21 replies to this topic

[OldViperRider]

Hi All,

Unfortunately due to illness, Helga and I had to cancel our trip to Jackson Hole, WY this week. Hopefully we will be able to do it some other time.

The good news is, the riding this weekend here in Pittsburg and all of the "Great North Woods" has been very good. The groomers have been working their magic and are doing a fantastic job. There have been many, many fellow snowmobilers enjoying some of the best riding in many years and it looks like it will continue for at least another few weeks or maybe longer.

It has been snowing an inch or two almost every night and last night the temperature reached -17°F. It is now -15°F with hazy sunshine and the high is only forecast to be +9°F; but, I don't think we will even reach that. Tonight the low is predicted to be below zero again; so, the trails will set up very well after the groomer runs tonight.

If you can get up to Pittsburg for a mid-week ride this week, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Mark

[OldViperRider]

The high today was +5.4°F and currently, 4:50 pm, it is +2.8°F and going down. It is mostly overcast with light and variable winds.

The forecast is calling for -2°F overnight; but, I think it will go lower than that. There also is the chance for snow later tonight and tomorrow with possible accumulations of 1 to 3 inches of new snow.

It looks like another good grooming night.

Mark

[Iggy]

Sorry to read you didn't make the trip. If only I knew I would've given you a shout to come out for dinner or something. Mark my friend and I passed what looked like a downed groomer on the upper side of trail 20, just South of where it meets trail 5. It was a big blue New Holland tractor...Is it out of service for a while or what.

Hope all is well...

Dave

[ct_skidoo]

Hope you have a speedy recovery Mark.

[OldViperRider]

Iggy, on Jan 21 2008, 06:49 PM, said:

Sorry to read you didn't make the trip. If only I knew I would've given you a shout to come out for dinner or something. Mark my friend and I passed what looked like a downed groomer on the upper side of trail 20, just South of where it meets trail 5. It was a big blue New Holland tractor...Is it out of service for a while or what.

Hope all is well...

Dave

I don't know yet. I will check and try to find out.

Mark

[Saluda]

Sorry you missed the trip, get well soon.
We just came back Monday night, had a real good time but did experience some cold weather. Didn't know if you had heard of any problems with the fuel at Dormans (water) ? Apparently the regular (around Saturday to Sunday time frame) grade fuel created some issues for myself, the cabin next to ours and to a couple of other sledders we talked to. We stayed at Ramblewoods as usual. Really miss his pumps !!!

[swankzr]

Saluda, on Jan 22 2008, 08:45 AM, said:

Sorry you missed the trip, get well soon.
We just came back Monday night, had a real good time but did experience some cold weather. Didn't know if you had heard of any problems with the fuel at Dormans (water) ? Apparently the regular (around Saturday to Sunday time frame) grade fuel created some issues for myself, the cabin next to ours and to a couple of other sledders we talked to. We stayed at Ramblewoods as usual. Really miss his pumps !!!

Nice to know as I am heading up this weekend..

[ct_skidoo]

I always put Isopropryl in with each fill up - you never know when your going to get some water mixed in. Thanks for the alert.

Edited by ct_skidoo, 22 January 2008 - 09:04 AM.

[OldViperRider]

Saluda, on Jan 22 2008, 08:45 AM, said:

Sorry you missed the trip, get well soon.
We just came back Monday night, had a real good time but did experience some cold weather. Didn't know if you had heard of any problems with the fuel at Dormans (water) ? Apparently the regular (around Saturday to Sunday time frame) grade fuel created some issues for myself, the cabin next to ours and to a couple of other sledders we talked to. We stayed at Ramblewoods as usual. Really miss his pumps !!!

I would be willing to bet you guys had condensation already in your tanks and it just took the really cold weather to cause a problem. This happens every year up here when sleds from the south come up and it gets really cold.

From experience I put in dry gas about every other tank to be sure it doesn't happen to me. If you don't fill up after every ride the air trapped in the tank can cause condensation as the sled cools down and of course it ends up at the bottom of the sled's tank. Almost every year I help at least one sledder staying across the street get a frozen sled thawed out and add some dry gas to the tank.

Dorman's, Young's and Dubie's go through so much gas that moisture doesn't really have much of a chance to build up to a level where you would notice it. Also there would be complaints from car and truck drivers about the water in the gas. Most locals leave their vehicles outside up here and the water would freeze in their lines.

Over all the years of riding up here I have never had a problem with water in the gas from any of the gas pumps, including Ramblewood and Timberland when they had above ground tanks.

It is going to be cold over the next week so anyone coming up from the south should be sure to put some dry gas in their tank if they haven't already, just to be safe.

Mark

[Saluda]

Mark,
I believe it had nothing to do with condensation in the sleds tanks prior. I filled three gas jugs, when I went to use them moisture had collected on the nozzle which was stored inside the jug. When I poured the gas into the machines I use a funnel with a brass or bronze screen, the screen collected ice. The people in the cabin next us had two machines freeze solid, they were running fine prior (in Pittsburg). Same with someone else I had talked to, the issue seems to be the fuel. I had not used (Dormans) them prior and will stay away for a while. We never have had fuel problems prior to this. We've been coming up for several years now. We also always keep our tanks full. I second the dry gas reccomendation.

Edited by Saluda, 22 January 2008 - 09:25 AM.

[swankzr]

I also use Isopropryl about every other tank or so but make sure I use it atleast once a day each morning on cold weekends like this one is going to be...

[OldViperRider]

Saluda, on Jan 22 2008, 09:22 AM, said:

Mark,
I believe it had nothing to do with condensation in the sleds tanks prior. I filled three gas jugs, when I went to use them moisture had collected on the nozzle which was stored inside the jug. When I poured the gas into the machines I use a funnel with a brass or bronze screen, the screen collected ice. The people in the cabin next us had two machines freeze solid, they were running fine prior (in Pittsburg). Same with someone else I had talked to, the issue seems to be the fuel. I had not used (Dormans) them prior and will stay away for a while. We never have had fuel problems prior to this. We've been coming up for several years now. We also always keep our tanks full. I second the dry gas reccomendation.

That does sound strange! I will check around and see if any of the locals have had a problem. If and when I get out of the house.

Mark

[Saluda]

Thanks, I'd appreciate hearing what they say. Apparently it was only the regular grade, purchases of the other grades presented no problems. You did give some good advice.
Met the new couple assuming duties at the warming hut, what real nice people !

[OldViperRider]

Saluda, on Jan 22 2008, 10:10 AM, said:

Thanks, I'd appreciate hearing what they say. Apparently it was only the regular grade, purchases of the other grades presented no problems. You did give some good advice.
Met the new couple assuming duties at the warming hut, what real nice people !

Yes, Bob and Sue Gaudett are really nice people. They have helped us at the hut over the years and we were very happy that they decided to take over. I think they really enjoy doing it and they certainly enjoy meeting and helping other people.

Mark

[swankzr]

OldViperRider, on Jan 22 2008, 10:14 AM, said:

Yes, Bob and Sue Gaudett are really nice people. They have helped us at the hut over the years and we were very happy that they decided to take over. I think they really enjoy doing it and they certainly enjoy meeting and helping other people.

Mark

I'm going to pay them a visit this weekend I think....

[Tim]

Saluda, on Jan 22 2008, 10:10 AM, said:

Thanks, I'd appreciate hearing what they say. Apparently it was only the regular grade, purchases of the other grades presented no problems. You did give some good advice.
Met the new couple assuming duties at the warming hut, what real nice people !

First of all ,being a boat guy, and doing a lot of research on fuels the last 5 years, the quality of fuel today is terrible! 2 week shelf life! I know the price of fuel is crazy and you got a great deal on your sleds, but I suggest NEVER running 87 octane in your toys!! :sad:

[tomlee76]

I always fuel up on the way home and add isopropyl to the tank if that is the last time I am going to use the sled for the day. I have never, well now that I say that I will probably have an issue with frozen fuel and/or lines. My sled sits in a trialer in Pittsburg all year long and I have not have one issue-that is with regular unleaded which is what most sleds are designed to run on.

[Sabercat]

Tim, on Jan 22 2008, 10:22 AM, said:

First of all ,being a boat guy, and doing a lot of research on fuels the last 5 years, the quality of fuel today is terrible! 2 week shelf life! I know the price of fuel is crazy and you got a great deal on your sleds, but I suggest NEVER running 87 octane in your toys!! :sad:

I'm with you Tim. I always run 89 octane in my sleds and my boat! Todays fuel additives(ethanol) have decreased the life dramatically, even with stabilizer.

[RX1TON]

Iggy, on Jan 21 2008, 06:49 PM, said:

Sorry to read you didn't make the trip. If only I knew I would've given you a shout to come out for dinner or something. Mark my friend and I passed what looked like a downed groomer on the upper side of trail 20, just South of where it meets trail 5. It was a big blue New Holland tractor...Is it out of service for a while or what.

Hope all is well...

Dave

That night we had a flat tire on the tractor, I rescued the operator who already had the tire off by the time I got there, the following day it was back on and in service, then a running issue that night, got it back for service at 3 mph and no drag work, and it was back up and running for the next night again, we're all caught up on the trails again. Cross your fingers.
Keith

[RX1TON]

Saluda, on Jan 22 2008, 08:45 AM, said:

Sorry you missed the trip, get well soon.
We just came back Monday night, had a real good time but did experience some cold weather. Didn't know if you had heard of any problems with the fuel at Dormans (water) ? Apparently the regular (around Saturday to Sunday time frame) grade fuel created some issues for myself, the cabin next to ours and to a couple of other sledders we talked to. We stayed at Ramblewoods as usual. Really miss his pumps !!!

I fueled 3 sleds and my truck there in that timeframe and have had no issues, its a good thing because my garage is full of other things at this point!
Keith