can my truck bed rails hold a sled bed ok?

[smokindave]

When I first started sledding I built a wooden deck on top of my old 1982 GMC.
I drove with two sleds on there for a whole season and never had a problem...well other than having two wheel drive.lol
I wouldn't do that again though,it felt very top heavy.
I'm going to build a steel one as soon as it warms up outside though,but will build a base so it sits in the bed.

 

[Mafesto]

Had two years on mine with turnbuckles and noticed cracks in the bed (2003 GMC dually) added legs last year.

This reply seems like enough reason not to do it.

The old saying...."If you're gonna do something, do it correctly" seems to apply here.

 

[Ultra]

Been there done that...it will work for about 2-3 seasons then you will see the bed cracks around the floor where the sides meet. This isn't an if, it's a when. It will break down the box...period.
Even back in the 70's when trucks were trucks and sleds were lighter than today's sleds...still broke the box.

 

[RMKNV]

drive a ford.. they are built nice..

IMO it really depends on what kinda sleds your throwin on it and how you build the deck... 2 stock apex's or two xps/pro's etc.. you could go from just over 1000# total to close to 2k in a hurry with how the deck is built and what your slappin on the sucker.

I have no problem with the idea, I see guys driving around EVERY day with huge ladder racks on there trucks that I know weight more then a light deck and 2 sleds... just saying, think of what other people put on them. just because the stuff on ladder racks is not sleds, it doesnt seem heavy, but start stacking boards/pipes on there.. she adds up fast.

it is pretty easy to throw some bracing down thought..

Those contractor's that are hauling heavy loads on their ladder racks have busted beds too. I have repaired/replaced a few beds on the big three trucks over the years from contractors overloading of ladder racks and tool boxes.

I think for a trip or two a fellow could get away with it but not for long.

JMHO

 

[XCRacer440]

So what did you end up doing?

 

[JMCX]

I ran a 84 chev for several years with a home built, on the rails, steel deck and had no problems. Those trucks had bolt-on box sides though, maybe that makes a difference. I don't think any of the newer trucks have sturdy sheetmetal. How you drive has a lot to do with this too. If you pound through the roughest roads bouncing your head off the roof stuff is going to break sooner.

 

[boone]

One thing I've always wanted to try: I have a fifth wheel camper I pull in the summer. There are two horizontal braces that run paralled to each other on my bed. They are hooked to the frame, I would like to build a bracket/ frame for a sled bed that mounts into these. I think it would work, with a little engineering.

I like that idea! But leave your hitch in and put a kingpin on the bottom of the deck. Build it with a skid that fits the bottom of the truck bed. Then just slide it in, flip your hitch lever to lock it in and go!

Boone

 

[shmuckaluck]

Hey guys,
Well I just threw my daughters sled in the back so she could ride around the property and left mine at home. I'm going to just build a frame for it when I get a chance. and my trailer is about done.