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Sled decks with a winch & boom

B

Boondockin800

Well-known member
Around here in North Idaho (Sandpoint) I see quite a few home made sled decks with a boom and a winch. So instead of messing with the ramps on a standard deck, you just pull up beside your truck, hook up the winch, and let it do the work.
How come you don't see any talk of these on Snowest? And why haven't any manufacturers jumped on this idea? Me and my buddy plan on making one this summer since there ain't much to them, just a steel deck, a boom of some kind, and a small winch (atv?).
 
Not real sure why you need a winch. Seems slow and cumbersome. Only takes like 2 seconds to load a sled. Would be nice for all of the broken down Ski-Doo's though.
 
Yeah , we noticed that too a couple months ago over there.

What if the winch malfunctions or a cable breaks , do you carry a ramp as a backup?

The other thing that concerned me was a guy just hooked the cable around the steering post for lifting - HOLY SHEET ! That doesn't seem like a good idea - 550 lbs + or so lifting that way ????

They claim that areas are so tight that they don't have the room for a ramp. We off load on some goat trails also - always have had room to put out a ramp.

Wasn't sold on the idea , but there were a lot over there.
 
It's been talked about before.

I have a sled deck, the two halves slide out on rails and lower to the ground. You just pull the sled up to the back, hook on to the steering tube arm, right above the skis, and press a button. Sled and deck go up and onto truck bed.
jettrax

There's also a system called a slick lift.
SlickLift

Also, rampage

I've seen the crane/flatbed before. Not a bad idea. They build a big 'T' lift fixture, one strap on each A arm, and one n the rear bar. Some people don't like driving a sled up onto a sleddeck. As for the cable breaking, simple, pack a spare. If the winch break, mount a hand crank on the crane as well. Or, just carry one, you can bolt on quick. Even seen spare come-along for emergencies.
 
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:face-icon-small-fro things that go around come around.......I did that in 1984 with my phazers...........had a A frame like set up mounted on the rear bumper, with bracing going to each side of the bed, did not hook to the bars, I had an " T " shaped frame that had 4 hook assemblies two would hook around the front spindles and two would hook on to the rear bumper,,,just pulled up beside the truck , swing it over and let it down, hook up the straps pick it up and swing it onto the bed of the truck.................used it all the way thru 96 when we went to an inclosed trailer........sure worked good for me............:):)
 
hmm.

Seems like a great idea for all the poor sob's that bought XP's maybe brp should give a incentive to buy a deck like this!!:D
 
there were some hillbillies from north idaho here in mccall with some of those goofy winches.

i thought they were a joke. then one day i watched some old duffer show up with his wife after a great ride.

the sleds were loaded in like 22 seconds each. the deck was as wide as the bed, wtih holders for the outside skis. the deck was lighter then most by far, but plenty stout for what it needed to be.

I was waaaay imprressed with how easy and safe loading was. no climbing up a 45 degree ramp, no walking down the ramp, no getting up on the ramp at all.

sounds goofy, but it REALLY friggin works!!!!!!
 
the winches take longer, can malfunction and the typical frame is made of steel. obviously veryvery heavy compared to the aluminum ramp/decks. consider what your time is worth to build one and set up the winch, wiring etc. was a no brainer for me to go aluminum w/ a ramp and superclamps. two people can get a sled up the ramp if you have a breakdown. i can get my deck into and outta my truck by myself. try that w/ a steel deck w/ a winch.
 
the winches take longer, can malfunction and the typical frame is made of steel. obviously veryvery heavy compared to the aluminum ramp/decks. consider what your time is worth to build one and set up the winch, wiring etc. was a no brainer for me to go aluminum w/ a ramp and superclamps. two people can get a sled up the ramp if you have a breakdown. i can get my deck into and outta my truck by myself. try that w/ a steel deck w/ a winch.

ummm, you need to read the post.

the steel deck that just holds the sled is lighter then your alum spendy deck.

with the boom, my 8 year old daughter can load the broked down arctic quacker all by herself, no matter how many pieces you bring.
 
I just got done building one with a crane I still have a few bugs to work out.I can take it in and out of the truck by my self.It has slide outs for the skis and track.That way with out sleds it dosn't extend past truck.The crane does look a little goofy with out the sleds loaded.I think a colapsible one would be better.
As with anything there will be naysayers.I also close my tailgate when hauling one in the bed. So I have been labled a tool and don't realy find that insulting.I would explane but this is a family show.
 
They work really good as long as the pickup is level. Also leaves more room in the top of the deck to get down into the bed from the top for storage.
 
sounds awsome !! can some one post some pics of this ? i have a landscape company and an 24 inch drill bit takes 2 people to put in my box a crane would be nice for that !
 
i have one. its a alum top with a steel bottom that the boom sits in. I do it because i do not always have snow at the house to load. also i have a crew cab so i pull a friend two place trailer and we do not have to unhook to load up and have plenty of room for all our gear. see attached picture during test fit so the boom is not in at the time of the picture.

PB200031sm.JPG
 
i have one. its a alum top with a steel bottom that the boom sits in. I do it because i do not always have snow at the house to load. also i have a crew cab so i pull a friend two place trailer and we do not have to unhook to load up and have plenty of room for all our gear. see attached picture during test fit so the boom is not in at the time of the picture.

Looks good Todd! would like to see more pics of the deck with the winch!
 
x2

You all got me thinking about a deck with a boom, eventually I'd like to put two on top and tow a trailer behind


would be nice not having to jacknife the trailer or unhook to get sleds off the deck!


I'd put in a fuel tank under the deck with a slide out box for gear.
 
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