Trace Big Game Sledge - a word of caution...

[White Hart]

So after many years of faithful service from my Jet Sled I wore a hole in it so it was time for a new one. I had a look around and decided on the Trace Big Game Sledge.

I liked the list of accessories you could get; Stainless steel runners to help with wear, and a cover to keep dirt out and avoid upsetting anyone when crossing back over footpaths etc. I went all out and bought into the whole package which wasn't cheap but figured it would last a long while... I couldn't purchase all the items from one supplier so had to get the sledge from one and the runners and cover from another due to there stock levels.



I purchased this all back in March / April as a working from home - Covid boredom purchase for its intended use with Fallow Doe's come November... So I put it together admired it and put it in the garage. I have to say at this point the runners were straight and bending them into position to fit was difficult! I did all the hardware up sufficiently but wouldn't say I over tightened anything, in fact I thought how robust it looked and was well chuffed.

Imagine my surprise when I took a quick look at it the other day and found splits and cracks everywhere on it! I haven't used it yet its only sat im my garage!!!



Now Id like to point out this hasn't been over-tightened the stainless runners have pulled the hardwear through the plastic with a shape memory effect.

But where do I stand? Having put an accessory on it from a different company to whom I got the sledge from there going to say not their problem...

Anyone else had issues?

 

[Milligan]

Are the runners from the same manufacturer and intended (clearly) for that sled? Ideally they'd be clearly identified as 'accessories' etc.
If yes, then you could argue that it has not been modified and has in fact been used as intended and the failure is therefore a manufacturing defect.

Clearly this is dissapointing.

 

[CarlW]

As @Milligan says, if they're the proper runners, it's a slam-dunk; if they're 'unapproved' then you have a more difficult argument to construct.

 

[mathieson]

obviously this is disappointing when you have not yet used the tub but I’ve been useing one of these trace game sleds for a few years now never a problem didn’t fit any steel runners to it and ware has been minimal couldn’t help but notice the lack of washers to spread the load under the nuts in your photos and as the cracks appear to start where the holes have been drilled I wonder if this may be the reason for th bolts pulling through the holes cracking the tub

 

[White Hart]

Are the runners from the same manufacturer and intended (clearly) for that sled? Ideally they'd be clearly identified as 'accessories' etc.
If yes, then you could argue that it has not been modified and has in fact been used as intended and the failure is therefore a manufacturing defect.

Clearly this is dissapointing.

All genuine parts from Trace...

 

[White Hart]

I’ve been useing one of these trace game sleds for a few years now never a problem didn’t fit any steel runners to it and ware has been minimal couldn’t help but notice the lack of washers to spread the load under the nuts in your photos and as the cracks appear to start where the holes have been drilled I wonder if this may be the reason for th bolts pulling through the holes cracking the tub

Yeh the washers gone through on the middle one as its the longest and got the greatest leverage.

 

[CarlW]

Yeh the washers gone through on the middle one as its the longest and got the greatest leverage.

Did Trace supply the screws, washers, etc. too? Not your own hardware?

 

[White Hart]

Did Trace supply the screws, washers, etc. too? Not your own hardware?

Yeh all theirs Carl all £50 worth of runners and hardware.

 

[mathieson]

strange its pulled thro like that as you say there are washers under the nuts the steel runners must be exerting a lot of force around that area if as you say they seem to be trying to straighten themselfs out

 

[White Hart]

strange its pulled thro like that as you say there are washers under the nuts the steel runners must be exerting a lot of force around that area if as you say they seem to be trying to straighten themselfs out

They were a bugger to fit to be fair.

 

[mathieson]

They were a bugger to fit to be fair.

that may be the problem if the runners are trying to straighten themselfs out there will be a leaverage effect from the runners pulling on the bolts which may have been sufficiently strong to cause the split

 

[White Hart]

that may be the problem if the runners are trying to straighten themselfs out there will be a leaverage effect from the runners pulling on the bolts which may have been sufficiently strong to cause the split

Yeh exactly but its all Trace parts, I thought it would be upto the job the sledge was £90 the cover £40 and the runners £50... £180's worth of brand new kit destined for the bin. Just sending the supplier an email and we'll see where we get to.

 

[Orion]

I have the exact same setup and have had no issues with it for the past 5 years or so - and that includes the grandchildren using it as a multi-person sledge, plus being towed behind the quad.

I’d agree with the previous post that there should be some washers under the nyloc nuts and I have them on mine, although I can’t remember if they came with the kit or I added them myself.

If you do get the issue resolved then I’d advise using the larger diameter stainless ‘Penny‘ washers to spread the loading more, especially on the front runner locations.

 

[nun_hunter]

Did the runners come with instructions?

I can imagine that pre bending them would have reduced the stress on the plastic but this should have been covered in fitting instructions if recommended

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Stress splits show as is originating from the underside of the nuts, to be fair there is very little contact surface onto the plastic (polypropylene?) without having washers under the nuts if I understood your post correctly. I would advise to have a sandwich effect with some stainless steel strip hotmelted onto the split as a repair. BTW I found a pair of skis at the tip that I shortened keeping the front curl to fit under my simple sledge.

 

[tozzybum]

If they don't respond,fibreglass repair kit time and has been pointed out body washers to spread the load from the "runners".
It may pay you to remove the offending skid and gently heat it to the curve of the sledge as the white stressing around the damage is going to tear further.
In its current condition, they could surprise you and replace ,after all basic failures before use dont sell more products.

 

[dlz90]

Don't know much about the trace but in your case it looks like it's junk, what did u do with your jet sled ? I have had mine for 10+ years and it's still going strong they are tough but mine did eventually wear a few holes through it but I learned how to weld plastic and hope to get another 10 just be sure to match the plastic your welding and it's really strong, learning how to plastic weld has saved many items I thought where knackered.

D

 

[gixer1]

If that’s the fitting kit they gave you and it didn’t include washers then it’s a very poor design! And that’s before you put 15-20 stone in it!

 

[woody]

Don't throw it plastic can be welded as someone has already said.

 

[RifleTuner]

If they don't respond,fibreglass repair kit time and has been pointed out body washers to spread the load from the "runners".
It may pay you to remove the offending skid and gently heat it to the curve of the sledge as the white stressing around the damage is going to tear further.
In its current condition, they could surprise you and replace ,after all basic failures before use dont sell more products.

Depends a lot on what its made from, but I think plastic welding would be the only repair option. The resins needed for a fiberglass repair wont adhere to a lot of plastics.