Attaching skis to your snowmobile?

[FreakofSnow]

Looking at buying my buddies Polaris 700 RMK and am starting to think about the best way to attach skis to it. I know they'll be times that I just keep em on the pack but for the longer hauls or if there is another rider on the back (i.e. my wife), whats the best way?

I've know some guys just lash one on each side of the runners, but are there carriers to buy? make?

[Alkasquawlik]

I attach mine to the runners. Slip the tails in the footholds and bungee cord the tips to the mountain rack. A very good rack to buy is made by a cool snowboarder from whistler, www.cheetahfactoryracing.com He's a super nice guy and makes super nice racks.

Just cause I can't stop looking at my sled.

[Schralper]

RMK and your wife is gonna ride on the back? Is this some new 2 person RMK I havent heard about? Sweet, I want 1. Cuz if its just the run of the mill RMK I dont think 2 up is gonna be an option. If you're towing thats another story. As for carrying your skis in your pack and sledding, not for long. It sucks! Thats why you need a rack. Make a setup, pretty easy. Kinda depends on if you plan on slednecking w/ the skis on the sled. Dont want the tips to low in the back. I've got some thick nylon type plastic, I cut to hold my skis, along w/ a cinch strap, base to base on 1 side of my sled.
You're gonna want a long tow rope w/ the chunder the RMK tosses back.

[FreakofSnow]

Sweet, thanks Alka, that was the company I was looking for. I had seen that setup a long time ago but couldn't remember who made it.

Schralper - I'm definitely a gaper when it comes to slednecking so I'm not too familiar with the capabilities. If the wife were on the back it obviously wouldn't be going on anything too gnar, maybe just up the road to access the skintrack, I dunno.

Whats your opinion on the 700 RMK for accessing the goods? The main reason I'm considering it is b/c he will be selling it for $2700 (its a 99 with 2200 miles, great shape, reliable etc.). I'm mainly getting it to get me to closer to where I want to ski/skin. Is this going to be too much sled for that? A buddy mentioned that sled is heavier than I might want for riding in the tight spots (i.e. trails), whatcha think?

[Alkasquawlik]

If you wanna go anywhere in snow deeper than 6 inches get the RMK. Buying a trail sled is analogous to going to Squaw or Jackson and only skiing groomers. The reason I got such a spendy and powerful sled isn't because I'm rich (in fact now I'm poor as shit) it's because, as Tom Wayes said, "You can never have too much power on a sled." Get the RMK. Or get something way better, like a Ski-Doo.















(polaris sucks)

[Schralper]

There aint no way your wifey is gonna wanna ride on the back. RMK's are 1 person only sleds. That is unless you're towing, probably 3 peeps no worries. Slednecking, the only way you get the hang of it is riding. Part MotoX, part watercraft. As an access sled no problem, way more sled than you need, unless you're talkin' ungroomed DEEP pow. Tight trails? When in doubt gas out. But carry a shovel and ride w/ someone else to help get you unstuck. It WILL happen.
Your only choice if the wifey is part of the equation is a 2 person sled w/ reverse. Ahhh, reverse. More $$ and heavier but if its just wife and access.....
A 550 is more than enuff sled. More track is better, 144" about perfect. The longer it is, the harder it's to turn around. Big lugs 1.5"+, fling more snow at you towees, which sucks!!

[Schralper]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Alkasquawlik
[B]If you wanna go anywhere in snow deeper than 6 inches get the RMK. Buying a trail sled is analogous to going to Squaw or Jackson and only skiing groomers. The reason I got such a spendy and powerful sled isn't because I'm rich (in fact now I'm poor as shit) it's because, as Tom Wayes said, "You can never have too much power on a sled." Get the RMK. Or get something way better, like a Ski-Doo.


Oh come on now Alka, My lil '93 550, 136"w/ 3/4" lugs, straight skis, Arctic crap gets around fine in 6". Old skewl.
Its the 2' that BOG it down. I got mine for access. Around here we've got groomed trails. Though after being in the Ruby's, I want a newer easier to ride sled.
Like yours! Bastard
If my sled can access there, pretty anything is doable as long as it isnt to deep. I use my sled to get to the goods. Mostly you still gotta hike but some of what we ride is full snowmo tow skiing. Ask Cletus. Serious back, shoulder & quad workout when towin 8 mi back to the top. 5 laps later, UGH!
But I do agree more power is better.
But if you plan on towin big, monster tracks suck for whoever is getting towed.

[Alkasquawlik]

Originally posted by Schralper
Ahhh, reverse. More $$ and heavier

More money, yes, more wieght, barely. My sled has reverse and it adds less than a pound. Electronic reverse. It electronically stops the engine and puts the two-stroker into a reverse spin. No gears, no tranny, no added weight.

Schralper- Yeah, yeah and 550 with a 136 can get you up a lot of stuff, but on those bottomless days in the Ruby's and all around Tahoe, you might as well have brought along a 500 pound brick. The reason I got a good sled too was because all the people I sled and film with all have comparable sleds. So it fucking sucks if your the bastard continually getting stuck on the steep and deep hillclimb to access the secret stash. For filming too, we are doing a lot of doubling and towing so the ass load of power in neccesary.

This just in as well, T. Wayes, living by his quoted mantra, is buying the new 1000, 162 track Summit Highmark X. I think he'll be highmarking the Sphinx in AK.

As for a workout being towed. We've got the ultimate tow system that doesn't work your arms a bit, is actually fairly comfortable and is still safe. I'll let you in if you really really want to know.

Also as far as long tracks for the person being towed, fuck 'em, they're getting a free ride.

[cab9]

Cheetah Factory racks are the way to go, the easiest set up for skis or snowboards, and the skis don't get in your way while you are riding your sled. You can get 2 pair systems, keeps skis and poles off of your back.
I met Tom in Chatter Creek a few years ago, and their last clients left the day we arrived, so we had full access with sleds and cats, it was amazing. spent as much time dropping into ski lines with our sleds as we did skiing them........that was Toms idea, and a good one.

[Shredhead]

Originally posted by Alkasquawlik


As for a workout being towed. We've got the ultimate tow system that doesn't work your arms a bit, is actually fairly comfortable and is still safe. I'll let you in if you really really want to know.

I really want to know!

[Schralper]

Towin w/ an inner tube wrapped around your ass, a caribiner and a rabbit ear in the tow rope?

Well fes up Alka! We gots ta know how? PLEEEEEEZZZZZZ


Push button reverse, oh so nice!

[FreakofSnow]

I made one of these last year and used it a few times, works just like a poma seat, except for the ride is a little faster.

Like my professional Paint sketch?

[Alkasquawlik]

Originally posted by Schralper
Towin w/ an inner tube wrapped around your ass, a caribiner and a rabbit ear in the tow rope?

Well fes up Alka! We gots ta know how? PLEEEEEEZZZZZZ


Push button reverse, oh so nice!

Damn! For once in my life I think I might know something that someone else doesn't. But NOooooo. You just had to go ruin it for me. I'll go back to my corner and continue to hit my self in the head with a tack hammer.



yeah, that's how we do it too. But we use two inner tubes for extra cushion.


I like the way FoS has it but I think trying to quick realease is more of a problem. As well as having to pinch your legs together like you're a chick that's pinching off a piss. Coming around corners at 40 with that behind your ass, in that knee-pinching position sounds a wee bit wierd to me. But I do like the sketch

[gonzo]

i am invisioning a carbiner shot to the balls like none other when the rope breaks...

[FreakofSnow]

Originally posted by gonzo
i am invisioning a carbiner shot to the balls like none other when the rope breaks...

This in fact was what was going through my head the whole time, but my arms and shoulders were loving it.

The pinch actually isn't what you think it would be. You are holding the rope/tube in front of which seems to bear that pressure. We towed in a few times 6 plus miles and I had no issues. Hit 40mph a few times, no problem.

[Alkasquawlik]

That's why we use old climbing rope. No chance of snapping.

I hit 75 mph being towed behind Wayes. But then he shredded his belt.

[Schralper]

It aint the rope that's ever been a problem, just the ice chunks from big tracks. Seen it, right to the nutz! Oh that's gotta hurt.


Damn I'm thinking Maggot Sled Summit, Rubys, next season?
Now I've gotta get me a killa sled.
I'll talk to Chris and Pete into it and have them drag Sage and Dan Gardiner out. Stay @ the Dead Lion Casino in Elko!
What say y'all?

[Alkasquawlik]

The Ruby's are friggin sick and deserve to be schralped.

[iceman]

JR explained a tow rig like that once, but his had a quick release thing in case you got in trouble, you might want to page or PM him or Beaver for beta.

[Schralper]

Originally posted by Alkasquawlik
The Ruby's are friggin sick and deserve to be schralped.

Amen to that!!

[Alkasquawlik]

Originally posted by Spew
after careful monitoring of this thread i have made the following observation:
you pussies are being much too careful. safety meetings are one thing, being safe is another. rabbit ear in the rope, webbing around your waist, stop falling and wussing out.

Guess you didn't follow this thread too close, cause that's nearly exactly what most of us said we do. Only difference is that I use bike inner-tubes instead of webbing. And no one said anywhere in this thread that we fall. So telling us to stop falling is retarded, much like yourself.

[Schralper]

Originally posted by Alkasquawlik
Guess you didn't follow this thread too close, cause that's nearly exactly what most of us said we do. Only difference is that I use bike inner-tubes instead of webbing. And no one said anywhere in this thread that we fall. So telling us to stop falling is retarded, much like yourself.

AMEN, Brutha!

[FreakofSnow]

dropped the first payment on the RMK, that pup will be all mine by the end of summer, can't wait

[Alkasquawlik]

Schaweet. It'll change your life.

[sidenote]I guess spew edited his stuff and crawled back in a corner. [sidenote]

[Fieldys Nuts]

I'm picking up my new sled on Friday and I'm so stoked. I bought a 2003 Arctic Cat Mountain Cat 900 with a 159"x2" track, SLP powderpro skis, hand guards and sled junkey drop brackets. It seems crazy to buy one in June, the same sled would cost more in September so I had to take the bait. I have been looking for a sled for awhile now and this one appeared at right time and right price. Should make for some fun times this winter. Some mountains may have just gotten smaller.
F.N.