Towing a portable without a hitch

This fall my oldest FD’s boyfriend turned into my future son-in-law….which is not bad…he a real decent guy..
He HAS to be…he offered me the use of his Sportsman 500 any time I want
I have already used it a time or 2 to plow snow but now I want to use it for some ice fishing..
The only thing that is holding me back is that I have no tow-bar on my portable… and do not know how to tow it with just a rope…I’ve seen it done before but just was looking for a few hints…..

I suppose I’ll have to invest in a bar sooner or later BUT..

You can use the rope, just run it through a piece of metal conduit before securing to the wheeler and house. This will provide some rigidity. Not what a hitch will, but it’s better than your house banging on the back of your wheeler. Also, it might pull harder with out a hitch, meaning catch more snow on the front???

Tow bar is best so it doesnt hit the back every time you stop and they are about $50 at most sporting goods stores.You can also get a couple of pieces of PVC to run the rope threw is a cheap way to go but long as you get the wheeler for free just go by a hitch.

No big deal, tie it on there and be careful … and don’t hit the brakes too hard.

I believe MN law prohibits towing anything behind a wheeler/snowmobile without a solid tow bar????

Quote:

---

I believe MN law prohibits towing anything behind a wheeler/snowmobile without a solid tow bar????

---

I would be intereted to see this confirmed or not.

Quote:

---

I believe MN law prohibits towing anything behind a wheeler/snowmobile without a solid tow bar????

---

No more pulling the kids on the suacer behind the sled/ATV

Quote:

---

I believe MN law prohibits towing anything behind a wheeler/snowmobile without a solid tow bar????

---

I believe you can tow just can’t have anyone ride on it without a rigid hitch

I pull my ice stuff behind my quad every year and no probs with the DNR

I always thought it was illegal?

Thanks for the tips guys …
I do plan on getting a tow bar but until then I’ll try the conduit-PVC ideas.

If it IS illegal here in WI there are a bunch of violators down here
Thanks again.

Here’s a inexpensive way to add some hitch hardware.

I came up with this because Clam doesn’t sell separately
the sled hardware that comes with their tow bars.

The first pic didn’t turn out too good but you get the
idea.

What about using treated 2 x 2’s to fabricate a tow bar??

Where there’s a will………there’s a way!!

Good Luck,

Dan

Chains on an ATV make a big difference – and one thing I have “heard” is that towing with a rope – the rider MUST be very cautious to not let the rope get snagged on one of the tires – as the chains will really grab it quite easily. Then the rope gets all bound up and wrapped around the axle and the towed sled gets spun and slammed into the ice with a lot of force – spreading ones belongings about. At least that’s what I’ve heard.

Tim

Quote:

---

…because Clam doesn’t sell separately
the sled hardware that comes with their tow bars.

---

Not at all true. I just bought the kit. Just call them and tell them you need a hitch hardware kit.

-Munchy

I was just at their corporate office 12/8 picking up some items and they said they didn’t carry just the hitch hardware.

They said they did have several requests for just the sled hardware at the Ice Show. It appears the demand was high enough if they are now stocking it.

What’s the price on the hardware?

Thanks,

Dan

I see no lisitng in the MN snowmobile guidelines that say anything about towing. I would have been suprised if I did.
Use a rope or a bedsheet if you want.

The MN ATV (OHV) guide lists the following:
Towing
• A straight-arm bar must be used to tow a trailer or other device
containing passengers

Quote:

---

I was just at their corporate office 12/8 picking up some items and they said they didn’t carry just the hitch hardware.

They said they did have several requests for just the sled hardware at the Ice Show. It appears the demand was high enough if they are now stocking it.

What’s the price on the hardware?

Thanks,

Dan

---

Not sure on retail price, all I know is the Powerstick price. If you call them back, tell them it’s model number 8268 (Hardware Kit, Hitch Mount)

-Munchy

clam corp sells a hitch system. ive seen them at gander. and they have them online for $64.95.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

I was just at their corporate office 12/8 picking up some items and they said they didn’t carry just the hitch hardware.

They said they did have several requests for just the sled hardware at the Ice Show. It appears the demand was high enough if they are now stocking it.

What’s the price on the hardware?

Thanks,

Dan

---

Not sure on retail price, all I know is the Powerstick price. If you call them back, tell them it’s model number 8268 (Hardware Kit, Hitch Mount)

-Munchy

---

It’s about $10, I just ordered a set a few weeks ago for a 2nd Trap. Came in about 3-4 days was all too.

Wow I can’t believe my friends here didn’t stop to tell my story, yes you need a tow bar, and no, that will prevent extreme stupidity from displaying the entire contents of your ice fishing gear to everyone within eyesight.

The problem comes in most cases in stopping, Me (driving like the crazed person I am), doing mach 9 across the ice apparently forgets that the sled will stop when it darn well wants to or shortly there after wraping itself around the axel shaft. With rope you stand little chance of stopping this from happening, with a tow bar, as long as you don’t bounce it off the wheels and stop at a nice slow normal pace you “should be” just fine.

One may wonder if I put “should be” in quotes for a reason…

I didn’t want to repeat second hand info Nick. But I hear it was a sight!

Clean ice is not your friend when using rope for towing.