Sled Bed Education

[SkyRider800]

I am in the market for a sled bed. I don't know much about them but am going to buy one for this coming winter. I have F-350 with the 6- 3/4' bed. I want to get one with the expandable sides so I can still get around town without too much of a hassle.

What do you recommend to look for or stay away from? I will be hauling two sleds with it most of the time and possibly double up with quads during the summer. What ramp lengths do you use and why. What would you add to your next one that I should get? I am not brand partial but who has been making good bed? I am located in Seattle so if you know of spot to check them out let me know.

Thanks
-JH

 

[AndrettiDog]

You are going to get a lot of responses. I would not buy a deck that didn't have expandable sides, so that rules out ToyUp. I think the best deck is a TruckBoss, but it is very pricy. That's the deck I'm going to purchase this fall. Full Lotus would probably be my choice after that. I had one that worked out very well. A friend suggested SilverLake Manufacturing because of the "hoop" leg style that they use. Apparently that makes it easy to unload, even by yourself.

Deck length depends on your truck. If it's stock height then you can get away with the stock ramp most companies have. If you are lifted then you have to accommodate accordingly.

There is another deck company that I know is not cheap but looks like it is built very well. Might have been in your neck of the woods. It had a few varieties but the main deck was around $5k. You get what you pay for.

 

[rhalloran]

I've had a Silver Lake deck for the past few years. I like it, a lot.

I'm not convinced it is the NICEST deck out there, but it is not the most expensive, either. Nor is it the cheapest. Somewhere in between. Mine has expandable sides; when I bought it, I did not REALLY care if I had expandable sides or not, but it was cheaper to ship the expandable model vs fixed, so I got expandable.

Having owned it for a while, I'd insist on an expandable deck.

The Silver Lake comes with a 11' telescoping ramp. I've had to replace a couple of the glides on the ramp, but I use it a lot - no complaints. Truck is a 3/4 ton Dodge, stock ride height, ramp angle is fine. More than a couple inches of lift, *I* would want a longer ramp, but I've seen guys loading sleds on lifted trucks with steep ramps without issue - it can be done. I often park in a way to flatten the ramp out a bit, just makes things easier.

Still on the original wood. I bought Superclamps with mine, would ABSOLUTELY do again - normal threaded tie-downs would be a PITA.

Mine is held in with ratchet straps, not sure how others are held in. Ratchet straps have loosened a smidge a couple of times, no big deal, reach in, get another click.

I've been really happy with the Silver Lake. I built a box underneath it, which makes using the whole bed possible without spelunking. Would absolutely purchase again.

.02c!

 

[AKtoad]

Bought a Silverlake sled deck and when I pulled the deck off so I could powder coat it I noticed it was welded poorly and some spots weren't welded at all. Wiring was terrible and overall quality was low, tie down points were sheet metal. After tig welding almost the entire thing, re wiring it with arctic grade wire, adding 1x2x.250 tie down points then powder coating it, it has been a great sled deck. I also welded in a subframe to support a winch for those dead sled days. The overall design is great but the quality was sub par, maybe I just got a "bad" one. It also lets a lot of road spray in, so gear under the deck is soaked. Next one will be a truck boss deck.

 

[05900]

Loading can be tricky

 

[Scott]

Just to clarify, Silverlake makes two products.

Sled decks (Removable deck)
Sled beds (Flatbed that replaces your truck bed).

 

[Scott]

Just to clarify, Silverlake makes two separate products.

Sled decks (Removable deck)
Sled beds (Flatbed that replaces your truck bed).

 

[Blk88GT]

I use a Marathon "classic" deck with expandable sides. Absolutely get Superclamps (front and rear) and Superglides on the ramp. Some form of lighting under the deck would be helpful. I installed a 7 pin connector in the bed to plug in the lights, that way I can pull a trailer and use the deck. I bolt my deck down as per Marathon's instructions, no turnbuckles or tie downs.

Practice loading at home before you get to the parking lot, everyone loves to watch but it's really nothing at all.

 

[94fordguy]

I've had a Silverlake deck for the last 6 years and I love it, mine is the solid frame however. I have never felt that expandable sides can be as durable as a continuous frame on rough roads, though they have seemed to have proven themselves... I will admit that there are time's I wish I could retract the sides, such as the drive through at the bank, but oh well... I have NO plans to ever sell this deck! I'm very happy with the build quality of my deck, I haven't had any problems with it, and it's also easy to get in and out of the truck by myself.

 

[SkyRider800]

Well I found a used 7' truck boss deck with the flip extensions so I picked it up. It has the expandable sides and winch to drag you sled up if desired.

The guy I bought it from said he had just mounted it with the clamping system to the bed rails and had no problems. I think I will add some lights under the deck so I can see in the truck bed and possible the smartbox that slides out with your gear.

I am excited to avoid using a trailer this year but now I need to figure out what new tires I am going to put on the truck...

 

[blacklabel28]

Wrangler duratracs, can be studded.

 

[AndrettiDog]

A whole other discussion, but I shyed away from the Duratracs because of guys who told me that they have a tendency to sway because of the soft compound. I have the Toyo AT2's and they have been pretty good. A little loud at times but I've never been disappointed otherwise.

 

[blacklabel28]

A whole other discussion, but I shyed away from the Duratracs because of guys who told me that they have a tendency to sway because of the soft compound. I have the Toyo AT2's and they have been pretty good. A little loud at times but I've never been disappointed otherwise.

Had toyo open country at 2 xtreme's on my 3/4 ton chevy diesel and didnt like em in snow or mud as much as the duratracs.

 

[Reg2view]

Revo 2's are a darn good choice for all around use for an E range tire. They are not cheap.

 

[SkyRider800]

I have the Toyo AT2 on the truck right now and have not been impressed on how they handle in the snow. In my opinion they are not a very agressive all terrain tire at all but are a great tire for summer months with low road noise and wear well but I am looking for something better for this winter. Having the weight of the deck with sleds on it will be a big help.

Are you guys having better luck going with a mud terrain, different all terrain, or an actual snow tire? I know the weight of an F350 loaded is hard on tires which isnt ideal but still looking for the balance of traction and wear.

 

[Steens86]

hey guys side question but whats the best way to attach the sled bed? I have a 09 Silverado half ton crew cab level kit and regular bed so I realize my 155 pro rmk will be hanging out pretty far but I don't want it to come out. also on tires I highly recommend the Hankook dynapro atm.

 

[summ8rmk]

Bolt the deck to the bed or tie it down to the bed hooks.
Also Hankook dynapro atm.
Had Duratrac, no bueno.

GS6

 

[Blk88GT]

I've had great luck with Duratracs, on my second set. Got 55k miles out of the first ones.

 

[Drewd]

Loading can be tricky

I'm not impresed, I did this once with my ATV without even trying. Granted, it wasn't on purpose