Christmas Tree Hauling <advice needed!>

[FreerideSeattle]

I've been hauling Xmas trees for the family out of the woods for the past 3 years - some years have been better than others. I need some advice on the best way to tow out a 12' Noble Fir behind a sled without destroying it.

The first year I used a tarp and some rope and figured it was a no-brainer. I have about a 12 mile tow out. A few miles out the tarp filled with snow (even though I had it cinched up nicely around the base of the tree. Once the tarp had about 300lbs. of snow in it we ditched the tarp and just dragged the tree. Temps were below zero (F) and we got the tree back to the sno-park with only one half of it not lathed down. FAIL.

Year two and three I switched to a plastic tobaggen sled with tree wrapped in tarp on top of it. Results were improved but without a rigid tow bar the tow sled would hit the snowmobile track and cause problems on downhill sections. Controlling the sled on downhills was a problem and also required slow going, which one time resulted in a frozen track (i.e. stuck to the hyfax).

The family was always excited about the tree we hauled out, however it's been an adventure. I'm thinking I'm not the first guy to do this and there has to be a better way. I was considering building a sled out of old skis and 2x4's for this purpose (I'm committed), but also seeing Otter cargo sleds and the like and wondering if this is better? Just looking for advice! TIA!

 

[polaris dude]

Hmm, I've never tried it personally, but have you ever thought of trying to tie the bottom portion of the tree to the tunnel? Then the tarp wouldnt fill with snow, it would tow better, and no tow bar needed.

 

[snowmobile6]

the first thing we do is go to the hardware store and by the reinforced construction plastic that has the nylon ribs runnin through it. we cut it in to a piece that is two layers thick and with the dimensions of 20ftx20ft before we leave that morning. once we cut down the tree we lay the plastic out leaving it double layered. We pull the tree on to plastic. first we cut slit in the plastic about two feet from the end to slide the trunk through when doing this be careful to not cut it to big, it should be a tight fit or the snow will get in. next fold the plastic around the tree and wrap it up. hold this in place by tying it down with nylon every 2 feet or so. when you are finished wrapping it up place a tow rop around the bottom of the tree and its base branchs inside of the plastic and attach to the sled and away you go. we have been doing it this way for years i think the most snow that ever got into it was only about 15 to 20 pounds. i looks like a giant mummy but works well. hope this helps you out.
mike

 

[Bagger]

Exactly. If you got that much snow in your tarp, it could have been tied better. And if you tie the treeup against the back of the sled it will eliminate the towing issues. If you don't want the tree hard against the sled,you can run your tow rope through a 5 or 6' piece of pvc pipe which will serve to keep it off the back of your sled. Take care of the details, the rest will fall in line. Dangerous taking home a Charlie Brown Christmas tree!!!

Bag

 

[HawkShot99]

Does anybody in your family ski? If so, Put a line off the back of the sled for them to hold onto and be towed along in the flats, and up hills. Use the plastic tobagon to tow the sled behind you on a different rope. When you get to a downhill, have the person on skis start snowplowing to control their speed, while holding a rope to the other end of the tree sled.

That is how ski patrols control the rescue tobagon when it is loaded with a heavy person.

 

[FreerideSeattle]

Skiing isn't an option, but MANY THANKS to all of you who provided advice!

Merry Christmas!