Looking for ideas for a ski pole travel case.

Yukon Mike

Yukon Mike

Well-known member
View attachment plano-airliner-travel-rod-tube.jpg


I need to find or make a tube similar to this for the team to carry ski poles in when they fly. The thing is its got to be 6' long and have a diameter of 18- 20 " to be able to fit a whack of poles in.

I've made bomb proof travel tubes for fishing rods out of 6" ABS and was thinking something along the same lines, but the weight of the case is a consideration too with the 50 lb max cutoff airlines are doing now.

If any of you guys know of a production case out there that would work, let me know. I'm going to make some calls around town here and see what's available. Who knows, maybe something gets shipped up in a container close to what we need and there's a bunch of them sitting somewhere.

Thanks,

Mike
 
Mike, top end cross country ski poles sell for $280-325 for skate poles. Swix, One Way, Fischer, and Salomon all make poles, so there alos should be some pole tubes out there to meet your needs. The big issue is the diameter you are looking for. I can fit six pair (my 2 skate pole pairs, 2 classic pole pairs and Karen's skate and classic poles in a 6" sewer pipe tube that is six feet long.
 
Six pair in a 6" tube. Good to know.

I think we're talking 20 kids x 3 sets of poles each, so a bunch anyways, and after all my web searching and talking to the sheet metal guys and the fiberglass guys here's the best idea of the day. Cardboard tubes from the inside of a carpet roll. Hello Canada Flooring.

Those carbon poles are really expensive, I know Mac's broken a few. He and I have been trying to figure out how to reuse the broken ones and so far we made a Hawaiin Sling type spear fishing pole, and an Atlatl spear. They are a really sporty way to hang up the netting for your peas to climb on too.

Thanks for all the tips guys. Its good to see what's out there.

Mike
 
My last carpet roll purchase was a while ago, but the roll had a 4" ID tube. I doubt if they have become larger in ID.

Sonotube for forming concrete footing pilars may be too short, but are a medium to heavy carboard.

Some geotechnical drilling supplies come in a 5"ID cardboard tube..and those typically have a plastic end cap and inner closed cell foam end protectors. GeoProbe is one US firm, but there are bound to be others.

There are various types and sizes of HDPE or ADS culverts and piping. A local utility company or sewer contractor may have some scrap that will work. You may have to make your own end caps. Single wall stuff can be fairly light. Its typically corregated and some what flexible, but even a Home Depot kind of place can carry up to 12" ID stuff.
 
You may be searching for the impossible. 18 to 20 inch diameter, 6 feet long, and under 50 pounds with 60 pair of poles is a tall order add tough to that and I am not sure it is possible.


That said look at a plastic culvert. The dual walls will make it durable and it is fairly light. A plywood ends could be fashioned.
 
Hey Mike, if you can wait until Tuesday I will see what the buyers at the office can find you. They have to be out there. What are you shipping the skis in?
 
Wow, thanks for all the info guys. Who knew there were so many Nordic skiers on here?

I talked to the ski club lady today to tell her what was around, and what she wants is something with the strength of a steel culvert that weighs as much as a cupcake. I'm still looking.

While there are production pole cases and ski cases out there, none will carry as many poles as she wants. The carpet roll tube thing was like Ray said, not big enough. Golf club cases aren't long enough. I was thinking maybe a small Thule pod or something, but I haven't found one yet.

Paul, if you find something out there let me know. The 72" long is critical as is strength/ weight. The cost of the poles is substantial, but not as big a deal of getting to the big race to discover one of your poles is broken.

Keep in mind guys that this case has to be Air Canada proof.

Here's some pictures from a fun race today.

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The "big kids" did a 20 km.

View attachment DSCF2720.jpg
 
Here is a shot of the Exel pole tube: 21cm diameter. Exel doesn't import into the U.S. anymore. I don't know if you can get one in Canada. Two or three of these should work. I see another poster has one and now uses a One Way for his pole transport needs. Reliable Racing used to sell one that was ABS in an 8". I checked their website-no go. The boot bell at the bottom should allow you to get more pole pairs in.

Northern Michigan University's ski team trains at the same course I ski on. I will talk to Sten and see what they use for transport when they fly. One of his female team members competed in Kyrgyztan, too.

http://www.xcskiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=1571

Do you have access to pro forms from any of the Manufacturers?
 
http://www.basspro.com/Plano-Jumbo-Airliner-Rod-Case/product/53148/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

This is the largest diameter fishing rod case I found.

If the skis are shipped in bags, then slipping the poles into appropriate sized ABS black drain pipe and sticking those in the bag would be enough protection. Each pole would get its own section of drain pipe. Probably would need 2" ID drain pipe to fit over normal handles.

Each pipe would be cut to a custom length, and if you duct tape the wrist straps and the baskets to the pipe ends they will not slide out.

You could even split the lenght of the pipe section to clam shell around the pole. A duct tape hinge on once side forms the clam shell and a good wrap of tape around the handle end clamps the pole into the pipe. Just the basket would be sticking out. If you heat up the pipe you can custom mold it to flatten out and fit the handle. Ive made tool and knife sheathes from PVC pipe this way.
 
I made an air travel fishing rod carrier out of PVC pipe for short money. you could do the same. Would just need more than one.
 
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