What are you using in your siglin & cross fox sleds for hauling gear, and fur ? I have been using Rubbermaid action packers for years, but have grown tired of replacing the now very expensive totes pretty much every season. Is there anything out there that fits as well and is more durable? Or a better system?

There was a discussion on the ATA forum about this very topic. Alot of the guys said they were putting rubber matting like the stuff from a gym in the bottom of the sled. Helped prevent wear and tear on the totes from shifting around an sliding. A few suggestions on boxes but nothing definitive,

Thanks HFT. No facebook, so I missed that assuming that is where the ATA forums at.

I have more trouble with the tops, handles and lids clipping trees on tight trails. I cut plywood to fit the inside bottoms and don't have much trouble there. When hauling heavy traps like 330's, 9's, or Koro's I will put them in a milk crate which also has a plywood bottom. To keep them from rattling, tangling.

Try one of those pick up truck behind the cab toolboxes,see if it fits.
I just picked one up at a barn sale for 10 bucks,gonna use it this winter in the sleigh to haul stuff out to camp

That would work for just that, hauling to the cabin, but I need to keep wolf gear, everything else gear, bait, and catches separated.

I’ve been using the Rubbermaid Ruffneck totes. They stay a little flexible in the cold and typically last me at least 2-3 years of trapline duty. Normally the first part I eventually break on them is the lid beating it on the sled to knock off ice frozen on them. Biggest complaint is they’re wider at the top than the bottom so if you pack the sled tight with them getting the lids off can be a pain sometimes. The bigger size, I think it’s the 31 gallon tote fits sideways in a cross Fox style sled pretty nicely. I run a loop of gangion twine through the handles and secure the lids with a bungee cord.

I use some black totes with yellow lids I got at Walmart. Not nearly as stout as Action Packers, but they fit my sled better (same size at the lid, but much squarer so a lot more room inside the tote) and a lot cheaper to replace. The one I haul drags in I pop riveted some really thin sheet metal the neighbor gave me to the inside and it held up the last half of last winter and is still good. They won't hold up to clipping trees in subzero weather but the sides of my sled are as tall as the totes so I don't have a problem there.

I have one Action packer left I carry all my setting gear in. And a generic knockoff, but am going to the cheaper totes as I replace them mainly for the price but also because they are shaped better to haul more gear in. They aren't stout enough to store stacked on top of each other through the summer full of wolf traps though, when it gets hot they get soft and the bottom ones collapse.

I wear my action packers out also not to mention misplace lids. What a pain.

Got one of the larger action packers with the kid permanently attached will give a try this season. Plus thinking of picking up some rubber mats like others have suggested. Still think the truck took box idea might be the cheapest and longest lasting option. Need to grab a couple used ones and give it a go. [img]http://[/img]

Hey bronco……lots of us would like to have a packer with a kid permanently attached!!

bairdi, I will have to look into the bigger ones, I use the smaller size in the boat. Bungee the lids also. I drill a couple small holes in the rim and zip tie one end like a hinge and the lids can't blow out of the boat, I set layer of them then a strip of plywood so I can walk on them. They are fairly durable.

bearcat, I tried some with nesting lids, and they didn't make one trip. I use these yellow lidded ones for keeping things dry, and the voles out at the cabin, but they would not last long in the sled.



broncoformudv, I', leaning toward something like that, but don't like the idea of the scramble that may occur inside once it's not packed full.

Thats the trick to keeping the lids on, put the kid on top and they hold it all together. LOL.

Nooksak I worry about the mix up of gear as well. I have the tote sitting there and am thinking about making partitions in it to help keep things in their proper location. Still working on traps so haven't gotten far with totes this season.

For partitions I use unistrut to keep things sliding back and forth. Work fairly good. Unistrut is cut to length of how wide the sled is. Then use brackets to bolt onto the side. Works well as a tie down also. I'll get some pictures for you in a bit.

I have a couple old coolers that have been pressed into service. Last a little longer than action packers. Also built plywood boxes with hinged lids, eye bolts on the sides for tie downs.

Have used 2-inch styrofoam blue board in the bottom of my sleds. Surprising how durable it is to cushion loads from totes to gas cans.
Figured if I ever had to spend the night under a sled on the trail it would serve as another cushion.

That is a great tip! With a "survival" twist. Thanks!

Pete

I use action packers front and rear of sled and put a piece of aluminum pipe with I piece of all thread through it . Holds action packers in place and when setting off back of sled gives me something to lean over to stabilize me. so I don’t end up face first in a #9. I cut a pice of plywood that fits perfectly in bottom so traps don’t knock a hole in them . I would like to get a aluminum box built but a little pricey . I also put a piece of foam in middle to stack critters on . Here is a few pics .Action packers is about the best thing I have found so far . You can also do like I do have your trapping partner pick them up for you and tell him you will pay him later. 😀