Sled deck newbie

[ggcustoms]

I've never had or used one but they seam pretty slick. And from searching past threads some people think it's sin #1 to use them on a 1/2 ton. But now with, among other things, Ford's heavy duty payload package and the newer torquey motors from all brands, does this change anyone's opinion on that subject?

Has anyone gone back from a sled deck to a trailer?
My uncle has an old steel one that he uses since he refuses to pull a trailer, I'm not sure why though. I've never asked him.
Thanks.
DG

 

[line8]

Whatever you decide. Get some airbags and appropriate tires. There's some sway up there.


Sent from my telephone

 

[AZ800]

Bags, Timbrens, overload springs. Any of those, or Fords "HD" option will work fine unless maybe you're putting 2 Yamahas on a steel deck on a 1/2 ton, lol.

I sold my deck, but not because it didn't work well, rather because I didn't have room to haul it back down to the L48 from AK and because I was using it to get 4 sleds to the hill with a 2 place trailer. Sold both and bought a 4 place.
If I was never hauling more than 1 or 2 sleds I would totally use a deck over an open trailer and maybe over an enclosed.

 

[ggcustoms]

Sounds good

I've never heard of Timbren, just looked them up now. Are they a good product? Also, does anyone have a review of using Roadmaster active suspension? I like the thought of both of those since they are pretty much maintenance free vs filling up air bags all the time.

 

[NorthMNSledder]

Some people's argument is that with the deck, two sleds, two people and all their gear you are over the legal weight for the truck. Which can be very true for most 1/2 tons. I believe areas in Canada were cracking down on this in the past but I'm sure others can confirm that. I know on the 2016 F-150 with the full payload package your at 3,000 lbs if I remember right which is higher then lots of the older 3/4 tons so you are legal. But as others have said you still might want to look into airbags as the sway can get up there with all that weight above the bed.

 

[black z]

The part that concerns me on any truck is the rise in the center of mass and gravity. I'll be using one for the first time on Sunday with a longbox duramax. I would personally never put one on a half ton.

 

[SRXSRULE]

I have one on my 1/2 ton 14 chevy. Two guys, 2 sleds, gear and fuel and your legally over weight. The truck handles it fine though, doesnt even squat the rear of the truck with 2 sleds up there. It drives very safe, but it does end up slightly over the max pay load.

If your going on a trip, just haul the sleds almost empty on fuel, then fill up when you get there.

They are very slick for tight parking lots. Works great for just 2 guys. Make sure you get one that the sides slide in and out and take a look at as many as you can, they vary greatly in price and quality. Eric

My deck is for sale right now, and it will be back in central Iowa at the end of the month http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409085

 

[ggcustoms]

Saw that earlier in the week, Eric. What did you do in your previous life do deserve a beautiful shop like that? Well done good sir.

 

[usmc_powerhouse]

I have both a sled deck and an enclosed trailer. Having a sled deck is very slick to have when its just myself or me and a buddy, no need to haul a giant trailer around. I use Timbrens on my mega cab and they are awesome, they'll be on every pickup I own. No sag at all even with my trailer and installed in 15 minutes.

My pickup is a 3/4 ton diesel and I can't even feel two sleds on the deck, heck half the time I can't even feel the trailer either. I think any new half ton will ride ok when properly equipped for the load and as long as your not way over your max weight. The way to look at is you may feel it's safe and fine for you, but is it safe for the other drivers on the road as well. If it is, then go for it. Just use common sense, don't be throwing two yamahas on a ford ranger.. lol But like I said, any new properly equipped half ton should be fine.

 

[smoking_powerstroke]

I had an expandable full lotus deck and loved it. I sold the deck, but going to get another one. This time its going to be a toyup steel deck. Will be a little cheaper but should be easier to put on and take off the truck with 2 guys. Taking the deck off with 2 people sucked with the full lotus, it was HEAVY. I have an enclosed trailer for when we have 4 sleds but when its just the wife and myself the deck can't be beat. If you run a lifted truck make sure you get a deck with a ramp that is long enough, it can get pretty steep. On my last truck the wife would refuse to load her sled on the deck because of how high the deck was, but the ramp angle wasn't bad at all.

 

[ggcustoms]

Thanks for all the info/opinions guys.

 

[MrIQR]

Sleddeck user here. I've had it on a 1 ton, couldn't notice it, had it on a 2500hd and again didn't notice it, then on a 2500std duty, felt it some, now using a wore out 1500 and definetly feel it now. Ordered some Monroe airshocks and upgraded hd front shocks, thinking it will feel like a 2500 now. Had 10ply tires on all of them, ran high psi.

Best thing about a half ton is the low truck and sled deck ride height, so nice, can fit through drive thrus and ramp is super mellow. My 1 ton was on 35's and deck was 6' in the air.

 

[ulost]

So do most decks tie down via turnbuckles into the tie down hoops in the box? I know my 12 ram 2500 seems to be pretty plated up behind the tie down hoops.

 

[M8Chris]

So do most decks tie down via turnbuckles into the tie down hoops in the box? I know my 12 ram 2500 seems to be pretty plated up behind the tie down hoops.

I believe most decks will tie down with turnbuckles unless you get one of those truck boss decks. Super nice deck but also super $$$ I've absolutely loved my ToyUp the only thing I wish my deck had are the sides that slide in. I think it's worth the extra $$ for the sides that slide in and out for when your not carrying a sled.

 

[Chewy22]

I run my deck in a 1/2 ton. You really do need airbags or something similar to assist with the load. Otherwise it works just fine. I bolted the deck down.

 

[AndrettiDog]

You could run a sled deck with two sleds in a Honda Ridgeline and it will roll down the street. My point is that people think because the truck moves fine there are no issues. I've had a sled deck and getting ready for another. I wouldn't put one in a 1/2 ton truck. Smaller brakes, semi floating axle, smaller tie rods, less leafs, etc. Yeah, I know it can be done, but what happens when you have to swerve?

 

[Blk88GT]

I have mine on an 06 Duramax and I don't know how you could NOT have airbags or some sort of rear spring assist. My truck was not safe to drive without bags as there wasn't enough weight on the nose of the truck to stop safely. I run 80psi in the bags with two sleds on the deck and 50 with one.

I'm using a Marathon classic and it works great. My only issue is the sled getting dirty.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I have mine on an 06 Duramax and I don't know how you could NOT have airbags or some sort of rear spring assist. My truck was not safe to drive without bags as there wasn't enough weight on the nose of the truck to stop safely. I run 80psi in the bags with two sleds on the deck and 50 with one.

I'm using a Marathon classic and it works great. My only issue is the sled getting dirty.

Same here. With my 2500 Duramax (one less spring than 3500) I used bags with about 30 PSI and I was golden.

I'm curious what you mean about your sled getting dirty? I never needed a cover for my sled deck. It sat up out of the elements.

 

[AZ800]

I have mine on an 06 Duramax and I don't know how you could NOT have airbags or some sort of rear spring assist. My truck was not safe to drive without bags as there wasn't enough weight on the nose of the truck to stop safely. I run 80psi in the bags with two sleds on the deck and 50 with one.

I'm using a Marathon classic and it works great. My only issue is the sled getting dirty.

Must have had 2 rx1s with added lead in them!
This makes no sense at all. 3/4 ton diesel with extra engine weight up front and at most 2klbs all in, deck and sleds on the back. A 2500 dmax shouldn't even squat.
I know they're similar spring/payload cap as any 3/4 ton and my 07 2500 Dodge short box, with aluminum deck, 2 sleds on the deck and a 2 place loaded enclosed on a 18" hitch extension barely leveled the truck. I have airbags for a camper and only run a signatory 5-10psi in them with this setup in case of bottoming out on rough roads.
Heck I only need 55-60 psi to level the truck up with a 4500lb slide in camper. You put a 4" lift in back with 80 psi and that small load.
Your post is misleading or something wrong with your truck....or you're loaded heavy with a lot of other "stuff". No way a deck and 2 machines makes a HD pickup unsafe to drive.

 

[AndrettiDog]

It will squat a little, you can't hardly tell but the bags help with swaying. I had a 3600 (dry) Lance camper in mine with my bags at 75 lbs. But even for the sleds and deck, bags just made it ride better.