need opinions from sled deck guys

[HiWaYman92]

I'm looking at buying a home built sled deck. 800 bucks and as long as its built well I will probably buy it. No title, registration, lights, wheel bearings, tires etc. Seems like it would be right up my ally. I want to hear the pros and cons from guys who actually have/had sled decks.

 

[Goinboardin]

I had one for half a season. Mine was homemade and worked well. Problem was, I had it on the wrong truck. 96' F-150 just isn't enough truck. It drove fine, and may have done OK for my short commute to the trailhead had I added a set of bags, but I ditched it. Sleds stayed clean without covers, super simple for parking, never needed to get out of the truck to lock the front hubs for 4x4 because there was so much weight on the rear tires. If I had a 3/4 ton or a newer 1/2 ton with the high payload package I'd go build another deck without a second thought.

If you have the truck, do it.

 

[dmj]

I have a toy-up sled deck and love it. I thought I might have trouble loading and unloading sleds. Loading has never been a problem, even for an old duffer like me. The only con was unloading a sled that didn't have reverse. Now both of our sleds have reverse. My deck has a beaver tail and a 10 foot ramp. The pros you have already mostly hit, no flat trailer tires, wheel bearing problems, and extra trailer license. I even actually think sleds are a little bit more protected up there, at least from the slush from your pulling vehicle. Easier to get around in traffic, park at hotels and etc. Easier to turn around, especially in those early winter and late spring rides when you may have to go a little farther than just a snow park to ride out of. Good luck and ride safe

 

[257 stw]

I have a silverlake. My first deck was a home built. Worked fine but the ramp was kinda phony. I love my silverlake, so no gripes by me.

 

[HiWaYman92]

thanks

It sounds like it shouldn't be the nightmare my buddies seem to think it will be. I have an 02 Dodge 2500 Cummins so I'm not worried about the weight. The guy says he has plywood for the skies to run on on the ramp and the crossbars for track traction. It has a dovetail, but the ramp is only 8 feet. My truck isn't lifted, so hopefully it wont be too steep.

 

[03summit700]

I don't have a sled deck, I have flat bed that I use. But I tried the plywood on the ramp and it's not a good idea as your carbides will bite in. I found an old slip in bed liner and cut it up and lined my ramp. Thats much better!

 

[RYDPWDR]

I have a silver lake mfg deck with a beaver tail and 8' ramp. It's steep but it's not that bad, I would like a little longer ramp and will get one this summer. I don't have to drive my truck everyday, if I had to I would get a deck that collapses, other than that there are just so many positives about a deck...can't see how you would ever regret it or ever want a trailer again.

 

[BU1]

I'm looking at buying a home built sled deck. 800 bucks and as long as its built well I will probably buy it. No title, registration, lights, wheel bearings, tires etc. Seems like it would be right up my ally. I want to hear the pros and cons from guys who actually have/had sled decks.

Over 80" wide and the DOT is going to want clearance lights on all 4 corners.

 

[Coldfinger]

Don't have one, yet. One thing I'm wondering is how do you climb up there to gas up the sleds? If you have a dually, you just step on the tire. If you have a single rear wheel setup, how is it usually done?

 

[Goinboardin]

Don't have one, yet. One thing I'm wondering is how do you climb up there to gas up the sleds? If you have a dually, you just step on the tire. If you have a single rear wheel setup, how is it usually done?

I dropped the tailgate and used that as a step. That was an 8' long deck on a short bed ford (not a 5.5' box, but a useful sized 6'9" short bed). But, even some trucks tailgates can be hard to step up to...in that case I'm glad I'm young.

 

[carlc]

set the tailgate down, grab one hand on the sled deck, raise one foot onto the tailgate, lift with hand that is grasping deck, then in one motion put your other foot on the sleddeck and stand up. thats all there is too it haha. no really they are pretty easy to get on. I was actually thinking the other night about making a small ladder that would pull out the side of the deck that you could use to get on it.

 

[Demo250]

Usually when I'm fueling up I have 2 sleds up there. I just grab the rear bumpers and basically pull myself up and step up onto the deck. I can't think of any negative. You'll never want a trailer again!

x2 on using an old plastic bed liner for where the skis go up. It is the poor mans super glides.

Edit: You'll get used to the steepness of the ramp real quick. 8 feet on a regular height pickup is fine.

 

[TreewellDweller]

I have a homemade deck and have really enjoyed it. I have it on a 2004 4x4 2500 Dodge quadcab. The only problem I have had is unloading with my 8' ramp and my sled suspension compresses to where I am rolling onto my snow flap. I have to get off and drag it back a foot or so. I am finishing a new 10' ramp and this should eliminate the issue. When I fuel up I put the tailgate down and pull myself up to it by the dovetail and then just step on up onto the deck. My new 10' ramp should extend out even with the end of my dovetail. I do remind folks when they get out the back doors that the deck is there. It is about shoulder high and can leave a bruise if you don't pay attention.
As for sleds without reverse, just roll them back a couple of feet and step off the ramp to the tailgate and let it go. No Problem!!
Enjoy & good luck!!

 

[Goinboardin]

I have a homemade deck and have really enjoyed it. I have it on a 2004 4x4 2500 Dodge quadcab. The only problem I have had is unloading with my 8' ramp and my sled suspension compresses to where I am rolling onto my snow flap. I have to get off and drag it back a foot or so. I am finishing a new 10' ramp and this should eliminate the issue. When I fuel up I put the tailgate down and pull myself up to it by the dovetail and then just step on up onto the deck. My new 10' ramp should extend out even with the end of my dovetail. I do remind folks when they get out the back doors that the deck is there. It is about shoulder high and can leave a bruise if you don't pay attention.
As for sleds without reverse, just roll them back a couple of feet and step off the ramp to the tailgate and let it go. No Problem!!
Enjoy & good luck!!

An old girlfriend of mine used to get out of the truck and run along the side of it to catch me as I walked up toward the house. Well, I put the deck on, she forgot, and ran right into it. Caught her right on the collar bone. Just laid her out. I almost laughed, luckily she was OK. In hindsight its hillarious.

 

[M8fever]

Decks are great. only bad thing is trying to load a sled that is missing a-arms and a ski on 1 side of the seld.

 

[mikew5945]

Sled Deck is the second best thing I did.
Putting hydraulics under it is the best.

 

[rmk156]

I made a deck out of an old steel two place trailer.$100.Cut the axles off and put new plywood on..Built supports out of 1.5 metel tubing.. "supplies $200"and WALLLA......Works great, I picked up a 8ft ramp $75. Put some plastic on it.... Works great when loading from our 4place up to the deck. This is a way we can haul 6sleds. However to come from the ground will require a much better ramp..
If I did it again??? I would make this a beaver tail..for easier loading
I would find some kind of foldable 10ft ramp

 

[SledGuru]

Don't have one, yet. One thing I'm wondering is how do you climb up there to gas up the sleds? If you have a dually, you just step on the tire. If you have a single rear wheel setup, how is it usually done?

I just drop the tailgate and step up like a giant ladder, mine isn't a dove tail tho and I run a long box

 

[Ox]

I built a heavy deck yrs ago for my dually.
I liked it, but it was overbuilt. However - I had 12' extendable ramps!

Used it for two yrs and went to a flatbed.
I LOVE the flatbed for both business and toys!

9' deck with 9' ramps and 3' off the ground.
I don't have issues with wood on my ramps tho. ???
And I love 2by deck on the truck! Sleds never move an inch!
Only time we ever tie down the back of the sleds is if the deck is all ice.
Otherwise - one ratchet strap accrost the front and call it good.

No trailer = lots better access to late season snow up the mountain!
An open 2 place is about the only other real option for that.

Like I said - way overbuilt - but the sleds stayed clean!

They stay pretty clean on the flatbed tho too.

.

 

[SledGuru]

I bought a SLM deck and love it it has adjustable sides so u don't have to always be 8 ft wide it is light as I can load and unload by myself and I ended up with a 13' telescoping ramp which isn't any steeper grade then onto a normal trailer just higher off the ground it also fits into a long or short box, I wouldn't own anything else unless I had the money to go with a nice enclosed trailer