It’s time I filled everyone in on the project I have been working on. I decided to try building a dog sled to play around with in the winter now that I have a couple Siberian’s. We went to Fall Lake last February and did some skijoring, and they did well. Most sleds that I have seen around are too big for two dogs, so enter this project.

The design of this sled has been an ongoing mental image, taking influence from the toboggan style sleds I encountered while camped along 4-mile, crossed with a kicksled so I can help the dogs out.

I am getting close to having the bottom half of the sled done, then I can start working on the handle bar. Here are some pictures of what I have gotten done thus far.

Looking good man. Nice work.

Nice work, and what a nice shop! Have you considered how this design will work once you add one or two more huskies to the team?

Thanks for the kind words guys. I am really enjoying the project.

Jaywalker, that has certainly been a factor in the design of the sled. It is built much heavier than would ever be necessary for two dogs. The only spot I could see being an issue would be the brake support (the board that runs across the back of the bed) but I would think it would take a lot of dogs to rip that off.

I worked on the sled for a while tonight. After work I stopped and picked up more hardware for the runners. I got the short extension of UHMW plastic secured to the runners, so now they are ready to be cut to length.

Great project and sure to be lots of fun! Be sure and post a couple of pictures with your dogs when you're able to get out. I always enjoy seeing pictures of Sibes!

I'm sure you've already thought about it, but if not I'd suggest incorporating a drag mat. For just two dogs you could probably just drop your heels too, but a drag mat is really nice for controlling speed.

Oh, and like Jaywalker mentioned, what a terrific shop.

HappyHuskies: "I'm sure you've already thought about it, but if not I'd suggest incorporating a drag mat. For just two dogs you could probably just drop your heels too, but a drag mat is really nice for controlling speed.
"

Don't most sleds used a small section from an old snowmobile tread for a drag mat? Can they be had easily from snowmobile sellers or shops?

Jaywalker: "

HappyHuskies: "I'm sure you've already thought about it, but if not I'd suggest incorporating a drag mat. For just two dogs you could probably just drop your heels too, but a drag mat is really nice for controlling speed.
"

Don't most sleds used a small section from an old snowmobile tread for a drag mat? Can they be had easily from snowmobile sellers or shops? "

Yep, a section of old snowmobile track works great as a drag mat. Nice that it's cheap (free) too!
Lots of snazzy flip up mats, etc out there too, but absolutely nothing wrong with a chunk of snowmobile track.

HappyHuskies: "

Jaywalker: "

HappyHuskies: "I'm sure you've already thought about it, but if not I'd suggest incorporating a drag mat. For just two dogs you could probably just drop your heels too, but a drag mat is really nice for controlling speed.
"

Don't most sleds used a small section from an old snowmobile tread for a drag mat? Can they be had easily from snowmobile sellers or shops? "

Yep, a section of old snowmobile track works great as a drag mat. Nice that it's cheap (free) too!
Lots of snazzy flip up mats, etc out there too, but absolutely nothing wrong with a chunk of snowmobile track."

Thanks for the kind words HappyHuskies. I will be sure to get some pictures when they are hooked up.

As for the drag mat, yes I have been trying to find a chunk of snowmobile track for it. I may have to start looking harder as the project gets closer to being done.

Another thing I have been trying to figure out what to use on is the footboards. I have heard bicycle tires, grip tape (not a fan of that idea), I thought about a section of a vehicle tire tread, but just today I was browsing Kondo’s website and found they have some nice footboards available on there. What would you guys recommend?

Kondos Footboards

Here is a picture of the dogs on Fall Lake

What terrific dogs! I'll bet they can't wait to get out on another trip.

I don't have a lot of advice to share about footboards, as I've never built my own sleds (but have repaired several ;) I did replace a set of old footboards that were wearing out with a set from Kondos and have never had a problem with them. I also have a set from Prairiebilt and like them as well.

Another source to check would be Coldspot Feeds. Not the cheapest place, but lots of good quality stuff.

I'm also sure there are ways to fabricate your own, but I've never done it. Maybe someone will chime in with experience in this regard.

My recent BWCA trip last weekend and a wedding this weekend has slowed progress on the sled. I have mainly been working on the handle bar assembly lately. I got the riser (proper term for the wood coming up and supporting the handle bar?) mounted to the brackets on the runners. I cut out a matching pair of joints in the riser boards and the handle bar to ensure a nice strong joint (hopefully). After that I cut some plates out of UHMW plastic to join the riser boards.

This design has the ability for the riser to be easily folded down if need be for transport or storage.

The Kondos footboards that I tried didn’t quite work for me. They look like great pieces, but they didn’t fit my design. The bolt hole spacing and width was different than mine. I will have to find something to make them out of.

I finally have something to report again. After the sled looked complete, I completely disassembled it, sanded it, and varnished it with three coats of spar urethane. Today I was able to re-assemble it once again. I replaced some of the nuts on the bed screws with lifting eye nuts, so I have plenty of tie-down points for cargo. While the sled was apart, I trimmed up the aluminum brackets and then hit them with some polish.

Still on the list:
1. Footboards (I have some material lined up at work).
2. Brake (same material as the footboards).
3. Brush bow which will be cut from a piece of drop from the bed UHMW sheet.
4. Cut the excess threads off the eye bolts on the front of the runners.

After finding some idle time here and there over the last couple weeks I was finally able to get to a point where I would call the sled finished. Since the last report, the footboards and brake have been finished, along with the brush bow, and some hardware changes. After learning how to use a fid, a 100’ section of 1/4” rope has been whittled away at to make some cargo netting. The new Two Dog stove fits fairly nice on the sled.

Now all we need is some snow.

DKalis: "After finding some idle time here and there over the last couple weeks I was finally able to get to a point where I would call the sled finished. Since the last report, the footboards and brake have been finished, along with the brush bow, and some hardware changes. After learning how to use a fid, a 100’ section of 1/4” rope has been whittled away at to make some cargo netting. The new Two Dog stove fits fairly nice on the sled.


Now all we need is some snow.





"

that is beautiful, very nice job, i have a question not knowing anything about dog sleds, do the foot ski's, what i mean,( where you put your feet), do they not wander side to side, or are they stiff enough to stay true while sledding? nice dog's btw also, have a fun winter.

bwcasolo: "

DKalis: "After finding some idle time here and there over the last couple weeks I was finally able to get to a point where I would call the sled finished. Since the last report, the footboards and brake have been finished, along with the brush bow, and some hardware changes. After learning how to use a fid, a 100’ section of 1/4” rope has been whittled away at to make some cargo netting. The new Two Dog stove fits fairly nice on the sled.



Now all we need is some snow.







"

that is beautiful, very nice job, i have a question not knowing anything about dog sleds, do the foot ski's, what i mean,( where you put your feet), do they not wander side to side, or are they stiff enough to stay true while sledding? nice dog's btw also, have a fun winter."

Thanks for the kind words. As far as the runners having flex side-to-side, I think they will have a small amount. They seem pretty stiff and I purposely made them thicker (taller) to help provide some strength. Being that the bed is short I wanted to keep the runners a bit longer to encourage better tracking.

DKalis: "

HappyHuskies: "

Jaywalker: "

HappyHuskies: "I'm sure you've already thought about it, but if not I'd suggest incorporating a drag mat. For just two dogs you could probably just drop your heels too, but a drag mat is really nice for controlling speed.
"

Don't most sleds used a small section from an old snowmobile tread for a drag mat? Can they be had easily from snowmobile sellers or shops? "

Yep, a section of old snowmobile track works great as a drag mat. Nice that it's cheap (free) too!
Lots of snazzy flip up mats, etc out there too, but absolutely nothing wrong with a chunk of snowmobile track."

Thanks for the kind words HappyHuskies. I will be sure to get some pictures when they are hooked up.


As for the drag mat, yes I have been trying to find a chunk of snowmobile track for it. I may have to start looking harder as the project gets closer to being done.


Another thing I have been trying to figure out what to use on is the footboards. I have heard bicycle tires, grip tape (not a fan of that idea), I thought about a section of a vehicle tire tread, but just today I was browsing Kondo’s website and found they have some nice footboards available on there. What would you guys recommend?


Kondos Footboards


Here is a picture of the dogs on Fall Lake


Nice dogs-is the one a Malmute or husky?


"

Ivan (left) is AKC Siberian Husky and Kymber (right) is CKC Siberian Husky

I have been able to get the sled out a couple times. The dogs are getting the hang of what they need to do. I started them out pulling the empty sled around the yard and gradually loaded the sled down. We need to work on endurance.

A husky/mal mix came into the shelter in town and after the dogs and I met her, she came home. She is about a year and a half old, so she fits right into the pack. She took to the harness really well and proved herself to be a strong puller on our recent trip to SE Minnesota.

EDIT- fixed the photos.

Congrats on the new dog. Should add a lot of power to the team. I'm looking forward to your next pictures .... could not really see to clearly with this batch ... LOL.

Thank you for sharing. I'm really enjoying following along on your progression.

That’s great. I enjoy the update with the happy dogs!

Pretty girl and a nice tight tug. You've got a good looking team there!

I know this thread is old and a year since the last post.
First a few comments on the sled build. I have helped build and have repaired sleds. Learned sled building from a friend who is an Iditarod finisher. Your sled looks nice but just a few comments. From the pictures it looks like your sled may be pretty rigid and not have much flex. Flex is what makes a sled easy to steer. For a drag mat I like old round baler belts better than snowmobile track. Being a farmer I have lots of it available and have given quite a bit to other mushers. I am planning to build a couple small children's toboggan sleds for my grandchildren before next winter. I have 7 Siberian Huskies. a Lab and a Border Collie that pull. Next winter along with the races I do in Michigan I plan to do the Beargrease 40 and a trip to the BWCA.
The month of February we were typically running 20 to 30 miles a day. I have 10 miles of trail on my farm.

KeithMiller: "I know this thread is old and a year since the last post.
First a few comments on the sled build. I have helped build and have repaired sleds. Learned sled building from a friend who is an Iditarod finisher. Your sled looks nice but just a few comments. From the pictures it looks like your sled may be pretty rigid and not have much flex. Flex is what makes a sled easy to steer. For a drag mat I like old round baler belts better than snowmobile track. Being a farmer I have lots of it available and have given quite a bit to other mushers. I am planning to build a couple small children's toboggan sleds for my grandchildren before next winter. I have 7 Siberian Huskies. a Lab and a Border Collie that pull. Next winter along with the races I do in Michigan I plan to do the Beargrease 40 and a trip to the BWCA.
The month of February we were typically running 20 to 30 miles a day. I have 10 miles of trail on my farm.

"

Thanks for the words of advice, I certainly need some being new to the game! You are right about it being rigid. The handlebar needs some reworking for sure. The rest of the sled performed pretty well.

Another thing I have been trying to figure out what to use on is the footboards. I have heard bicycle tires, grip tape (not a fan of that idea), I thought about a section of a vehicle tire tread, but just today I was browsing Kondo’s website and found they have some nice footboards available on there. What would you guys recommend?



Kondos Footboards



Here is a picture of the dogs on Fall Lake



Nice dogs-is the one a Malmute or husky?



""
You can buy very nice foot boards but if you want to keep it cheap pieces of used mountain bike tires work pretty good.