Towing a dead sled

[NFLD-Nytro]

Pull the belt and hook up to the a-arms.

What he said.

 

[NFLD-Nytro]

Great question!

A few of you have suggested hooking up to the A-arms?
Personally I think the spindles would be a better place wouldn't they?

They are stronger, thicker etc and wouldn't be prone to bending like the A-arms would be, imo?

How, exactly, are the spindles connected to the sled?

 

[canoehead]

Heard a story the other day of how a guy towed his Polaris a distance without pulling the belt off. Seized the motor apparently in no time... LOL. That's what happens when 2 smokes spin over with no fuel/oil..

 

[Irv]

Great question!

A few of you have suggested hooking up to the A-arms?
Personally I think the spindles would be a better place wouldn't they?

They are stronger, thicker etc and wouldn't be prone to bending like the A-arms would be, imo?

How, exactly, are the spindles connected to the sled?

I know what your getting at but to say hook them to the a-arms is just wrong imo.

By hooking them to the spindle, you are technically hooking them to both a-arms which would make it a stronger towing point than just hooking to 1 a-arm, which I assume most do who tow that way?

 

[NFLD-Nytro]

Great question!

A few of you have suggested hooking up to the A-arms?
Personally I think the spindles would be a better place wouldn't they?

They are stronger, thicker etc and wouldn't be prone to bending like the A-arms would be, imo?

How, exactly, are the spindles connected to the sled?

I know what your getting at but to say hook them to the a-arms is just wrong imo.

By hooking them to the spindle, you are technically hooking them to both a-arms which would make it a stronger towing point than just hooking to 1 a-arm, which I assume most do who tow that way?

Ah, I see what you mean.

Nonetheless, when you hook it to the spindles you are increasing the leverage it exerts, and are more likely to cause damage.

When I tow, I use the lower a-arm from both sides of the sled, and the rope is attached as close to the mounting point as possible, meaning there's very little leverage, and almost no chance you're going to bed an a-arm. It really is the strongest point available to tow from, other than somehow tying directly to the bulk head.

 

[canoehead]

I guess no one has a functional front bumper?

 

[NFLD-Nytro]

I guess no one has a functional front bumper?

I would NEVER tow from the front bumper, even if it's probably doable with a Nytro.

 

[new4stroker]

I guess no one has a functional front bumper?

I would NEVER tow from the front bumper, even if it's probably doable with a Nytro.

That's funny the bumper on the Venture appears to be attached right to frame or am I wrong? That is what I use to tie down to trailer in front so if its not I best change my practice.

 

[NFLD-Nytro]

I guess no one has a functional front bumper?

I would NEVER tow from the front bumper, even if it's probably doable with a Nytro.

That's funny the bumper on the Venture appears to be attached right to frame or am I wrong? That is what I use to tie down to trailer in front so if its not I best change my practice.

No, you're right, the newer Yamaha's have good bumpers that would probably be safe to tow from. But years of towing from A-arms or IFS spindles just have me in the habit of towing there, and I KNOW that no matter what sled it is, the A-arms are going to be a good place to to from.

 

[LJ 452]

I guess no one has a functional front bumper?

Ironically the Nytro front bumper is the last place I would hook a tow rope to. A load in any direction other than vertical and she folds. It (Stock) is made from a thin-wall aluminum tube. You'd be better off hooking up to the windscreen.

 

[canoehead]

I guess no one has a functional front bumper?

Ironically the Nytro front bumper is the last place I would hook a tow rope to. A load in any direction other than vertical and she folds. It (Stock) is made from a thin-wall aluminum tube. You'd be better off hooking up to the windscreen.

Definately was not indicating to tow from a stock front bumper. I'm pretty sure my Skinz would take alot of tugging, but I normally don't tow anybody with my front bumper. LOL

 

[mooseflyer]

The front bumper on my Venture seems really beefy.

 

[maim]

Another way is to put the rear of the dead sled on the back of the towing sled and tie it down. Apparently it's like rubbing a cat the wrong way and the towed sled will go all over the place. I think that method should only be used as a last resort.

We've done this and it works great for shorter distances. Used some tow straps to tie it to Maim's sled (not in the picture yet).

works much better if you steer the towed sled by standing on the skis. sapplingkiller and i towed one on the jan ty ride 09-10 at 30mph but you need to trust the guy on the skis as it can get out of shape fast. ding and others shook their heads at us but we proved it works.

 

[Mooseman]

All sleds are different so we have to take into account their construction. Aluminum or plastic bumpers are a no-no and I'd be jittery towing from the aluminum spindles on my MP, Phazer or a Nytro. A strong steel bumper would be a good choice, followed by the a-arms. You might even have to look at hooking onto another part of the frame if the sled is really flimsy everywhere. If towing from the a-arms, place the rope/straps at the inner edge, not the middle to reduce bending forces.

It's just common sense.

 

[Teamblue4]

If I ever had to tow one of my sleds in, I would get a flat sled to put under the track and tow it that way.