How to Make a Prowler Sled

It’s impossible to recreate the old-school survival experience, so this modernized version of a Prowler Sled is your best bet. It will keep you on top of any tracks and provide hours (or days) worth of entertainment!

The “diy weight sled with wheels” is a great way to make a weight sled for your dog. It’s super easy and you can use just about anything as the base, like an old door or an old piece of plywood.

Man working at outside with conditioning prowler sled.

Note from the editor: This is a guest post by Jerred Moon.

Do you want to improve your handyman abilities while also becoming in the greatest condition of your life? Then you, my buddy, must construct your own Prowler. Have you ever heard of a Prowler before? First, let me explain what kind of exercise you’ve been missing out on, and then I’ll show you how to create your own using 4x4s, pipe, and brackets.

What Is a Prowler, Exactly?

A Prowler is a sled that you may fill with weight and push around for exercise. The Prowler, on the other hand, isn’t simply another push or pull training sled. The number of potential permutations and training combinations you can do with a Prowler is almost infinite, making it an excellent strength and conditioning tool.

The Prowler is ideal for conditioning and endurance training as well as building your core, arms, and lower body, depending on which variants and motions you utilize. There aren’t many conditioning gadgets in the world that can train your whole body as effectively as the Prowler. You’ll feel like you’ve run 5 miles and done a load of hard squats after a few rapid intervals with this device.

Some of the world’s best strength training experts, such as Dave Tate and Louie Simmons, popularized the Prowler. Any lifting regimen that isn’t accompanied by proper muscular conditioning prohibits athletes from achieving their greatest potential, according to these instructors. Athletes that wish to compete at the highest level will need to be in top physical shape to go through their training.

We’ve witnessed a big change in the fitness sector as CrossFit has grown in popularity. CrossFitters are now doing movements and lifts that were formerly only reserved for Olympians and powerlifters. And equipment that was formerly reserved for top athletes (such as the Prowler) is finding its way into the exercise routines of more and more regular people.

The issue with some of this amazing new training equipment is that it may be prohibitively expensive. A heavy-duty Prowler, for example, may cost anywhere between $250 and $800 at most fitness retailers. However, for for $50, you can make your own this weekend.

Enough with the chit-chat. Let’s get started on your Prowler.

First, go shopping.

Before you go out and purchase everything on the list, make sure you read this whole post. Some elements were left to the discretion of the reader. Depending on your scenario, this might make your project simpler or less expensive. The things marked with a star on the equipment list have alternatives.

List of Materials:

  • 2 x 8′ 444’s
  • (1) 10′ metal conduit pipe with a diameter of 1 1/4″* (or other pipe options that do not involve cutting)
  • (10) lag screws, 5/16″ 6″ (1 extra just in case)
  • (1) box of 1-1.5″ flat edge screws
  • (1) 2′ 4″ diameter PVC section* (other options available)
  • Cutting metal and PVC using a Masonry Circular Cutoff Blade* (only if you plan to cut the pipe yourself)
  • Brackets
    • (2) flat brackets, 6″
    • (2) bracket straps for hurricanes
    • (6) brackets with a 90-degree angle
    • (4) brackets with a 45-degree angle (adjustable angle)

Cutting the 44’s in Step 2

 Cutt off pieces of wood for sled.

First, we’ll cut the 4x4s into the fundamental sections for the sled. The bulk of the 44 cuts are made at this stage; however, there will be additional cutting afterwards.

 

Eliminate the following:

  • (1) piece of 43′′ (used for T-shape)
  • (1) 36′′ long piece (used for T-shape)
  • (3) 7-inch pieces (used as “runners” on the sled’s bottom)
  • (2) 8.5′′ squares (used for support on top of the sled)

Boring Holes (Step 3)

Man boring the holes in wooden piece.

For our pipe, we’ll drill 1-1/2′′ holes in the 44. A 1-1/2′′ hole boring drill bit is required for this project.

The following holes should be drilled:

  • 2 holes in a 36′′ piece Each hole should be 7′′ from one end to the other.
  • 1 “half-way-hole” in a 43″ piece. The hole should be 29 inches long from one end to the other. DRILLING ALL THE WAY THROUGH IS NOT RECOMMENDED!!
  • Bore a hole halfway through in the center of two 7′′ pieces. DRILLING ALL THE WAY THROUGH IS NOT RECOMMENDED!!
  • Bore a 2″ hole all the way through two 8.5″ pieces.

Step 4: Cut the Pipe

Man cutting the pipes on fire.

Wow, it’s on fire! Don’t be put off by a few sparks. If you’re not comfortable cutting pipe, pre-cut galvanized pipe may be a better option. For a nice effect, I cut it in the dark. At home, don’t attempt cutting in the dark!

A few details: I used a 1-1/4′′ conduit pipe that comes in 10-foot pieces. It’s simple to cut and inexpensive. It’s also powerful enough for this project. You may purchase smaller lengths of galvanized pipe if you don’t want to cut pipe, but it will cost more. For $2-$3, you can get a skill saw blade that cuts conduit pipe.

Eliminate the following:

  • (2) 43′′ long pieces
  • (1) 18′′ long piece

Step 5: Assembling Everything and Bracing

Now we’ll put all of your components together, along with some brackets and wooden braces.

Man putting brackets into pipe using hammer.

We’ll start by seating the pipes through all of the wood. Thread two 43-inch sections of pipe through both holes on the 36-inch and two of your 7-inch wood pieces. It may be necessary to tap the pipe a few times to get it through. If this is the case, place a piece of 44 on top of the pipe and hammer it down. The pipe will not be harmed as a result of this.

Homemade prowler sled for working out conditioning.

After that, thread the 18″ pipe through the “half-way hole” on your 43″ piece of 44 (See arrow on my completed sled). This is the location where the weight will be kept. For added safety, I suggest placing a tennis ball or racquetball on top of the pipe after it’s finished.

Joining T shape brackets on wooden pieces.

The T-shape will be secured next. Your 36′′ 44% is the top of the T. To make a T-shape, place the 43′′ 44 perpendicular to the 36′′ 44. As indicated above, two hurricane brackets and two 6″ bolts are used to connect the two beams. One hurricane strap will be placed on top, while the other will be placed on the opposite side and at the bottom. This will secure the T-Shape and reduce any torque. Bolts will be at a 45-degree angle to each other. Note: Drill a hole first, then screw the bolt in.

Fitting the pipes into brackets.

Now that we’ve established the foundation, it’s time to add bracing. You’ll need two 24′′ sections of 444 cut at an angle to suit your sled.

Tighten the wooden brackets with bolts.

Bolt the two bracing beams together once they’ve been cut. (Please note that the brackets are screwed on in the photo.) This photo was taken after I finished the project. We haven’t finished installing the brackets yet.)

 

Man drilling hole in wooden bracket.

Secure the third 7-inch runner piece to the bottom 43-inch 44-inch portion towards the finish. On either side of the 7′′ runner piece, screw in a 90 degree bracket. Note: this is a pre-drilled hole.

Sled base is being displayed.

On the bottom of my prowler, this is where and how the three 7′′ runner pieces are put. (Forget about the PVC pipe.) We’ll get to it in a minute.)

Adding flat bracket to joint multiples wooden pieces.

Place your Prowler on the runner pieces and flip it over. Slide an 8.5′′ 44 through the pipe (outlined in orange) Connect the 8.5′′ and 36′′ 4x4s using a flat bracket (Arrow #1). Between the 8.5′′ and angled 24′′ 4x4s, add a 90 degree bracket (Arrow #2). Connect the 36′′ and 24′′ angled 4x4s with a 45 degree adjustable angle bracket (Arrow #3). Rep on the other end.

Sled base is placed on floor.

Your sled is almost finished. All we need now is a gliding surface for it.

PVC Cutting (Step 6)

PVC was utilized for my 7′′ runner pieces, and it turned out well. My sled, on the other hand, is exclusively used on grass. PVC is appealing to me since it is readily replaced if it breaks or wears out. This is a place where you may truly let your imagination run wild. To secure the bottom, you may use a pail split in half or those hard plastic furniture movers. I’m presently working with PVC and liking it, but I could experiment with other materials in the future. Keep it in mind at all times.

Measuring the diameter of pvc pipe using inches tape.

To measure the width of your cut, place the 44 at the edge of the PVC. Tick marks should be added where the wood meets the PVC edge. Draw a completely straight line along the PVC’s edge. These are the cut lines you’ll be working with.

After you’ve cut out the center, you’ll need to cut the PVC into three 7.5″ pieces.

Cutting and joining the pipe with brackets.

Slide your three PVC pieces onto the wood runners. Drill a hole in the PVC and the wood beforehand. Use flat screws to secure the PVC to the board; the longer the screws, the better (See arrow)

Sled for outgoing function.

You’ve now got a completely working sled!!!

Now put it to good use!

 

Now put it to good use!

Do you need assistance with this project or would want to see some more garage gym DIY projects? End of Three Fitness has a comprehensive collection of garage gym DIY projects as well as other useful information. Jerred Moon of End of Three Fitness is assisting individuals like you in changing their perspectives on fitness; he didn’t start the revolution, but he intends to see it through!

 

 

The “prowler sled with wheels” is a type of sled that is used for hunting. It can also be used as a means to transport food and other goods when in the wilderness.

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