Home built sled deck.

[Flakey]

Anyone build their own sled deck? I'm thinking I might. How hard could it be? Some 1 1/4" square tubing, a welder, and an old bedliner to cut up for ski guides. Yeah, I think I'll do it. Less than 100 bucks in tubing beats a couple grand for a premade aluminum one.

Any ideas/pictures?

 

[H20SKE]

Don't think you will build a sled deck for $100.00.

I have a homebuilt on my rig--You are welcome to come look at it and take measurements and dup it it you want. You need to remember decking, ramp, screws, and lighting(if you are going to BC). The cost of metal is crazy, so figure out all the material you will need and start pricing---OUCH to the pocketbook--it is almost like a remodel on your house--LOL

Mine is a bit overkill on build--but works very well!!

H20SKE...

 

[JDKZRT]

How hard could it be?
Yeah, I think I'll do it.
Any ideas/pictures?

Judging from your three statements above, I've got a suggestion for you.....after you get it built, test it in a 1979(or older) truck with a 1979(or older) sled before you try it out with newer iron.

 

[NWGooser]

I agree. In fact, I have a couple of old screen doors and some duct tape. I might build my own Just kidding you. Keep in mind the extra focus on tied down loads in washington right now. If you loose a sled it's not just the sled. People are going to prison for lost loads. If you have welding skills and access to material, building your own is a great idea. If not...

 

[Flakey]

Yeah I was making light of I think I can do it.

Put it this way I know I can do it.


I've welded for years.





H20SKE, yeah I'll have to take a look at yours sometime. Chances are I'll see you at baker sometime this season.

I think it would work out just fine. Maybe not as rust resistant or light as alum. But hey....
Has the cost of steel really gone up that much!? Its been a while since I've been to the yard to buy tubing.

Only problem I see is finding the time to do it.

 

[NWGooser]

Flakey - I do structural steel jobs at work. It's amazing how much material costs are going up. This may sound a little stupid, but I've thought about looking for an old 2 place tilt trailer to use as a start for building a sled deck. You can get one fairly cheap if you watch craigs list.

 

[RobG]

Building a sled deck would be easy. I would use 1" square tubing on the underside area, then 1-1/2" or 2" square to build the frame where the sleds would live. Use 1/8" thickness and it should work just fine.

I built a real nice 2-place ATV trailer a couple years ago. I used 2x4" rectangular tubing (1/8" thick) and 2x2 angle for the cross-supports, and 2x10 wood for the deck. Now I'm building some 8" extensions for the sides so it'll carry two sleds.

Rob

 

[devilrmk]

Probably much closer to $200 but still pretty cheap and you should be able to do it in a day if you are fast and 2 if you get too drunk the first day.
I built one this summer but its got a few features that you will not see elsewhere on any deck so I got more money and time in it then that.

2x2x.125 tube for the main frame, and 1x1x.095 for the deck is plenty strong.

 

[Flakey]

Now thats the kind of suggestions I was looking for! Thanks guys! The tubing size is a big help.

Any suggestions on the ramp? Make a slide in type that hangs below the deck? Or maybe just a folder that you could throw in the bed of the truck. Either way would be good I suppose.

I'll do some more thinking...


I'm really looking forward to not having a trailer on the back when trying to turn around on some of those tight logging roads. I'm excited!

 

[sledskiing]

Flakey - I do structural steel jobs at work. It's amazing how much material costs are going up. This may sound a little stupid, but I've thought about looking for an old 2 place tilt trailer to use as a start for building a sled deck. You can get one fairly cheap if you watch craigs list.

I saw a guy do this and it was pretty slick. He welded a tube to the end of an old triton 2 place for the ramp to hook onto.

 

[johndeere8420]

if you are going to use 1.25" sq. tubing, I would make sure the main frame is AT LEAST 3/16" thick.... IF I were to build one, I'd go 2 x 2 x .25 tubing... but then agian, I build stuff that a freight train would only skuff up....

 

[Blisteringsnorider]

if you are going to use 1.25" sq. tubing, I would make sure the main frame is AT LEAST 3/16" thick.... IF I were to build one, I'd go 2 x 2 x .25 tubing... but then agian, I build stuff that a freight train would only skuff up....

Got to agree^^^^^^^^ Build it right the first time, surely save the headache later JMO

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

A buddy of mine built one and is now in the process of installing a large winch with sprockets and a drive train to move the upper part of the deck back and then tilt down off the truck to avoid having to use a ramp.
It's set up with a rack and wheel guide system that the whole deck moves on.
It should be pretty slick when he's done.
I've loaded up my sled on his deck before the winch was installed with a ramp and it was a scary situation.
Ramp was too short and the truck sits too high! Hello slider window





(I still think this thing looks like a fat naked chick bent over while standing in a bucket )

 

[02DOO]

if you are going to use 1.25" sq. tubing, I would make sure the main frame is AT LEAST 3/16" thick.... IF I were to build one, I'd go 2 x 2 x .25 tubing... but then agian, I build stuff that a freight train would only skuff up....

I have got to disagree %100 on this, if you biuld a deck out of .188 or .250 it will weigh a friggen ton. I made my own using a mix of .125 and .065, plenty strong if you put some thought into it.

 

[Wade]

I suggest you at least punch some numbers into a tubing deflection calculator.

Don't know if this one is any good, but you'll get the idea.
Deflection_Calculator

 

[drmiller100]

i just built a flatbed for a work truck.
i used 4 inch C channel as longtitudinal runners, and 3 inch C channel as lateral.

I think for a sled deck you could easily use 3 inch and 2 inch, and C channel is a lot cheaper then tubing.

 

[Gold5th]

i just built a flatbed for a work truck.
i used 4 inch C channel as longtitudinal runners, and 3 inch C channel as lateral.

I think for a sled deck you could easily use 3 inch and 2 inch, and C channel is a lot cheaper then tubing.

I just borrowed a 2 place trailer... the main fram ise 3.5" C channel and the cross pieces are 2.5" if I remember... I find the corners of the deck bounce around like nothing... If I stand on it.. I swear the corner drops an inch or so..

I'd have to go out an measure it for exact #'s... I'm hoping to build a 2 place inline trailer.. it'll be long, but meh.. I don't like how wide this trailer is... I was towing it around yesterday to see how it towed empty before I loaded it up, every 3rd car either traveling opposite direction, or same direction different lane almost took out the sides of it.

 

[the fix-it guy]

Guy in town here has a 2 place inline enclosed trailer for sale, don't know what he is asking.

 

[irydcat]

I would just find a old sled bed 2 place remove axle and the hitch.Then clean it up that way you have lights and every thing I dont see why it would not work.Has anybody tried this I am thinking of doing fo my sled deck.

 

[Flakey]

These are all good ideas but jeeze...

I don't want it to weight a TON!

I'm thinking saving weight by not even having a plywood deck. Just use cross supports under some plastic ski guides. And more spaced cross bars for where the track sits. Almost like continuing the ramp. If the ramp can take the jaring of a sled riding up it. Then the same building technique should work for the deck.
These are my thoughts.

This would eliminate the slippery, wet and Heavy plywood deck.