PVC for ATV Roading Rig

[BVK]

I have been researching roading rigs as I would like to outfit my ATV to be able to road my dogs. Found some old forum posts that indicated folks using PVC piping instead of aluminum or steel. My question...is PVC strong and durable enough to withstand the pulling from the dogs? If anyone has experience with this and could provide insight I would greatly appreciate it. I see advantages with PVC as it would be lighter, easier to work with, and less expensive.

[Devilscreekw]

Also it won't scratch your rig. You have to use about 3" or larger or the dog(s) will bend it. Found that out the hard way.

[windswept]

I used PVC a few years ago for a rig. It ended up breaking about 4 miles away from my home and pup had to ride back to town on my lap.
It's just not strong enough.

[ultracarry]

FYI if you use a small diameter peice of metal it will probably bend also. Some dogs can pull.

[BVK]

Thank all of you for your input. I know LCS sells a quality unit. Have any of you fabricated your own metal rigs for less $$$?

[Chukar12]

All it takes is a three foot piece of 1-1/2 square tubing stock, and a three foot piece of 1-1/4 to slide inside. Attach the 1-1/2 with u bolts to your quad rack, and drill the end of the piece of 1-1/4 on the end to install an eye bolt to attach your harness to. Slide the 1-1/4 into the 1-1/2 and drill holes for a storage position and an extended position and buy pins to fit the holes....pretty simple to do.

[BVK]

Chukar 12: I thank you a great deal for sharing your plan! Could I run two dogs from each drop (eye bolt)?

I am not very handy, but this seems like something even I can pull off! Thanks again for your help!

[Chukar12]

Chukar 12: I thank you a great deal for sharing your plan! Could I run two dogs from each drop (eye bolt)?

Sure...just put a splitter to the harnesses usually they are sold where you get leashes or collars or you can make a short splitter with chain and swivel snaps

[Karen]

I use PVC to road my Brittany...but she's probably 28 lbs soaking wet. So far, so good. I keep a check cord on the bike just in case I need it.

Our paths are too narrow to road a dog next to the bike, so the pole sticks out in front of the ATV far enough so that if she stops, I can't run her over, but because she's out front, it probably puts less stress on the PVC.

On the left of this pic you'll see the ATV with the PVC pole sticking out the front of it:

[BVK]

Thanks Karen...I can see with this config. there would be less stress on the pvc tubing and snapping it would be less of an issue.

Another question for Chukar: The rig you describe I am assuming is for one side either front or back? If I wanted to have a four sided set-up (2 front & 2 back), I would need 2 - 3 ft. sections of the large diam. tubing and 4 - 3 ft. sections of the smaller diam. sections?

[Chukar12]

That's correct and retracted you could only have them in 18" as they would meet in the middle of the larger diameter piece

[BVK]

Got it!! Thanks again!!

[hoosier]

I made my own. I've got $5 in the metal and probably $15 in the hardware. I went 1 1/2 secured to the bike and 1" as a outrigger. 1 1/4 does not slide in 1 1/2 I tried. I would also make the outrigger longer than 3'. I think I went 4' and 6" slides into the 1 1/2 so you have 3 1/2' sticking out.