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billconner
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01/02/2021 06:14PM  
Looking at a diy. searched here but the links are all dead. Is the Paris Expedition Ice Fishing sled still a good start? sled

I have at least a dozen do diy plans but if you have a favorite, pleas post.

Thanks!

 
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DanCooke
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01/02/2021 08:30PM  
It is a good sled. tougher than the local big box stores typically. Tow with a rope or with poles. Often way too small if you try to hot tent with a canvas tent. if you have a very bulky but light load one can often tow multiple sleds in a train.
 
SevenofNine
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01/03/2021 01:05PM  
Good sled and tough to boot. I use one and don’t baby it.
 
01/03/2021 03:07PM  
I have a Paris Expedition and like it, though I use my UHMWPE sled more now. Emsco is another brand I’ve seen people use that’s tough, but I don’t have personal experience. On hilly terrain I liked having the poles (pvc tubes with rope running through), but on flatter land I’m ok with one looped rope. Making attachment points is easy - just use a 1/4 drill to make holes around the edges and run cord through to suit your needs. Good luck.
 
billconner
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01/03/2021 05:35PM  
Thank you!
Planning on poles and belt.
 
01/06/2021 06:49PM  
I made one of these a couple years ago and it has never been used. If anyone is in the Twin Cities area and wants it, you are welcome to it.
 
thegildedgopher
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01/08/2021 01:20PM  
billconner: "I have at least a dozen do diy plans but if you have a favorite, pleas post.

Thanks!

"


I used this one from REI and it worked out well. I actually used a small Otter sport sled since it was for ice fishing and modified a bit.
 
SevenofNine
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01/08/2021 02:40PM  
Frenchy19: "I made one of these a couple years ago and it has never been used. If anyone is in the Twin Cities area and wants it, you are welcome to it."


Mark, if your sled is available I am interested.

Greg
 
billconner
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01/08/2021 06:23PM  
thegildedgopher: "
billconner: "I have at least a dozen do diy plans but if you have a favorite, pleas post.


Thanks!


"



I used this one from REI and it worked out well. I actually used a small Otter sport sled since it was for ice fishing and modified a bit."


I liked thst one as well. I watched one by a former Marine that I liked - the tie down system seemed smart. just ordered sled.
 
Happyman01
member (8)member
  
01/18/2021 05:07PM  
Frenchy19: "I made one of these a couple years ago and it has never been used. If anyone is in the Twin Cities area and wants it, you are welcome to it."


I would definitely be interested in this! I am taking a trip in a few weeks and was planning on just using a long rope on a sled, but I'd be very interested in this if it's still available!
 
Savage Voyageur
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01/18/2021 09:33PM  
I must take way too much ice fishing gear. I say this because the sled looks tiny. Please explain what you take and how you pack. Do you pull multiple sleds? Is it stacked 4’ high?
 
ChadW
member (8)member
  
01/19/2021 08:49PM  
thegildedgopher: "
billconner: "I have at least a dozen do diy plans but if you have a favorite, pleas post.


Thanks!


"



I used this one from REI and it worked out well. I actually used a small Otter sport sled since it was for ice fishing and modified a bit."


I also followed this REI guide to make my pulk, using a Paris expedition for the sled. One note I learned from:
1) I made my first belt with some webbing and a buckle similar to what is described in the guide. The buckle broke and the pins ripped the grommets out of the belt on my first multi-day trip. I replaced the belt with a Patagonia Tech Web belt (super tough), which I installed grommets in for the pins. I also installed soft rubber washers to force to fit of the belt-pin-pole structure. Works much better - still perfect after many long days, although the belt tends to loosen slowly during the day and requires a periodic cinching up.

To answer Savage Votageur’s question, assuming the Paris is still kind of small...
I’m typically solo (so no splitting gear), but I cold tent and have minimal ice fishing gear - hand auger, one rod, skimmer, tackle, very small folding chair. All gear fits in a big duffle that sits nice in the sled, except the auger, foam sleeping pad, and small shovel get lashed outside the duffle.
 
01/22/2021 09:11AM  
Savage Voyageur: "I must take way too much ice fishing gear. I say this because the sled looks tiny. Please explain what you take and how you pack. Do you pull multiple sleds? Is it stacked 4’ high? "

The Paris sled has about 4 - 4 1/2 feet of packable space the ends curl up a bit so it depends where you measure). This worked well for me when cold camping with minimal gear, but when I switched to hot tenting and longer trips it did not provide enough space so I added a "caboose". If you stack gear too high, you will definitely be tipping over more often. Like ChadW said, I am going solo so have to haul all the gear instead of splitting it up. I also have a bigger Snowtrekker tent and stove than I need. The caboose worked fine for a trip or two, but then I built a 9 1/2 foot long UHMWPE sled and use that most of the time now.

 
billconner
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01/22/2021 07:07PM  
My sled arrived today. For various reasons, I bought an ESP instead. It seems rugged - hope itiswhen cold - and 6" longer. Weekend project. Hopefully snowshoes arrive soon.
 
01/22/2021 10:27PM  
billconner: "My sled arrived today. For various reasons, I bought an ESP instead. It seems rugged - hope itiswhen cold - and 6" longer. Weekend project. Hopefully snowshoes arrive soon."

That looks like the Emsco to me. Should be equally sturdy to the Paris. I did not realize the were more like 6 feet. I think that will be an advantage.
 
billconner
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01/23/2021 08:31AM  
Yes it is the EMSCO . Seems very adequate for me since I don't hot tent. Plenty of room for two portage packs - probably take Timberline instead of Copper Spur, Exped DLX 9, and two sleeping bags.
 
01/23/2021 11:20AM  
billconner: "Yes it is the EMSCO . Seems very adequate for me since I don't hot tent. Plenty of room for two portage packs - probably take Timberline instead of Copper Spur, Exped DLX 9, and two sleeping bags. "
You are all set! One thing I'll suggest you consider adding to that list is a Thermarest Z-lite folding closed cell pad to go under your Downmat. They are cheap, light, fold fast and add 2 R value, but they also do a good job of helping protect the inflatable pad against any little sticks that might poke up and serves as a back up pad in case the inflatable pops.
 
billconner
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01/23/2021 03:01PM  
The emsco already has holes about a foot apart on both sides. Should be easy fit-out.

I might take an extra pad, thanks. I have found the Exped very good - absolutely no melt under after three nights. Snow was still powdery.
 
billconner
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01/24/2021 07:54AM  
What's the purpose of the hose sleeve on the sled end of the pvc poles? I see it in several designs but not all.
 
ChadW
member (8)member
  
01/24/2021 01:35PM  
billconner: "What's the purpose of the hose sleeve on the sled end of the pvc poles? I see it in several designs but not all. "


I find they act like shock absorbers if things are jerking around a bit, and when you have downhill slopes.
 
billconner
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01/24/2021 06:23PM  
I watched 5 or 6 youtube diy pulks and read some instructions. It seems tighter fittings - less slop - are preferred. The commercial ones I saw and 2 diy used a bracket and rigid ring on poles - no slop. No carabineer and rope through pipe like REI and others.

Some have "brakes" to stop it from sliding downhill backwards - a plate (one used a license plate actually) on a piano hinge on back.

Trying to figure out if the fins added on bottom are worth it.

This is what happens when you have more time when retired. :)
 
billconner
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01/25/2021 09:31AM  
The three most useful links after the REI link I've found for diy pulks.

seems like a very good design
Utah climbers


I like the schedule 80 pvc conduit poles - as the shipping for the fibre glass poles is expensive.
Yankee's Journey

Last, a good "book" with a lot of ideas to consider.
Book

Right now I'm leaning towards the (heavy) pvc, tie rod ends both ends, and using the flange or mounting for small rigid casters on the sled.
 
DanCooke
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01/25/2021 12:45PM  
I have done the rope and now am using the ridgid system on both pulks and Toboggans. Fins get down into the slush more, getting the slush off is a pain. . I would not use them Brakes only useful on the portages and then not too often
 
billconner
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01/25/2021 06:05PM  
Thanks Dan. I'm looking at a 20 mile loop trail probably with snowshoes with lots of ups and downs so wondered about brake. Will skip fins for now.
 
01/25/2021 08:59PM  
Not sure if it’s helpful or not, but I’ve never used any sort of break. I do have about a 10 foot cord with a loop big enough to put my mitts through dragging behind my toboggan so I can lower it before me downhills. I also have a 75 foot 9mm safety rope accessible to further help me let the toboggan down hills or help pull it up.

Oh and a few times going down hill I’ve just let my toboggan go to see what happens. It usually gets tangled in the woods, so this may not be the best approach.
 
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