Redneck Folding Sled [Pictures]

Garry B · #1 01-01-2011, 05:36 PM

Just wanted to post a few pictures of the sled I designed and my brothers put together this week. I designed it using Google SketchUp. Worked with Dawson from Redwood Plastics to decide on material. Then we put this contraption together.

The sled is entirely made entirely from UHMW polyethylene (http://www.redwoodplastics.com/produ...mw-repro-uhmw/). [Right now the stiffener running across the front is temporary 2x4" since I made a slight material miscalculation and ran out of 1x2" stock]. It's also missing one center runner for the same reason. These will be added soon. The floor disengages from the front two pull rope tie locations and then lays flat. The sides then fold down into the floor on a piano hinge for easy storage in tight spaces and easy transport. The piano hinge will likely rust in time but is easily replaced.

I can drive right in the back with the wheelchair. Get tied down easily to the nylon webbing in the four corners [back two ties are webbing now but the front will be soon]. I don't get out of the sled once on the lake. My brother popped a hole beside me and I fished there. When we want to move a short distance the sled pulls very easily. When it got cold we opened our 6 man tent and lifted it right over top of me in the sled and fished inside. There was still plenty of room.

It's first two trips out proved it to be very tough. The area just after the access onto Hasse was pretty scruffy and chewed (ruts and flood water) up but we didn't tip and the sled held together without trouble. Further out we hit 2" of powder and it was smooth going. 6" of powder was OK too but the quad needed to be in 4 wheel. The worst was the gnarly ruts. If my brother drove the quad slow it was OK. Other brother stood on the back of the sled and held my chair to stabilize things. Still need to add some grip tape for the person standing behind me.

All in all the sled and all the other equipment we built and adapted worked well (room for improvement though) and we had a great time. We caught a bunch of those Hasse micro perch and now just have to find a place where there's some bigger perch!

I'm looking for a shop that can make a hitch on my van so I can mount a rack to carry the sled at the rear of the van. I can't just bolt a stock hitch in place because the van has been adapted for a wheelchair ramp and the gas tank has been moved to the rear. I contacted the mobility company and they said a hitch to hold a bike rack is OK but not for towing something. They don't do those hitches though. Could someone point me in the right direction for a shop that can do such work? Thanks.

Here are some pictures.

Front view of sled:

Another front view:

Side view:

Just drill hole beside sled:

Attachment for holding rod [will be modified - didn't work perfectly - did manage to catch though]:

Reel handle cup. Worked well but had to be reshaped on-site so ends are flared out more than intended. The cup idea turned out well:

Also visible in the above two pictures is the webbing that goes around my chest and the attachment apparatus where the rod attaches to it.

I am very thankful to my wife, daughters and brothers who built these things. Without them it would not have been possible. They did a great job!

raoul · #2 01-01-2011, 05:39 PM

awesome job...i love it!

Alberta Bigbore · #3 01-01-2011, 05:42 PM

thats awesome!!!

Dust1n · #4 01-01-2011, 05:43 PM

whats the censored thing for?

Garry B · #5 01-01-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish Hunter7

whats the censored thing for?

Shy wifey.

DaveFish · #6 01-01-2011, 05:55 PM

That's just awesome, great job.

ragweed · #7 01-01-2011, 05:58 PM

Wow...great job!

Geezle · #8 01-01-2011, 06:13 PM

Slick Garry, I like it

And it's awesome that the family is helping out to get you out on the ice to do what you enjoy!

Let me know next time you're heading out Garry, and I'll do my damnedest to get out with ya!

Stop Staring at my Rack · #9 01-01-2011, 06:19 PM

Very neat!! So glad you have some great people around you to help you get out on the ice!!!

horsetrader · #10 01-01-2011, 06:40 PM

Had the pleasure of fishing with Garry and his brothers on thursday a great group of guys to fish with. Seen his gear work first hand was very impressed Garry and his family did a fantastic job. Garry out fished me hands down...
OK OK so thats not so hard to do

LOL Either way his set up works slick
and I'm sure Garry is all ready working on improvements. Great pics Garry.

Garry B · #11 01-01-2011, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsetrader

Had the pleasure of fishing with Garry and his brothers on thursday a great group of guys to fish with. Seen his gear work first hand was very impressed Garry and his family did a fantastic job. Garry out fished me hands down...
OK OK so thats not so hard to do

LOL Either way his set up works slick
and I'm sure Garry is all ready working on improvements. Great pics Garry.

Thanks Horsetrader. It was our pleasure to fish with you and I'm just sorry I didn't have any more of that light line that was making all the difference. You'd have been into 'em thick with it. Next time. Best regards and thanks again for the great day!

alacringa · #12 01-01-2011, 06:55 PM

Very cool. That's quite the set-up...and fantastic that you'e got people who will help you with putting it together and getting you out...but where are the fish pics?

FishingFrenzy · #13 01-01-2011, 06:59 PM

Garry B,

This is GENIUS, very, very well thought out design! Your a TRUE fisherman, doing whatever it takes to get out!

Thanks for sharing!

Good luck and TIGHT LINES!

Garry B · #14 01-01-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alacringa

Very cool. That's quite the set-up...and fantastic that you'e got people who will help you with putting it together and getting you out...but where are the fish pics?

Thanks. Since you ask here are the poor little victims. Almost ashamed to put them up ... they were soooo small. But we did get hungry ...

Attachment 30678

mudbug · #15 01-01-2011, 08:31 PM

Now that's an awesome set up

Digger1 · #16 01-01-2011, 08:42 PM

Very awesome, with some real design talent behind it! Talk to you soon, Bro R

goober · #17 01-01-2011, 09:11 PM

Looks sweet!!!

Ken07AOVette · #18 01-01-2011, 09:11 PM

If you have a design in mind, and buy the material I will build it for you for free.

PM for #

Ken

If you want renovations on the sled I can do them too, I own a snowmobile ski making company and have worked with UHMWPE for years. I can likely deliver to Edmonton as well, would give me an excuse to come buy a parrot and cage

Raven · #19 01-01-2011, 09:55 PM

They see me rollin'....

Lol in all seriousness, that's a great idea! Props on a great design.

FishingMOM · #20 01-01-2011, 10:31 PM

That is so cool you guys are helping out.

Check this website out.
http://www.actiontrackchair.com/

http://www.actiontrackchair.com/Imag...TrackChair.jpg

Garry B · #21 01-01-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishingMOM

Check this website out.
http://www.actiontrackchair.com/

Thanks FishingMOM. I'd never seen this chair in all my searching for mobility aids. It's just cool.

Regards

Rockymtnx · #22 01-01-2011, 10:51 PM

Looks pretty slick!

RayB's · #23 01-01-2011, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsetrader

Had the pleasure of fishing with Garry and his brothers on thursday a great group of guys to fish with. Seen his gear work first hand was very impressed Garry and his family did a fantastic job. Garry out fished me hands down...
OK OK so thats not so hard to do

LOL Either way his set up works slick
and I'm sure Garry is all ready working on improvements. Great pics Garry.

Horsetrader, it was great fishing with you the other day, I'm glad you were able to make it out. Hopefully we'll be able to go again some time, and for larger perch!

RayB's · #24 01-01-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger1

Very awesome, with some real design talent behind it! Talk to you soon, Bro R

Hey thanks Digger1, Garry comes up with the ideas, and we all do what we can to make it happen, it's rewarding all the way around!

Sequoia · #25 01-01-2011, 11:51 PM

Cool..happy fishing!

horsetrader · #26 01-02-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayB's

Horsetrader, it was great fishing with you the other day, I'm glad you were able to make it out. Hopefully we'll be able to go again some time, and for larger perch!

Thanks Ray had a great time. We'll have to make it happen again

Regards Kim

ULTRAlite · #27 01-02-2011, 04:11 PM

Hell of a rig - great design and construction.

The passion for the outdoors runs deep!

Rumtan · #28 01-02-2011, 04:39 PM

I am very impressed with the sled and even more impressed with the kind offers to help out. Seeing the good work guys and gals do for each other makes me proud to be a member of this forum.
I am neither a welder or a pipe fitter but would love to help out if you need a hand putting it together. Just pm me ..... I am available on weekends

FishingMOM · #29 01-02-2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garry B

Thanks FishingMOM. I'd never seen this chair in all my searching for mobility aids. It's just cool.

Regards

Garry,

Well your rig looks wonderful. That thing i found will help you get out hunting with the boys. Looks like your on your way to kicking all our butts in the great outdoors.

My hats off to you on your design. very well done.

Garry B · #30 01-02-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishingMOM

Looks like your on your way to kicking all our butts in the great outdoors.

Hahaha - I don't think so! The one butt I was worried about getting kicked was my own when we hit those first ruts with too much speed. I thought we're gonna tip this thing for sure and I'm gonna break something. But we kept it right side up and slowed down the next time over and all was fine.

I'm hoping someone else might get ideas from what we built.

Regards