used snow boards for runners. There more stable and will not allow the load to sink as much Check your local ski shop that may have used ones without bindings......

yup but you got losts of money

Spanky · Post by **Spanky** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:36 am

used ones putz

Kevin D · Post by **Kevin D** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:47 am

I've probably built a couple dozen pull behind sled boxes for myself and others over the years. I've made them out of everything from plywood and oak snow skis, to aluminum and modern plastic snowmobile skis. The trick is to find a balance between weight, drag, and durability. Through a lot of trial and error, I've pretty well settled on a design that works well for me. Here is a couple pictures of a sled frame I built and currently use:

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The problem I see in using old water skis is that with added width comes added drag.....maybe not a big deal on a packed surface, but may bog you down in the powder. I set my dog sled skis to follow perfectly in my snowmobile ski tracks to minimize drag.

kk · Post by kk » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:58 pm

Kevin D,
I never thought of a set up like that I really like it. It give some ground clearance so your not alway stuck. About how much does it cost to build one? thanks for the pictures.

Kevin D · Post by **Kevin D** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:27 pm

kk,

Find yourself an old pair of snowmobile skis, give yourself a $100 budget for parts and steel, and 4 to 8 hours to put everything together and it's built.

Anytime you put a sledbox together you're talking trade-offs.....the design should reflect how you use it. I've seen pictures of Spanky's in Montana (though Scott likes a box mounted on the back of his sled) and Pete Richardson's from Vermont that are different than what I put together. Their designs suit the way they hunt so they may not need or want anything like mine.

I like good ground clearance for a couple of reasons. One, you don't get snow kicking up from your snowmobile track building up on the front of the box, and two, you can go through powder and especially brush a lot easier. But too much clearance makes your sledbox more apt to tip over.......so you're back to making a trade-off on how high is too high.

As far as getting stuck, that's a non issue because I go until I do get stuck anyway...........sometimes I just make it farther than others!

Good luck with your dog sled.....PM me if you need any help.

danny · Post by **danny** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:27 pm

I use a plastic tobbagan with a box on top. The ones with skis tend to get stuck in the deeeeep snow.Around here !

Post by **Buddyw** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:14 pm

This is really Good info,I haven't gotten a chance to read it until now, but I was thinking the same thing since I'll be attempting to build Something Thanksgiving weekend, and it better work, since I don't have any trial and error time.. Most of my projects take allot of Trial and error time, I'm hoping to get this one right the first time!!

Was Hoping to use aluminum to save on weight, my old man has a aluminum welder.. That's If I don't screw up the welding too much..

More pictures if you have them I need all the help I can get!

Black&TanMan1 · Post by **Black&TanMan1** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:50 pm

Hey Kevin D how about a few more pictures of that sled? It looks a little lighter than mine, like the looks of it. Would like a picture of the underside of it and the hitch if you dont mind.
Thanks

pete richardson · Post by **pete richardson** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 7:28 am

i used to have a sled alot like that -- worked great to haul dogs and whatever i could strap to crate-

another one ive used that works if you dont have a welder---

half a canoe--- ive got one that is kevlar and very tough -

canoe manufacturer cuts the "seconds" in half and sells or gives them away-- very light -- floats great in deep snow--

i wish i could get a whole canoe cheap-- lol

put some runners on bottom if u find yourself snowmobiling where there no snow -- lol

Post by **Buddyw** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:39 pm

I have a Friend that is a Proffessional Snowboarder.. I think He breaks a Board every trip up there.. and has all these danm board manufacturs handing him new ones.... don't know if he's in town or out right now.. I would guess that he might be off doing some kind of crazy sport somewhere with snow, or water, or Skateboarding.. Never know with those guys..

Maybe I should see if he has anything that he can't really snow board on but would work for this.. ?? Thanks for the ideas...