Sled deck newbie

[Blk88GT]

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.

My truck sits level unloaded (my choice), the rear suspension is factory stock other than a set of Bilsteins and the bags. Front has a Norcal Trucks/Cognito "stage 4" leveling kit.

There's nothing wrong with my truck, it's been running in it's current configuration for 7 years.

Have you ever weighed your truck when it's fully loaded for a trip? I have. It adds up quick.

 

[Jason4]

I have a 2 place deck in a 2007 Ram 2500 and it handles fine with 2 sleds up there.

Being new to sledding the first few times I loaded it I was a bit intimidated. I realized that most of the problems I had were related to bent and banged up carbides grabbing on the aluminum ramp in a couple spots that were missing the plastic ski guides. Now that I have the sleds cleaned up and put more plastic on the ramp it's easy. That said, if I was parking in big lots all the time a trailer would be really nice but all of our late season sledding involves parking on roads that are tight to turn the truck around on without a trailer.

Stay on top of maintenance and check your welds and turn buckles regularly.

 

[motojunkie101]

So here is a question for you guys.

Have any of you went from a sled deck to a flat bed? Any regrets? I have a silverlake deck with a dry box underneath and it works well. I just think it would be a little easier to run a flat bed with fold down sides like this year round.

 

[Scott]

My dad has an enclosed.
I really like that when it's cold.

I've been through the open trailer, sled deck and now Silver Lake flatbed.
Their flatbed is the ONLY motorsports purpose-built flatbed that I know of with an integrated ramp. If you have a standard bed truck, go for it. Think about your options (alum decking, LED lighting, powder coating, stage boxes, overhead rack, ramp compartment enclosure underneath, etc), ask for them up front. Mike will be more than happy to work with you. These are a really great product.


Can you view this pics? If you can't please let me know.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz_14emb2eCKZV9GQ0xaZUVZQ1ZUR3FPNkI0cmo1VVZGUmxj/view

 

[Scott]

I'll try to upload the photo.

 

[icr]

SLM flat beds look nice but I priced one out on their website at $6600 and it wasn't even fully loaded. I can get a nice used enclosed for not much more.

 

[Goinboardin]

I had a sled deck at one point, on a half ton, wasn't close to comfortable so I switched to a trailer. Few years went by and I built a lightweight flatbed for that same half ton, 90" wide, to fit 2 sleds on. I put fresh leaf springs in (factory capacity though, so it'd be obvious when over loaded) and new shocks, fresh sway bar bushings and good LT tires. It's a nice setup. Feels pretty good. Less weight than fire wood in the fall. Feels much better than a diesel Ford 3/4 ton with a 3000lb camper (lots of extra spring in that truck too). This cost me around $750 all in, but already had all the tools to do it. With the extended cab there's lots of room for 2 guy's gear. Only setup I'd like more, at least for trips, is a trailer I could camp in or a slide in camper and open 2 place. That'd be the bees knees for road trips.

 

[PresidentAl]

Why chose just one ????

I have a ncsledecks with a custom inspection plate which allows me to fill my 40 gallon external tank. Needed an extra leaf, have Bilsteins all around. Allows me to take 4 sleds, 2 timbersleds, my 3 buddies and an ice chest!

 

[tadder52]

I have a ncsledecks with a custom inspection plate which allows me to fill my 40 gallon external tank. Needed an extra leaf, have Bilsteins all around. Allows me to take 4 sleds, 2 timbersleds, my 3 buddies and an ice chest!

Nice setup.

 

[RevXRider]

I have a ncsledecks with a custom inspection plate which allows me to fill my 40 gallon external tank. Needed an extra leaf, have Bilsteins all around. Allows me to take 4 sleds, 2 timbersleds, my 3 buddies and an ice chest!

Is that a 2500? If you were just taking the deck and the sleds, would you need to add anything to the suspension? Im guessing 1500 lbs with deck and two sleds in the bed. Truck payload is more than that, but wondering what you guys that do it are saying. Im looking to put a deck on, but looking to do it correctly too. Thanks

 

[line8]

air bags or additional leaf is definitely worth it and in my opinion required. Especially if you start doing some real driving(wind, Nasty highways, and if you actually drive off-road to off the beaten path places).


Sent from my telephone

 

[BarkBustnOutlaw]

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.

What lenght is that deck? Can you pull that trailer with your deck on the truck with no sleds on with no issues turning and making contact with the deck?