Pics of all these handmade units would be greatly appreciated. The "over-building" part is what I'm trying to avoid in planning this. Yet make it strong enogh to hold up to abuse too.
Building a steel sleddeck!?
- Thread starter Sledneck26
- Start date
C
CreteRider
New member
There's lots of great idea's and good choices out there. I have a slicklift Google "slicklift" comes with a lite steel or aluminum deck. Had it about 6 years now trouble free. Built my first deck in 85 with 1X1 & 3/4 plywood.....worked perfect till I knew better.
Decks
Built mine from 1x2 .100 wall square tubing. Schedule 40 pipe for the beavertail and headache rack. Used 1/8 x 6" x 8' flatbar for the sides and had it bent at a shop. I can load it myself but it is easier with 2 guys. only thing I would do different is an aluminum ramp not steel, because thats the part your always lifting
Built mine from 1x2 .100 wall square tubing. Schedule 40 pipe for the beavertail and headache rack. Used 1/8 x 6" x 8' flatbar for the sides and had it bent at a shop. I can load it myself but it is easier with 2 guys. only thing I would do different is an aluminum ramp not steel, because thats the part your always lifting
around my territory almost every one has a steel home made deck... all i got to say is make it high enough for your box rails cause when there snug you beat the crap out of your bed rails.... other then that its pretty straight forward put a bit of thought into it so you dont have to say why didnt i do this way...
pictures. anyone with pictures!
we need some phots guys. I am going to put a ad up asking for free or cheap steel to build it with. and i can weld it al my house, the wood top is going to be the $$ part...
we need some phots guys. I am going to put a ad up asking for free or cheap steel to build it with. and i can weld it al my house, the wood top is going to be the $$ part...
2 sheets of exterior 3/4" plywood should be under $100. I would think holddowns and hardware would be largest expenditure. Just a thought.
If truck purchase goes thru I'm probably going to attempt building a deck myself, looking to avoid mistakes made by others. All info supplied by those who have done this is welcomed.
Planning to build a steel one myself to, people just want a fortune for any deck, $1000 for a steel deck is crazy! I wouldn't worry about weight, a steel one might weight about 200lbs extra? If your that close to being overloaded, you shouldn't be hauling it in the first place. Even with a 600lbs deck, 2 sleds, gear, etc you wouldn't be at more then 2,000lbs and that's generous, which a 3/4 or 1 ton can haul just fine. Plus I figure you can build a quality steel deck for under $400 and maybe a weekend of your time?
I'm thinking along the same lines, though I think I can shave a couple hundred off that deck weight. I figure total cost to be a bit higher, but I want to use a quaility clamp system on mine.
Also a thought, what's the opinion of using 2 aluminum 72" ramps coupled together in a ladder type arrangement for an extendable ramp. Figuring a 2' overlap should result in a 10' ramp overall. BTW these ramps singularly are rated at 1250 lbs. Resulting ramp would be lightweight and collapse to fit under deck. Any thoughts?
i have 8x10 triton (alum) trailer that i don't use any more and i think that i might make into a deck. I paid 550 for it 10 years ago, i should be able to make a steel frame for 200. as far as a ramp don't really need one use a snow bank. load at home with the excavator and i would only use it 1-2 times a year once i get out west just unload for the week
steel decks are just fine, never had a issue with mine other than a little rust. I can load mine off and on solo and I am scrawny , but its an easy task with two people.
Aluminum decks sure nicer but for the cost I wouldn't bother, my truck likes the extra weight. Aluminum do stress crack alot easier then steel. If you are using a lot of bad loggin roads ect you might just be better off with a steel deck.
only picture I could find
Aluminum decks sure nicer but for the cost I wouldn't bother, my truck likes the extra weight. Aluminum do stress crack alot easier then steel. If you are using a lot of bad loggin roads ect you might just be better off with a steel deck.
only picture I could find
G
Gimpster
Guest
It would be nice if you could find someone who stockpiled the temporary steel crates that Honda shipped new bikes and quads in, while making the transition between wood and returnable steel crates.
The throw away steel used on these crates was lightweight, perfect for projects like you plan on building. I built a 37 foot goosneck trailer out of this stuff to haul my sprint car. I can't tell the difference from pulling this trailer to an aluminum one.
The tubing looked like folded up thin gauge steel sheets. tubing sizes on them was 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" and 3/4" x 1 1/2"
Light stuff and easy to work with.
----- Gimpster -----
The throw away steel used on these crates was lightweight, perfect for projects like you plan on building. I built a 37 foot goosneck trailer out of this stuff to haul my sprint car. I can't tell the difference from pulling this trailer to an aluminum one.
The tubing looked like folded up thin gauge steel sheets. tubing sizes on them was 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" and 3/4" x 1 1/2"
Light stuff and easy to work with.
----- Gimpster -----
I have also been planning on building one but I am not sure where to start...... One question, how do you get it to stay in the bed? Thanks
I got this from an old SW thread on building steel sled decks.
I kept the file, it's a PDF I converted to JPEG for you all.
If you want the full PDF file Email me
Sled Deck_0001 (Large).jpg
I kept the file, it's a PDF I converted to JPEG for you all.
If you want the full PDF file Email me
Sled Deck_0001 (Large).jpg
PM'd you warrior.
^^^x2^^^
Most folks on here are going to tell you the weight on the box rails will break down the bed over time
I would agree, 1500-2000 lbs (imagine 2 Apex's + snow buildup) on the bed rails cannot be good on it...Especially rockin and rollin over bumps and such.
Pickup Campers sit in the bottom of the bed and do not touch the bed rails themselves, gotta be for a good reason eh??
Warrior huge thanks for the file. It looks similar to what I had in mind, just lighter materials.
And definitely don't rest it on bed rails. I had an older model 1 ton that toolbox itself crushed top rail from being overloaded.
And definitely don't rest it on bed rails. I had an older model 1 ton that toolbox itself crushed top rail from being overloaded.
Thanks for the file WW.
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