Of course, driving fast in the snow is a sea of unforgettable positive emotions and sensations that are deposited in a person’s memory for long years. It’s always nice to remember those romantic moments when you go fishing alone or with friends in the winter or just into the deep forest in search of adrenaline. But sometimes, in order to accommodate all the luggage and people, one snowmobile is not enough. For such purposes, there are sleighs in which you can put absolutely any thing. And if you have such a dream - to ride like a breeze through a snow-covered valley, you can easily make it come true, as today we will tell you how to make a sled for a snowmobile.
Varieties
First, you need to decide what type of vehicle your vehicle will be. Either it will be a drag sled, or a classic device with runners. To figure out which type is best to use, let's look at each one individually.
Volokushi
These sleds received this name because of their primitive shape. The design of such a vehicle includes several poles that are interconnected transversely. However, there are no wheels or runners in their design. Such sled-drags for snowmobiles are mainly used in forest and swampy areas. You can place hay, firewood, and even Construction Materials. The drags are characterized by a fairly simple design, so you can make such a sled for a snowmobile with your own hands in a matter of hours. In this case, the costs of materials will be minimal.
The main advantage of this sled is also its compact size (there is always a place to store it in the summer) and easy transportation. Thus, if necessary, drags can be transported even on a regular passenger car. Another plus is road stability. Despite its ancient design, snowmobile sleds are quite stable when turning and do not tip over when transporting large loads.
In general, everything is designed with practicality and versatility in mind. The only thing that can complicate the design of this vehicle is the presence of shock-absorbing mechanisms, which have recently begun to be equipped by manufacturing plants on production models. However, when making a snowmobile sled with your own hands, you can decide for yourself whether it is worth installing such devices on skids or not. This is the whole “trick” homemade parts and devices - only you are the chief engineer, and the design of the future product will depend on your decision. But let's not deviate from the topic and move on to the classic sleigh with runners.
Sleigh with runners
Unlike drags, this type is often used to transport passengers. It can also be used to transport massive cargo. And if the previous version of the sleigh is made from special plastic (in industrial conditions), then a vehicle with runners can be made from sheet metal, and from frost-resistant plastic. This is their main design difference. Otherwise, they are no different from drag sleds, so which type of sled to choose depends only on you and the operating conditions. However, if you are considering the option of transporting people on them, the option with runners will certainly be the most suitable.
How to make a snowmobile sled with your own hands?
First, you need to draw a sketch or diagram of the future structure. Snowmobile sled drawings should include elements such as:
- body;
- frame;
- drawbar.
In addition, you should draw a picture of the skis, indicate their location and the placement of fasteners. This way you will know in advance what exactly you will get in the end. In addition, by calculating the length and width of the structure, you can find out exactly what quantity and length of metal you need for the work. But here you need to be careful, since the data does not always coincide with reality. For this reason, you should buy a little more sheet metal and other steel products (at a rate of about 8-10 percent more than required). For example, if for work you need to purchase a pipe with square section 200 centimeters long, add 10% to this value and get data of 220 centimeters. In any case, this “tail” can be trimmed. It’s another matter if the pipe turns out to be short - this is where the problems begin.
How to make a body and frame?
The inside of the sleigh body is lined with plywood approximately 1 centimeter thick. Above protective sheet it can not be laid, because this material significantly makes the structure heavier. The shape of the frame will be rectangular. It should be made from a square measuring 20x20 millimeters. In order to make the sled more durable, additionally weld a sheet of iron about 2 millimeters thick to the base.
Do-it-yourself sled for a snowmobile - making a drawbar
Since they are constantly exposed to significant loads when moving, it is advisable to use special spring shock absorbers in the drawbar to soften shocks when braking and turning. The base of the hitch is also made of 20x20 millimeters. In this case, the total length should be 160-170 centimeters. The spring, which will serve as a shock-absorbing element, can be taken from the car cylinder head. Such parts usually have a size of no more than 5-7 millimeters and are quite soft, which is what is required to reduce impacts on the sled. The drawbar is fixed in the front part of the body. An additional stand should be welded here to increase the strength of the coupling. An additional sheet of metal is installed between the racks themselves, into which a sleeve with a diameter of 2.5 centimeters will cut.
Skis
All homemade snowmobile sleds, like their factory counterparts, have a pair of skis. In our case, they will be made of sheet metal. To make a homemade snowmobile sled rigid, it is advisable to use a sheet bender to form additional bends of 2 cm each. The total length of the runners is about 2-2.5 m. The skis are attached to the frame using 8 U-shaped posts 130 millimeters high.
Polymer pipes – universal material, which is perfect for arranging water supply, sewerage and heating systems in a house or apartment. However, in the hands home handyman, who has a remarkable imagination and an insatiable desire to make something on his own, PVC parts can turn into quite intricate, but no less useful products. For example, in a snowmobile sled from plastic pipes, the manufacturing process of which will be discussed below.
Types of sled trailers
It should be noted that you will not find a universal model.
There are many factors that influence which sled to use:
- the specifics of the route to be overcome;
- height and density snow cover;
- terrain features and so on.
Let's look at a few of the most common types.
Freight
The design of these sleds is quite complex. For sliding, skis are used, which can be connected to the frame using shock absorbers. There are varieties designed for transporting heavy and oversized cargo.
Sometimes a special box is placed on cargo sleds, with which you can go on long tourist trips.
The main advantage of cargo sleds is their large load capacity and excellent maneuverability. These parameters depend on the size of the frame (the wider, the more stable the sled will be) and the area of the sliding surface (the type of runners used).
It is also desirable that the platform is high from the snow crust. This way the cargo was protected from getting wet. But you should not make the sled too high, otherwise it will often tip over when turning.
Volokushi
A very common type of sled. Their design is extremely simple. They are sold in all specialized travel stores and are relatively inexpensive.
Dragging trucks have one big drawback - due to their characteristics, their leading edge and coupling device are often damaged.
But there are also advantages:
- little weight;
- low center of gravity;
- fast loading and unloading of luggage;
- no freezing of the body;
- the ability to transport small cargo by water.
Volokushis are absolutely not intended for transporting people. The entire surface of the body is in contact with snow, and therefore it is not possible to install shock absorbers. In addition, unlike models with skis, these sleds absorb the impacts of stones, snowdrifts and unevenness with the entire body, which undoubtedly affects comfort.
Passenger
They are not very common in our country due to the lack of appropriate infrastructure (equipped snow trails and parking areas). Often such sleds are made independently by winter fishing enthusiasts.
They are a plastic or plywood body mounted on skids. The cabin can be equipped with a heater and lighting fixtures.
The disadvantage is the heavy weight, so for transportation you need to use powerful snowmobiles equipped with a four-stroke power unit.
Design features of the sled
Before you begin design work, you need to understand what basic elements the sled consists of. The fact is that the manufacturing process includes several stages, at each of which some key part is made.
It is necessary that you have a good understanding of the purpose of each of them:
- The main part of any sled is the frame, which is the basic supporting element for the entire structure.
It must be as durable as possible, since it depends on:
- safety of operation of homemade sleds;
- duration of trouble-free operation;
- reliability of the device as a whole.
Considering that the snowmobile sled will be used in difficult conditions, the frame should tolerate well negative temperatures ambient air, as well as the impacts to which the sled is constantly exposed when driving through forests or bushes.
Otherwise, you will be unpleasantly surprised when the loaded sleigh falls apart while riding and dumps all your belongings on the snow in the middle of a forest clearing.
- Second important element– runners. Strength is also very important here, however, one more important detail– ease of control. This determines whether the sled will tip over when cornering or not.
The last point is the dimensions of the structure. This parameter is selected individually based on the tasks that are supposed to be solved with its help.
The sled may be small, but maneuverable and light. Either it will be durable reliable design, designed to move significant loads. You decide.
Making a sleigh
Tools and materials
Once you have decided on the sizes, you can start working.
In order to make a snowmobile sled from PVC pipes, you will need the following tools and materials:
- (they are purchased at the store, but you can also use old ones left over after repairing or dismantling an old water supply system);
- a hacksaw or special scissors for cutting plastic pipes;
- apparatus for welding pipes and fittings;
- an industrial hair dryer that will be used to warm up, and;
- sharp mechanic's knife;
- sanding paper, file;
- marker for marking parts;
- bolts and nuts for securing parts;
- metal corners that will strengthen the assembly points.
Operating procedure
It’s not difficult to make a sled from plastic pipes with your own hands. The price of the material is low, which will save a significant amount Money, which you would spend by purchasing ready-made models sold in specialized stores.
The manufacturing instructions consist of several successive steps:
- The first step is to mark the lines on the pipes along which they will be cut. Need to pay Special attention to carefully observe the dimensions, otherwise the sled will turn out asymmetrical, and the work will need to be redone.
The ends of the pipes should be fused or connected using fittings. If you are not going to do this, you can saw the ends of the parts at an angle of 45 degrees and fasten the frame using metal corners.
- Considering that sleds usually have rectangular shape, for the frame you will need two long and two short parts. After marking and cutting, the ends must be thoroughly cleaned sandpaper or a file.
- After this, the frame is placed on a workbench or floor and checked again to ensure compliance with the design dimensions.. Then it is welded. If you do not have a special soldering iron, the connection can be made using bolts and nuts. In this case, metal corners are used to add strength.
Advice!
Usage welding machine preferable.
With its help, stronger connections are obtained, and it will take less time to work.
If you don't want to buy specialized tool, it can be rented at a specialized hardware store.
- To give the frame strength (especially when you are making a cargo sled), it needs to be reinforced with additional cross members.
For this purpose, you need to cut several pieces of pipes of suitable length and process their ends with a file, giving them an oval shape corresponding to the diameter of the pipe.
Next, they are inserted into the frame in the form of spacers and melted or secured metal corners. Remember, the strength of the sled will depend on the quality and thoroughness of the frame assembly. - The next stage is the manufacture of racks. The height of the sled above the level of snow crust will depend on their length.
In this case, it is advisable to take into account the following nuances:
- a sled that is too tall will often flip over when turning due to its high center of gravity;
- a platform on low racks will not pass well through deep snow, and the cargo located on it will get wet.
Advice!
The optimal height of the sled is from 20 to 30 cm.
The racks connecting the frame to the runners should be exactly this length.
- The number of supports depends on the length of the sled, but for strength and reliability they need to be made larger. It is advisable that 6-8 pieces are mounted on each side. They should also be processed with a file ( round section) for a tighter fit to the frame. As you work, constantly try on the part to the place where it is welded.
The lower part of the racks can be different:
- flat - if you plan to use flat wide runners (for example, from cut polymer pipes big size);
- semicircular - if the runners of the sled are round (from ordinary plastic parts small diameter).
- After adjusting the dimensions, the runner stands are attached to the frame using a soldering iron or corners. Make sure that they are all installed smoothly, without distortions.
- Now it's the runners' turn. To do this, you need to decide on their shape. The easiest way is to make round skis from ordinary pipes. However, this option is less comfortable to use, since the sled will often fall through the snow crust and turn poorly.
Homemade sleds made from plastic pipes with flat skis are more stable and maneuverable. When the snowmobile turns at high speed, it will not tip over sideways.
- To from round pipes to make flat skis, they need to be cut lengthwise and bent. For this purpose it is used construction hair dryer. As a last resort, you can heat the part over an open fire, but this must be done carefully, as the plastic may melt.
After heating the pipe with a hairdryer, place a board with a weight on top of it and leave until it cools completely. The fold in front is done in the same way. - In order for the sled to pass through deep snow, the bend of the skis must be made large and the upper end must be secured to the frame, forming a semicircle.
A seat, a box for transporting things and other accessories of your choice can be installed on top of the frame.
Don't forget to attach a drawbar, with which the sled will be secured to the snowmobile's towbar.
Advice!
It is recommended to assemble and install a simple electrical circuit with a light bulb that is mounted on the dashboard.
When the sled is separated from the towbar, the circuit will open, which will be signaled by the light coming on.
This way, you won't lose your sled while driving through the forest.
Conclusion
In addition to a trailer for a snowmobile, children's sleds can be made in a similar way. You just need to choose the right sizes. For more details, see the video in this article.
A real, experienced fisherman always has additional equipment. For winter fishing It is advisable to have a tent, ice screw, fishing rod, box, and so on. IN in this case, a lot depends on the fishing conditions of a particular region. If a body of water is somewhere nearby, then there are no special problems. In such conditions, you can hide from bad weather at any time and return to take what you accidentally left at home.
If it takes a long time to get to a reservoir, then you need to have a device that could facilitate the process of movement.
The fact is that moving in winter, especially with all the equipment, is very difficult. Not only does clothing restrict movement, but you also need to carry equipment. But if you have a sled for fishing in winter, then this problem can be solved. In addition, if you approach this problem correctly, the sled can have more advanced functionality. For example, a sled can serve as a stool or a tent.
There are a huge number of different designs of sleds specifically for fishing. Sleds on metal runners are widely popular. Sleds can be either folding or solid. Unfortunately, such sleds move well on ice, but on snow, and even with a load, this is a problem. Alternatively, instead of runners, you can use children's skis, then there will be no problems with moving on the snow.
In this regard, many anglers began to switch to plastic structures with wide runners that do not fall through the snow. At the same time, such structures have low sides, which can be considered a disadvantage, since the load has to be secured additionally. Despite this, this factor suits many winter fishing enthusiasts.
How to make a fishing sled with your own hands
Anyone can assemble such a structure. The main thing is to decide what kind of sled you need and with what functionality. If you need a sled to deliver fishing equipment to a fishing spot, then it can be made from wood, plastic, aluminum or iron. It all depends on the capabilities of the fisherman and the purpose of the sled.
Metal sleds can be made either collapsible or non-collapsible. More recently, other designs simply did not exist. The metal structure is a rigid and durable base, on top of which there is a platform made of wooden planks or from plywood. This is the so-called cargo area, which is used for transporting cargo. Their only drawback is the difficulty of operating in snowy areas. Due to the fact that the runners are narrow, they sink in the snow and a person needs to expend a lot of effort to move them, and even when loaded.
Similar plastic sleds are made in the form of a trough. They have good performance characteristics. They move without problems both on ice and snow. In this case, you should pay attention to the dimensions of the structure and workmanship. Although many argue that such a design is not difficult to make on your own.
They are widely popular wooden sled. This is the most affordable and easily processed material, and structures made from it will last for many years. The main thing is to have the following tools and materials on hand:
- pine boards;
- wood glue;
- sandpaper;
- jigsaw;
- electric drill, etc.
Manufacturing technology
- You need to take two boards from which two runners will be made. The appropriate shape should be drawn on them and cut out with a jigsaw.
- The runners need to be fastened together. For this, cross bars of the appropriate size are used. The connection may consist of glue and round tenons.
- To strengthen the structure, additional transverse strips are attached to the front and back of the runners, mounted with glue and spikes.
- For a more aesthetic appearance, all excess is cut off and cleaned well.
- The board, which will serve as a cargo platform in the future, is prepared for subsequent fastening by cutting out all the necessary grooves and drilling the corresponding holes.
- An additional bar for fastening is attached to the back of the 2 runners.
- The places where the runners are rounded are reinforced with strips of aluminum or iron. This is necessary so that various obstacles do not damage the runners of the sled.
- Before final assembly It is better to check all the parts for proper size. At the same time, you need to make sure that all elements are sanded and coated with waterproof varnish.
After the sled is assembled, it should be tested for strength by placing on it all the equipment that is used in winter fishing. Only after this does it make sense to take them with you.
Factory-made fishing sled
For those who do not want to spend their time making sleds, there is the opportunity to purchase ready-made ones at a retail outlet.
- This is a light and, at the same time, durable sled, weighing 10.4 kg.
- They are roomy and have dimensions: 165x81x43 cm.
- Relatively high sides.
- Transports well on icy surfaces.
This is a very light sled, weighing 3.6 kg, which is easy to transport by hand. They are made of polyethylene, which is not afraid subzero temperatures. Thanks to the presence of wide skids, as well as a low center of gravity, they are stable under all operating conditions.
Some anglers use baby sleds for their fishing needs. If they are available, there is no need to specially make or buy sleds. Unfortunately, in the presence of noticeable snow cover, problems arise with their operation. In addition, these sleds are not intended for fishing and you will have to come up with additional elements.
This is the most simple design, which are very easy to transport as they take up very little space. Unfortunately, such sleds do not fit many accessories necessary for winter fishing. In addition, inflatable parts are not particularly reliable.
Such sleds have a number of advantages. Firstly, they are quite spacious, and secondly, they will pass over any surface without any problems, due to the wide contact plane. The main material is plastic, which is not afraid of frost. They are easy to move on ice or snow using a regular rope. These sleds have high sides, which securely holds the load inside the structure.
Due to the use lightweight material, the sleds themselves are not heavy, which means they are easy to use. There are structures that are attached to the snowmobile. This is especially true when there is a long hike ahead. Naturally, such conditions require more spacious sleds, up to 2 meters long.
How to make a drag sled with your own hands
Dragging sleds are not at all difficult to make with your own hands. For this you can use any available material, from wood to metal. The simplest design is wooden. This is what is being done for wooden frame, consisting of two runners and two bars connecting these runners. A sheet of plywood is attached to the beams on top or ordinary boards are stuffed. A metal handle or hitch must then be attached to the structure so that the sled can be moved by the snowmobile. If you use metal instead of wood, the structure will be much stronger, considering that you will have to move quite far.
In this case, special attention should be paid to the strength of the coupling mechanism. To make it, you can use two pieces of pipe, one of the ends of which should be attached directly to the frame of the sled.
Option for attaching to sleds
- Holes are made around the entire perimeter of the sled.
- Metal cables with a special fastening should be inserted into each of the holes. Moreover, rubber bands must also be used for fastening, which always guarantee reliable fastening of the entire contents of the sled.
- For ease of use, you will need a rope, which is attached to special bolts attached to the sled frame. The rope can be folded in four, and its length can reach about 20 meters.
Finnish fishermen widely use such sleds, while domestic fishermen do not really recognize them. The design consists of a chair, which is located on runners. Its advantage is that you can sit on it both while driving and while fishing. They are very convenient for moving fishing equipment.
First you need to provide yourself with tools and materials:
- Prepare sheet steel.
- Wooden blocks made of pine or other wood.
- A metal rod with threads on both sides.
- Metal linings.
- Tires.
- Bolts.
- Screws.
Assembling the sled contains the following steps:
- The steel leaves bend on both sides.
- In front of the resulting runners, two holes are made for a metal rod.
- At the back, where the angler will stand with his feet, rubber pads are mounted. They will prevent slipping under the influence of snow.
- The dimensions of the structure must be proportional. Upper bar, in size, should be shorter than the distance between the runners.
- At a distance of 1 meter from the curved edge, weld on both sides along the strip. To do this, you need to use beveled beams with self-tapping screws.
- Horizontal posts should be welded to the rod, in the center of the metal sheets.
- It is better to make the seat and back wooden. If you use your imagination and ingenuity, you can create a real masterpiece for winter fishing.
If you have a snowmobile, then you also need a sled. Many fishermen have become convinced that a sled is a useful thing. The main thing is to determine which design is more suitable for specific fishing conditions. It can be a drag sleigh or a classic sleigh with two runners.
As mentioned above, such sleds can be made at home. By the way, if you try, you can make a snowmobile. There are a lot of interesting and simple designs on the Internet that can be easily replicated at home.
Purchased sleds, as a rule, require some modifications, although not significant:
- To inner surface If the sleds are not covered in ice, they should be treated with a silicone-based lubricant or a special ski wax.
- For driving in the dark, reflective elements should be attached to the sides of the sled.
A lot of fishermen are interested in winter fishing, although it is a more troublesome activity, unlike fishing in warm days. Today we will see how you can make a simple and practical sled for winter fishing using old skis.
The ease of assembly lies in the fact that available materials are perfect for this, which will allow you to save a lot. The sled is assembled from two skis, four wooden stands and one platform, for which it can be used as plywood sheet, and a metal frame - here we choose the option that we like best. The manufacturing process is actually very simple.
We fix racks on each ski small height. A board with a thickness of 30–40 mm is suitable for their manufacture. Then a platform is secured on top of the posts. The result is a design with a parallel arrangement of skis relative to each other. We drill holes for the rope.
The platform can be replaced with crossbars - to make them, we take a couple of planks. In this case, before you start assembling the sled, you should answer the question: what will I transport on these skis? Depending on this, we choose one or another design. To fix the skis to the pieces of wood, we use self-tapping screws. In this case, you need to ensure that the caps of the fastening elements are flush with the skis.
If desired, a sled made from skis can be made more advanced in design. The photo below shows that the sled is collapsible, which makes it convenient to carry and carry. You can assemble and disassemble the sled using bolts; ordinary bolts with wing bolts for furniture are suitable for this.
The sled, assembled from old skis, has an outrageously simple design. At the same time, you can make various changes to it at any time, if the situation requires. Regarding the material, the first thing you need to do is get the skis, and also prepare the board and rope.
The well-known saying: “Prepare the sleigh in summer and the cart in winter” fits the topic of this article perfectly.
Snow has fallen, we want to enjoy all the winter pleasures, and the first thing we do is go to the store for equipment.
Difficulty of choice
Skis, skates, sleds - these are the main things we purchase first. However, with all the abundance of goods offered in stores, it often happens that we leave there with nothing.
And this happens because we didn’t like the design, or the product seemed inconvenient and not functional.
After all, everyone has different tastes and preferences. Considering the original Russian ingenuity and skillful hands, can I recommend one effective way satisfy your needs.
Make a sled from plastic pipes, for example, with your own hands. This is what our distant ancestors did, so why don’t we try our strengths and skills?
Moreover, having done something yourself, you will definitely respect yourself and be proud that you can do something that someone else could not or simply did not dare to do.
What are sleds made of?
- Durable and reliable frame. The basis is first and foremost in any vehicle. The frame must be comfortable and strong, otherwise the entire structure will fall apart at the most inopportune moment.
- Strong runners that not only glide well. The runners should be easy to control, because the safety of the rider also depends on this.
- The size of the fund matters too. A sled that is too small and short, as well as one that is too large and heavy, will be less maneuverable.
Note!
Having decided to make a sled yourself, first of all, decide for what purpose you need it.
Either it will be a children's sled for entertainment, or you yourself want to remember your childhood and go for a ride, having fun with friends or family.
Or maybe you need a cargo sled to transport anything - from firewood or building materials to hunting equipment? According to the size and purpose, the product will look like.
Metal sled
Industrially they are usually made from aluminum. This classic version, familiar to everyone from childhood. A seat made of multi-colored wooden planks, a removable backrest and a painted frame that peeled off in the first season of use.
The predecessors of aluminum sleds can be called heavy, powerful and clumsy structures welded from cast iron or steel. The modern generation no longer used them, but older people may well remember.
Wooden analogues
The roots of their invention go back to those distant times when our ancestors could not imagine their life without this transport. As a rule, such sleds were made of hard wood - oak or beech. They are externally attractive, but have one drawback - they are too heavy and are more suitable for transporting goods.
Inflatable sleigh
They began to be produced relatively recently, and mainly for children. Light and soft, but almost uncontrollable, they drive on their own, and oh high speeds and there is no need to talk about travel safety here. At any turn it skids, and the rider simply flies out of them.
Plastic sled
Their first specimens looked very much like a plastic trough or basin. Children love to ride on them, however, they are quite fragile, hard and difficult to control.
They are good for small, safe slides, but they are unlikely to be useful for long-distance transport.
So, there are quite a lot of varieties and types. But choosing is often quite difficult. If you have small children, then you can buy a simple option for them, light and quite safe.
But for economic purposes or for professional skating, choosing equipment is not easy. Therefore, try making it yourself. Very well suited for this purpose.
Note!
Moreover, it is quite possible to use already used ones.
Cheap, as they say, and cheerful. Moreover, such material is very easy to process and give it any shape.
We make the sleigh ourselves
What will you need for this?
Having decided on the size and shape of the sled, stock up on pipes and a minimum of tools.
You will need:
- New or old plastic pipes.
- Saw or hacksaw for metal.
- A device for welding pipes (popularly called an “iron”).
- Industrial hair dryer for heating pipes.
- A sharp knife, even better a special one, a shoe knife.
- Emery cloth or file.
- Marker or pencil.
- Bolts with nuts.
- Metal corners.
Manufacturing process
