Whats some of the con's on owning a deck? thanks
sled deck owners
- Thread starter polaris girl
- Start date
The cons I can think of with mine are;
-Getting a dead sled back up, Which can be fixed with a cheapo hand winch or electric one.
-Nowhere to work on a sled if you have to when your gone on a trip
-Can be a pain in the *** to haul other things if you dont want to take the deck off all the time.
-And I dont care what anyone says, sleds do NOT stay clean up there, yes they do stay cleaner then say an open trailer, because you dont get spray from your own vehicle, but any traffic that you meet or that passes you when the roads are wet or sloppy sprays them.
Having said that I love my deck!
-Getting a dead sled back up, Which can be fixed with a cheapo hand winch or electric one.
-Nowhere to work on a sled if you have to when your gone on a trip
-Can be a pain in the *** to haul other things if you dont want to take the deck off all the time.
-And I dont care what anyone says, sleds do NOT stay clean up there, yes they do stay cleaner then say an open trailer, because you dont get spray from your own vehicle, but any traffic that you meet or that passes you when the roads are wet or sloppy sprays them.
Having said that I love my deck!
I've only had mine for a little while, but I've moved a lot of sleds around with it, including a dead sled - used a Maasdam rope puller (basically a come-along which uses rope instead of cable, does not spool the rope, but feeds it through), took me about 30min to get the sled up by myself. It'd take me about 10min the next time - knowing to put the rope here, knowing to hook the spindles there, etc etc etc. Not a big deal.
Pulling the ramp out solo is a bit of a hassle, but again, once you get used to it, not a big deal. With two people, it is really easy.
Visibility is great, don't need to fold mirrors out.
I lose about 2mpg with two (heavy) sleds up there. Lost ~4mpg pulling my 2-place open, but that was a different truck, soooo....who knows.
It let me go riding once this year that would have been a TOTAL PITA with a trailer.
Sleds don't get AS dirty. They do get dirty, but nowhere close to an open. Covers are still a good idea.
First two trips up the ramp are sketchy. Then it is easy.
Probably won't apply to most, but the ramp on mine was designed around 15-16" tracks, not 24" wide; I had to screw a piece of wood on the tail end of the deck to lift the 24" wide track high enough (5/8" chunk) to get the ramp OFF once the sled is ON. Not a big deal at all, applies to roughly no one else, but I'd not thought of THAT.
Expandable sides = must have. backcountryislife explained it to me, I just listened - glad I did. Living with a full width deck would suck.
Superclamps = must have. At LEAST one. Using a screw type on the FIRST sled up would not be THAT much of a hassle, but the second would be a total pain.
Overall, I love the deck (Silverlake). Zero complaints, all benefit so far. I guess the 2-place open was easier at the end of the day, back it into its spot, unhook, done - now, I have to unload the sleds at the end of the day. I'll take it. The truck (3/4 ton diesel Dodge) handles great, shrug, win-win-win, I don't know what the downsides are. If I need to move more than two, I can always hook a trailer up.
Pulling the ramp out solo is a bit of a hassle, but again, once you get used to it, not a big deal. With two people, it is really easy.
Visibility is great, don't need to fold mirrors out.
I lose about 2mpg with two (heavy) sleds up there. Lost ~4mpg pulling my 2-place open, but that was a different truck, soooo....who knows.
It let me go riding once this year that would have been a TOTAL PITA with a trailer.
Sleds don't get AS dirty. They do get dirty, but nowhere close to an open. Covers are still a good idea.
First two trips up the ramp are sketchy. Then it is easy.
Probably won't apply to most, but the ramp on mine was designed around 15-16" tracks, not 24" wide; I had to screw a piece of wood on the tail end of the deck to lift the 24" wide track high enough (5/8" chunk) to get the ramp OFF once the sled is ON. Not a big deal at all, applies to roughly no one else, but I'd not thought of THAT.
Expandable sides = must have. backcountryislife explained it to me, I just listened - glad I did. Living with a full width deck would suck.
Superclamps = must have. At LEAST one. Using a screw type on the FIRST sled up would not be THAT much of a hassle, but the second would be a total pain.
Overall, I love the deck (Silverlake). Zero complaints, all benefit so far. I guess the 2-place open was easier at the end of the day, back it into its spot, unhook, done - now, I have to unload the sleds at the end of the day. I'll take it. The truck (3/4 ton diesel Dodge) handles great, shrug, win-win-win, I don't know what the downsides are. If I need to move more than two, I can always hook a trailer up.
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first off, i will clarify that i have a ToyUp deck and yes, i am a dealer for Toyup so i am very partial to this brand... but i am only a dealer for them because i shopped hard a for a deck a couple seasons ago, tried the toyup, loved it so much i started selling them.
i love not having expandable sides. i've had some buddies with them and they've been a pain to move in and out (this might not apply to all, just the ones i've seen). The deck is no wider than my mirrors so it's really not any different for me to drive around with it in or not in. The "cons", if you will... it does kinda suck to move stuff around that you would typically just toss in the bed of your truck when your deck is in there. the big one for me is my dog. usually i tether him in the bed and he goes everywhere with me but when my deck is in, he stays home. i have strapped his kennel to the deck and then he goes with me, but again, that is a "con". Loading and unloading really isn't a big deal to me. grab a buddy and you can move it in and out in no time (not sure how other decks are). someone mentioned earlier about the ramp being a pain by yourself and i think this only applies to certain decks because with the toyup, it's harder with two people, one person can operate it the easiest. the only real con i can think of is just the fact that you can't toss the random stuff in your bed when you have your deck in there... trash, leaves, etc. the other cons, which really aren't cons, are that everytime you stop anywhere with sleds on your deck, people will want to come up and talk to you about it and tell you how cool it is. the other big con is having to wait for your buddies with trailers to back up and turn around and jocky around in parking lots, driveways, etc. Overall, i think once anyone gets to have some real experience with a quality deck, they will always have one around. i'm not saying they will ONLy use it on EVERY trip out, but it's sooo nice to have around for certain trips. I still sometimes use my enclosed for certain trips, but even when i do, my deck still just stays in my bed of the truck and i just hook up the enclosed.
i love not having expandable sides. i've had some buddies with them and they've been a pain to move in and out (this might not apply to all, just the ones i've seen). The deck is no wider than my mirrors so it's really not any different for me to drive around with it in or not in. The "cons", if you will... it does kinda suck to move stuff around that you would typically just toss in the bed of your truck when your deck is in there. the big one for me is my dog. usually i tether him in the bed and he goes everywhere with me but when my deck is in, he stays home. i have strapped his kennel to the deck and then he goes with me, but again, that is a "con". Loading and unloading really isn't a big deal to me. grab a buddy and you can move it in and out in no time (not sure how other decks are). someone mentioned earlier about the ramp being a pain by yourself and i think this only applies to certain decks because with the toyup, it's harder with two people, one person can operate it the easiest. the only real con i can think of is just the fact that you can't toss the random stuff in your bed when you have your deck in there... trash, leaves, etc. the other cons, which really aren't cons, are that everytime you stop anywhere with sleds on your deck, people will want to come up and talk to you about it and tell you how cool it is. the other big con is having to wait for your buddies with trailers to back up and turn around and jocky around in parking lots, driveways, etc. Overall, i think once anyone gets to have some real experience with a quality deck, they will always have one around. i'm not saying they will ONLy use it on EVERY trip out, but it's sooo nice to have around for certain trips. I still sometimes use my enclosed for certain trips, but even when i do, my deck still just stays in my bed of the truck and i just hook up the enclosed.
Like stated before the ramp by your self kinda suck till you get used to it! I dont have expandable sides and its not that big of a deal! I have a 3/4 ton dodge with air bags and it handles it fine! When we go sledding if there is 4 of us ill just pull a 2 place behind, ya i guess that could be a pain but ohwell! Its nice not having to pull a trailer too, just load and go! I made 2 homemade super clamps and they work great! In my eyes the pros out weight the cons!! Plus they just look cool (head turner)!
Cons:
-Climbing up and getting back down from the deck
-Gassing up your sleds (much easier on a trailer)
-Try to put covers on without falling 5' (much easier on a trailer)
-Tying down the sleds is difficult (much easier on a trailer)
-Ties up bed space
-Installing and removing the deck is work
-Setting up and removing ramp
-High center of gravity when loaded
-Running into the deck with your head or shoulders
-Busting out your rear window or parking on your roof
Decks also have their advantages, but you obviously know that if you are considering one.
-Climbing up and getting back down from the deck
-Gassing up your sleds (much easier on a trailer)
-Try to put covers on without falling 5' (much easier on a trailer)
-Tying down the sleds is difficult (much easier on a trailer)
-Ties up bed space
-Installing and removing the deck is work
-Setting up and removing ramp
-High center of gravity when loaded
-Running into the deck with your head or shoulders
-Busting out your rear window or parking on your roof
Decks also have their advantages, but you obviously know that if you are considering one.
tying down the sleds is super easy with super clamps I wouldn't consider that a con at all. very easy on the deck. Those with ramps not whats on the toy ups I would agree would be a pain but my toy up ramp is so easy I love it I hated my two place trailer ramp.
these cons are not true for every deck. the toyup ramp is super easy. the super clamp tie downs are super easy. if you get a deck with a headache rack (which any quality one has) then you will not run into your back window. you would only be on your trucks roof if you are a complete idiot. putting covers on is no harder than on an open trailer. running into your deck with shoulders or head is your fault. It does tie up bed space though... i'll give ya that.
EDIT: i also find it easier to gas up on my deck than in my enclosed trailer. I just pop the gate down, grab the bumper and take one step to my gate and then one step onto the deck. Where as my enclosed, i need to get it lined up, get out and open the door, then drive forward and make sure it's lined up perfect with the gas pump so then it will reach both sleds inside. i know it's just personal preference, i'm just giving my side of the story i guess.
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Like stated before the ramp by your self kinda suck till you get used to it! I dont have expandable sides and its not that big of a deal! I have a 3/4 ton dodge with air bags and it handles it fine! When we go sledding if there is 4 of us ill just pull a 2 place behind, ya i guess that could be a pain but ohwell! Its nice not having to pull a trailer too, just load and go! I made 2 homemade super clamps and they work great! In my eyes the pros out weight the cons!! Plus they just look cool (head turner)!
sick set up
I build and sell sled decks. After switching to a deck I don't know that I would go back to dragging a 30' trailer. The only time we drag a trailer is when we have 4-5 guys going on a road trip. with my group most of the time it is 2-4 of us riding. When its just 2 the deck is the only way to go. When we have 3-4 the deck with a 2 place behind the truck rocks!
Some of the pros,
Going to the the store/gas station is a breeze
Parking is super easy compared to a trailer.
Fuel economy
Not sure what the parking lots are like where you ride but some of them here in Utah get crowded pretty fast. getting in and out of a tight place is super easy.
Having the bed of the truck covered to keep your gear bags and other equipment dry is nice.
Being able to throw 2 sleds on the truck and hook up the camp trailer to spend 2-3 days on the mountains is a GREAT thing.
Some cons,
I have to unload my sled when i get home to get my truck parked under the canopy where i park it. I am not sure thats a bad thing cause it goes in the garage and gets all thawed and then I get to check it out in a nice heated garage before the next ride. The problem I had with the enclosed was a lot of times after riding the sled got left in the trailer and never looked at until the next ride.
loading can be a little intimidating at first but t really isn't a bid deal.
I guess if you have a short bed truck (I dont) it could be a little hard to pull trailers or other things with a deck in the truck because of how for they hang out the back.
Some of the pros,
Going to the the store/gas station is a breeze
Parking is super easy compared to a trailer.
Fuel economy
Not sure what the parking lots are like where you ride but some of them here in Utah get crowded pretty fast. getting in and out of a tight place is super easy.
Having the bed of the truck covered to keep your gear bags and other equipment dry is nice.
Being able to throw 2 sleds on the truck and hook up the camp trailer to spend 2-3 days on the mountains is a GREAT thing.
Some cons,
I have to unload my sled when i get home to get my truck parked under the canopy where i park it. I am not sure thats a bad thing cause it goes in the garage and gets all thawed and then I get to check it out in a nice heated garage before the next ride. The problem I had with the enclosed was a lot of times after riding the sled got left in the trailer and never looked at until the next ride.
loading can be a little intimidating at first but t really isn't a bid deal.
I guess if you have a short bed truck (I dont) it could be a little hard to pull trailers or other things with a deck in the truck because of how for they hang out the back.
I love my SLM deck, I'd get one with expandable sides, I have spare a small tool box and enough room for two big gear bags, sleds stay pretty clean they do get a touch of dirt hear and there but way less then a pull behind. If u drop your tail gate and grab rear of sled u can climb up pretty easy, I like it cause your not dragging a trailer around and don't have to worry about jack knifing it all your weight is on the rear for traction
One of the slickest decks I've seen had dual ramp/deck operated individually by separate winches for both loading and unloading. Don't know if they r still being made or not. Don't know name either, but someone on here probably does, might even know where to find used one. In fact I might even like to know that. I think this would be a big enough plus to outweigh some of the other minuses. U do away with the load and unload issues, putting on covers, dead sled, and maybe you could even lower them down enough for fueling. Of course they would be a little more spendy. But.... nothing's perfect except M series cats in powder on a beautiful day.
Only a few cons...
- truck NEEDS to be level to load safely
- kinda need 2 people to gas them up
- ties up bed space, I have to unpack and remove my tool box
- tall center of gravity
- no good place to change in/out of gear
- less room to store stuff than in an enclosed
- sleds remain exposed to the elements for as long as they're on it
They're GREAT for early and late season riding when driving up from the snowpark is required, and give awesome traction and turning abilities, but in the main season, the nod goes to the enclosed... the ability to store everything inside securely and have a warm/dry place to change indoors is irreplaceable!!! It's also nice to be able to hook up and go and not have to spend extra time loading/unloading every time.
- truck NEEDS to be level to load safely
- kinda need 2 people to gas them up
- ties up bed space, I have to unpack and remove my tool box
- tall center of gravity
- no good place to change in/out of gear
- less room to store stuff than in an enclosed
- sleds remain exposed to the elements for as long as they're on it
They're GREAT for early and late season riding when driving up from the snowpark is required, and give awesome traction and turning abilities, but in the main season, the nod goes to the enclosed... the ability to store everything inside securely and have a warm/dry place to change indoors is irreplaceable!!! It's also nice to be able to hook up and go and not have to spend extra time loading/unloading every time.
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If I'm riding 3-4 days a week I just keep my sled on my deck. If I ride on a Saturday lets say and I know I won't be going till the following saturday I'll just take the sleds off no big deal imo. Used a deck all last winter and I absolutely loved it. I think the pros out weigh the cons of a deck to me anyways.
C
cjfox
Well-known member
truckboss love it simple cons is taking it off at the end of the season only because you know that the season is over!!
i like how you can have everything tucked in nothing hang out(sides, ramps) expandable sides are quick and easy to use, looks super clean weather tight to keep all gear dry and tools etc. dosnt take up any bed space such as others that use a frame with tie downs inside the bed, filling up the sleds can be a trick depending on station thankfully my buddy we ride with owns a gas station that has rider friendly hoses on there pumps (long basterds) easy to reach all the sleds just pop down the tail gate and climb on up, love mine and wouldnt change it
i like how you can have everything tucked in nothing hang out(sides, ramps) expandable sides are quick and easy to use, looks super clean weather tight to keep all gear dry and tools etc. dosnt take up any bed space such as others that use a frame with tie downs inside the bed, filling up the sleds can be a trick depending on station thankfully my buddy we ride with owns a gas station that has rider friendly hoses on there pumps (long basterds) easy to reach all the sleds just pop down the tail gate and climb on up, love mine and wouldnt change it
