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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Winter Camping and Activities

Homemade Sled

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Date/Time: 05/03/2024 05:01PM

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Homemade Sled

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Previous Messages:
Author	Message Text
Jaywalker	01/15/2017 09:15PM quote Pinetree: "I suppose with the long toboggan you can keep your load spread out more and lower center of gravity which is very crucial. Too many people pile high." That's the theory, but in my case moving to a longer uhmwpe toboggan just tempted me to bring that much more stuff! They also just slide easier (lower coefficient of friction) and snake over logs and rocks easier.
Pinetree	01/15/2017 07:27PM quote DanCooke: "You are better off with no fins in my opinion. best not to pile the sled high- heavy stuff low lighter- per volume on top. most sleds can work but I believe the long plastic toboggan is easier overall. Never had one tip over." I suppose with the long toboggan you can keep your load spread out more and lower center of gravity which is very crucial. Too many people pile high.
DanCooke	01/15/2017 07:22PM You are better off with no fins in my opinion. best not to pile the sled high- heavy stuff low lighter- per volume on top. most sleds can work but I believe the long plastic toboggan is easier overall. Never had one tip over.
Pinetree	01/15/2017 03:14PM Never used fins and tracks great-the emsco
Jaywalker	01/15/2017 10:19AM I would go with an Emsco over a wooden toboggan, but I like the Paris Expedition a bit better than the worthy Emsco, but thats just a personal preference. I've seen them at True Value Hardware stores for around $35. Not sure if they have changed in the last few years or not. Frenchy or others can disagree with me, but I'd suggest the fins are nice to have, but not critical. They are mainly important for keeping the sled tracking on hilly areas of portages, but then again most portages have little grooved paths like a luge course to help keep them in line. Tipping over was the bigger problem. I didn't add fins, mainly because I was not sure how and was pressed for time, but I don't think I missed them too much on the two trips I took my pulk. Just my opinion.
MNLindsey80	01/14/2017 08:07PM I'm leaning heavily towards that Home Depot Emsco sled - Frenchy19 - what kind of fins did you add? can you take a photo and add to this post? So excited for this trip, but hoping and praying the daily high is above zero! Got our reservations in - so I guess we're in now...
Pinetree	01/14/2017 06:25PM I am repeating myself but The old Emsco I would pick everytime. Some of the new Emsco sleds at least for a few years the plastic was very brittle and cracked easy. Maybe they fixed it. Otherwise I have my original orange Emsco for 20 years plus and 100's of winter camping miles. It is worth it to see if they fixed the brittle problem.
OldFingers57	01/14/2017 06:11PM quote MNLindsey80: "Which would you guys get? EMSCO or toboggan " EMSCO sled although I am biased as I have one and use it. As for a wood toboggan look at yard sales for one. I see them a lot. Usually they are the shorter ones. The good old 8 ft ones are harder to find at least around here.
MNLindsey80	01/14/2017 05:03PM Which would you guys get? EMSCO or toboggan
Ironranger271	01/10/2017 11:01PM I bought a kit from Chris at black River sleds. Have used them a few times now and love them. http://www.blackriversleds.com/
Ironranger271	01/10/2017 11:01PM I bought a kit from Chris at black River sleds. Have used them a few times now and love them. http://www.blackriversleds.com/
Trapper7	12/30/2016 10:47AM quote flopnfolds: "Looks like a good design, but it sure isn't light at 33 lbs. " These are a military style pulk sled I think. I agree that it isn't light but I am wondering if the canvas material is detachable which might save you quite a bit of weight. In most cases, I wouldn't use the canvas anyway. I called and asked about it but the gal I spoke to wasn't sure and she sounded busy so I didn't pester her about it. I will be going to Ely within the next couple weeks to check them out in person. $189 price tag on them.
Pinetree	12/29/2016 02:21PM quote flopnfolds: "Looks like a good design, but it sure isn't light at 33 lbs. " That is what I thought. I like my total load to be 50 pounds or less,including my fishing gear in that weight.
flopnfolds	12/29/2016 10:27AM Looks like a good design, but it sure isn't light at 33 lbs.
Trapper7	12/28/2016 06:13PM Thanks, I wasn't sure how to do that. quote Pinetree: "quote Trapper7: "I was thinking of making one myself and have been looking for designs. I think I may have found an easier, cheaper option....... https://www.facebook.com/70293109257/photos/a.177046304257.153498.70293109257/10154969897534258/?type=3&theater" link "
Pinetree	12/28/2016 06:08PM quote Trapper7: "I was thinking of making one myself and have been looking for designs. I think I may have found an easier, cheaper option....... https://www.facebook.com/70293109257/photos/a.177046304257.153498.70293109257/10154969897534258/?type=3&theater" link
Trapper7	12/28/2016 06:04PM I was thinking of making one myself and have been looking for designs. I think I may have found an easier, cheaper option....... https://www.facebook.com/70293109257/photos/a.177046304257.153498.70293109257/10154969897534258/?type=3&theater
Pinetree	12/28/2016 10:22AM quote MNLindsey80: "Husband and I are debating renting a pulk from Piragis, or making our own using a 60" sled from Home Depot/Fleet Farm etc... Has anyone ever had them break before? We were a little worried about that - cold + plastic = breakage usually.... thoughts?" The old EMSCO sleds you could do anything to them and they held up. Had mine for 20 years. Some of the new EMSCO are more brittle. Maybe they changed back a little to better plastic again.
flopnfolds	12/28/2016 10:10AM quote Frenchy19: "quote flopnfolds: "I would rent one. They are pretty cheap to rent and in my experience they are better pulling in the snow,less back and forth swinging due to a better harness." Mine has a harness as well as rudders installed in the back on both sides Tracks like a train!" Can you post some pictures? Specifically of how you connected the rope/pole to the sled and then the rope/pole to the harness. My sled has a harness as well, but I still prefer the rented pirages sled over mine. When skiing I get more of a push and pull effect from my set up.
MNLindsey80	12/27/2016 08:47PM Nice! Well it looks like we have options! I'll keep you posted Frenchy19!
Frenchy19	12/27/2016 04:28PM quote flopnfolds: "I would rent one. They are pretty cheap to rent and in my experience they are better pulling in the snow,less back and forth swinging due to a better harness." Mine has a harness as well as rudders installed in the back on both sides Tracks like a train!
flopnfolds	12/27/2016 07:44AM I would rent one. They are pretty cheap to rent and in my experience they are better pulling in the snow,less back and forth swinging due to a better harness.
Frenchy19	12/27/2016 12:26AM quote MNLindsey80: "quote Frenchy19: "quote OldFingers57: "I have an EMSCO one and it has held up fairly well over the pat couple of years. Look on this site for ideas . Pulk " +1 on this design. Easy and cheap to make/modify to your specs." Perfect - this is pretty much EXACTLY what we were thinking of making!" If need be, you can always borrow mine.
MNLindsey80	12/26/2016 09:18PM quote Frenchy19: "quote OldFingers57: "I have an EMSCO one and it has held up fairly well over the pat couple of years. Look on this site for ideas . Pulk " +1 on this design. Easy and cheap to make/modify to your specs." Perfect - this is pretty much EXACTLY what we were thinking of making!
Frenchy19	12/26/2016 08:54PM quote OldFingers57: "I have an EMSCO one and it has held up fairly well over the pat couple of years. Look on this site for ideas . Pulk " +1 on this design. Easy and cheap to make/modify to your specs.
OldFingers57	12/26/2016 07:02PM I have an EMSCO one and it has held up fairly well over the pat couple of years. Look on this site for ideas . Pulk
MNLindsey80	12/26/2016 06:43PM Husband and I are debating renting a pulk from Piragis, or making our own using a 60" sled from Home Depot/Fleet Farm etc... Has anyone ever had them break before? We were a little worried about that - cold + plastic = breakage usually.... thoughts?