slomo Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 UPDATED IN POST BELOW Trip out to New Brunswick and other places resulted in a lot of slush on my sled trailer, sled covers and the various tarps I was using so thought there must be a better way. Stuck inside due to a morning temperature of about -32 or so at Pres du Lac Motel in Grand Falls, (disclaimer got CAA rate and snowmobilers discount) started working on a few ideas - at least until it warmed up to -22 or abouts so I could get out on the trails......our friend The Navigator and I had discussed this for him at Nunz's get together as he was looking to trailer a single sled without a whole lot of money on an enclosed....he can have a look and see what he thinks...... concept started here.... a conceptual drawing...... later during the spring, a prototype.... off to NASA for math related feasibility studies... . wind tunnel tests..... ......and today final product minus some work on tie downs. Trailer was supplied to the fabricator with a total configuration of passenger seat and back rest, gas can, and related pack sack full of trail equipment. Allowances were made by the fabricator for when these thing were not included by installing web strapping that would allow tightening of the cover. The material is PVC 18 ounce vinyl tarp - same stuff as used on sides of transport truck trailers etc. As opposed to removing layers of tarp from the machine as in the past, this set up will allow rolling tarp forward over the machine and leaving rolled on the front while sled is off. I have a 137 inch track, which is about the same length as a two up, so any subsequent snowmobile purchased will also fit. Cost was around the $1,000.00 mark. With the money I've saved going this route instead of an enclosed trailer, I've got a trailer that can be used for a variety of purposes year round and I'm good for about 5 more week long trips to New Brunswick trails, PEI trails, Nova Scotia trails or maybe even Newfoundland.... I will miss the friendly horn honks etc. I used to receive with my old set up, but can't let sentimentality stand in the way of progress.... Off to find some stainless steel eye bolts..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake G Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 Great idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sledjunk Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Looks Good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Techdenis007 Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 You could have spent less than a grand building 2x2 framed walls to screw and bolt together to enclose that trailer and still be open during the summer. My brother enclosed an 8x12 sled trailer tall enough to stand in, 2 fold down ramps that close up the rear. Wish I had a picture of it... this was probably 20+ years ago and I think he's still using it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted August 26, 2017 Author Share Posted August 26, 2017 6 hours ago, Denis007 said: You could have spent less than a grand building 2x2 framed walls to screw and bolt together to enclose that trailer and still be open during the summer. My brother enclosed an 8x12 sled trailer tall enough to stand in, 2 fold down ramps that close up the rear. Wish I had a picture of it... this was probably 20+ years ago and I think he's still using it. Just not seeing the savings here Denis....creating a frame where none is necessary as the sled provides that on its own, you then have to cover it with some material which costs money, increased wind resistance and fuel costs, the joy of trying to drive screws into knotty, dried up, sometimes laminated pine 2X2's, your wife having your balls because the elegant slide on attachments to hold her two 16 foot kayaks during the sledding off season is no longer serviceable.....lacks a certain....elan.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UsedtoSkidoo Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 nice slomo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signfan Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 On 2017-08-26 at 6:23 AM, slomo said: Just not seeing the savings here Denis....creating a frame where none is necessary as the sled provides that on its own, you then have to cover it with some material which costs money, increased wind resistance and fuel costs, the joy of trying to drive screws into knotty, dried up, sometimes laminated pine 2X2's, your wife having your balls because the elegant slide on attachments to hold her two 16 foot kayaks during the sledding off season is no longer serviceable.....lacks a certain....elan.... Love the NASA design stages. Very funny. That said there's no way I'm giving up my enclosed trailer for a tarp, regardless of how well it's tied on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 X2 for Yamaha in the diagram .....grrrrr Efficient set-up. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrummage Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 I'm looking at a kit from Cover-Tech (www.cover-tech.com) in New Brunswick. They make the fabric covers for semi trailers. They have an aluminum frame and are custom fit to your trailer. Approx $1200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Sled Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 1 hour ago, scrummage said: I'm looking at a kit from Cover-Tech (www.cover-tech.com) in New Brunswick. They make the fabric covers for semi trailers. They have an aluminum frame and are custom fit to your trailer. Approx $1200. Curious how that would hold up on top with an ice and snow load. I have seen some aluminum framed and skinned clam shells with the aluminum roof frames bowed a bit under snow load. You know those days when you wake up to 3 ft of fresh wet snow that came down overnight or perhaps even a few days where you weren't around to clear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrummage Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 This is the same system they use on flat bed semi trailers and "portable" garages. A testimonial from their web site. Jean Cross - Mactier, Ontario I absolutely love my Cover-Tech garage. We received about a feet of snow on Fri/Sat…It snowed again Mon and by Tuesday there was about 4 feet of snow piled up and pressing on the side walls. I cleared this snow away…We are expected to get another 2 feet in the next 48 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted August 29, 2017 Author Share Posted August 29, 2017 8 hours ago, scrummage said: I'm looking at a kit from Cover-Tech (www.cover-tech.com) in New Brunswick. They make the fabric covers for semi trailers. They have an aluminum frame and are custom fit to your trailer. Approx $1200. Visited them in Woodstock, N.B. last winter. Good people to deal with, but got mine done in Parry Sound. If you want a frame this would be a good place. Head down there next March break - 1 week later than the N.B. school March Break, trails are empty, do some sledding and bring in your trailer! Two good hotels there right on the trail - location for the headquarters for the N.B. trail system. Addendum - with a testimonial from MacTier, you know they are not making that up, and that it is legitimate! Could not have been from last year though....not that much snow.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted December 31, 2017 Author Share Posted December 31, 2017 December 2017 Update After a couple of weeks riding back roads around the camp, it was time to get out on some organized trails which meant a road test for the sled cover. Generally worked pretty well - here you can see it with the passenger seat removed which was included in the original mockup- Quite easy to brush off any slush from the road (and there was plenty on this trip) and although a bit stiff in cold weather was pretty pleased with the result - in fact due to stiffness was able to raise it and roll it forward over the sled with very little trouble once all the bungies were released. A good option for something only used for 3 months of the year for those who don't want to get themselves into a downward spiralling morass of personal debt or have better use for the money. (not many like that on this forum as far as I can see ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manotickmike Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 I'm surprised you were able to get NASA involved. I might have an in there! So, just out of curiosity, the tarp portion of the experience was $1000? I'm about to be in need of a 2 sled trailer, but I can't stomach the thought of 5-7k+ for ~1200 worth of materials turned into a tin box on a single axle. This will likely turn into a summer fabrication project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Sled Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 On 27/08/2017 at 6:38 PM, signfan said: Love the NASA design stages. Very funny. That said there's no way I'm giving up my enclosed trailer for a tarp, regardless of how well it's tied on. X2 - drop the ramp, warm them up and ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMSOMAIR Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 I see in the last pic there are ropes holding it down. Did the snaps not do the trick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCR Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 Here is My creation from 2 years ago, Take it off in the summer and store the box and tarp, Two trailers in one! Took half day to build, 5 or 6 sheets plywood and custom tarp was 500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Sled Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 12 minutes ago, RCR said: Here is My creation from 2 years ago, Take it off in the summer and store the box and tarp, Two trailers in one! Took half day to build, 5 or 6 sheets plywood and custom tarp was 500 I think I have seen your truck and trailer on the highway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 15 hours ago, RAMSOMAIR said: I see in the last pic there are ropes holding it down. Did the snaps not do the trick? Did not use snaps as not serviceable in cold weather, slush, snow etc. Bungies much more forgiving in that environment - used some that were lying around - will custom cut once weather is warmer. 15 hours ago, RCR said: Here is My creation from 2 years ago, Take it off in the summer and store the box and tarp, Two trailers in one! Took half day to build, 5 or 6 sheets plywood and custom tarp was 500 My compliments on the workmanship and the idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCR Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Thanks! Lots of Glue and screws! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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