Long box sled deck, first buy.

[Clumax]

Looking for some experienced input towards different styles and features I should be looking for in a -two wide- sled deck.

-12ft ramp over the 10ft?
-modular over 'one piece' aluminum?
-telescoping sides?
-reputable dealers in and around prairie provinces or just south of the boarder.
-telescoping over a pin together ramp?

I think the light on the under side to light up the box is a must.

Info would be great

 

[Jordo]

Here's my 2 Cents on this. It all has to do with how deep your pockets are, and if you use your truck everyday, how often your going to take it on and off. IMO hands down go with the TruckBoss made by Marathon. It's the best! All aluminum deck adjustable sides, the deck mounts to the Box not the Bed of the Box,quick clamp tie downs, calapsable 10ft ramp(ramp extension available for lifted trucks, and completely weather proof truck box. I had one and LOVED it. Once the deck is fit to your box it's 6 screws and it's out!! And there made in Canada!

 

[aksnowgod]

My vote is for the Truckboss as well... That is if you plan to leave it on your truck all season. I have ran it the past 2 seasons and it is awesome deck.. You can get some cheap 3M backed LED lights off off ebay, thats what I did for under deck lighting... It gets dark here in AK. (in the winter)

 

[94fordguy]

I'm sure I will be in the minority here, but my personal preference is a solid 1 piece deck. IMO I like knowing that there is nothing that can possibly wear out, bend, or otherwise fail with a telescoping side setup. I have seen both in person and while the collapsible sides are nice for driving in town when you don't have sleds on, I just like my 'old school' setup and know it will take whatever bumps the roads throw at it.

Just my $.02

 

[Blk88GT]

Clumax, I've got a Marathon Non-Truckboss deck. Expandable sides, telescoping ramp, etc.

I couldn't justify the cost of the Truckboss for my use. With that said, I'm very happy with my purchase. If you have a stock height truck, the 10 foot ramp will be fine. The longer the ramp, the easier loading will be no matter what truck though!

Marathon support has been great when I had questions about securing it. Even though I wasn't the original purchaser, they treated me like their customer.

I had to drive to Alberta to get mine.

 

[Clumax]

Thanks for the replies

Crap truck boss is expensive. $4700 + +
Does seem like quality fit n finish would be second to none.
Dont think I can bank roll that

Now the guy at cross-trax decks, $2900, super glides on the ramp but not deck. Said he has (truck boss) customers who have deformed the bed panels from too much weight.
Yikes. Anyone seen that happen?

Found an STF sled deck for private sale. $2200 which he bought and never used, never had a sled on it. Ramps have super glides, no super glides on the deck
Seems like a decent buy?

 

[Marathon Truck Decks]

Any Truck accessory when improperly installed and subjected to an inordinate amount of abuse (i.e over-loaded trucks, regular ditch crossings) will cause damage



Blown out bulkhead from previous non-Marathon "conventional deck"



Blown out floor patched with a piece of checker plate, again, non-Marathon "conventional deck"



Early spring rollover, our customer was trapped in his truck for 45 minutes before EMS got to him, his $70,000 truck was a complete write off, his Truckboss deck was repaired for less than $500

If you have any other questions please visit our website at www.truckbossdecks.com or phone us toll free at 866-440-6800

 

[vdog0531]

i'm also a fan of the fixed decks. i use the Toyup deck and it is steel and SO easy to use. no sides to mess with and no expandable ramp to mess with. everything is super solid, its very light and very strong. i personally use 4 heavy duty rachet straps at each corner so its a breeze to load and unload. they comes with super glides on deck and ramp (10 ft) and super clamps and powder coated. all that for under 2500 bucks. I had such a great season with my last year that i decided to become a dealer for them this season. It is simple, easy to use, basic and practially has nothing on it that can wear out. Bang for the buck, can't beat em imo.

Vernon

 

[Blk88GT]

I would highly suggest Super Glides on everything. This is the first unit I've ever had with them, and I can't believe I went all those years without them.

 

[Clumax]

Glides n clamps..

I've never seen suoerglides in person Buuut they look handy as a pocket on a shirt.
Now what's your opinion of the superCLAMP over traditional tie downs?

 

[Blk88GT]

Worth every cent!!! I bought fronts and rears for the sled deck. I know I sound like a salesman, but the stuff works. I got mine at Princess Auto in the springtime. I think all 4 clamps were around $500.

After I got them, I drove out to Island Park and didn't have to adjust or mess with them at all there or back.

Where are you in Manitoba?

 

[Clumax]

Good ol' princess auto.
Swan River, bout 5.5hrs north of Winnipeg

 

[pinko]

My vote is for Cross Trax. Super super strong and easy to put in and out. They come with a warranty and you can also get an extension for longer sleds which is very handy. I had an old-style Marathon before this one and was a flimsy pos IMO. The only thing I liked about the Marathon was the extendable ramp. A dealer of the truckboss in town has seen cracking boxes from the weight on the box sides. I've also seen truck boxes at work seperating due to having tool boxes on the bed rails. I'm sure it would be fine if I didn't have to leave the highway to get to our destination but that simply does not happen where I live

 

[tswan]

I am looking as well. I have really been looking at the
Silver Lake with the expandable sides. Anyone know how these are holding up? Drive gravel roads every trip out.

 

[Clumax]

Tswan
There's a thead about silver lake decks.
Ppl seem pretty happy

 

[Summitseeker]

I am looking as well. I have really been looking at the
Silver Lake with the expandable sides. Anyone know how these are holding up? Drive gravel roads every trip out.

I have the SLM deck with telescopic sides and its been great! I did have to modify the ramp slightly so it is easier to "hang" on the deck, but other than that it's been great! I am contemplating go to a Truckboss though just for the fact of the sealed in box.

 

[aksnowgod]

I have the SLM deck with telescopic sides and its been great! I did have to modify the ramp slightly so it is easier to "hang" on the deck, but other than that it's been great! I am contemplating go to a Truckboss though just for the fact of the sealed in box.

My only complaint at this point about the truckboss is the amount of time it takes to R&R... Not that it was really designed with the intent of taking it off a lot, but I only like to leave it on the truck for the winter months when I need it, the summer time it leans up against the wall in the garage.

they have made a few improvements to the newest version of the TB so it is easier to R&R, but with all the wiring for the lights and winch, its not as easy as it could be... What would be cool is if they designed everything into the underside of the deck for all the wiring needs for the under deck lights, winch, and running lights... I will be doing as much of that redesign myself this fall when I put the deck back on to have hopefully a single electrical connection coming off the soleinode for the winch. Saves a lot of effort re-wiring everything every year...

One other improvement I would make if I could would be to dovetail drop the 12-13" deck extension they have... Making it drop even 4 or 5 inches would be way cool with the ramp angles, etc... toyed with the idea of talking to a local fabricator to see what the possibilities are.

 

[Marathon Truck Decks]

My only complaint at this point about the truckboss is the amount of time it takes to R&R... Not that it was really designed with the intent of taking it off a lot, but I only like to leave it on the truck for the winter months when I need it, the summer time it leans up against the wall in the garage.

they have made a few improvements to the newest version of the TB so it is easier to R&R, but with all the wiring for the lights and winch, its not as easy as it could be... What would be cool is if they designed everything into the underside of the deck for all the wiring needs for the under deck lights, winch, and running lights... I will be doing as much of that redesign myself this fall when I put the deck back on to have hopefully a single electrical connection coming off the soleinode for the winch. Saves a lot of effort re-wiring everything every year...

One other improvement I would make if I could would be to dovetail drop the 12-13" deck extension they have... Making it drop even 4 or 5 inches would be way cool with the ramp angles, etc... toyed with the idea of talking to a local fabricator to see what the possibilities are.

Greggs distributors carry quick disconnects for larger wire gauges, I believe WARN makes them but don't quote me on that.

There should be quick disconnects (Red Posi-lock connectors) for the marker lights located above the plastic T-slot cover beside the ramp stop. There should be quick disconnects (Red and Blue Posi-lock connectors) located in the tail light for the deck wiring as well as the access lights. There are install videos available on our website as well as on Youtube www.youtube.com/user/TRUCKBOSSdecks/videos.

We are currently developing a multi-purpose flip up extension (Snowmobiles, ATV's, and UTV's) as well as a number of other accessories to make your TRUCKBOSS even more versatile.

If you have any questions or would like to stay updated on new developments for your TRUCKBOSS deck, please don't hesitate to phone us toll free at 866-440-6800, e-mail us through our website www.truckbossdecks.com, or message us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/TRUCKBOSS

 

[aksnowgod]

Greggs distributors carry quick disconnects for larger wire gauges, I believe WARN makes them but don't quote me on that.

There should be quick disconnects (Red Posi-lock connectors) for the marker lights located above the plastic T-slot cover beside the ramp stop. There should be quick disconnects (Red and Blue Posi-lock connectors) located in the tail light for the deck wiring as well as the access lights. There are install videos available on our website as well as on Youtube www.youtube.com/user/TRUCKBOSSdecks/videos.

We are currently developing a multi-purpose flip up extension (Snowmobiles, ATV's, and UTV's) as well as a number of other accessories to make your TRUCKBOSS even more versatile.

If you have any questions or would like to stay updated on new developments for your TRUCKBOSS deck, please don't hesitate to phone us toll free at 866-440-6800, e-mail us through our website www.truckbossdecks.com, or message us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/TRUCKBOSS

If you need an Alaska tester for your fold up extension when you complete it or any input on design let me know... I have a 7ft deck with extension on a 6.5ft bed and that would be a great addition/change from the bolt on extension you have now not having to have the extension extending 1ft off the back of the deck all the time.

I have the quick connects on the running lights that came with the deck, but I also have under deck lights as well as the winch wiring is under the deck in the bed of the truck... I drilled a couple small holes and added grommets in the front plate that seals the front of the deck to the bed to route the wiring up to the winch... The solenoid for the winch is under the deck bolted to the deck/bed rail with about 15 feet of polar wire straight to the truck battery.