Question about reverse & trenching

[mannix]

I just bought my first sled - 03 Summit 700 with reverse. Bought it for a ski lift, so I expect to get it stuck more than a few times while I figure out how to ride it in deep stuff.

I was not originally looking for a sled with reverse, it just kinda happened - but my question is simple; if, on a sled with reverse, a trench becomes imminent - IE, I *might* be able to get it turned around in time (and, I might not....out comes the shovel), is the reverse a handy bailout?

Stop pointed straight uphill, put it in reverse, back down, get a run at it, etc?

Just curious. As far as I can tell, RER is MOST handy for getting it off the trailer, but if it keeps me from digging (if I'm smart enough to try it before it is sitting on the rails with the track hanging in air), even better.


Thanks!



Iain

 

[TurboMatt]

I just bought my first sled - 03 Summit 700 with reverse. Bought it for a ski lift, so I expect to get it stuck more than a few times while I figure out how to ride it in deep stuff.

I was not originally looking for a sled with reverse, it just kinda happened - but my question is simple; if, on a sled with reverse, a trench becomes imminent - IE, I *might* be able to get it turned around in time (and, I might not....out comes the shovel), is the reverse a handy bailout?

Stop pointed straight uphill, put it in reverse, back down, get a run at it, etc?

Just curious. As far as I can tell, RER is MOST handy for getting it off the trailer, but if it keeps me from digging (if I'm smart enough to try it before it is sitting on the rails with the track hanging in air), even better.


Thanks!



Iain

In my experience, REV. is worthless in anything more than 6" of snow.

 

[farmboy84]

yep, in any type of loose snow it just digs down and gets you more stuck. it only works good on a hardpack trail and backing it off the trailer.

 

[wasatchrider]

i got mine for skiing 5 years ago too. never had reverse till this year i think its mostly for the trail. take you sled out and ride ride ride. no skis for the first 10 days till you can ride somewhat. you will be doing a lot of digging till you get down turning in pow. 3 things turn them skis (countersteer) throttle and lean. figure out the combo for all three then off you go. youll probably mostly just be riding you sled in the end anyways like me.

 

[mannix]

dammit! Thought I might have had the little ejector-seat for trenches!

OK, just a thought - oh well!

Should be fun. I'll get the turning thing down pretty quickly, I think - I ride lots of 2 wheeled vehicles, used to windsurf, and skiing deep snow seems to have similar dynamics.

I'll certainly post after my first deep experience (by "deep" I'd mean it to be deep enough that when the sled leans, it does not lean down onto something firm). I'll be honest. If I suck at it, I'll fess up, but I think I'll have it down good enough to ski in 2-3 days.

We'll see. Thanks!


Iain

 

[wasatchrider]

depends on what type of skiing your planning doing. remember if you trying to get to the good stuff you have to go up it first with two people on the sled unless you hike so whats the point. all the good riding ive done its not easy sledding to get into or double up. if you can do it in a couple of days of riding thats good but i doubt it will be the type of skiing you want.

 

[wasatchrider]

where do you ride anyways i need a ski sled buddy most my friends just sled or the skiers are filming or building jumps

 

[MTNMAN800]

The main uses for RER are for getting off the trailer and while on trails. There are a few circumstances where A SMALL AMOUNT of reverse will help - but it doesn't help at all for the situation you described. On application of the RER that is very usefull is if you have to stop on a hill while pointed down. Put in RER and trench the back end down a little so it will stay on the hill and then you can get off withouth the sled rolling down the hill.

 

[wasatchrider]

oh ya your going to want a rack too this is the one i use it carries two skiis or snowboards for doubleing up (that one will be fun figuring out as well) x-rack.com

 

[SilverGriz]

Reverse is really only good on the hard pack trail or on flat ground with little fresh snow. It does come in handy when your turning around once in a while.

You are not going to get yourself unstuck with it.

 

[mannix]

Great, thanks!

Wasatch - I live in Colorado. When I get over to Utah, I'll likely go to Alta (used to live/work there).

Rack-wise, I'm trying the gun-rack thing first. Picked one up last night, I think it'll work well. $25 vs $200+...I don't doubt the purpose built racks are better, but I've got to try the (dramatically) cheaper option!

Good tip on trenching/parking downhill! It'd be kinda neat if reverse was good for getting unstuck/backing out before getting stuck, but oh well.

I can tell there's going to be a big learning curve - figure out how to ride, get my skiing partners up to speed on it, dunno, it should be fun.

It _REALLY_ needs to snow, though, sheesh, I wanna go ride this thing!



Iain

 

[buck50]

i've seen more than a few guys trying to reverse outta of a trench while stuck going uphill, and have watched as their sleds started doing cartwheels down the hill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not generally a good idea to try and reverse out of a trench when it's stuck on a pretty good climb!! just my $.03

 

[mannix]

i've seen more than a few guys trying to reverse outta of a trench while stuck going uphill, and have watched as their sleds started doing cartwheels down the hill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not generally a good idea to try and reverse out of a trench when it's stuck on a pretty good climb!! just my $.03

Interesting! How does it turn into a cartwheel?

Does it dig so much that the sled gets vertical and "wheelies" over? Loops out, in dirtbike speak?

I'd not considered that possibility - thanks for the warning!



Iain (heh, can see it now, flopped upside down in snow, sled rolling downhill, thinking "did not see THAT one coming....")

 

[Chubbydog]

Reverse works great when your coming down a steep icey hill, and you start getting out of control. Grab the break, and hit the reverse button. Give it a little gas, and it will slow you down real quick. Might not be the best on your sled, but it sure helps out in those panic situations.

 

[Rprecision]

I ride tight backcounty, so reverse for me is a must.

As far as getting out of a trench, I have found if you dig out a spot behind you, back into it, turn and hit it this will give you a better chance of either getting out or getting stuck even worse.

Alot of people disregard reverse as being useful while I have found quiet the opposite.

There is no one perfect way to get a machine stuck or unstuck.

Make sure you have a shovel, good strap to pull with (Even if its just you), plennty of food and water (Getting a machine unstuck can be exhusting) and last but not least a backup plan in case you cant get it out or break it in the process.

 

[wasatchrider]

hey chubby are you serious? you through it into reverse going down a hill

 

[94fordguy]

Reverse is really only good on the hard pack trail or on flat ground with little fresh snow. It does come in handy when your turning around once in a while.

You are not going to get yourself unstuck with it.

^^^ What Sliver said


it sure is nice when you can use it tho

 

[Rprecision]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INhHqKYs1sw

 

[Rprecision]

hey chubby are you serious? you through it into reverse going down a hill

I would have loved to see that...........followed by the BANG!

 

[buck50]

hey chubby are you serious? you through it into reverse going down a hill

i know guys that do it on a regular basis. usually they engage reverse befor egetting too far over the lip of the hill, so they don't have as much speed. personally, i don't do it, unless i'm already stopped and just trying to dig in a little while pointed down hill!