Loading bikes on a sled deck solo

[wakeandsnow]

Just got my bike finished and now I'm at my first hurdle. How do you guys load your bike on a sled deck without killing yourself? My 08 Duramax has a 4" lift so it makes it a little difficult. I need to be able to load it by myself... And that sounds like it will be a challenge.

My first thoughts are;
I have a sled ramp and 2 skinny UTV ramps. I've used one UTV ramp to load it in my half ton box already that that works ok. I'm thinking that if it use the sled ramp to the deck rails and then lay the UTV ramp half way up the sled ramp on the rungs, I might be able to walk it all the way on...

Anybody have experience with this? Would love some tips before i break my neck.

 

[steve250f@hotmail.com]

Bike lift

Last year had sled deck on my truck ,I mounted a small picker lift with a electric winch on it picker was mounted at rear off deck in the center .it worked great could load an unload bikes easily by my self with no mishaps .little more costly but after trying to unload an load with ramp it's worth the extra cost

 

[summithd]

I'm able to slowly walk/throttle the bike up the ramp (superglides)...doing it solo does suck though as it is a pain getting the ski over the lip in the telescoping ramp. Most often than not there is usually two of us which makes it a breeze!

 

[wakeandsnow]

Hmm well a picker sounds a little complicated for me... But probably sweet to see. When I'm loading up on a friday night, I'm usually solo at my shop. I have a fork lift but I don't see a simple way to fork a bike on a truck. Sleds/quads are no problem but I don't see a bike going well.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

death walk

the pic idea is the best I have seen on sled decks, great for one person loading sled or bike.

Dan and I after becoming full time bike riders canned two trailers, sled deck, one covered trailer, built ramp for truck that one person can reasonably load and unload two sleds without trouble. sleddecks with a ramp just don't seem real snobike friendly

 

[wakeandsnow]

In a perfect world I would have a HIAB on my truck and it would be 37 seconds of rigging and quick lift, but I don't have that kind of ched. I am keeping my summit for deep days so I still want to run a sled deck... HIAB one day but not now.

 

[PalousePoo]

Some guys really like the "spine" snobike ramp for loading into a pickup. The rails on the side let you ride the bike up, using your legs against the rails, for stability. Then the scarry part would be when you break over onto the deck there are no more rails so you would want some momentum until you were on top. With a sled deck on a lifted truck you would probably want an extra long Spine ramp.

 

[Summitseeker]

I have the same truck with the same lift and had the same problem!!!

I looked at tons of suggestions from the timbersled Facebook site and ended up installing superglides down one side of my ramp. Then I installed a 2000 pound $68 winch on my headache rack and modified (lengthened) the cord so I can use the winch controls while walking up along side my bike.



The problem was my carbides fit perfectly in between the glides originally.



This winch pulls it up with ease.

 

[Summitseeker]

PS: I also extended the superglides on both the bottom and top. I also overhung the glide on the telescopic part by 6 inches and took my torch and melted it downward so the carbides do not dig in while going up the glides.

 

[wakeandsnow]

I have a marathon deck with the ramp that has the superglides already on it, but I like what you've done by cutting them down so the track can grab the rungs. Where do you hook your winch on to the bike? around the fork with a sling or something? I wouldn't want to pull to hard on the ski handle with a winch.

 

[Summitseeker]

The picture I posted was "before" the superglides. I removed those and installed superglides top to bottom.

I ran a strap from the pegs and hook the winch to the strap.

 

[wakeandsnow]

oh so the carbide was the same width as the rungs on your ramp eh? I feel like what you have in that picture would work up the middle of my ramp AS WELL as using the UTV single ramp that i also have. I will try it tonight and let you know how it works. I still might just go buy a winch and try that out too.

 

[portgrinder]

Wireless winch on headache rack

Ditch the carbides.

Bob's your uncle

 

[Summitseeker]

Wireless Winch!!!!! Why didn't I think of that! Just found one on eBay for $82.99 with free shipping. That would have saved me a LOT of work rewiring the one I bought.

 

[wakeandsnow]

yea i was kind of surprised when you said you had a really long winch control... I have a wireless warn on my rzr and it's awesome for the long pulls in skeg.

Do you really think it's a good idea to ditch the carbide? I feel like it helps a lot on the icy trails up to the powder?

 

[portgrinder]

I don't think the carbide helps one bit in any snow cond.

Makes it way harder getting over the lip of your deck.

 

[Summitseeker]

yea i was kind of surprised when you said you had a really long winch control... I have a wireless warn on my rzr and it's awesome for the long pulls in skeg.



Do you really think it's a good idea to ditch the carbide? I feel like it helps a lot on the icy trails up to the powder?

I bought a wireless control today for $12 that is retrofit able on my super winch. Thanks for the great suggestion!!! Never knew they existed.

I have my carbides removed on my sled but will not remove them on my bike. Icy conditions would suck without carbides. (Getting to the powder)

 

[wakeandsnow]

Wireless winch is the way to go you'll love it. I am thinking I'll be going that way next week after I fail on my loading attempts. I'll take pictures of what I'm thinking this weekend. How about unloading? Anything to be careful of or do you winch them down too?

 

[Summitseeker]

Wireless winch is the way to go you'll love it. I am thinking I'll be going that way next week after I fail on my loading attempts. I'll take pictures of what I'm thinking this weekend. How about unloading? Anything to be careful of or do you winch them down too?

I have only used it once so far. For unloading I just walked it down the ramp backwards using the brake. No winch.

 

[Summitseeker]

Loaded with winch and double superclamps for lock down.