Clear and well done Lonnie. I trap above the Arctic Circle and made a very similar pulk about 30 years ago and was very pleased with the performance. It is long gone so I think I will follow your excellent video instructions to build a new updated model for using behind snowshoes on narrow, steeper trails. Thank you from a fellow Alaskan. Dave
I saw a military polk in a thrift store yesterday, only 250 dollars and weighed 40 pounds empty. I like the sled idea much better. Thanks for all your hard work.
Sounds very much like that sled was the famed fiberglass military Ahkio sled. Those were the sleds of choice to have many years ago here in Alaska. Those sleds were favored by trappers and many others who traveled off the beaten path with their snow machines. Now with modern plastics there are much better choices.
Far North Bushcraft And Survival it was one of those. I've seen them being used here but prefer my Northern Sled Works cross fox for snow machine towing. UHMW is hard to beat.
splendid work sir, that really looks good - liked the tip about peening the bolts to prevent collapse. take care this winter guys all the best from south england UK
Nicely done Lonnie, hope it serves you well, unfortunately over here we have no use of such an item as snow is becoming rare, sad face, stay safe and enjoy your winter, have a good yer, atb, Paul.
I used this tutorial to build a Pulk and it's a sound design.. I added aluminum angle rudders and used rigid 2" rigid schedule 40.. I hope to take it out soon! Thanks Lonnie!
Loved the video. We don't get a lot of snow here in North Carolina, but this video has me thinking how much I can use something very similar to a pulk for my work. Thanks!!
'mornin, Lonnie-Connie & 'Ole Friend Buck; That's quite the project. doesn't seem 2 b 2 expensive as well. will give this 1 a try,once I wrestle up the supplies. Thanks 4 sharing this Friend. Happy Trails From Down This End ATB Terry God Bless
Hey Lonnie, you know, I had been given a really nice wooden toboggan years ago. Tried to sell it here locally with no luck at all. It would serve as a very neat pulk human powered/ tractor powered sledge like you did here. I do camp roasts of deer and other meats and some chili cookouts here on weekends sometimes and you gave me some neat ideas. Thanks for the tips.
Another way to go with the pvc pipes could be to run a rope through the pipe (smooth out the edges on the ends first), then splice a loop (maybe with a thimble in it ) to both ends. This would allow you to avoid most of the screws and woodworking, though it does require you to know how to splice a permanent loop into a rope. For a less permanent / quicker option, just use knots. In finnish, a 'pulkka' is both the sled in the polk as well as the whole thing. :)
My first prototype had ropes through the pipes but the whole system ended up having too much slop in it and did not perform well for me. This present way is working much better for me now.
As always, enjoyed watching & learning. Not much demand here for a pulk to pull loads over snow, good techniques applicable for other situations. Have pulled loads on a tarp. This would be easier, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing.
This is a very timely video I need to make one of these, if I draw my Spring bear tag we plan to pack into the mountains where there will still be lots of snow and want to make one these to get my gear in. Jason
Beautiful scenery. You guys live in God's country that's for sure it's beautiful out there! Your videos are outstanding on teaching people how to survive and thrive! Merry Christmas...
I have that exact same style sled that I plan on doing something like this to it. But I am going to attach quick release pieces so we can still use it as a regular sled for my 4 year old daughter
+Paul Jones What ever quick release hardware that you use you will want to keep the "slop" to a minimum since if you have too much sloppiness in the connections it will defeat the purpose of having the crossed poles to help the sled track behind you better. Coming down hills the sled will want to pass you up beside you. My first attempt at a pulk had quick link connections that were held in each end of the poles by a doubled length of paracord internally. Between the stretch of the nylon paracord and the give back and forth of the quick links I ended up with probably 6 inches of sloppiness or more. This Gen 2 design in this video was designed from the beginning to take out as much slop as possible and after trying it on my last campout I can honestly say it made a world of difference. The way I fastened the pulling system to the sled, requires removing two eye bolts from the sled to then use with a rope like for kids sledding. It takes about 5 minutes with a socket and ratchet. Now of course that is not near as fast or convenient as a quick release system but still not too bad
Yeah, I've made one and used it in Pennsylvania but in Nevada it's usually too steep to make it worthwhile. I kinda long for the rolling hills of Minnesota and Wisconsin. BTW, I like your sled better than the usual plastic sled sed for DIY pulks.
I'm thinking of a design for something similar with wheels to use in non-snow conditions. If you get around to that before I do, I'd love to see your design.
Great video. What about some type of fins to stop the sled from drifting sideways on inclines? Or something to stop the sled from sliding backwards when you are pulling it up hill and need a breather? Thanks.
I have used PVC as "hoops" or support framework for a "hoophouse" type shelter when camping as cold as 36 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. I did however crack one PVC joint. Other than that I have nit had any problems with the cold. There are several scouting groups who have made snowshoes out of PVC pipe. They are pretty good looking snowshoes. This pulk does not bend or flex the poles enough, I don't think, to worry about cold weather issues.
+Walter Palmer Speaking of hauling out game meat, I came across a thread in a forum that I frequent that you might find interesting. If you are not a member of that forum which I highly doubt, I don't really know how much if any of the graphics you will see. The forum thread is here forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/148963-Roll-Away-Sled-R-amp-D There is a video in the thread that you may or may not be able to view. If you can not view the video, it is located here on TH-cam th-cam.com/video/MVCLzh1UUuY/w-d-xo.html
+Switcher a friend of mine has a similar set up. He crosses the poles. He told me this allows the sled to track true behind him. He says the sled stays in line even when going around bends in the trail.
+Switcher It looks like your question has already been answered for you and the answer is correct. The crossed poles allow the sled to track behind the puller better by going around the corners in the pullers track better rather than trying to cut the corner out through the deep unpacked snow.
+David Crook Glad you are enjoying the videos. Yes Buck is half Bouvier. The other half is mixed Labrador. He is by *FAR* the best dog I have ever had. We got him as a puppy from a canine rescue shelter.
A couple of questions--I don't want to wear out my welcome, so please answer only if you have time. Questions: 1) How much weight would be reasonable to haul using a pulk like this? 2) Any ideas on how best to maximize load capacity and minimize drag? (For example, long, narrow sled vs. short and wide, heavier/sturdier sled vs. thin and light.)
I have hauled between 60 -80 pounds in mine. If you want to haul more like a hundred pounds then perhaps my setup may not be your best choice. Hoop of "Wintertrekker" on TH-cam or wintertrekker.com has some excellent advice on sleds suitable for hauling heavier loads. Wintertrekker . com also has some great forums that are educational to peruse. For ease of pulling, longer and narrower designs are better than shorter and wider designs. See the link below for a great article that may answer some of your questions. It is on wintertrekker .com website. wintertrekking.com/equipment/sleds-toboggans/
+Bobby Harper I didn't see any there at Amazon US for 10 dollars but yet that is a good idea. It reminds me that I have a diving belt with 40 pounds of weight on it from my gold dredging days. Don't remember if the buckle is quick release or not but it is worth checking it out. Thanks for the idea
13:45 your sewing is incredibly precise and really caught my attention. Was that done by hand and with nylon material? I presume it'd need to withstand quite a bit of force and not tear apart. Nicely done, and fun to see after having seen you use the pulk in your previous video. I also didn't know the word "pulk" existed until today. :P
+EmpyreanLightASMR Thank you. I believe that the strap is a nylon material and the thread is a waxed synthetic. I don't know what the thread is made of but I do know it melts when I light the ends after I'm done. I do the stitching using a leather awl like this one www.amazon.com/Tandy-Leather-Factory-Stitch-Sewing/dp/B00A2C8M6K
Hey Lonnie curious on your opinion of what would be the difference in pulling a wider box type sled that has higher side walls (advertised as a game haul sled) but is necessarily not as long, in comparison to the type you use in the video? Thanks for your videos!
I believe that it would be very similar to boats. A wide boat requires more horsepower and of course therefor a narrower boat requires less horse power. It is the front of the sled that will be "breaking trail" Once the front breaks the trail then the rest of the sled will follow in the same track with less effort. A wider sled with the corresponding wider front will of course have to break a wider trail. I was just looking at those sleds that I think you are talking about. They work fine behind a snowmachine since the wide snowmachine pretty much has the trail broke for the sled and has the horsepower to pull it. You might want to check out "wintertrekker" on TH-cam. He has a very long but narrow sled that he uses to pull behind him on his winter treks. Hoop or wintertrekker knows what he is talking about since he puts his equipment to extensive real life tests year after year.
The wider the polk, though, the heavier load it can carry on the snow (though it applies to adding lengthwise, too). There's probably a sweet spot to be found, and also front 'edge' shape can play a part.
+biggles1024 Howdy Mark The reason for the crossed poles is so that the sled will track behind the walker better. When the walker goes around a corner the sled will stay more in the walkers tracks instead of cutting the corner short
Just a thought for a video. Pulk repair . I know when my pulk has been used a lot, it wares out on the bottom and becomes harder to pull. Might be worth teaching people how to maintain the bottom of it so that it's easy to pull all the time.
I have not had that problem yet since I rarely use my pulk. Most of my winter trips are by snowmachine into the backcountry. I made my snowmachine freight sled out of all UHMW plastic sheeting and it has gone many hundreds of miles and barely shows any wear on the bottom. I wonder if you were to place UHMW runners under your pulk if that will answer your needs.
That is great Lonnie, do you Iive next to the coast? if you do it would make a great episode, like catching salmon, or something along those lines, take care bro.
we have salmon streams here in the Mat-Su valley yes..but if he made a video there would be hundreds of people in it..any place that is open for salmon during the runs is usually packed with people ..its alaska i know..but they limit the areas we are allwoed to fish so they can corral us together and keep track of the fish..its bullshit..but nessesary for our future runs..he might be able to find solitude later in the salmon season when the silvers (coho) salmon run..that species of salmon runs in every creak and river around here and it disperses the fisherman so you get more solitude than during the King salmon runs and sockeye runs..
+jwrappuhn71 I live inland up in the mountains but really not that far from the ocean. I have not spent time on the ocean though for almost 30 years now. Like M.H. said below we do have streams in our valleys that have salmon runs but I am not a salmon fisherman. For our winter salmon supply, we go to the Copper river and subsistance dip net. Each family is typically allowed 30 salmon per year. We have not done that though for quite a few years now since the one who does the cooking in our household (Connie) does not care for salmon. Connie also does not care for clams and so that is out as well. Thank goodness she likes moose and caribou meat or I might have to go on strike or something. :O)
+jwrappuhn71 I am in the process of getting a large freighting canoe that will be powered. I probably won't be going out on the salt water with it but plan on doing a lot of river running and videoing the adventures.
+The DB. Good eye. Yes it is a scout belt but I have never been part of the scouting program either as a boy or as a leader. I was needing that type of belt and when I found that one in the thrift store I bought it. It has served it's purpose well. I have been very involved in the past for many years however with a Christian boys organization known as Royal Rangers. I have spent time in the program as a boy as well as a leader both in the local group as well as on a State level.
hi folks - hope u are all well - i tried this Lonnie and with a 10 ft cut in half (5 ft) i cudnt pull it with my alaska trail snowshoes = rode up the tails of em all the time - did u use urs with snowshoes or jus boots - thanks pard
I have only pulled the sled with just boots. I can see where snowshoes with tails could be a problem. I wonder if adding one foot to the pole length might make enough of a difference. Most of my camping now days is via machine transportation such as snowmachine so I have not encountered that problem.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival thanks Sir - i wondered if i had missed sumthing -- with the Alaska Trails - bein real long and skinny prolly need a couple of feet - ill play with it and let u know thanks for replyin u2 take care
Awesome video, as always, Lonnie. I always learn useful things from you. I'm wondering why you crossed the handle poles? Heck, in case you don't have time to answer, lets throw that as an open question to anyone familiar with this. I can think of a couple of potential reasons, but that's strictly guesswork as I'd not heard of a pulk before this video. Is it an Alaskan thing? Best wishes for a happy & healthy 2016 to both you & Connie. And no broken shoulders this year, please! ;-) Hugs to you both. Micki
I'd guess (because I've seen it done before and examined some old surplus finnish and swedish military sled/polks) that it's to add vertical rigidity to the whole pole system and keep them from pushing in different directions when the polk tilts sideways on an obstacle. If they're crossed and attached at crossing point, both poles need to move for the polk to tilt, but if they'll tilt independently.
+matanuska high PVC may get brittle if left in the sun, I don't know but if kept from the sun it does not get brittle as far as I know. PVC is used as water pipes in homes and may be continuously in use for 30 - 40 or more years. That is far longer than my sled will last
Hi ya Lonnie! Great video, I have no need for this n Oklahoma, but if I did I’d have to have it made, buying tools needed to make it would cost about as much to have someone make it for me. Thank u Lonnie
Clear and well done Lonnie. I trap above the Arctic Circle and made a very similar pulk about 30 years ago and was very pleased with the performance. It is long gone so I think I will follow your excellent video instructions to build a new updated model for using behind snowshoes on narrow, steeper trails. Thank you from a fellow Alaskan. Dave
+David Schmitz Thanks neighbor for watching. this is in some ways much easier than carrying on your back
I saw a military polk in a thrift store yesterday, only 250 dollars and weighed 40 pounds empty. I like the sled idea much better. Thanks for all your hard work.
Sounds very much like that sled was the famed fiberglass military Ahkio sled. Those were the sleds of choice to have many years ago here in Alaska. Those sleds were favored by trappers and many others who traveled off the beaten path with their snow machines. Now with modern plastics there are much better choices.
Far North Bushcraft And Survival it was one of those. I've seen them being used here but prefer my Northern Sled Works cross fox for snow machine towing. UHMW is hard to beat.
My snowmachine freight sled is fashioned after a Northern Sled works Siglin design except I made mine myself. I made it from UHMW Also.
splendid work sir, that really looks good - liked the tip about peening the bolts to prevent collapse.
take care this winter guys
all the best from south england UK
Enjoy every video you make Lonnie. Have learned what a pulk is with this video. Don't really know how to use one but will check it out. All the best.
Learning new skills, Never gets old. Thanks for sharing.
Nice rig you have there. I saw you use it on your last camp out video. Thanks for the video and the tip
Nicely done Lonnie, hope it serves you well, unfortunately over here we have no use of such an item as snow is becoming rare, sad face, stay safe and enjoy your winter, have a good yer, atb, Paul.
Thanks for the instruction Lonnie, wish you a great week, Taro
Good one Lonnie. I need to make myself one of these for next winter!
I used this tutorial to build a Pulk and it's a sound design.. I added aluminum angle rudders and used rigid 2" rigid schedule 40.. I hope to take it out soon! Thanks Lonnie!
Looks good! Im gonna be building one next week once everything shows up in the mail Haha I'm getting excited for winter camping!!
Loved the video. We don't get a lot of snow here in North Carolina, but this video has me thinking how much I can use something very similar to a pulk for my work. Thanks!!
I was just designing one of these and bang I come to this. Gave me a few ideas. Great stuff as always sir.
each man should have his working place /garage
I have the most ideas for bushcraften in mine
thanks for showing Lonnie
atb
steve
'mornin, Lonnie-Connie & 'Ole Friend Buck; That's quite the project. doesn't seem 2 b 2 expensive as well. will give this 1 a try,once I wrestle up the supplies. Thanks 4 sharing this Friend. Happy Trails From Down This End ATB Terry God Bless
I put a link to this video in my video description of my pulk sled build. I like the way you attached the poles....Take care, Bluefin.
+mustang774 Thank you very much for the linking to this video in your pulk sled video description. I really appreciate it. Have a great day.
I was wondering how to make one few days ago, your channel is so complete thx man
Hey Lonnie, you know, I had been given a really nice wooden toboggan years ago. Tried to sell it here locally with no luck at all. It would serve as a very neat pulk human powered/ tractor powered sledge like you did here. I do camp roasts of deer and other meats and some chili cookouts here on weekends sometimes and you gave me some neat ideas. Thanks for the tips.
+1fanger Glad I could be of use to you. Save one of those bowls of chili for me next time. :o)
Another way to go with the pvc pipes could be to run a rope through the pipe (smooth out the edges on the ends first), then splice a loop (maybe with a thimble in it ) to both ends. This would allow you to avoid most of the screws and woodworking, though it does require you to know how to splice a permanent loop into a rope. For a less permanent / quicker option, just use knots.
In finnish, a 'pulkka' is both the sled in the polk as well as the whole thing. :)
My first prototype had ropes through the pipes but the whole system ended up having too much slop in it and did not perform well for me. This present way is working much better for me now.
Good 🇷🇺💥✌️👏👏👏👌👍👍👍👍🏕️🇷🇺!!!
What is the reason you did not show how you attach the PVC to the sled?
As always, enjoyed watching & learning. Not much demand here for a pulk to pull loads over snow, good techniques applicable for other situations. Have pulled loads on a tarp. This would be easier, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Enjoyed and hope you and all have a blessed day.
This is a very timely video I need to make one of these, if I draw my Spring bear tag we plan to pack into the mountains where there will still be lots of snow and want to make one these to get my gear in.
Jason
great job Lonnie!
Not bad, I just need a good place to use one. I am always hiking up steep mountainsides when I go to the snow. Pulks seem like such a great idea.
Beautiful scenery. You guys live in God's country that's for sure it's beautiful out there! Your videos are outstanding on teaching people how to survive and thrive!
Merry Christmas...
Great tutorial Lonnie, thanks again.
Very nice. I was going to rig mine up with PVC and some heater hose but I like yours better!
Nice pulk Lonnie! They are great for getting that gear out to the winter camp :-)
+Sty North Yes very good for getting the stuff out there. thanks my friend.
Cool video been thinking of making one of these my self for bringing wood to camp. will have to give it a try. atb John
lol i wish i got more snow out here that looks like it would be cool to try out pretty handy to have around
I have that exact same style sled that I plan on doing something like this to it.
But I am going to attach quick release pieces so we can still use it as a regular sled for my 4 year old daughter
+Paul Jones What ever quick release hardware that you use you will want to keep the "slop" to a minimum since if you have too much sloppiness in the connections it will defeat the purpose of having the crossed poles to help the sled track behind you better. Coming down hills the sled will want to pass you up beside you. My first attempt at a pulk had quick link connections that were held in each end of the poles by a doubled length of paracord internally. Between the stretch of the nylon paracord and the give back and forth of the quick links I ended up with probably 6 inches of sloppiness or more. This Gen 2 design in this video was designed from the beginning to take out as much slop as possible and after trying it on my last campout I can honestly say it made a world of difference. The way I fastened the pulling system to the sled, requires removing two eye bolts from the sled to then use with a rope like for kids sledding. It takes about 5 minutes with a socket and ratchet. Now of course that is not near as fast or convenient as a quick release system but still not too bad
This video is so cool. It was like first person construction...
Excellent DIY instruction!
This looks like it could be useful even in the summer months.
Nice design work. Thanks!
that looks like it would work great .the only thing i dont have snow here in GA.well here and there a little
Yeah, I've made one and used it in Pennsylvania but in Nevada it's usually too steep to make it worthwhile. I kinda long for the rolling hills of Minnesota and Wisconsin. BTW, I like your sled better than the usual plastic sled sed for DIY pulks.
do the bolts move around where they pass through the sled in front ? Not sure how you mounted them. You skipped that part .
GREAT VID!! I did pretty much the same thing ...Except i used an old Alice pack kidney pad for the belt
Good video Lonnie. Best
I'm thinking of a design for something similar with wheels to use in non-snow conditions. If you get around to that before I do, I'd love to see your design.
Great video. What about some type of fins to stop the sled from drifting sideways on inclines? Or something to stop the sled from sliding backwards when you are pulling it up hill and need a breather? Thanks.
Both of those could be useful at times but not really necessary most of the time if the path is chosen carefully.
Do you find the PVC gets brittle in extreme cold? Have you ever broken a pole?
I have used PVC as "hoops" or support framework for a "hoophouse" type shelter when camping as cold as 36 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. I did however crack one PVC joint. Other than that I have nit had any problems with the cold. There are several scouting groups who have made snowshoes out of PVC pipe. They are pretty good looking snowshoes. This pulk does not bend or flex the poles enough, I don't think, to worry about cold weather issues.
Perfect !! Can haul out "game kill" or also an improvised dog sled and the dog can pull the load.
+Walter Palmer Speaking of hauling out game meat, I came across a thread in a forum that I frequent that you might find interesting. If you are not a member of that forum which I highly doubt, I don't really know how much if any of the graphics you will see. The forum thread is here
forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/148963-Roll-Away-Sled-R-amp-D
There is a video in the thread that you may or may not be able to view. If you can not view the video, it is located here on TH-cam
th-cam.com/video/MVCLzh1UUuY/w-d-xo.html
Lonnie, you're the best. Thanks for responding. That video is beyond awesome.
great idea I think I'll try it
I saw your hot tent video and this one. I had a Q then and still have it now. What is the purpose/advantage of crossing the poles?
+Switcher a friend of mine has a similar set up. He crosses the poles. He told me this allows the sled to track true behind him. He says the sled stays in line even when going around bends in the trail.
Brooktrout71
Thank you sir :) Now that I think of it it makes perfect sense.
+Switcher It looks like your question has already been answered for you and the answer is correct. The crossed poles allow the sled to track behind the puller better by going around the corners in the pullers track better rather than trying to cut the corner out through the deep unpacked snow.
Looks good & very useful, nicely done Lonnie.....
Really cool man! We don't have enough snow in Michigan to pull one yet :(
Lonnie, we enjoy all of your videos. We do have one question. Is your gorgeous dog a Bouvier?
+David Crook Glad you are enjoying the videos. Yes Buck is half Bouvier. The other half is mixed Labrador. He is by *FAR* the best dog I have ever had. We got him as a puppy from a canine rescue shelter.
Very useful information...thanks, I may try this.
A couple of questions--I don't want to wear out my welcome, so please answer only if you have time. Questions: 1) How much weight would be reasonable to haul using a pulk like this? 2) Any ideas on how best to maximize load capacity and minimize drag? (For example, long, narrow sled vs. short and wide, heavier/sturdier sled vs. thin and light.)
I have hauled between 60 -80 pounds in mine. If you want to haul more like a hundred pounds then perhaps my setup may not be your best choice. Hoop of "Wintertrekker" on TH-cam or wintertrekker.com has some excellent advice on sleds suitable for hauling heavier loads. Wintertrekker . com also has some great forums that are educational to peruse. For ease of pulling, longer and narrower designs are better than shorter and wider designs. See the link below for a great article that may answer some of your questions. It is on wintertrekker .com website.
wintertrekking.com/equipment/sleds-toboggans/
Thanks, Lonnie.
I would want a quick release harness just in case. Amazon sells scuba diving quick release weight belts for around $10
+Bobby Harper I didn't see any there at Amazon US for 10 dollars but yet that is a good idea. It reminds me that I have a diving belt with 40 pounds of weight on it from my gold dredging days. Don't remember if the buckle is quick release or not but it is worth checking it out. Thanks for the idea
13:45 your sewing is incredibly precise and really caught my attention. Was that done by hand and with nylon material? I presume it'd need to withstand quite a bit of force and not tear apart. Nicely done, and fun to see after having seen you use the pulk in your previous video. I also didn't know the word "pulk" existed until today. :P
+EmpyreanLightASMR Thank you. I believe that the strap is a nylon material and the thread is a waxed synthetic. I don't know what the thread is made of but I do know it melts when I light the ends after I'm done. I do the stitching using a leather awl like this one www.amazon.com/Tandy-Leather-Factory-Stitch-Sewing/dp/B00A2C8M6K
***** Wow, thank you so much!
That Tandy awl is really great, I've nothing but good things to say about it :)
Good job! Thanks, --- Clark
Hey Lonnie curious on your opinion of what would be the difference in pulling a wider box type sled that has higher side walls (advertised as a game haul sled) but is necessarily not as long, in comparison to the type you use in the video? Thanks for your videos!
I believe that it would be very similar to boats. A wide boat requires more horsepower and of course therefor a narrower boat requires less horse power. It is the front of the sled that will be "breaking trail" Once the front breaks the trail then the rest of the sled will follow in the same track with less effort. A wider sled with the corresponding wider front will of course have to break a wider trail. I was just looking at those sleds that I think you are talking about. They work fine behind a snowmachine since the wide snowmachine pretty much has the trail broke for the sled and has the horsepower to pull it. You might want to check out "wintertrekker" on TH-cam. He has a very long but narrow sled that he uses to pull behind him on his winter treks. Hoop or wintertrekker knows what he is talking about since he puts his equipment to extensive real life tests year after year.
Thanks for the insight Lonnie. Makes a lot of since. I will have to check out wintertrekker.
The wider the polk, though, the heavier load it can carry on the snow (though it applies to adding lengthwise, too).
There's probably a sweet spot to be found, and also front 'edge' shape can play a part.
Another great video! Thnx
Hi Lonnie, can you please tell me why you crossed the two poles? Cheers, Mark.
+biggles1024 Howdy Mark The reason for the crossed poles is so that the sled will track behind the walker better. When the walker goes around a corner the sled will stay more in the walkers tracks instead of cutting the corner short
+Far North Bushcraft And Survival That makes sense and is something I'd not considered. Thank-you. :)
Say Heah Lonnie, Good stuff there Partner. Thanx. ,, ,, ,,
Just a thought for a video. Pulk repair . I know when my pulk has been used a lot, it wares out on the bottom and becomes harder to pull. Might be worth teaching people how to maintain the bottom of it so that it's easy to pull all the time.
I have not had that problem yet since I rarely use my pulk. Most of my winter trips are by snowmachine into the backcountry. I made my snowmachine freight sled out of all UHMW plastic sheeting and it has gone many hundreds of miles and barely shows any wear on the bottom. I wonder if you were to place UHMW runners under your pulk if that will answer your needs.
That is great Lonnie, do you Iive next to the coast? if you do it would make a great episode, like catching salmon, or something along those lines, take care bro.
we have salmon streams here in the Mat-Su valley yes..but if he made a video there would be hundreds of people in it..any place that is open for salmon during the runs is usually packed with people ..its alaska i know..but they limit the areas we are allwoed to fish so they can corral us together and keep track of the fish..its bullshit..but nessesary for our future runs..he might be able to find solitude later in the salmon season when the silvers (coho) salmon run..that species of salmon runs in every creak and river around here and it disperses the fisherman so you get more solitude than during the King salmon runs and sockeye runs..
matanuska high ok, thank you very much for the info.
+jwrappuhn71 I live inland up in the mountains but really not that far from the ocean. I have not spent time on the ocean though for almost 30 years now. Like M.H. said below we do have streams in our valleys that have salmon runs but I am not a salmon fisherman. For our winter salmon supply, we go to the Copper river and subsistance dip net. Each family is typically allowed 30 salmon per year. We have not done that though for quite a few years now since the one who does the cooking in our household (Connie) does not care for salmon. Connie also does not care for clams and so that is out as well. Thank goodness she likes moose and caribou meat or I might have to go on strike or something. :O)
+jwrappuhn71 I am in the process of getting a large freighting canoe that will be powered. I probably won't be going out on the salt water with it but plan on doing a lot of river running and videoing the adventures.
+Far North Bushcraft And Survival that sounds great Lonnie, I'm sure it will make an awesome vid.
Is that an old boy scout belt I see being worn about 12 and a half minuets into the video?
+The DB. Good eye. Yes it is a scout belt but I have never been part of the scouting program either as a boy or as a leader. I was needing that type of belt and when I found that one in the thrift store I bought it. It has served it's purpose well. I have been very involved in the past for many years however with a Christian boys organization known as Royal Rangers. I have spent time in the program as a boy as well as a leader both in the local group as well as on a State level.
Great job! :-)
Did you give the misses a ride around the yard? She might have enjoyed a. Ride in the sled, :-))
I have been thinking of making one something like that, thanks for the video.
hi folks - hope u are all well - i tried this Lonnie and with a 10 ft cut in half (5 ft) i cudnt pull it with my alaska trail snowshoes = rode up the tails of em all the time - did u use urs with snowshoes or jus boots - thanks pard
I have only pulled the sled with just boots. I can see where snowshoes with tails could be a problem. I wonder if adding one foot to the pole length might make enough of a difference. Most of my camping now days is via machine transportation such as snowmachine so I have not encountered that problem.
@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival thanks Sir - i wondered if i had missed sumthing -- with the Alaska Trails - bein real long and skinny prolly need a couple of feet - ill play with it and let u know thanks for replyin u2 take care
Awesome video, as always, Lonnie. I always learn useful things from you.
I'm wondering why you crossed the handle poles? Heck, in case you don't have time to answer, lets throw that as an open question to anyone familiar with this. I can think of a couple of potential reasons, but that's strictly guesswork as I'd not heard of a pulk before this video. Is it an Alaskan thing?
Best wishes for a happy & healthy 2016 to both you & Connie. And no broken shoulders this year, please! ;-) Hugs to you both.
Micki
I'd guess (because I've seen it done before and examined some old surplus finnish and swedish military sled/polks) that it's to add vertical rigidity to the whole pole system and keep them from pushing in different directions when the polk tilts sideways on an obstacle. If they're crossed and attached at crossing point, both poles need to move for the polk to tilt, but if they'll tilt independently.
would this work with a ski joring belt as well?
As I'm unfamiliar with skijoring belts I could not say
How much weight can the pulk carry?
I have had as much as 80 pounds on mine. Your results will most likely be different with different materials and methods of construction.
Merci pour cette video, une pulka, est un de mes projet, suis abonné et trouve votre chaine YT très bien faite!!! Thank you!
desnt PVC get brittle over time?
+matanuska high PVC may get brittle if left in the sun, I don't know but if kept from the sun it does not get brittle as far as I know. PVC is used as water pipes in homes and may be continuously in use for 30 - 40 or more years. That is far longer than my sled will last
Lonnie for pres 2024
Lol President of just my household is good enough for me. Overall my chances of being impeached are less this way. :O)
Cool.
great! thanks... :)
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i know you want to comment but don't
+Rob Bobcat lol :O)
Hi ya Lonnie! Great video, I have no need for this n Oklahoma, but if I did I’d have to have it made, buying tools needed to make it would cost about as much to have someone make it for me. Thank u Lonnie
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Shame you didn't play some Polka on the intro...
+john espin You mean the "pUlka"? lol that was a good one mate.
Cheers. You seem to have enough snow for the both of us. It doesn't snow here at all. Te Puke in New Zealand.
Yeah I know. Weird name. Not pronounced like you think.
Ah yes just forage supplies from the plastic trees that abound in the wild
looks like you guys got an income tax coming sorry to here. first in 40 years WOW!