Thought I'd throw up a pix of my new deck. Cost about $200 in materials. Now if we could just get some snow!
Homemade sled deck (single)
- Thread starter ReTodd
- Start date
Is your tailgate bent? Did this system cause that?
Yes the tail gate is dented in, no it doesn't have anything to do with snowmobiling.
how are you attaching the ramp to the tailgate when loading and unloading?
How are you holding the ramp in with a sled on the deck and the tailgate open?
How are you holding the ramp in with a sled on the deck and the tailgate open?
Can you post a picture with the ramp out?? Looks sweet!
tailgate
I would not put any load on the tailgate, the supports are not strong like they used to be. I had a friend load a Harley softtail on the back of his truck with a ramp and it pulled the swages out..he was lucky.
I think even Chevy had a recall on the supports a while back.
If you are having a weight load on there we can think of a solution....
P.S. it does look nice and well built.
I would not put any load on the tailgate, the supports are not strong like they used to be. I had a friend load a Harley softtail on the back of his truck with a ramp and it pulled the swages out..he was lucky.
I think even Chevy had a recall on the supports a while back.
If you are having a weight load on there we can think of a solution....
P.S. it does look nice and well built.
You will notice the L-aluminum bracket that is mounted just inside the tailgate. It holds the ramp from moving outward while unloading and also keeps it stored underneath while traveling. I welded a lip on the top ramp bar so it can't slide forward into the bed when loading..
I have built it so that the tail gate is removed when using it for my sled. I agree with not trying to load on a tailgate....could be ugly.
Rt
R
RobG
ACCOUNT CLOSED
I like it!!! Good job!
What steel did you use to make it? Looks like 2x2 square tubing... what thickness? 1/8"? Also how did you attach it to the bed? Bolts? Straps?
I think if I make one, I'll make it long enough so that the tailgate stays down fulltime... mainly so that the ramp can be 10' long instead of just 8'. I have no reverse so it needs to make it really easy to get the sled out of the back.
BTW, Dodge tailgates can take 500 lbs. I've had the rear of my Sportsman 800 parked on it before with no problems, and that darn thing weighs 980 lbs wet (I've weighed it).
Rob
What steel did you use to make it? Looks like 2x2 square tubing... what thickness? 1/8"? Also how did you attach it to the bed? Bolts? Straps?
I think if I make one, I'll make it long enough so that the tailgate stays down fulltime... mainly so that the ramp can be 10' long instead of just 8'. I have no reverse so it needs to make it really easy to get the sled out of the back.
BTW, Dodge tailgates can take 500 lbs. I've had the rear of my Sportsman 800 parked on it before with no problems, and that darn thing weighs 980 lbs wet (I've weighed it).
Rob
Ramp is made of 1 1/2" Aluminum Tube (1/8"). Deck is 1 1/8" ply top sheet on top of 2x4's on top of 1/2 ply. Bottom sheet of 1/2" is bolted into bed.
Rt
thats a sweet setup!! i like it
S
shmuckaluck
Well-known member
Hey guys,
Couldn't you just put you sled in the back of your truck with out that. or did you just build that so you had a place to put your ramp. I am not criticizing your work, Just wondering.
Couldn't you just put you sled in the back of your truck with out that. or did you just build that so you had a place to put your ramp. I am not criticizing your work, Just wondering.
x2 ^^^
tri fold ramp doesn't work???
tri fold ramp doesn't work???
Shmuckaluck - I did a similar thing strictly so my ramp can fit underneath, no trifold.
Be wary of load rating of tailgate,,, what ends up happening is when the tailgate is closed, the support straps form a "u" when the gate is up; (one end attached to end of tailgate and other end attached to top of box), the support strap is coated with plastic/rubber, moisture/rain/water from washing vehicle etc gets in the top ends of the support strap and sit in the bottom of the "u", days, months, years,,,,,, water + metal wire + time + air = rust = one day loading your quad = going over the bars, slamming into bed of truck = wrecked tailgate and various other truck parts + wrecked front end of quad.
Truck was only a few years old, this happened to a buddy. Chev did warranty the truck parts though. He (and I) never load like this any more.
I now use a backup of ratchet straps to take a bit of the load off.
Be wary of load rating of tailgate,,, what ends up happening is when the tailgate is closed, the support straps form a "u" when the gate is up; (one end attached to end of tailgate and other end attached to top of box), the support strap is coated with plastic/rubber, moisture/rain/water from washing vehicle etc gets in the top ends of the support strap and sit in the bottom of the "u", days, months, years,,,,,, water + metal wire + time + air = rust = one day loading your quad = going over the bars, slamming into bed of truck = wrecked tailgate and various other truck parts + wrecked front end of quad.
Truck was only a few years old, this happened to a buddy. Chev did warranty the truck parts though. He (and I) never load like this any more.
I now use a backup of ratchet straps to take a bit of the load off.
ReTodd
Can ya build one of these for a Toyota??
H20SKE...
Can ya build one of these for a Toyota??
H20SKE...
deck
I gotta say that's a great lookin build for a couple of bills
.
I gotta say that's a great lookin build for a couple of bills
.Yeah, I could've just used a tri fold but I figured for $200 vs $85 it would be better to have a real ramp and I needed something under my sled so I don't rip up the rhino liner.
Also, I needed a project until the snow flies
Rt
Also, I needed a project until the snow flies
Rt
S
sled-fiend
Well-known member
Yeah, I could've just used a tri fold but I figured for $200 vs $85 it would be better to have a real ramp and I needed something under my sled so I don't rip up the rhino liner.
Also, I needed a project until the snow flies
Rt
Nice setup, I think your waaay ahead of the game, you aint buying no trifold sled ramp around here for 85$
Think I paid closer to 400 for my oxlite.
