A Float Tube With Removable Transport Wheels

Okay Guys
Exclusive to FTFF
A float tube with removable transport wheels

It took awhile to figure this one out.
I was trying to have two independent wheels which were going to plug into the bottom of the rod rack on each side on my Outcast Prowler
I just couldn't get the rack rigid enough to keep from rotating inward or outward with the pressures involved.
I was telling Ed that I was going to need a connecting axle to form a frame to make the two wheels ridged enough.
Then it dawned on me. A frame that would stay connected to the bottom side of the seat, utilizing the back pack strap D-rings and not cause too much drag.

I knew that there could be heavy loads applied to the area where the posts slip onto the frame, so I reinforced the crucial areas by doubling the wall with another sleeve.

Most of these parts are over the counter with the exception of the machine work of boring out the wheel post tube to slip over the base frame tube and the axle sleeves.

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Made a few changes here from the original design
Went away from from the square front corner to make this shape
I've found that the fitting becomes a stop to keep the frame from sliding from side to side
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I glued in a schedule 80 sleeve where the axle passes through the Tee
As you can see, this does not have an axle connecting the two wheels togther
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This is an axle sleeve that is slightly longer than the wheel so you can tighten the sleeve snug and the wheel will still rotate freely. 5/16" ss threaded rod running inside of a delrin sleeve. The wheel has a 1/2" bore.
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This set-up is light and compact enough to keep with the tube after launching just incase I end up having to get out of the water away from the original launch location and walk back
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I use the wheel hold down straps as handles to pull the tube along as there is no good way to grip the front of the tube.
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Every joint is being held together with a single or two stainless steel sheet metal screws if I decide to make any changes

I believe that this can be adaptable with the float tubes that are constructed similar to the Outcast Float Tubes (Fish Cat, Fat Cat, Prowler) with the ridged seat and pontoons attached to the seat.

I will edit this original post if I make any changes to this set-up

Most of you have already seen this first video of the first time using this set-up
The 2nd. video is of the 2nd. time using this set-up

Nice work Scott! now bring it by the shop and I'll weld a tongue onto it and you can just tow it behind your Dodge =). How do those wheels do in the sand?

nice design. A lot of thought went into that!

I was chatting with Waxon on his battle cat post about a similar idea. My idea was to use a single fat, light wheel, at the point of an A-Frame.
The bottom of the "A" would be the handles, that I would pull. Problem with my idea is that I need both hands to pull it, and the stability of the ride. You design is way more stable, and can be pulled with just 1 hand. I figured with my idea, I'd pull off the wheel and put it in my tube, and leave the A frame on the sand, or maybe chained to a tree.

THanks for posting this great idea.
-Jay

Well done!

n2deepfsw wrote:Well done!

x2

Well done..

Very nice work I am going to look into this for myself one day.

So badd ass!!!! Ok how much you charge to make one for my prowler.

Dang Scott. That's nutz. But in a good way!

Vagabond wrote:Nice work Scott! now bring it by the shop and I'll weld a tongue onto it and you can just tow it behind your Dodge =). How do those wheels do in the sand?

I won't even be able to tell it's back there... then it won't be
The tires do okay but not great in the sand. Good enough for now.
Best thing about them, they were inexpensive ($7 each) and light (1lb each)
May someday upgrade to some Wheeleez sand tires or similar that doesn't cost as much.

Scion619 wrote:So badd ass!!!! Ok how much you charge to make one for my prowler.

Scion, not really interested in making these.
Just wanted to put the info up to give others the idea to make their own
It's still in beta and will see what changes it might need as I use it more
One of the things is how much clearance is required for the wheel post to plug into the frame when sand and grit is involved
Also, I'm going to experiment on making the axle sleeve self cleaning if sand gets in there like it did the first time going across the sand

I would consider making the key parts (reinforced Tee and bored out wheel post) available then someone can build from there

Self cleaning float tube axles. Put that in your search engine. Scott you are becoming a mad man!! Love it!!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

waxon67 wrote:Self cleaning float tube axles. Put that in your search engine. Scott you are becoming a mad man!! Love it!!! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

After the first time in the sand, the wheels tightened up some
I ran water into the axle area to wash out the few grains of sand that got in but they embedding into the surface.
I'm thinking to cut a shallow groove from end to end on the bottom side of the axle sleeve to allow the grit to go somewhere.
Will it work? I don't know for sure but it's worth a try