The shame!!! Home on a hook

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idMXLT
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:53 pm
Real Name: Stephen
Location: NH->MS->WA

The shame!!! Home on a hook

Post by idMXLT »

Went on the annual PNWVSC ride to the Whistlin' Jack Lodge this past weekend. We make the 70 mile ride through the Cascades from the Ellensburg area to Naches, spend the night at the lodge, and ride back the next day. I brought a friend this year and he was on my 80' Liquifire, which has made the trip a few times. Unfortunately, the CDI packed up about 35 miles into the return trip :bonk: . It was a long tow out! Luckily we had a Polaris XLT with us so it served as the wrecker. Pics to follow!
1980 Liquifire
1983 Trailfire LX

Others
67 Olympique
72 Elan single
72 Elan 340 TNT Swap
74 Elan Twin
78 Elan Deluxe
87 Phazer Deluxe
89 Formula MXLT
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Hec In Omaha
Posts: 63
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 9:52 pm
Real Name: Hector
Location: Beaver Lake NE

Re: The shame!!! Home on a hook

Post by Hec In Omaha »

Bummer,

Perhaps this could be a great learning moment, at least for me, to know how to correctly and safely tow a fire series sled without causing damage to it. Can you share how this can be done?

Thanks in advance!

Hec
1981 Trailfire 440
AirborneX4Special
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Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
Real Name: Pat
Location: N. IL

Re: The shame!!! Home on a hook

Post by AirborneX4Special »

Get one of those Y-shaped tow ropes and then remove the drive belt.
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nick80lf
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Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:45 pm
Real Name: Nick
Location: The snow free zone of Ohio

Re: The shame!!! Home on a hook

Post by nick80lf »

Don't hook to both ski loops with a two point hook it can bend the aluminum tie rod. If you tow with a two point hook best to hook on the ski spindles.

I'm getting lazy in my old age and now just do a one point hook to one ski loop when towing on snow.

As mentioned remove the belt.

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80 Liquifire (purchased 1996 ~ Running)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2010 ~ Running....Now)
80 Liquifire (purchased 2011 ~ Not running - I officially have a problem now)
83 Snowfire (purchased 2014 father/son restoration project)
78 Spitfire ~ sold (should have been shot for this)
AirborneX4Special
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Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
Real Name: Pat
Location: N. IL

Re: The shame!!! Home on a hook

Post by AirborneX4Special »

Yep forgot the tie rod.... :bonk:
I've seen plenty of bent ones, likely from just that sort of event.
idMXLT
Posts: 98
Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:53 pm
Real Name: Stephen
Location: NH->MS->WA

Re: The shame!!! Home on a hook

Post by idMXLT »

We used a towbar setup that specifically maintains the distance between the ski loops, that way the steering doesn't get bent up and the sled tracks well. The nice thing about a towbar is the following sled doesn't have the opportunity to hit the tow machine. I guess I didn't get any towing pictures, must have been distracted feeling like a dope for having the sled that died :sick2:


Image

Image

Image


The the others have mentioned, remove the belt and if using a rope pull from one ski loop or the spindles. I prefer pulling the spindles since it is possible to bend the ski tip pulling on the loops. :bonk:
1980 Liquifire
1983 Trailfire LX

Others
67 Olympique
72 Elan single
72 Elan 340 TNT Swap
74 Elan Twin
78 Elan Deluxe
87 Phazer Deluxe
89 Formula MXLT
AirborneX4Special
Posts: 1450
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:54 am
Real Name: Pat
Location: N. IL

Re: The shame!!! Home on a hook

Post by AirborneX4Special »

If it's any consolation, that's a very nice looking Liquifire.
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Hec In Omaha
Posts: 63
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 9:52 pm
Real Name: Hector
Location: Beaver Lake NE

Re: The shame!!! Home on a hook

Post by Hec In Omaha »

Thanks everyone! That clears that up for me. When that day happens, and I need a tow, I will know what to do.
Hec
1981 Trailfire 440
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