With snow and cold here again I want to get started making that Pulk/Snowshoe Sled we have talked about for a while now.

For us, the Pulk will serve Multipurpose. I would like to have it to pull behind our Snowshoes and Skis. I would like to be able to easily remove the shafts and use it for a down hill sled as well as train my German Shepherd Dogs to pull it with the shafts that are also used for us to pull it.

We are so fortunate that the members of our (Baptist) Church like to do the same sorts of Sports and Activities that we do and we are going to be Hand Crafting Snowshoes at Church, after then Sermon and Weekly Dinner one Sunday soon. I am planning a Snowshoe Lunch, not the same day as we make the Snowshoes, but when weather allows, it will be a 'cooking over open fire' Lunch with anyone that would like to Snowshoe out and join us.

I have my eyes on an Otter Sled in town. It is pricey, but good for so many other things too. Like using for a sled going down the hill for someone, let's use the word, Large, my size. We have one small and one large otter sled, but should get another to drill and put poles on and such. One to really play with and drag around. Our other otter sleds already have "assigned jobs" so an new one would be great. Don't misunderstand. Otter Sled are built very well and can take a lot of use and actually, abuse.

I would use a Child's Plastic Sled to make the Pulk if they were not all sold out or if I could find one soon. For what I want, just something to "play" with, to drag small loads and to train pups, a Kid's Sled would work just fine too. But an Otter Sled will last for years to come.

The belts that a person attaches the Pulk to when pulling them, can be made inexpensively with a Tool Belt from a large Hardware Store.

Pulk Sleds can be made in so many different ways and with so many different types of materials. It comes down to:

WHAT WILL YOU BE PULLING THE PULK WITH?
HOW MUCH WEIGHT WILL YOU BE LOADING INTO THE PULK?
HOW MANY TRIPS PER YEAR WILL YOU BE MAKING WITH THE PULK?
WILL THE PULK, WITH OR WITHOUT, THE SHAFTS TAKEN OFF, BE USED FOR OTHER JOBS?
HOW MUCH STORAGE SPACE DO YOU HAVE TO STORE YOUR PULK WHEN NOT IN USE?
HOW DEEP IS THE SNOW YOU WILL BE USING THE PULK IN? A DEEPER SIDED PULK COULD BE NEEDED FOR DEEPER UNGROOMED TRAILS.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU WANT TO SPEND BUYING AND BUILDING YOUR PULK SLED?

Pulks can be made pretty inexpensively, just be sure if you do not have or are not willing to spend the money to build a Heavy Duty Pulk, you will not be disappointed when, a lighter sled, or child's sled, can not handle heavy loads or too rough trails.

If you are going to be using the Pulk for many trips carrying Camping Gear, Children, a Bar-B-Que Grill, or other heavier loads, you will need a better made, heavy duty Pulk. Or you will be sadly disappointed.

Before you decide to put shafts on your Pulk that are not so easy to remove, think. Will you be using the Pulk for other purposes? How will and where will you store your Pulk in Summer Weather? Many times a few more dollars spent in the beginning will save you a lot of aggravation later. If you buy the correct parts in the beginning you won't have to buy them later and rework or recraft your Pulk.

You alone are responsible for making your own Pulk safe and correct. We are only giving you ideas and information. We are only telling you what worked for us. We can not be there to see how you are working on your own Pulk and therefore can not be responsible for your own mistakes.

On the other hand. If you have a Child's Plastic Sled in your Garage or bought one last Summer at a Garage Sale and just want the Pulk for fun and short trips, by all means, put together a Pulk and have a good time! Just make sure that any used sled, or any sled for that matter, is in good repair with no cracks or chips and no sun damage before spending the time and money to make a Pulk.

A Pulk can be pulled behind a Skier or Snowshoer, or Snowmobile, or a Fat Tire Bicycle. A Pulk can be pulled by Sled Dogs, a Horse, or Reindeer.

A Pulk could be pulled with an ATV, a Pick Up Truck or a Person Walking in Boots.

If there is snow and there is motion moving forward that a Pulk could be attached to, then a Pulk could be pulled by it.

Some ideas not as easy or as practical or even as safe as other.

The Sled

Picking out your Sled to build your Pulk with will probably be your biggest cost and decision. Think it over before you head out to buy your Sled. Where you are going to be pulling the Pulk might determine that you need a deeper sided Sled. Weight inside the Sled will also be a big factor. More weight needs a better built Pulk.

The Shafts

Metal, PVC, Wood. What is best for you and the job your Pulk will be doing. How long do you want to make your Shafts? All this is important to think about before running off and buying your parts to build your Pulk.

Hardware - Attachments, Bolts, Snaps and Such

Make a written list. Then sleep on it. Check you list and them check it again. It is so aggravating to be in the middle or worse, all most finished with a project, only to find you did not buy all the parts needed for the job.

The Belt Around Your Waist to Attach the Pulk to

You can buy or even make these. But your belt needs to be at least 3" wide for comfort and safety. You do not want the belt to hurt your waist with every step you take, and with a narrow belt, it will.

Your belt needs some sort of padding. Yes. Even with wearing a winter coat, you will need the padding. You might be surprised how quickly you will be taking that winter coat off and wearing a lighter jacket when out pulling a Pulk behind you while Snowshoeing or Skiing.

There are so many ways to attach a set of shafts to a Sled or Wagon. But to do it right, to do it safe, you need to think it out. You need to spend the money it takes to do it correctly for the job the vehicle will be performing.

You also want the shafts to be attached in a way that they will stay on the Sled and work safely for many, many, miles. You want to shafts to be able to perform many types of jobs, you never know when a Pulk might come in handy for all sorts of jobs around your place or on the trail.

There are different ways to secure you load inside your Pulk Sled. Terrain could be the factor of what type you use.

If you want to just use Straps you will need to decide how you will attach them to your Pulk to hold the load down or inside the Sled. Will you drill holes in the side of your Sled so that you can weave the cord or elastic over the load back and forth? Will you tarp the load before strapping it down?

A person could just tarp their load then set it inside your Pulk...however, what if the Pulk turns over? Right. The Pulk should not turn over, with all the precautions you made, but it could happen and it is something to think about.

If you decide to use a plastic storage tub, or two, or three, makes sure the lids are very secure (wind, blowing snow, and rain, could all get inside of them if not) and make sure they are secured down to the Pulk as you go down the trail. Otherwise, they could fall out. When using storage tubs, make sure you load the heavier items on the bottom and the lighter items on top. This not only will keep the lighter items from being squished, it will keep your load from being "Top Heavy" and tumbling out of your Pulk.

One thing I would remind you of... Your load will probably need to be covered with a waterproof tarp or cover. Snow will get into your Pulk, whether that is from the snow off the trail, or especially, no trail traversing, coming up over the sides (a good argument for the deeper sleds to start) or if it is snowing out, or is when you are unloading, snow will get into your Pulk.

I have dog training information on several of our Dog Websites. On this page http://www.dogstarkennel.com/?id=23 I have information and ideas on training your own dog to pull a wagon, that is, to pull in shafts.

Just keep in mind. You are on your own when training your dog. We do not know you, your training abilities, or lack thereof, and we do not know your dog. YOU have to make all the decisions on training and working with your own dog.

Many people were asking me about the different types of Working Dog Harnesses and other Equipment so I wrote up this page. I have been a Sled Dog Harness Maker for over 30 years. My husband and I met when we were both running and racing Sled Dogs.

Please read about the different types of Dog Harnesses and what purpose each serves. It DOES make a difference to have the correct equipment. It makes a huge difference when using that equipment on a live animal.

http://www.workinggermanshepherddogs.com/?id=585

-- The Does My Butt Look Big In The Saddle Team
Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:46:42 -0500

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