Sled deck question

[Dooitinct]

Sled decks have not yet become real popular on the east coast, but after I spent a week out in Togwootee last year, I thought what a great way to haul your toys around especially when there's only one or two going, I currently have a 28 ft inline for when the whole family goes I can load up all four. Anyways. I pulled the trigger on a deck last week. I have a gmc crew cab, 2500hd, 6'7" bed. Since we are a short track family ski doo 120's, I opted for a 7' deck.

What is the best way to secure the deck to the bed. The deck has four points to either strap or turnbuckle to the stock bed tied downs (in the bottom corners of the bed) are these strong enough? The deck I purchased is the SnoPro Sport Deck, all alluminum, led lights, poly floor and upgraded Superclamp ski tie downs and slide out side. Need to buy the clamps for the back.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated, just want to set this up right the first time..

Here's the deck..

 

[Mr Nasty]

Some shackles and turnbuckles and your good to go. Strap it to the cargo hooks in the corners of the bed. Some people complain about the turnbuckles loosening but I haven't had a problem with mine during the 3 years that I've ran my deck.

 

[146ev]

Put some decking material on the bottom of the decks feet and threw bolt it through the decks frame rails and truck bed as well. The decking material (trex) prevents the deck from scratching the bed when shifting.


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[AndrettiDog]

^^What he said. Also be careful of decks that have four feet and a small footprint. Mine dented the bed in the back where you would unload. A large heavy duty rubber pad would help.

I assume the east coast doesn't need sled decks like we do in the mountains because you guys have bigger parking lots.

 

[Dooitinct]

Ya, we have bigger lots to park, just tired of hauling a 28' trailer when only two sled are needed, much easier to just put them on the deck and go. Thanks for the info on the sled deck feet. Will check that out, should be in next week,

 

[ndC7M8]

I've used just 4 ratchet straps to the 4 corners of the bed on two of my dodge pickups(see avatar^^) and even a 1/2 ton gmc. Works just fine, superclamps on the skis, ratchet straps across the rails of the sleds to tie the rears down. You'll be really happy with the deck, and you'll get lots of amazed looks when you load/unload. No one around here in ND had seen one and couldn't believe I was gonna ride my sled up the ramp. Also, obvious as it may be, the traction your pickup will gain will really make ya happy with your purchase.

 

[Dooitinct]

Thanks for the info.. I'll post some pics when I get it loaded up. I ordered the superclamps for the front and the rear super clamps for the bak of the sleds. Appreciate everyone's help on how to strap this thing down, last thing I need is two damaged sled, and a wife that says "I told you so, should have used the trailer". Have the fun of riding is going to the destination

Jeff

 

[BigAir]

Do you mind me asking approximately how much a SnoPro deck runs?

 

[Blk88GT]

Marathon recommends using 4 pieces of 3/4" plywood under each leg and bolting through the bed, so that's what I did. Going on season 3 without any issues at all.

 

[NHguy]

Dooitinct

I have a sno pro sled deck, saw your other post too, hopes your ramp works out when you get it.

I turnbuckle mine into the bed, but I bolted in better tie downs to the bed itself. The factory ones arent too great in trucks. and just check the turnbuckles because no matter what people say, they do eventually loosen. Overall its a decent deck for money.

 

[northof40]

Marathon recommends using 4 pieces of 3/4" plywood under each leg and bolting through the bed, so that's what I did. Going on season 3 without any issues at all.

On my old style marathon with the 4 legs I use the 4 pieces of 3/4'' plywood, but i went a different route for fastening it down. I have 4 eye bolts installed through the box with steel plate for backing on the underside of the box. Then I use turn buckles to secure the deck to the eye bolts. At first i had issues with the turn buckles backing off, but then I just put a nut on one end of each turnbuckle as a jam nut to tighten up once its in place and they have never come loose again.

Been running it for 4 years and its rock solid, and fast to take out.

 

[pinko]

I've ran a few different decks in the past few years. I always put some 3/4 plywood under the feet to spread the load out. I've done bolt through the box and turnbuckle and haven't had a problem with either. If you turnbuckle then double nut them so there's less chance of them coming loose.

 

[AZ800]

Thru bolted mine to the bed. Guy I bought it from said he couldn't keep it tight with turnbuckles or straps. I dunno. It was pretty easy and the mounts were able to be bolted to the bed as well so no need to crawl under the truck ech time you install or remove it.
I did the opposite and sold my deck and 2 place enclosed for a 28' 4 place this year cause I was tired of having to disconnect The trailer to load and unload and push the old no reverse sleds off the deck.
If it's just me going and not the family I put the sled or bike in the back of the truck.

 

[Dooitinct]

Here's a couple pics of my truck and deck loaded

7' sno pro deck, slide out sides and poly bead decking, Super clamps on both front and rear. Have the longer 11'6" ramp. Works well, My truck has a front level kit and I installed Timbrens in the rear, they work great for both towing my 28' inline as well as having the deck loaded.

 

[Dooitinct]

And another..

 

[warreng417]

Nice truck!
They should pay you advertizing fee for those stickers on the side of the deck....