Anyone have any thoughts on a sled deck vs. a trailer for hauling a sled? I would think that a trailer would be difficult if driving in harsh conditions where a sled deck may help with added traction. ?????
deck vs. trailer
- Thread starter PMJeff
- Start date
Can you fill up at the pump with a deck? It makes sense that the deck would add more traction. But we have a 4 place enclosed trailer and it is sure nice to have a heated hangout after a ride, (or before). Are you rich? get both!
decks
Do a search here and also in the trailer / swapmeet section for previous threads w/ lots of info and debate.
I was thinking about a deck, till I read /learned that my 1/2 ton F150 wouldn't be enough - or at least not advised.
There's a guy posting in there (trailer sec.) who sells decks for 2-3k new. Seems like a lot of the decks are made in Canada - after looking at a few mfrs.
If you have a 3/4 ton + truck, I'd suggest getting a deck that also side mounts for ATVs, etc. - and there's several good videos (from mfrs, etc.) on utube
GL
Do a search here and also in the trailer / swapmeet section for previous threads w/ lots of info and debate.
I was thinking about a deck, till I read /learned that my 1/2 ton F150 wouldn't be enough - or at least not advised.
There's a guy posting in there (trailer sec.) who sells decks for 2-3k new. Seems like a lot of the decks are made in Canada - after looking at a few mfrs.
If you have a 3/4 ton + truck, I'd suggest getting a deck that also side mounts for ATVs, etc. - and there's several good videos (from mfrs, etc.) on utube
GL
E
Ex-Member
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I don't do either... just run the sled through the back window of the truck. Some people don't understand that the turnaround isn't a parking space, and I kinda feel sorry for those with trailers.
That being said, an enclosed trailer is real nice... warm place out of the weather to change and/or warm up after a ride.
Get a deck, ride with someone that has an enclosed
That being said, an enclosed trailer is real nice... warm place out of the weather to change and/or warm up after a ride.
Get a deck, ride with someone that has an enclosed
For most trips, decks. This week I needed both.
I used a sled deck twice once. My first and last time. The best part of a sled deck is that they hold a good resale value.
The enclosed trailer is nice but I wouldn't be without my deck. Extra traction is everything, also the crappy roads I travel you can make better time without a trailer. You can put it on a half ton just get some airbags. I have never had a problem with our DOT's. Get what you want though its your dollar and you are the one using it.
i had a deck, now trailer, going enclosed asap. I use my bed too much for a deck. Pro's and con's to each that i see are: deck - keeps road grime off sled, i didn't even put on the cover and it stayed clean, plus easy to get around. Open trailer cheeper and easy but alot of weather get to your sleds. I'm going enclosed because 1 you can hang in a warm place after or even sleep in it. 2 you can leave you sleds in side for storage, maybe throw an electric heater inside and plug it in when you get home to dry everything out. I don't like leaving my sled out in the rain and hate unloading it when i get home. You have to have some space to store a big trailer though.
Last edited:
I like my deck but what do I know. I just started snowmobiling this year. It is nice to have that extra weight on the truck too. I will be using the deck to haul 2 quads and tow a trailer to go camping in the summer too. So this will work well for me.
L
luv2sledmt
Member
im also curious. my biggest question is how to unload a sled w/o reverse. i get real sick of dragging a trailer around.
Build a deck like mine or have someone build one. I have a 06 M7 with no reverse. I built my deck to tilt. It will almost go to a 45degree angle but does not need to. So when I unload I just tilt up the deck put the 6 foot ramp on release the brakes a let her roll off, works great!!!!
L
luv2sledmt
Member
Im a millright for a living so fabin one up wont be a problem. can you post a pic?
Got pics or video?
As soon as I get some pics I will post them if I can figure out how to post. Video is probably over my head. I'm lucky I can turn this thing on and get on this site.
It's not to bad dragging it back. The only thing is you have to keep your skids strait when it's going off, maybe it's just my deck but the skis like to go sideways. I really like the deck though.
i went from a deck to enclosed 27ft i love the trailer keeps everything dry and warm(116 octane doesn't like cold morning starts) but if it wasn't for that i would still be using the deck
I run a deck and a trailer. for most of the year an enclosed rocks. in the spring they are worthless....can't turn around at the snow.
a deck gives me better mileage, traction and turning radius. some guys don't have the stomach for loading a deck, done right it is gravy........wrong.... YIKES!
as for unloading a deck w/o reverse. you can hook a strap into the track and pull backwards so the track spins in reverse. once you get to the balance point, which for me is only about a foot back, the sled is viretually weightless. just lifet the bumper and guide the skis....piece of cake. once on the ground pull the skiis off the ramp and off you go. my wife can do it.
loading the deck is really easy, just remember to pack enough speed to get the track onto the ramp, but not so much that it is taking you up it, then throttle up and park.....piece of cake.
the decks are more of a pain to fuel, and you should be careful of sway, my cummins never even seems to know its on or loaded. the nice thing is you don't have to license them and they seem to have good resale. you will never lose a wheel bearing on a sled deck. your sled deck will never get a flat tire. changing on a sled deck will draw attention.
a deck gives me better mileage, traction and turning radius. some guys don't have the stomach for loading a deck, done right it is gravy........wrong.... YIKES!
as for unloading a deck w/o reverse. you can hook a strap into the track and pull backwards so the track spins in reverse. once you get to the balance point, which for me is only about a foot back, the sled is viretually weightless. just lifet the bumper and guide the skis....piece of cake. once on the ground pull the skiis off the ramp and off you go. my wife can do it.
loading the deck is really easy, just remember to pack enough speed to get the track onto the ramp, but not so much that it is taking you up it, then throttle up and park.....piece of cake.
the decks are more of a pain to fuel, and you should be careful of sway, my cummins never even seems to know its on or loaded. the nice thing is you don't have to license them and they seem to have good resale. you will never lose a wheel bearing on a sled deck. your sled deck will never get a flat tire. changing on a sled deck will draw attention.
T
Tackbtch
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Decks
Ditto, My son runs a deck on a Chevy 1/2 ton with air bags, works good. I run a deck on our Cummings short box, and have a two place open trailer that we drag around if theirs more than just the wifey and I. The deck works really good at the end of the county roads here as they dont plow turn arounds for us. The spring time when you have to drive up the road....they shine. If I have the two place on and get into a tight turn around we just unhook the trailer , spin it around , spin the truck around and rehook. An enclosed is nice for long hauls...Mc call. Jackson....but for the local trips...under 100 miles... we like the deck. Dino
This is a subject we go over all the time. Personally, I'm an advocate of two place tilt deck ride on ride off trailers for the mountains, but there are so many pros and cons for each. Enclosed trailers on the other hand are a different animal so I don't think they compare well to decks or typical trailers.
This how I see it
TRAILERS
1) easier to load and unload, especially with ride on ride off trailers
2) easier to fuel and work on sleds
3) you don't have to take them with you the other 6 days of the week. Allowing your truck to remain useable as a truck.
4) You can leave your sled on the trailer, and in the garage warm and dry. You generally have to unload and somehow get the sled inside to do that with a deck. That brings up another point. Less loading and unloading!
5) IF you get stuck on the road in, you can often unload the sleds and unhook the trailer. Now you probably aren't stuck anymore. Done this countless times.
6) No tree limbs clipping your windshield on the road in.
7) MUCH EASIER to load a broken sled onto
8) generally speaking they are cheaper than decks. Don't ask me why!
DECKS
1) sleds stay cleaner
2) easier to manuever around on the mountain
3) no wheel bearings
4) no licensing
5)provides your truck with a psuedo bed cover for your gear, fuel, etc.
6) less chance of the tail waggin the dog syndrome. ie: easier to drive
SHMO
This how I see it
TRAILERS
1) easier to load and unload, especially with ride on ride off trailers
2) easier to fuel and work on sleds
3) you don't have to take them with you the other 6 days of the week. Allowing your truck to remain useable as a truck.
4) You can leave your sled on the trailer, and in the garage warm and dry. You generally have to unload and somehow get the sled inside to do that with a deck. That brings up another point. Less loading and unloading!
5) IF you get stuck on the road in, you can often unload the sleds and unhook the trailer. Now you probably aren't stuck anymore. Done this countless times.
6) No tree limbs clipping your windshield on the road in.
7) MUCH EASIER to load a broken sled onto
8) generally speaking they are cheaper than decks. Don't ask me why!
DECKS
1) sleds stay cleaner
2) easier to manuever around on the mountain
3) no wheel bearings
4) no licensing
5)provides your truck with a psuedo bed cover for your gear, fuel, etc.
6) less chance of the tail waggin the dog syndrome. ie: easier to drive
SHMO
