Ski Spreaders

[Johnny speed]

My invader ski stance is too narrow! I installed these spreaders but would like to go a little wider so the outer edge of the ski is out as wide as the side bumper so the ski hits befor the bumper against the wall in the trailer and the garage! Thanks for any help.

[jimvw57]

Adding ski spreaders will seriously put a strain on the pivots above the skis that allow the ski to turn left and right. I have seen them crack and break off the frame under the hood. They also add more stress when turning and hitting ice or bumps on the trail.
Bumpers are just that. Bumpers. If you want to keep from hitting the walls, add a 2x4 along the wall (if you must) or add plastic tracks on the floor as ski guides (on the trailer)

On the old sleds, the ski stance was less than 30 inches wide so ski spreaders really helped to stabilize the sleds. even back then it was common to damage the posts and skis/springs by using too much of an offset.

I'd leave them off.

[rminier]

I agree with jimvw57. 1st sled I owned way back in fall of '78 was a '74 Sno Jet Sabre Jet...had a measly 24" center to center ski stance. Ski speaders added lots of stability, but gradually started bending until skis' were bent upward with about 15 degrees negative camber. These were pretty thick steel ski spreaders from Dennis Kirk at the time, and I wasn't exactly "snocrossing" the old Sno Jet either. I eventually took them off. I also didn't care for how the sled handled when one ski would catch a rut, or a dry patch....when you move the ski away from the center line of it's spindles, it tends to jerk the handlebars a bit. Ahh, the old Sabre Jet was awesome. Wish I had kept it (kinda like your 1st car) but I sold it back then when I bought my '79 Invader. Invader was light years ahead in every way, and I still own it, but great memories from the Sabre. You already have them installed, so it's no big deal...you can see how yours perform, and can always remove them if you wish.

[kawhead]

spreaders were used before sleds could run over 80 mph...not safe imo

[jimvw57]

I would think it would be easier and safer to just look down and see how close you are to the wall or the side of the trailer.it is just a few inches past your foot on either side.