Garage/Driveway Mats to protect asphalt & concrete surfaces

[Cirrus_Driver]

I had my driveway asphalt paved up in Vilas and driving sleds on it will now be a no-no.
Need some sort of mat I can lay down on a short section of the driveway leading into the garage, and then on the garage concrete itself. This needs to stand up to snowmobile traction products.

I think this has been talked about in the past....does anybody know of a product for this application I can buy at Menards or Home Depot (or elsewhere)?

 

[whitedust]

Going to be a pita putting down mats every time you want to ride. Ski protectors are quick and easy to prevent carbide scrapes but with studs you should just invest in a dolly system then push your sleds in and out. I went with recycled asphalt no maintenance ,sealers and that nonsense and don’t have worry about sled wear or snowplow blades. Studs lock you into dollies or wheels and plenty of them on the market from permanent to portable mounts for skis.

 

[favoritos]

This has been a big issue for me. I have been using old plywood sheets when loading. I did use horse mats. They prevent damage. They are hard to move and store. The carbides tend to stick to them preventing easy moving. HDPE sheets also prevent damage. They do get slippery even with the rough side facing up.
The ski damage was pretty easy to prevent with dollies or ski protectors. The studs were the big problem. I used dollies for the track. One little throttle burst and the dolly is gone from the track. My nice new heated floor needed something. The plywood did do the trick for stud damage when loading. I just tuck the sheet under the end of the ramp a bit. It is easy to stack the plywood against the wall with the ramp when not in use.
Might not be the perfect solution for everyone, but I went with what did work effective and easy to protect my fancy floor.
BTW, you can usually go to most big box stores and pick up damaged sheets pretty cheap. They still work fine for floor protection.
Speaking to the fancy floor is another topic. I have commercial epoxy floor coatings down. I also embedded aluminum oxide into the coating. The aluminum oxide works for almost everything except new carbides and studs.

 

[Cirrus_Driver]

WD - Pitlick & Wick did the driveway and the documents say they used recyclable products in the asphalt, but I don't know how that protects the surface from carbide marks.
I'm more concerned about the edge leading up and over. I'm going to build that up with rock/sand to make a smooth transition, but I still need to get the ski on the asphalt before I attach the dolly.
I have plywood pieces I can lay down, but I expect them to slip. I want to put something down (like HDPE) that can stay under the snow/ice but over the driveway so I don't have to worry about it moving all winter.
Just tell the plow guy where they are on the edge before the garage apron, and then shovel it manually.
I don't expect studs to be a problem because I don't anticipate using them anymore. (haven't studded for 8-9 years now)

 

[favoritos]

XXX007, you might have luck with drivable dollies for your situation. Larger wheels and straps will help you get over the transition area at the edge of your paved surface.
Use Class V or compactable rock around your edges. Sand is too soft. Plow guys are brutal on edges even without the plow down. We mark edges with flags and posts. They still get past the edges. Unfrozen ground will rut quickly with a touch of the plow truck tires.
You are lucky if you can leave down your protective layer. It does open up your options. If you are worried about the sheets slipping, the horse mats might be the solution. Plywood can slip around. The HDPE sheets will slip more.

 

[Tracker]

I had my driveway asphalt paved up in Vilas and driving sleds on it will now be a no-no.
Need some sort of mat I can lay down on a short section of the driveway leading into the garage, and then on the garage concrete itself. This needs to stand up to snowmobile traction products.

I think this has been talked about in the past....does anybody know of a product for this application I can buy at Menards or Home Depot (or elsewhere)?

yes i do....and I have used 12 or so 5 gallon buckets to redo a pool deck....they use the stuff for overhead concrete repairs on subway systems and extensively used overseas on highway repairs....it dries quick and you can drive a 16 wheeler over the stuff fully loaded in a day....it might be te stuff they use for road crossings on trails but I am not 100% sure of that but it looks and feels the same....I would coat it with this....on the pool deck I did not prep or clean the surface first....been 2 years now and no cracking where it was deep.....where I laid it thin it had chipped.....but only 1 week after I set this stuff down we had an EPIC FLOOD in Indiana and it was 4 feet under river water for weeks....it held so freaking good I don't believe it...excellent stuff for the price....many films aboot it on youtube also.....SPEEDCRETE...this is the exact bucket I bought of it

PS....nothing...and I mean nothing...stands up to WOT carbide studs on tracks....for this very reason I got rid of all studded sleds...and....I WILL NOT let anyone on my trailer with studs...find yer own ride since studs are like carburetors....out dated and not needed

 

[whitedust]

WD - Pitlick & Wick did the driveway and the documents say they used recyclable products in the asphalt, but I don't know how that protects the surface from carbide marks.
I'm more concerned about the edge leading up and over. I'm going to build that up with rock/sand to make a smooth transition, but I still need to get the ski on the asphalt before I attach the dolly.
I have plywood pieces I can lay down, but I expect them to slip. I want to put something down (like HDPE) that can stay under the snow/ice but over the driveway so I don't have to worry about it moving all winter.
Just tell the plow guy where they are on the edge before the garage apron, and then shovel it manually.
I don't expect studs to be a problem because I don't anticipate using them anymore. (haven't studded for 8-9 years now)

We are talking apples and oranges I used recycled asphalt in its raw form on 400 feet of driveway which sets up hard but is still porous. P&W used recycled asphalt in your hot melt mix which is typical blacktop that needs typical blacktop maintenance. Anywho back on topic think KISS without studs ski protectors will do the job for you clearing a garage seam or ridge. As others said plowguy will eventually destroy anything you attach to the pavement and why hand shovel if you don’t have to. Studs are you main cause of damage and no studs all you need to do is elevate the skis via protectors or wheels. My protectors fit my skis like gloves and very easy to attach and take off. I recently considered permanent ski wheel from a company in Canada where the wheels mounts directly to the spindal bolt and the wheels automatically go down on bare pavement. My reasoning was to protect carbides in marginal snow conditions but since I rarely ride in marginal conditions so decided to stay with protectors for home use. I’m not over the permanent mount ski wheels yet and still might purchase and very easy to install. Any boards always went flying from studs so that didn’t work for me at all. I also have a dolly cart that dealers use to transport sleds but too much hassle to position in snow so currently in my garage attic. Walk before you run with this project and keep it simple since no studs.

 

[slimcake]

Tracker might have actually made a post that I found useful!! That looks like what I was looking for. Oh and I agree with you also on the studs. Never had em never needed um. You should see my buds new shop floor after he let the MXZX 800 with 196 diggers spun out on it. I would be pissed.

WD I am also considering those flip down wheels. Wish I knew how they would hold up... Let me know if you try em!!

 

[Cirrus_Driver]

I saw the post, and studied those flip down wheels, and I watched the Youtube video. Very interesting concept. If somebody here KNOWS they work in practical application, and don't get wrecked when riding, I'd like to hear it. I'd buy two sets IF they stand up over time.

Tracker - not sure how that Speedcrete product would react with asphalt, or if I want to find out. That might be too elaborate of a solution for me.

WD- can you tell me the specific ski protectors you use...product name ect. That might be the simple solution as long as I can attach on snow before hitting the hard asphalt surface.

Thanks all.

 

[whitedust]

I saw the post, and studied those flip down wheels, and I watched the Youtube video. Very interesting concept. If somebody here KNOWS they work in practical application, and don't get wrecked when riding, I'd like to hear it. I'd buy two sets IF they stand up over time.

Tracker - not sure how that Speedcrete product would react with asphalt, or if I want to find out. That might be too elaborate of a solution for me.


WD- can you tell me the specific ski protectors you use...product name ect. That might be the simple solution as long as I can attach on snow before hitting the hard asphalt surface.

Thanks all.

Ya someone here answered all my questions regarding the the ski wheels and the abridged answer is they work very well and wear was not a problem. They would be aok for your application for me to use for marginal snow conditions on roads was iffy as 10 mph was too slow for me over a mile or 2 use distance. There are many ski protectors on the market and you should run thru your Polaris dealer so he can assure snug ski fit. I bought mine years ago from an AC dealer and lucked out that they fit the the Yamaha single keels like a glove. The protectors have straps with snaps to keep in place on skis but I never had a problem with them slipping off.

 

[racerx]

When I had an asphalt drive I always drove as close to the garage as possible, put ski boots on then drove up to the door then used a two wheel shop dolly to bring it in. I even used the boots to load on trailer. Now I just have gravel so I pull up to the apron and use the 2 wheel dolly to bring them in and out. The dolly I have is a tall skinny tire version that I even use outside when there is snow on the ground. It does not float as much as a wide tire version but to me it seems like less resistance.

 

[blkhwkbob]

I had a topic like this once and everybody told me that I shouldn't worry because it was just a garage floor.

At Menards, they have these interlocking plastic puzzle pieces that I thought might work well. In the flooring section.

 

[Cirrus_Driver]

I'm going to buy a set of those Ski-Savers made in Sweden. They look easy to adjust and easy to attach/unattach.
I think I can drive over the edge of the driveway with them because they show driving up trailers, which is the same thing.
I might even just run all the way up the driveway in winter, take them off, put them on the other sled, drive that one up and put them back in the garage.
I thought about cutting a new trail off the property, and coming at the garage from the back end, where I only need to travel 7-8 feet to get in, but these wheels look to eliminate that need.

 

[ezra]

pretty sure doo will be stocking the ski savers this yr .
if not maximumpsi on here has some in stock

 

[Tracker]

I saw the post, and studied those flip down wheels, and I watched the Youtube video. Very interesting concept. If somebody here KNOWS they work in practical application, and don't get wrecked when riding, I'd like to hear it. I'd buy two sets IF they stand up over time.

Tracker - not sure how that Speedcrete product would react with asphalt, or if I want to find out. That might be too elaborate of a solution for me.

WD- can you tell me the specific ski protectors you use...product name ect. That might be the simple solution as long as I can attach on snow before hitting the hard asphalt surface.

Thanks all.

speedcrete is epoxy.....its just like JB WELD...only stronger even yet and a huge tub of the stuff....just an fyi....its fantastic stuff and just spread with a trowel is all I did.....and then used a putty knife to scrape it flat and take off balls and burrs and high spots.....its not used here because the dust is deemed toxic.....ya no kidding America...we are way too soft these days...overseas logic is above safety....here....safety is above all.....don't forget your helmet when pedal biking....LOL....boy the mob sure wouldn't like this stuff since all road projects would be done 5 times quicker and last 5 years longer......>DOH

 

[Hoosier]

We are talking apples and oranges I used recycled asphalt in its raw form on 400 feet of driveway which sets up hard but is still porous. P&W used recycled asphalt in your hot melt mix which is typical blacktop that needs typical blacktop maintenance. Anywho back on topic think KISS without studs ski protectors will do the job for you clearing a garage seam or ridge. As others said plowguy will eventually destroy anything you attach to the pavement and why hand shovel if you don’t have to. Studs are you main cause of damage and no studs all you need to do is elevate the skis via protectors or wheels. My protectors fit my skis like gloves and very easy to attach and take off. I recently considered permanent ski wheel from a company in Canada where the wheels mounts directly to the spindal bolt and the wheels automatically go down on bare pavement. My reasoning was to protect carbides in marginal snow conditions but since I rarely ride in marginal conditions so decided to stay with protectors for home use. I’m not over the permanent mount ski wheels yet and still might purchase and very easy to install. Any boards always went flying from studs so that didn’t work for me at all. I also have a dolly cart that dealers use to transport sleds but too much hassle to position in snow so currently in my garage attic. Walk before you run with this project and keep it simple since no studs.

I saw a few groups in Canada this winter with those wheels on the spindle bolts. Looked kind of cool. I assume people use them up there in the Spring when there is still a lot of snow on the trails but the towns are dry.

 

[dfattack]

Wheeled dollies for the skis and forget the studs. I've never had them and never needed them. I too have a nice garage floor and will not have anyone else bring their sleds in there with studs. I had rhino lined my enclosed trailer and it held up to WD's studs last winter but we were very careful.

 

[whitedust]

Wheeled dollies for the skis and forget the studs. I've never had them and never needed them. I too have a nice garage floor and will not have anyone else bring their sleds in there with studs. I had rhino lined my enclosed trailer and it held up to WD's studs last winter but we were very careful.

True but not big honking studs ice ripper prestudded track. Not sure I would buy again for 144 track I would have to think about it Ripsaw 2 pretty good grip.

 

[Cirrus_Driver]

speedcrete is epoxy.....its just like JB WELD...only stronger even yet and a huge tub of the stuff....just an fyi....its fantastic stuff and just spread with a trowel is all I did.....and then used a putty knife to scrape it flat and take off balls and burrs and high spots.....its not used here because the dust is deemed toxic.....ya no kidding America...we are way too soft these days...overseas logic is above safety....here....safety is above all.....don't forget your helmet when pedal biking....LOL....boy the mob sure wouldn't like this stuff since all road projects would be done 5 times quicker and last 5 years longer......>DOH



Tracker - what color is this speedcrete? Like concrete?

 

[maximumpsi]

I'm going to buy a set of those Ski-Savers made in Sweden. They look easy to adjust and easy to attach/unattach.
I think I can drive over the edge of the driveway with them because they show driving up trailers, which is the same thing.
I might even just run all the way up the driveway in winter, take them off, put them on the other sled, drive that one up and put them back in the garage.
I thought about cutting a new trail off the property, and coming at the garage from the back end, where I only need to travel 7-8 feet to get in, but these wheels look to eliminate that need.

I am the US distributor for the Skisaver Flex wheels from Sweden. I am in Germany right now, and will meet with the Skisaver people tomorrow in their offices in Sweden.

I do have them in stock in my Minneapolis warehouse, and can get them to your preferred dealer whenever you'd like. All Ski Doo dealers can order them through BRP for delivery later this summer.

I use the Skisavers to drive in and out of my garage, and they work great going over the transition from asphalt to the concrete garage floor. I also use them to drive in and out of my enclosed trailer.

John Gehring
www.SkisaverFlex.com