Help me out-Sled Deck vs. Enclosed Trailer

[jaydog]

I know this has been discussed before, but it's almost spring(seems like it has been spring here in Washington since early January), I got money burnin' a hole in my pocket, and so I am trying to figure out which I want to buy, since my current plan is to buy my second sled next year(I am not going to let the economy effect me!!!!).

I kind of know the benefits of either:

Sled deck-no registration, ins, maintanence, easy to drive with, likely to save fuel, can go to the snow where a trailer can't.

Enclosed Trailer-rolling garage, everything with us at all times, everything out of the weather(including myself when changing/prepping the rides), easy to load/unload-no reason to unload when back home either.

With the money I got, likely to be able to buy brand new deck or few year old trailer(as long as it's cared for, not worried about it too much), so tell me, what would be better? Thanks for the input, just looking for personal experiences to try and sway my mind.

 

[04modcat]

04modcat

Maybe its just me but a sled deck just looks like a unstable load if one falls off

 

[Tuesday]

I know this has been discussed before, but it's almost spring(seems like it has been spring here in Washington since early January), I got money burnin' a hole in my pocket, and so I am trying to figure out which I want to buy, since my current plan is to buy my second sled next year(I am not going to let the economy effect me!!!!).

I kind of know the benefits of either:

Sled deck-no registration, ins, maintanence, easy to drive with, likely to save fuel, can go to the snow where a trailer can't.

Enclosed Trailer-rolling garage, everything with us at all times, everything out of the weather(including myself when changing/prepping the rides), easy to load/unload-no reason to unload when back home either.

With the money I got, likely to be able to buy brand new deck or few year old trailer(as long as it's cared for, not worried about it too much), so tell me, what would be better? Thanks for the input, just looking for personal experiences to try and sway my mind.

Sounds like you have covered the basis. Trailers are great when you at your riding destination but are a pain to pull/park. They are manageable but can be a annoying.

In our groups we end up having both setups, so we just pick what will work best for that trip.

 

[Tuesday]

Maybe its just me but a sled deck just looks like a unstable load if one falls off

The decks are bolted or turnbuckled in. Regardless you have definitely painted a picture that I am sure no one would want to see.

Can you drive with one sled on the extended side..........yes. Would you do it for a lengthy trip......no.

 

[masneri]

your rich, why not both

 

[Squid]

Sled deck gets my vote.

 

[RevvinKev]

Just bought a awesome sled deck. Still have a clamshell trailer, but I'm trying to sell it. I don't know what your chain control regulations are in Washington, but in California, you have to chain up your truck in chain control if you are towing a trailer. I would say, if you go long distances or spending the night, get a trailer, but for day rides, sled deck is definately the way to go. Hope this helps.

 

[Jaynelson]

Personally I would get a deck, as I could never park an enclosed trailer in many of the places we go riding. Also a pain in the arse to drive with on winter roads.

 

[kinge]

If you live where it snows don't forget that snow piling up on an enclosed can suck if you don't also have a big barn to put it in.

 

[thump426er]

I went through this exact delima in December when I had to do a top end in the parking lot in my buddies trailer and loved the convenience of it. In the end I elected to stick with a deck. For me the ability to manuever around is high on the list, especially since I like to sled far into the spring season and where I go trailers would never get turned around. The "season" for using a trailer is short for me.

I also think trailers make a bit more of a target b/c theives know that there is usually goods inside them. Insurance, yes, but a pain never the less.

 

[Xman]

Just picked up a sled deck don't know If i'll ever use the trailer agian.

 

[Mtn. missle]

Beat me to it

your rich, why not both

that would be ideal if you could afford it, were you thinking 2 place or 4?. I have the deck; one because my buddy let me store it on my truck for the season and second we don't have a lot of parking at our trailheads. I think that would be a big factor if the areas you ride have generous parking or you take a lot of road trips. The deck I have has a boom w/winch so I can park anywhere and unload my sled right next to (or behind) the truck. I always think how nice it would be to have a big 4 place w/heater and racks, just pull up at home unhook, hang gear, turn on heat done .

 

[rynokron]

I have a sled deck. Have a buddy with a 4 place enclosed. Both would be my answer. LOL. Deck is nice for spring riding. Enclosed is sure nice the rest of the time. Sorry, I guess I'm no help at all.

 

[Hotchief]

Lifted tricks with sled decks

How about a lifted truck and a sled deck...

I've seen plenty before but it appears to greatly add to the challenge of loading.
I don't come close to having a Big Dawg Truck but think I would piss myself loading up with a sled deck, especially in icy situations.
I have a 6" lifted 1 ton with 37's...

Not to derail the thread, but how about throwing in that factor?

I am in the same boat of choice for next year, I am tired of wrestiling with muddy, wet, covers - and at least the deck keeps the sleds above the rooster tail...

Bonus props for posts with pics...

 

[WATTS UP TOYZ]

Watts Up Toyz

i went from a trailer to sled decks i bild them and love using it i can help you out end of the year sales you might be able to go both ways

 

[Beels]

I had and enclosed and some thief decided he needed it worse than I did. Got screwed by insurance and never replaced it. The biggest things I like about the enclosed is the ease of loading and unloading. Security. Sleds are always clean and out of the salt spray. Storage of gear and luggage when traveling.
I know with the people I travel with, we need to haul 3, sometimes 4 sleds (pull a 2 place open behind) and it's one hell of a packing job to get everyone's gear under a deck. Nearly impossible. Especially with mods where you have to haul fuel.

 

[jaydog]

Thanks for all the replys guys. The truck isn't lifted, so I am not too worried about loading/unloading the deck, just a little higher than loading up the ramp into the bed that I am already doing. I am just struggling with the ease of use of the deck vs. the comfort and convenience of the enclosed at the snopark.

Hmmmmm, the best solution might be to determine which of the cons are easiest to live with. Towing to/from and maintaining a three place enclosed(what I would likely get, like the idea of extra space) vs. not as much gear space, loading/unloading in bad conditions getting a little hairy for the deck. And by the way, the ideal would be both, but I don't got that much

 

[Blk88GT]

I'd love a deck, but I'd never put one on a shortbox truck. I can't believe people get away with it. LEO around here would have you locked up before you put 10 miles on the odometer.

 

[Jaynelson]

I had and enclosed and some thief decided he needed it worse than I did. Got screwed by insurance and never replaced it. The biggest things I like about the enclosed is the ease of loading and unloading. Security. Sleds are always clean and out of the salt spray. Storage of gear and luggage when traveling.
I know with the people I travel with, we need to haul 3, sometimes 4 sleds (pull a 2 place open behind) and it's one hell of a packing job to get everyone's gear under a deck. Nearly impossible. Especially with mods where you have to haul fuel.

It also depends a lot on how far from the snow you live. If you regularily travel many hours to ride with a larger group of people, I think an enclosed would be the ticket. If you just do day trips like me, it's nice just to have the sled in the truck and go....also, I think the guys who live closer to the snow seem to do a lot more spring riding. If I had a 25' enclosed trailer, I would be sledding MILES of dirt when riding in april/may/june....with the sled in the truck, you can easily wheel through the snowy patches.

 

[douglascountyrider]

I think the deck would be great for the short trips. For the long trips, I love my enclosed. We go for a week and stack all sorts of extra stuff in the trailer because we have the room. Plus, every year, someone breaks down on a week long trip and we put the sled inside to work on - much nicer if cold.

I don't think anyone has discussed summer storage - with 2 sleds in my enclosed trailer there is alot more room in my garage. You can't store sleds on a deck in the summer.