Hilux Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I figured this would be a good place to start as many seem to be creative, tech savvy, and innovative with certain aspects of our sport. I want to pick your brains about how to best attach skis to my sled/pulk (see pic of similar sled below). We are hauling our sled primarily by human power using snowshoes and cross country skis. In its current form, the sled has tons of drag and is a pain to lug uphill especially when hauling loads upwards of 50lbs. So, I want to attach skis to the bottom...probably an old set of downhill (for stability/float) or cross country skis due to their light weight. My initial thought was to counter sink the base of the ski for the bolt, and go through/into a piece of 2x3 or 2x4 (spacing to give clearance from snow) and use fender washers on the plastic of the sled with nut. Note: the plastic on these is surprisingly thick so I'm not too worried. I used eye bolts and fender washers at the anchor points on the front of the sled for where we attach the tow bars and have hauled heavy loads no problem. Second idea: Use T-nuts on the ski base but I'm not too sure how easy or effective that would be. Third idea: Drill and anchor from the top of the ski. If bindings can hold a full grown adult, surely it could work for a sled...no? Anyway, please give me your ideas, thoughts, concerns! I have a couple weeks before I'll be using it again. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingbat Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 I second your third idea.;) Just be sure to use a proper screw with some tensile and shear strength, and use some wood glue or Elmer's in the screw holes in the skis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.oldsnowboards.com Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 What conditions do you expect to haul this across? Groomed? Fresh snow? Packed snow and ice? Up hill or flat? Straight or lots of turns? Skis mounted on a sleigh want to track straight , if the load is heavy it will ONLY go straight. For the best ideas, go back in time to when it was common place to haul over snow. Look at what they did. Example my Dad used to cut timber and use horses to pull sleds. He built me a sled to smooth gravel and had some very good ideas of what works and what doesn't , time proven. Bolt from above, use eye bolts so you can unbolt them without tools and provide tie down points at the same time. Inserts from the bottom of skis , epoxied in, cabinet type should work fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilux Posted January 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 What conditions do you expect to haul this across? Groomed? Fresh snow? Packed snow and ice? Up hill or flat? Straight or lots of turns? Skis mounted on a sleigh want to track straight , if the load is heavy it will ONLY go straight. For the best ideas, go back in time to when it was common place to haul over snow. Look at what they did. Example my Dad used to cut timber and use horses to pull sleds. He built me a sled to smooth gravel and had some very good ideas of what works and what doesn't , time proven. Bolt from above, use eye bolts so you can unbolt them without tools and provide tie down points at the same time. Inserts from the bottom of skis , epoxied in, cabinet type should work fine. Conditions are going to be variable from tracked out snowmobile trails (on unmaintained double-track cottage "road") with potential for lots of ruts and irregular terrain, hardpack, and ice on frozen lake. Powder, I wouldn't count on it regularly here but you never know when there might be a dump of snow. We only use this a few times a year too... Hmmm, never thought of the only tracking straight thing...even if they are shape skis? ;) I wonder if it's worth risking it then if the thing won't turn with a heavy load. What are you referring to by "cabinet type" inserts? Thanks again guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.oldsnowboards.com Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Also referred to as a "Tee" nut. Similar to the items in the first link. Lots of additional options, I would tend to want the inserts with a shelf or flange on the back side to prevent pulling out. http://www.rockler.com/tee-nuts-select-size http://www.rockler.com/steel-threaded-inserts-select-size http://www.grainger.com/category/thread-insert/fasteners/ecatalog/N-8nr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 Could you wax the base of the pulk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingbat Posted January 28, 2014 Report Share Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) I'd bet that if you mounted it on some light x-c skis toward the back of the kick camber, then drilled the ski tips to attach your harness to, the front end would be light enough you'd be able to pull it through a corner without too much difficulty. Set the skis about the same distance as your natural stance or same as the groomer if you ski at a tracked area. The biggest issue I have with my pulk is the fact that the base is wider than my ski track so one corner drops down in the track and the other side rides high. Not a huge deal for most of the time but when you're traversing ground with any sort of real slope, if the down hill side of the sled drops in the track it's likely to roll. Regardless of what you do, please report back on how it works, I've considered a similar mod for mine to solve the issue. Edited January 28, 2014 by dingbat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobD Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Hive mind at work..... what about attaching a couple of cut down old snowboards. You would already have the insert, and the greater surface area would allow the sled to float higher, turn more easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilux Posted January 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Wow thanks for the input so far guys. @Johnny: I could probably rub on wax but it wouldn't last (not that porous etc) and the drag/resistance issue of the whole sled would still be an issue. @Brian: thanks for the links for the hardware - got a grainger close by I'll check out. @dingbat: Hmmmm interesting idea. I wonder if I a brace the tips of the x-country skis with a bar of sorts and anchor my tow bars there, perhaps that will allow it to turn easier and flex the skis through a turn. @BobD: I've got an old Burton FP 167 but that's all for beater not-in-use. I'm sure I could track down a couple crummy twin tips. I like the idea of having the inserts already there too. I suppose only concern would be added weight. Great food for thought! Keep it coming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.