sled help?

[jimpete525]

I got a new ice fishing sled last year and in one season I wore a hole in it. Anybody have any ideas on something to put on the bottom of my sled that will wear out and i can replace easy instead of wearing a hole in my new sled?

thanks
Jim
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[davetclown]

you can make runners, "skies" that you can mount on the bottom.

you can make them out of old skies
or cut up plexiglass
or even old 55 gallon plastic barrols.. they can be heated with a hand torch to lay flat then bend the end up.

some have fashoned them out of pvc..
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[toadly]

Daveclown has it right. Skis! You can get an older pair of washed up skis at the 2nd hand store. Or even the Salvation Army store. Got mine for $10.00. Mount some 2by 4rs on the bottom then mount the skis to them. Keep everything as square a possible. You will find it pulls Very easy.
Good Luck.[fishin]
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[curt69]

After you mount your ski's put some teflon strips on the skis or you will tear them up on dry ground . I bought the teflon at US Plastics.com You will not believe how much easier it will be to pull your sled or Shanty when the bottom is not touching the snow . Curt G.
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[davetclown]

aside from the skis, is this store bought or something you put together on your own?

you wouldnt by chance have any more photos to share would ya?

I do like the concept of useing the angle brackets to mount the skis, I would have gone with wood runners between the skeys and the bottom of the sled adding un nessisary and un wanted weight.

my question is, what gage angle do you use that will allow you to put all your weight in to the sled?

by the time I put in my 5 gallon minnow bucket with about 4 gallons of water at 8 pounds per gal, my lantern, my gas auger, my fish if I am lucky enough to have something to bring home, my cooler and grill should I need some food prep for an event.

needless to say, I usualy pack an easy 100 pounds on a given day. My Question is, What keeps the angle from buckleing from that weight, and it looks like you have mounted a shelter on it and I wonder what keeps them from buckling when you sit on it.
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[curt69]

My brackets are made out of 1/4" Aluminium . The up right part is long enough to rest on the upper lip of my Quick Flip 2 so most of the weight is supported by that lip and not just the bolts that hold them to the side of the sled . The teflon really protects the skis I have dragged my sled over a lot of dry ground and parking lots even behind my 4 wheeler . The skis will support at least 400# . I weigh 220 and my buddy 260 and we have both sat on the bench at the same time . Curt G.
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[davetclown]

Teflon is deffenantly the way to go

that was a good poing to bring up, bringing your bracket up to the lip taking the stress off the side wall, I hadnt concidered that point but is a real concern.

That 1/4 inch stock is good stuff if you can find it. Thanks for the insite.
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[idahopanfish]

[inline "IMG_4284 (Small).JPG"]

If you can see here I used 2" square aluminum tubing to raise the sled. I also put 1/4" plywood cut to the length and with of where the sled would be touching, then I used 2" alum angle running the length of the sled to attach it to the pywood and the sides of the sled ( not seen in the picure). I fastened to the side so I wouldn't have any holes in the bottom of the sled. I also cut the skies off so it will still fit in the back of the cherokee, but I am using a rear reciever hitch carrier to carry the sled now.
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[wiperhunter2]

Nice set up Michael, how heavy is that sled with all your gear in it? Looks like it would be heavy to lift into your cherokee. I like the self contained element of your sled, no need for a separate tent[].
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[idahopanfish]

I am not sure of the weight and it is not difficult to get in and out, but I don't try to lift it all at once either. I put the front in first and then slide the back in.
The ski carrier will be removable, but as easy as it pulls now I probably won't ever use it without the skies.
I don't carry the windbreak part with me onto the ice unless the day warrents it. It slides into the PVC tool rack that holds rods, tools and has 2 rotating rod holders on each corner on the same side as the bench/storage box.
The box is made of an aluminum frame with black 1/8" pvc sides, the lid is 1/4" ply wood with broom clamps to hold 6 rods. Stored in the box is a break down alum/plastic shovel, tool kit for the auger, plano tackle boxed, 565 fish finder with 7amp battery, fishing tool bag, bait bag, 2 rescue rope throw bags and 3 more rods.
In the buckets are my cleats, PVC tip down frame & auto rod hooker frame and chaps, a holder for my 1100 bottomline fish finder and some plastic bags.
Then I have a bucket lid with a TV tray fastened to it for a work area. Then also a ice scoop, gaff and my bottomline fish finder for quick depth and with the side view capabilities I can possibly mark fish 360 deg when I drill a hole. Last year I could get it to shoot through the ice if I poured water on the ice and the put the transducer on the ice.
Early in the season I use my hand auger if it's just me but the 10" strikemaster does have some weight.
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[wiperhunter2]

Wow, that is a lot of stuff on your sled. Where do you buy your aluminum for your frame. I'm guessing you can't buy it at Home Depot?[:/]
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[idahopanfish]

Not sure where you could buy the alum., but if you have a steel place there like our Pacific Steel & Recycling they would carry it. If there is a trailer manufacturer there you might be able to buy scrap, cutoff etc. I work for a sign company and we use the alum to build the sign frames
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[davetclown]

My home depot dose carry alluminum stock.
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[idahopanfish]

Here's how I mounted the sled to the sled[:p]

[inline "GEDC0493 (Small).JPG"]
I sit on the black equipment box so I drilled 2 holes in the ski on the back side so if I need anchors I can put my screw type anchors through to hold the sled up if I am using the wind break.
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[davetclown]

that is the way my dad did his, I mean designing it so he could use it as a wind break.

he had to make his own sled cuz the plastic one wasnt invented yet.. Ya, he was way ahead of every one else in that aspect... if only I would have pattened it... lol
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[idahopanfish]

Your Dad is TD, right?
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[davetclown]

[center][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/14726/cat/713"][/url]
[center]This is me, I am the one with the red eye, ok, I am the one with the red eye holding a red eye. [angelic]
[center]My Icon is also me hoding a rubber fish.

lol, no, Hope he dont get offended,[:p] I have never set foot in a tube, Tho' it is on my list of things to do when I can pick up some spare change.

They dont have ice where is son lives. Maybe lake Taho, but I have yet to find a single report of any one doing any ice fishing there.. I know they have snow, so I would guess they would have ice too?
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