Has anyone tipped up the rear of the slide rails?

[Frostbite]

With all this talk of 159", 162" and I suspect 166" and 174" track lengths just around the corner. Has anyone attempted tipping up the rear of their slide rails similarly to what some of the other manufacturers do (Polaris)?

I would think one could cut out a small "V" somewhere in front of the rear idler wheel and bend the rail up slightly and have it welded to improve the trail prowness (for getting to the powder) of what are amounting to be (very capable) station wagons of the forest.

How hard could it be? If someone has access to a heliarc machine and 12 pack for the welders efforts perhaps it might just help the all around capability of the longest of the long tracks?

What do you think?

Frosty

 

[Trxster]

I have thought about it but I do so little trail riding that I don't know if it would improve anything for me other than cause extra hyfax wear....same amount of weight spread out over less hyfax???

Rt

 

[Frostbite]

I completely understand!

Frosty

 

[Turbo Tim]

My fabcraft suspension has tipped up rails , and the Apex mountain does too ,makes it easier to turn and feels more nimble for sure.

 

[Frostbite]

I have to wonder at what track length tipped up rails really start to make sense?
My gut tells me anything longer than 156" or 159" could certainly benefit from tipped up rails but, I have to wonder how nimble tipped up rails could make a 151 or 144" sled feel?

How far from the rear tip of the rail would one attempt to cut a slot and re-weld their rails? From a strictly strength standpoint I would imagine it would be better to just bend the rails some how with out the slot but, most people probably don't have a setup to do it properly.

Hum?? Maybe my 151" would rail like a slot car?

Frosty

 

[Sno-Xr]

If you did the cut and weld, you could fab up some rail brackets to strengthen that area. Similar to the Cat's rails.

 

[Rx1M5]

This is in my future as well. 162 Cat skid no tipped up rails I find the sled pushes really hard on those single sled wide trails getting into areas. Out in the open I don't think it makes a bit if difference one way or the other. Whose got a 162 Yamaha out there and at what distance is the bend from the back and the tip of the rails? I think I'm going to have mine bent at a shop, just need to know where and how many degrees.

Thx Rx1M5

 

[Trxster]

Yeah, definitely pushes but so does my wifes Vector Mountain...I suppose it is less push though. Would be interesting to see if it works.


rt

 

[Frostbite]

Hum??

Maybe bending our rail tips up might make sense after all?

Frosty

 

[lancef53]

I did it on mine, I have a 151 cat skid and a 159 track. It does seem to help on the hardpack, but I did it when I switched skids so I am not sure. I did it on a 159 cat that I had a couple of years ago, I cut the top of the rail (in the triangle cutout)and bent it in a press, and rewelded. It would last for a while, and then crack on the weld. When I did it on my RX, I did the same thing, but I cut a triangle and welded it into the hole. It hasn't broken yet, I think it made it just strong enough too make a difference.

 

[powder muncher]

As soon as you tip up the rails you run into the problem with the track hitting and bending the casting in the tunnel ( under the exhaust) this will leed to the track failures just like on the Apex mountain with the tipped up rails. This is only a issue if you run a after-market tunnel extension and the later or mod skids.