Towing out a dead sled

[sldrnm]

Any tips for towing out a dead sled, had a motor go down about 12 miles back. Was to warm and slushy to tow back. Going back early in the morning and hoping for better luck. Any tips would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[vdo1948]

There's many ways to tow out a sled and I've seen almost all of them work. Obviously first take the belt off so the track runs free. I'm a firm believer in tying both ski loops of the dead machine to the bumper of the towing machine. Need to tie it so tight that the tips of the skis on the dead machine are starting to lift off the ground. When tied tight like that it follows like a hitched trailer and can't run into the towed sled if you stop suddenly. My $.02.

 

[joshkoltes]

I usually use a basketed snowbungie on the bumper and a basketed rope on the a arms to get some more length, it'll follow you. Don't have a guy on it it'll still track straight. Your right the earlier the better this time of year but make sure your scratchers are down on the ice.dont over work your pull machine either. Take breaks or you'll overheat the engine or the hifax It would be best to rent a wide track from your local Lodge since these h.o. machines aren't really built for pulling. Especially pulling twelve miles

 

[DUKHTR3]

There's many ways to tow out a sled and I've seen almost all of them work. Obviously first take the belt off so the track runs free. I'm a firm believer in tying both ski loops of the dead machine to the bumper of the towing machine. Need to tie it so tight that the tips of the skis on the dead machine are starting to lift off the ground. When tied tight like that it follows like a hitched trailer and can't run into the towed sled if you stop suddenly. My $.02.

This idea sounds crazy and even looks like there is no way it will work BUT IT WORKS GREAT. Only thing that may be a issue is that u need another sled to ride on.

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[Dazzler]

This idea sounds crazy and even looks like there is no way it will work BUT IT WORKS GREAT. Only thing that may be a issue is that u need another sled to ride on.

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I have towed a few sleds out of the mountains, and I tie one ski hoop only, tight to the rear pumper of tow sled. No slack at all between the toe of the ski hoop and rear bumper. Just remember the towed sled will be slightly to one side or the other (depending which ski you tie to) of the sled that's towing...

 

[richracer1]

Our group always has one of these in the truck or trailer. They flat out work, I know from personal experience. In fact I have one in the back of my truck all winter.

You must cut the back so it will lay down when positioned under the track. We tie the ropes to the lower a-arms just to keep it in place.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Otte...20&gclid=COn6yf6gpNMCFaKIMgodF0YCAQ&gclsrc=ds

 

[joshkoltes]

I've heard of the ski loops breaking when you tie to them. If you think about it, the towing force also makes the skis dig a little instead of float and articulate like they are supposed to. And tieing to one ski makes the dead sled track to the side putting unnecessary load and resistance on the tow sled. Using just a rope works but it's real hard to control the slack and when it slams taught it will immediately break a Polaris bumper

 

[volcano buster]

I have my own version.

I use a piece of fuel filler hose to feed mule tape through. If just on a road you can tie off to a ski loop and then back to the spindle. If you need to pull it centered, a small tree works good and notch it for the ski loops to lock into before tying off. This is stored under the seat.

If that isn't enough, I carry a Tow-Buddy for the rear of the sled. I helped drag this sled out as a rear anchor for the nasty downhill runs since the sled had no brake (Quick-Drive belt issue). This is carried just behind the seat.

 

[DUKHTR3]

I have my own version.

I use a piece of fuel filler hose to feed mule tape through. If just on a road you can tie off to a ski loop and then back to the spindle. If you need to pull it centered, a small tree works good and notch it for the ski loops to lock into before tying off. This is stored under the seat.

If that isn't enough, I carry a Tow-Buddy for the rear of the sled. I helped drag this sled out as a rear anchor for the nasty downhill runs since the sled had no brake (Quick-Drive belt issue). This is carried just behind the seat.

Y is the doo always pulling the poo?


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[Dazzler]

I've heard of the ski loops breaking when you tie to them. If you think about it, the towing force also makes the skis dig a little instead of float and articulate like they are supposed to. And tieing to one ski makes the dead sled track to the side putting unnecessary load and resistance on the tow sled. Using just a rope works but it's real hard to control the slack and when it slams taught it will immediately break a Polaris bumper

Might depend on the ski loop I suppose, the Polaris ski's hoops are not an issue. I've heard of ski hoops breaking from a bungee tug??... but not from a direct pull!! I have pulled dead sleds like this for over 20 years with no issues or damage to either machines. Try it, or not..

 

[johnathon007]

nothing better than the real thing

All my sleds have one of these on them somewhere. wraps around spindles or other solid point near them. Works best if someone rides the towed sled to use brakes when needed.

https://www.amazon.com/Steadymate-15543-Snowmobile-Tow-Strap/dp/B0026FCGEU

 

[sldrnm]

Thanks for everyone's input, I got the sled out Friday morning. I tied both ski loops and tied it close it worked pretty well, had a couple of big hills that was hard to keep my skis down but made it. Again thanks.