SilverLake Manufacturing Sled Bed build and install with pictures.
- Thread starter Scott
- Start date
I know that others could fit their ATVs on these. Mine are just wider I guess.
No, it wasn't cheap.
Fernie?
I missed that they were offset if you earlier pics. I thought we ere looking at the tight side. and yes the Polaris Sportsman's are wide and you don't even have crazy tires on yours. You might be better off just have the hinges re-welded and painted. Would hate to get this far and not be 100% right for what you want long term.
Smart money would be to tie them down regardless of side boards or not. I've seen way too many hunting trips ruined by having a four wheeler endo down the road trying to catch up to the tow rig.
While it makes for a good story (after the fact) it is a pain dealing with the insurance company and Johnny Law, when it could have been avoided entirely with a couple quality, well placed, tie down straps.
It happens every year to far too many people; who either do not tie them down at all, or use cheap tie downs and one of them chaffs thru leading to dragging the four wheeler by the remaining tie down strap.
I personally would not think twice about pulling the side board pins and leaving them at home. Strapping down the wheelers appropriately and hitting the road. And I drive like every time I turn the ignition it is a race, To my credit all my vehicular mishaps have been single vehicle, just me against the world. I have 3 single vehicle rollovers, one kickstand maneuver where it popped out of the ditch to land with the drivers door on the centerline blocking both lanes of traffic and a blind corner in both directions. A lot of close calls with moose and other wild life, but have never been in / nor caused a multiple vehicle accident.
FWIW
P.S. I would bet whatever roads you drive on down there to get where you are going, they are better than our Alaskan roads, Highways and few miles of freeway.
You lower 48'ers are so spoiled, you really need to get out more. How does Nickelback say it? "If you aren't living on the edge you are taking up too much space!"
While it makes for a good story (after the fact) it is a pain dealing with the insurance company and Johnny Law, when it could have been avoided entirely with a couple quality, well placed, tie down straps.
It happens every year to far too many people; who either do not tie them down at all, or use cheap tie downs and one of them chaffs thru leading to dragging the four wheeler by the remaining tie down strap.
I personally would not think twice about pulling the side board pins and leaving them at home. Strapping down the wheelers appropriately and hitting the road. And I drive like every time I turn the ignition it is a race, To my credit all my vehicular mishaps have been single vehicle, just me against the world. I have 3 single vehicle rollovers, one kickstand maneuver where it popped out of the ditch to land with the drivers door on the centerline blocking both lanes of traffic and a blind corner in both directions. A lot of close calls with moose and other wild life, but have never been in / nor caused a multiple vehicle accident.
FWIW
P.S. I would bet whatever roads you drive on down there to get where you are going, they are better than our Alaskan roads, Highways and few miles of freeway.
You lower 48'ers are so spoiled, you really need to get out more. How does Nickelback say it? "If you aren't living on the edge you are taking up too much space!"
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R
rockhead00
Member
I picked up one of these bad Boys last spring. has been a great deck very solid.
I got the fuel tank as well, the only problem is I ordered the 8' deck and the fuel tank takes a foot away from the deck. now the sleds hang off the back to much so i took the full tank off and it just sits in my garage. if you order a deck make sure to add the extra foot with few tank.
other wise I have been very satisfied with the flat bed and can still use it for work pulling gooseneck trailers.
The black is a definite for sure and those fenders look nice.
Cheers.
I got the fuel tank as well, the only problem is I ordered the 8' deck and the fuel tank takes a foot away from the deck. now the sleds hang off the back to much so i took the full tank off and it just sits in my garage. if you order a deck make sure to add the extra foot with few tank.
other wise I have been very satisfied with the flat bed and can still use it for work pulling gooseneck trailers.
The black is a definite for sure and those fenders look nice.
Cheers.
Scott, I only carry one ATV and don't have a problem. If I were to doo it again, I would get Mike to make the outside dimension, with the sides folded down, 8'6" wide. Mine is 8'3". I don't know why he does that.
I will get some more pictures up in the next little while. I am tired of the salt corroding the aluminum (tired of polishing and waxing) and I have a LineX appointment next week.
As for cheap, it is only money! The base price is $3800 US and that isn't bad. I had a lot of extras and had to doo lots of mods to get it to work the way I wanted it to work. SuperGlides (they are softer than the Glacier and don't crack in the winter), re-work the ramp, lots of extra lights, different locks, added back-up camera and sensors (they are incorporated right into the deck) and I had to work on the gas line sensor.
Pictures for you guys in the next couple of weeks.
Yeah, I need just about 1.5" on each side to fit two Polaris 850s on there.
I'll gain that much once I get over to Fabcraft and Mike moves the side boards ouside of the hinges instead of sitting inside the hinges.
IT's just a matter of cutting couple of welds and re-welding. I'll probably just have to just use the right pain to cover it up, which sucks, but that's how it will be unless I re-powdercoat the side boards.
Base price has gone up. His website has updates price on it. I think it's $4150 now.
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silverlake mfg.
this is mike from silverlake mfg. --haven't been on here in ten years and now I remember why--lol you guys are amazing clairvoyant engineers-- I am humbled
only thing you are right about is that downhand weld looks like crap--should have caught it but I didn't.. reason the ramp is upside down and backwards is there is steel for a 30,000# gooseneck hitch less than a half inch above it--only way to keep hooks from hitting crossmembers is to cut them off to the point where they wont engage the recievers sufficiently in an off camber situation--sorry, wont do it--also as far as the side configuration im kinda bound by dot laws-any other configuration would be over the 8'6" legal width--all customers are told this and I willingly listen to any ideas--as far as the locks icing up, a little wd-40 goes a long way. I always listen to any suggestions, and If it wont work I will tell you, and why-- its really easy to criticize from a computer. if you want to know why something is like it is, ask--there is a very good reason for everything the way it is--xcept for that weld--lol
this is mike from silverlake mfg. --haven't been on here in ten years and now I remember why--lol you guys are amazing clairvoyant engineers-- I am humbled
only thing you are right about is that downhand weld looks like crap--should have caught it but I didn't.. reason the ramp is upside down and backwards is there is steel for a 30,000# gooseneck hitch less than a half inch above it--only way to keep hooks from hitting crossmembers is to cut them off to the point where they wont engage the recievers sufficiently in an off camber situation--sorry, wont do it--also as far as the side configuration im kinda bound by dot laws-any other configuration would be over the 8'6" legal width--all customers are told this and I willingly listen to any ideas--as far as the locks icing up, a little wd-40 goes a long way. I always listen to any suggestions, and If it wont work I will tell you, and why-- its really easy to criticize from a computer. if you want to know why something is like it is, ask--there is a very good reason for everything the way it is--xcept for that weld--lolslm
I did bring that guy in that did that weld and showed him that pic--lol great learning experience for him so thanks for the help driving home what I'm always bitching at them about --lol
I did bring that guy in that did that weld and showed him that pic--lol great learning experience for him
so thanks for the help driving home what I'm always bitching at them about --lolpost
I can only read about half this thread due to free membership,so cant respond to specific questions, but if you are truly interested in why something is done a certain way or to research and discuss options, my website is www.sledecks.com, and direct phone number is 208-623-6601 and im all ears.--if you just want to run off at the mouth, well I quess that is what snowest is for
I can only read about half this thread due to free membership,so cant respond to specific questions, but if you are truly interested in why something is done a certain way or to research and discuss options, my website is www.sledecks.com, and direct phone number is 208-623-6601 and im all ears.--if you just want to run off at the mouth, well I quess that is what snowest is for
Well I absolutely love my Silverlake deck and have zero complaints.
Just to be clear on my side board issue with fitting my quads on there, Mike builds it how he must. I'm sure he's got DOT to comply with.
I'm not making a complaint about Mike on that.
I'm not unhappy with my sled bed, Mike or ANYTHING like that.
I was just surprised that my quads didn't fit on there when they did fit on my old sled deck.
I can fix this. It's no big deal.
I'll just have to adapt or modify as I can so I can get both of my quads on there.
I'm not making a complaint about Mike on that.
I'm not unhappy with my sled bed, Mike or ANYTHING like that.
I was just surprised that my quads didn't fit on there when they did fit on my old sled deck.
I can fix this. It's no big deal.
I'll just have to adapt or modify as I can so I can get both of my quads on there.
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After the first sled trip...
--I didn't use a cover on my old sled deck, but this weekend, I DEFINATELY need covers on the slushy road. I think partly due to needing fender flares on the front tires. LOL
--Definitely plan to add a sheet of plywood or metal in the ramp bay. Too much road grime, slush and dirt on the ramp. WAY too dirty for my own taste.
Not hard to get a thin sheet of alum and put in there...there is still clearance for a ramp if I use a 5/16" or 1/4" sheet.
--Not a big issue as long as I can still get it open, but I've got some grime in the ramp door lock. Had to have my son crawl under and pull down on the lock tab as I turned the key. I'll figure out something for that. Any suggestions?
I love my deck so far. Center of gravity is much lower than a removable sled deck. My truck handles noticeably better on the road with everything sitting 24ish" lower.
--I didn't use a cover on my old sled deck, but this weekend, I DEFINATELY need covers on the slushy road. I think partly due to needing fender flares on the front tires. LOL
--Definitely plan to add a sheet of plywood or metal in the ramp bay. Too much road grime, slush and dirt on the ramp. WAY too dirty for my own taste.
Not hard to get a thin sheet of alum and put in there...there is still clearance for a ramp if I use a 5/16" or 1/4" sheet.
--Not a big issue as long as I can still get it open, but I've got some grime in the ramp door lock. Had to have my son crawl under and pull down on the lock tab as I turned the key. I'll figure out something for that. Any suggestions?
I love my deck so far. Center of gravity is much lower than a removable sled deck. My truck handles noticeably better on the road with everything sitting 24ish" lower.
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