Snowdog

Anyone used or seen them out there yet? Thinking this machine can solve the problem of not wanting to lug a trailer around to get your atv/ snomobile to where ever you are fishing. One might be able to fit it in the box of your truck with your shack or even just on a hitch rack if you have a short box seeing as they only weigh around 300lbs. Lighter machine means safer early and late ice as well. Hook your flip over to it, sit in the flip over and go. Thoughts?

I have a friend who bought one a couple years ago when they were demoing them at a local snowmobile show. He likes it and all but when we go to the bigger lakes it stays home. It can’t keep up with the sleds it just isn’t fast enough to use on lakes over 2000 acres. It is really nice though for smaller lakes. Having to do it all over again he would’ve invested that money into a better snowmobile. Most of the time it gets rode for around his farm.

I bought a Snowdog last year and it is an amazing piece of gear. I can put it into the 5 foot bed of my F150 with the topper on and still have room for sleds and gear. No trailer. I hauled a train of 4 sleds and nearly 1,800 lbs of gear across several lakes in northern MN last year for an ice fishing overnight- no problem. My buddy is in the last sled. It is not as fast as a snowmobile as it maxes out at 20 mph, but it seems to me that most snowmobiles never go much more than that when towing a sled or several sleds. I have kept up with friends hauling sleds like me on their snowmobiles. It is one of the best things I have purchased. It also stores VERY easily in a garage corner. Highly recommend it as a real workhorse.

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Gunflint Trail wrote:

I hauled a train of 4 sleds and nearly 1,800 lbs of gear across several lakes in northern MN last year for an ice fishing overnight- no problem.

I’m a little skeptical. 1,800 lbs? Unless you’re counting the snowdog, I see no more than 1000 lbs in that train.

I was counting the Snowdog and me (not in the photo). What was really impressive was that it pulled everything up a steep boat landing, some of which was not packed. I installed the carbide screws in the track for great traction on the ice, but the pulling power is still impressive.

Because of the proven power, I just bought the Clam x300 flip over shack to use as my default shelter. It is HEAVY at almost 200 pounds for just the shack itself. The Snowdog should do just fine, even after I load it with heater, propane, auger, batteries, minnows, etc.

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Also, for storage and transport, it is MUCH easier to deal with. I don’t need a trailer and it doesn’t arrive covered in salt. The photo below is both the dog and the main sled (on top of the dog) and I still have half of a bed for gear. I don’t “lift” the Snowdog into the bed (but it would be possible with 2 people). I am typically alone and I use a single folding ramp.

If you get a Snowdog, get the reverse! It makes things much easier.

This is IMPOSSIBLE for a snowmobile without an enclosed trailer. It also only cost a fraction of a snowmobile…

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Cool, thanks for sharing. It just wasn’t adding up in my head and I was hoping this wasn’t some blind sponsor pushing their product with false info.

These things actually have my interest. If they could make them float and amphibious I’d tell my wife I’m selling her car to buy one.

I wouldn’t sell the car. It is NOT a snowmobile for touring and recreation. It is a GREAT workhorse for ice fishing that is economical and small enough for most to deal with without an enclosed trailer. This is what I wanted and it works.

Where is the x300 going?

The “train” of sleds/gear was for an overnight. The “normal” load will be the slide I ride in behind the dog and then the x300 containing the gear. Only 2 sleds.

In the truck?

If you wanted to eliminate the extra sled, would you be able to just sit in your x300 on a seat behind the snowdog and just go like that? Also I was thinking a hitch rack like this to put the snowdog on. That way you still have the entire truck bed to put all your gear in.

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Sorry, the X300 will just be used “locally” at my cabin, hitched to the Snowdog and ready to go. Not planning to haul it anywhere in my truck. The X300 is too long to close the tailgate. I have a clam blazer I can put in sideways and the pop-up that easily fits in with the blazer (at the same time, if necessary).

I know that there are several people that haul Snowdogs with a tailgate rack. I have seen a few Youtubes on them and they were on a much smaller vehicle than a pickup. The rack does not even have to be very large. Snowdog just came out with a cover that would work well to keep the salt down when using the tail gate rack.

The point that I was trying to make in all of this is just that a Snowdog really works. For me it works BETTER than a snowmobile for what I want to do. I am probably not the only one.

How is it as far as getting stuck in deep snow and slush? Does it get stuck or unstuck any easier or harder than a snowmobile?

It can get stuck in slush, like a snowmobile. There are some Youtube videos on that.
slush and a Snowdog
I never have been stuck in slush yet myself. What is certain, however, is that it is easy to turn around and get out again. You simply disconnect the sled, grab the handle and spin it on a dime. You then head back the way you came. I have tried that on a snowmobile, and it is tough. If you have 2 people you could actually lift the Snowdog up and turn it if you had to. There are bars like handles on each end that are easy to grab.

I think that the slush might be a little less bad with a dog in that most of the weight is in the sleds. If I needed to fish on the other side of slush, I could leave my stuff, zoom over it with just me/sled and the dog to pack it down. come back again and pick up the stuff.

Here is another video of getting it unstuck.
Unstucking a Snowdog in deep snow
What is not shown is that the “reverse” feature is a very easy way to get unstuck. I thought it was more a “gimmick” and did not buy it but will add it on before I get out this season. Reverse would also be helpful to back it out of the shed I store it in. It fits easily through a 36 inch door. Be warned, however, that the track does not easily “freewheel” when you drag it backwards – you really need to tug at it. Reverse would make it easy. Supposedly, the new reverse kits are on their way and I can get it before first ice.

I bought the dog last year and love it. B13 ME without reverse.
Yes, it is a pack mule capable of pulling massive loads and I don’t need the speed near as much as I need the help dragging my gear. 15-20 MPH is plenty fast enough towing a load or a train of sleds behind you.

At 66 years old I gave up on all the Go Fast toys and just need a work horse. Snowmobiles are 3 times as expensive and they require license, registration and insurance here in NY. That is around $400 per year. The dog needs nothing of the sort.

I also wish I bought the next model up with reverse but there simply were none to be had last year around here. It is heavy for one man to pull it backwards out of a shed or trailer. I bought a cheap harbor freight 2500 winch in case I ever do get it stuck and I carry a small kayak fold up anchor. Drill a hole, drop in the anchor and winch it out.

How much are you guys selling these for?

ClownColor wrote:

How much are you guys selling these for?

Dealers sell them, I just ride behind mine.

Ditto. I just bought mine from a local dealer.

I’m in love with the compact model & plan on meeting with my dealer in a few weeks but had a few questions I’d like to ask owners opinions before buying.

How long are the tow sleds & if the sled skates are needed as a way to preserve the bottom ?
also is the addition of a drive sprocket guard a good idea because I’ve heard a sales rep say not so much because it can trap twigs debris or ice chunks against the drive sprocket.

My Wife brought up a good question – What is the best way to tow a passenger ? as in should the driver stand to drive in the front sled with a passenger sitting on a seat in a 2nd sled with our flip over towed behind the 2nd sled

Gary,

What worked best for me was to have a train of sleds and the passenger road in one of those, sitting. My passengers sat on some of the stuff (buckets, bags, etc.). I stand in my sled and do not use a seat. The sled sold by Snowdog comes with a very strong steel ring around the sled itself, making it very strong where it connects to the Snowdog and the hitch point where the sleds behind it attach. The hitch at the front of the Snowdog has a shock absorber spring that smooths out the jerks of the ride between the engine and the sled train.

I purchased 3 additional inexpensive sleds (I believe they are made by Otter) and I didn’t feel the need for the wear runners or skates. They were all fairly cheap ($80 or so). They seem to work fine and I can easily replace them. The key for the other sleds is that they can stack or nest together (preferably on top of the Snowdow sled upside down on the dog itself) to minimize transport space. I would HIGHLY recommend a rigid hitch system between the sleds to keep them in place when you climb/descend hills and ramps. Without the rigid hitch, the trailing sleds will hit the sleds in front on the downhill. They also need to detach for transport. I found some inexpensive ones here:
Rigid Hitch System

Your wife may be able to simply sit on a bucket and hold the sled edges, or even sit on your flip-over, depending on how it is configured. Another option is if you got 2 of the more expensive Snowdog sleds for the front 2 of your train and use their seat, but it is probably not needed. I just bought a Clam X300 and am going to see if I can sit in one of the seat of that sled and drive the Snowdog. I think it might work for me.

Also, I added carbide studs to the track of my sled (very cheap) and that this was very helpful on the hardpack and ice, especially on the ramps. I put in KoldKutters with an electric drill:
Kold Kutter Carbide Studs

One more item, I bought the Standard Model, not the compact. I considered the compact, but from what I had heard and read, it was not as good a performer in the deep powder snow. I end up in deeper snow fairly often. Just one thought to consider. I think you will be pleased with either one.

Towing a train of 3,4 or 5 sleds is not a big issue for the dog once you are on flat lake surfaces. Some snow cover on the ice is certainly way better than no snow and glare ice. Towing a heavy train up a steep ramp all depends on how much traction you have under the dogs track. My ramps here are just lose stone and don’t offer much traction.
I fully agree with Gunflint on installing the Kold Cutter screws in the track and it has molded round spots for the screws to go into.
My conditions here out on the ice vary from day to day. Snow cover one day and glare ice the next so the screws are a necessity. On glare ice you have to be careful. The dog with studs stays straight but the sleds behind want to fish tail all over which can and will spin you out. I don’t feel the need for the ice runners under the first sled I stand in but if pulling a train on bare ice you will probably need something to keep the line tracking straight behind.
It is actually quite a lot of fun once you get your ice camp all set up and then just go blasting around with just the dogs sled. Way faster than you really want to go and steers real easy if you have some snow on the ice. I would recommend wearing a helmet if you are just jerking around because that ice is hard and you sure could get tossed out.
I am still very upset with Snowdog over the reverse gear models that simply were not available last year. They have promised an upgrade kit since the day I bought mine and it is still not available as an ad on option. I was told it would be here some time last spring and now we are being told maybe some time in December and we still don’t know how expensive the kit might be. Every one I spoke with who bought the B 13 model without reverse are very sorry they couldn’t find the reverse models. These things are heavy for one guy to pull and if pulling it backwards such as off a trailer or out of a shed the track does not have a free wheel setting so you are dragging both the weight plus the entire drive gear resistance. I would not at all recommend buying the standard B13 model without the new reverse from the factory. Spend the extra dollars and you won’t be sorry. As for the sleds the dog fits right in it or as I do it fits right over the top of it when the handle is folded forward like a protective cover. If it starts raining while I am on the ice I just flip the sled and cover the dog with it so it is not covered with frozen ice. Snowdog should cut us first year owners a brake on the reverse kit when and if they ever get here and that would create some very good will among owners who are complaining. A guy who fishes alone with minimal gear will be fine with the compact model and no reverse but for those who go in a group with lots of sleds loaded with heavy gear the standard 13 HP model is the one to get but only with reverse.

My neighbor has one and he has a lawn and garden trailer that he uses behind his. He said that he wishes that his had reverse. We took the trailer he has and put skis on it from an old snowmobile using the springs and mounting bracket. He had trouble getting traction on clear ice so I told him to get some screws that they use in cycle tires and we put these in his track. He said they made a big difference. The trailer he bought is a real small one and he put a board across the front to sit on like a buggy. I was surprised at how deep of snow he goes thru pulling that trailer

My cousin just sold his ,had about 6 hours on it. He said you really get a workout using it. He said it,s tippy in deep snow . Russian made? A snowmobile would have been my choice but it was not my money.

Gunflint Trail wrote:

Also, I added carbide studs to the track of my sled (very cheap) and that this was very helpful on the hardpack and ice, especially on the ramps. I put in KoldKutters with an electric drill:
Kold Kutter Carbide Studs

This looks exactly like what I am looking for but what size did you use ?

Don Meier wrote:

My cousin just sold his ,had about 6 hours on it. He said you really get a workout using it. He said it,s tippy in deep snow . Russian made? A snowmobile would have been my choice but it was not my money.

Well, the Snowdog is Not the end all do all for all of us. A snowmobile blasting through 3 foot snow drifts would certainly be my choice as well but out on the ice and for getting me, my gear and the gear from a couple buddies to and from the ramp to our spot the dog rules. Take the good with the bad and make your own decisions. I don’t need a license, registration and insurance for the dog so that is about a $400 savings every year. I do need a mule because a heart attack is about $60,000 and I sure do enjoy my ice fishing without all the pulling. I don’t have room to store a 10 foot long snowmobile 9 months of every year and I don’t need to go 90 MPH to get to my tiny lakes best spots. Actually, I see guys with snowmobiles out on the big lakes towing sleds behind them going way faster than I ever would these days. Like just about all the other things I own it is a tool and if I use it right it gets the job done and saves me time, money and a bunch of energy I just don’t have these days. I have had snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs 4X4 trucks and they all had their good points and bad. I am keeping my Snowdog because it does what I need it to do and I never have had any machine that didn’t need some tweaking to get it just right for my needs. One of my buddies built a gorgeous Jeep Rubicon for deep woods trecking and spent a small fortune on all the fancy wheels, tires and suspension modifications and flipped it on it’s roof his first time out. I laid my dog on it’s side my first time out and it sure is tippy but no damage and I got it upright quick and kept right on going. Yup, it is Russian made but think about this, it could easily have been Jewish and there will be haters.
Just go vote next week for which ever asshole you like best. MAGA.

Gary

Gary Lothrop wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Don Meier wrote:</div>
My cousin just sold his ,had about 6 hours on it. He said you really get a workout using it. He said it,s tippy in deep snow . Russian made? A snowmobile would have been my choice but it was not my money.

Well, the Snowdog is Not the end all do all for all of us. A snowmobile blasting through 3 foot snow drifts would certainly be my choice as well but out on the ice and for getting me, my gear and the gear from a couple buddies to and from the ramp to our spot the dog rules. Take the good with the bad and make your own decisions. I don’t need a license, registration and insurance for the dog so that is about a $400 savings every year. I do need a mule because a heart attack is about $60,000 and I sure do enjoy my ice fishing without all the pulling. I don’t have room to store a 10 foot long snowmobile 9 months of every year and I don’t need to go 90 MPH to get to my tiny lakes best spots. Actually, I see guys with snowmobiles out on the big lakes towing sleds behind them going way faster than I ever would these days. Like just about all the other things I own it is a tool and if I use it right it gets the job done and saves me time, money and a bunch of energy I just don’t have these days. I have had snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs 4X4 trucks and they all had their good points and bad. I am keeping my Snowdog because it does what I need it to do and I never have had any machine that didn’t need some tweaking to get it just right for my needs. One of my buddies built a gorgeous Jeep Rubicon for deep woods trecking and spent a small fortune on all the fancy wheels, tires and suspension modifications and flipped it on it’s roof his first time out. I laid my dog on it’s side my first time out and it sure is tippy but no damage and I got it upright quick and kept right on going. Yup, it is Russian made but think about this, it could easily have been Jewish and there will be haters.
Just go vote next week for which ever asshole you like best. MAGA.

Gary

SO MUCH YES IN WHAT YOU SAY ..MAGA!

Gary,

I think that I got the #10 size Kold Cutter but I don’t remember how long they were. My stuff is now at my cabin and I am not able to check for you. Sorry.