Towing another sled question

[Jlager]

Just a quick newbie question about towing a sled using another sled that I couldn't find an answer to by searching.

When towing another sled that has broken down, what is the best spot to attach your tow rope on the towing sled (I've read up on where it should go on the sled being towed)? Is the rear bumper/grab handle sturdy enough to tow another sled? I wouldn't have thought twice about attaching it there unless I had read to not put too much weight on the back of the tunnel as it can bend. It would seem that towing another sled might cause a similar problem even though it's not weight on top of the tunnel?

Sorry if it's a dumb question, I just never found it mentioned anywhere.

 

[907to406]

The back bumper is really your only option. Some brands of sleds have better bumpers for doing this than others but in the end they will all get the job done (have seen some bumpers bend slightly) but no serious damage should occur. If your bumper does get tweeked and your that upset about it ask the person you towed out to replace it, as 40-100 bucks is cheap for a tow out of the woods. Also make sure the dead sled has the belt removed. As for the dead sled I've found the best place to attach the rope is to either one ski loop (again depending on the ski, C&A's no problem but some of the other brands loops will break) Or an A-arm.

 

[dp2826]

remove belt on dead sled, tie one ski loop to end of rope, loop around towing sled bumper twice and then tie the other end of rope to the other ski loop. And always important, have the rider of the dead sled hop on a third sled that is not towing or being towed. This will make things much easier.

 

[Hardass]

When we tow and wheres trails and space allow we tie the ski directly to the rear bumper, tho ski loop is actually touching it That way when towing and you use the breaks it stops the sled behind you with no impact also when taing off it is much smoothere as well as bumps. the thing here is to remember the the sled being towed will be part way of to the side so you adjust for it. we have done this a bunch and it works very good.

 

[LAMBOFGOD]

if you got crappy ski loops like me, or you busted a steering post, best thing to do is cut a tree, wedge it in the ski loops, then pull from the middle of the tree.....stops pulling the skiis into each other....

 

[CO 2.0]

Towing off the ski loops gives you no control what so ever. Give this method a try and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.


Go buy two of these at REI or similar climbing stores. They are ~2ft loops, strong as hell.
http://www.rei.com/product/751490/mammut-dyneema-cordelette-contact-sling-8mm

Loop over each ski and onto the spindle. Then take a steel carabiner like this one, and attach the two sling loops together.
http://www.rei.com/product/767370/omega-pacific-716-mod-d-screw-lok-carabiner-steel

Then connect your tow rope to the steel carabiner then onto your rear bumper. I use mule tape and loop it around the carabiner and my rear bumper 4-6 times at equal length so it takes stress off the rear bumper. I usually get the sleds pretty close to each other (~5ft) so the guy on the towed sled isn't getting blasted with ice/snow in the face the whole way back (if he's standing up).

You can also just use rope for the spindle to spindle connections, but this way takes you seconds to put on and take off, it's strong, and it gives you very fluid steering.

By using the spindles to tow off of the guy on the towed sled has total control of his steering, which is key in technical terrain.

I have used this method in some of the nastiest terrain and deep pow that Colorado has to offer and it hasn't let me down yet.

 

[EagleRiverDee]

Rear bumper is usually the only place to tie off.

And I disagree with towing the other sled by tying off to their ski loops the way someone suggested- this can prevent the other driver from being able to steer. Tie off to the A Arms so the other driver still has the ability to steer. The only reason I'd tie off to the ski loops is if no one was riding the sled being towed, but typically we have a rider on it.

 

[dp2826]

As far as control when tying off to the ski loops. You are absolutely right about someone on the sled not having control. Read the entire post. I said the rider of the broken sled should not be on it.
He shouldn't be on the towing sled either, if its possible. Much easier on belts and bumpers.

 

[Tim Healy]

we usaly tie through the back holes on the boards over the tunnel and under the bumper that is the best towing point we have found. the equal length on both sides from spindle through ski loop to center of the line tied on the towing sled works great

 

[Spiced Wafer]

there is always another way to skin a cat...

if you do have the new pro rmk, you will want to go through the sides of the rear bumber instead of just around the back...it is much stronger on the sides of the pro rmk...

also, if you need to get across a hillside that the road is blown or drifted in, then take out your shovel and make yourself a road...had to do that a couple of weeks ago...

 

[Hardass]

The method i described was not intended for some one to be on the sled. and is a very good way to tow. All these are just ideas as usual you can see everyone has there own way that they think is best.Try em and see what works for you

 

[EagleRiverDee]

As far as control when tying off to the ski loops. You are absolutely right about someone on the sled not having control. Read the entire post. I said the rider of the broken sled should not be on it.
He shouldn't be on the towing sled either, if its possible. Much easier on belts and bumpers.

The belt should be removed when towing, regardless. It reduces drag and makes towing easier.

There are times you need to have a rider on the sled being towed, because in some tow situations someone needs to be available to steer or to apply the brakes.

It's all up to the individual situation, I'm sure.

 

[joel97mustang]

Best Sled Towing option

Just a quick newbie question about towing a sled using another sled that I couldn't find an answer to by searching.

When towing another sled that has broken down, what is the best spot to attach your tow rope on the towing sled (I've read up on where it should go on the sled being towed)? Is the rear bumper/grab handle sturdy enough to tow another sled? I wouldn't have thought twice about attaching it there unless I had read to not put too much weight on the back of the tunnel as it can bend. It would seem that towing another sled might cause a similar problem even though it's not weight on top of the tunnel?

Sorry if it's a dumb question, I just never found it mentioned anywhere.

Don't bother with any other option other than Snobunje's Tow Sled Tow Kit

http://snobunje.com/public/store.php?crn=69&rn=285&action=show_detail

The problem with all other options is steering, braking and control of towed sled. The best part of this tow kit is you can tow the crippled sled without a rider. I towed a disabled sled 30 kms up and down, hills, trails, gulleys without burning any belts or crashing my sled. This is in my save a ride kit.

I think there are instructions on the website to better explain how to do it.

Good luck

 

[volcano buster]

Apparently I haven't gotten the hang of this internet thing. I can't find the directions on Sno-bungee's site to show me how a bag a straps tows a sled out.

I came up with my own design using a piece of rubber tube and rope. Someday I'll take a picture of it in use.

 

[the fix-it guy]

We used 3 bungees and a piece of rope to tow a dead sled out of a soft valley. We hooked 2 bungees together to tow sled number 1(bumper to a-arm) bungee and rope long enough to sled number 2 ahead of sled 1.

 

[WyoUltra]

Don't bother with any other option other than Snobunje's Tow Sled Tow Kit

http://snobunje.com/public/store.php?crn=69&rn=285&action=show_detail

The problem with all other options is steering, braking and control of towed sled. The best part of this tow kit is you can tow the crippled sled without a rider. I towed a disabled sled 30 kms up and down, hills, trails, gulleys without burning any belts or crashing my sled. This is in my save a ride kit.

I think there are instructions on the website to better explain how to do it.

Good luck

We bought a snobunje's tow kit and ended up breaking one of the metal pieces that tighten and loosen the strap. Needless to say we don't have one to use anymore. I have two ratchet straps in my backpack that I use instead. one end attaches onto the spindle of the other snowmobile, the other to the corners of the towing sleds bumper. And you can have the rider steer his or her sled that's being towed as well as slow it down.As stated above, pull the belt to allow the track to run freely. I do however like the idea mentioned about putting a tree branch in between the ski hoops to allow it to steer itself. Only reason I say this is because if you're in a tough spot and you need less weight to tow the sled out the sled can for the most part steer itself.

 

[XXL]

I have found that the snobunje kit works fine on a trail, off trail not so much, have seen two break.

 

[Spiced Wafer]

snobunje does work, but you have to put a knot in it so it doesn't slip out...we broke a strap that day we had to shovel the road...used my rope after that...they work, but always have a backup plan...

 

[BigAir]

I have had very good luck with the SnoBunje kit. I do have to tie knots to keep the straps from slipping. If there is a way around that please let me know. The knots can be tough to get out.

We have been in deep enough snow in Cooke where we had to pack a trail before towing and still had to use two sleds to pull the dead sled out. Didn't break a strap.

I was skeptical about the strength of the straps, because they aren't very thick or wide. Used the kit several times and haven't broke a strap yet. I do wish they would make the straps heavier duty, especially after hearing of them breaking, for peace of mind.

 

[shelbwyo]

Earlier this year me and my bro were out and his pull rope broke, then his recoil and stator got messed up, so the next day we ended up turning the skis around on his sled and setting his track on my tunnel. Ended up not getting out by ourselves because I got stuck in a bottomless draw. But once we got a couple guys to help us a tug from a snobunjie helped us get out. Would not reccomened this if it's hard to get out.