Sleddeck on half ton

[M8Chris]

Debating about a sleddeck or enclosed trailer for next year. How would a sleddeck be on a 09 half yon short box crew cab Sierra? I'd put airbags on. Really like the toyup deck. I know one guy has a truck boss deck on his tundra and loves it carries two 163 pros. Just want some more opinions. Everyones real helpful on here!

 

[Highmarker]

I think airbags would be a must...If you are planning on adding those, I would say go for it.

 

[AndrettiDog]

This has been discussed a lot in the past. I currently have a 3/4 Duramax with airbags and a beefed up front end. I usually haul Pro's (lighter sleds). I wouldn't recommend it with a 1/2 ton unless you always hauled just one sled. It's a lot of weight and it sits high. Airbags don't make a 1/2 ton truck into a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. There are also heavier axles (full floating vs. semi floating), gears, brakes, tires, rims, steering components, etc. The deck alone usually weighs 1/4 ton (500 lbs ish..).

 

[Ultra]

X2...bad idea...go with the enclosed trlr...a light aluminum one, you will be happier.
If you want a sled deck then update the truck to a long box 3/4T.
Like mentioned above, do a search...you will find several threads on this topic.
Plus I don't think the you can cross the Canadian border with a deck on a 1/2...it will exceed the payload capacity of most 1/2's. my.02

 

[M8Chris]

X2...bad idea...go with the enclosed trlr...a light aluminum one, you will be happier.
If you want a sled deck then update the truck to a long box 3/4T.
Like mentioned above, do a search...you will find several threads on this topic.
Plus I don't think the you can cross the Canadian border with a deck on a 1/2...it will exceed the payload capacity of most 1/2's. my.02

Yeah I'm starting to think it's a bad idea as well. Once I'n done with school and when I find a good job I'll pick up a 3/4 ton.

 

[phatty]

You can cross the border with a 1/2 ton with a deck. You just cant buy a deck that weighs 1000 lbs.

Chris you put air bags on the truck, come down to farmington one weekend, we can put a deck on in about 30 minutes, load up 2 sleds and you can take it for a drive and make a decision.

The only advantage of a trailer is storing more stuff, and a place to change inside when its cold and snowing outside. but hey good luck parking it on those busy saturdays

 

[jacmmaxwell]

Two guys in my group run homemade steel decks ( not very light ) on half tons with no trouble. One is a dodge quad cab short box on 37's and the other is a bone stock F150 super crew with the 5.5 foot bed. Both have bags and do fine. Just be sure you seperate your bags, two bags to one valve will make the thing sway bad, two bags with two valves is the only way to go.

I hate loading on the dodge due to the height but we haul my pig of a skidoo 1000 and a rev on them without issue.

You also have to drive it like it's heavy, turning and braking will not be the same with that much load.

 

[aksnowgod]

I have a 7ft truckboss with the extension on my 07 Silverado crew half ton with air bags (compressor with dual controller/valves, only way to go), and have had 2 sleds on multiple occasions with no issues... On one occasion I had 2 sleds plus a towed a 3rd on a 2-place trailer. It handled better with the trailer behind it... Drank a lot of fuel as well, but still a lot lighter and less fuel than the 3 place enclosed I gave up to get the deck. Having the deck is so much nicer getting around and finding parking spots on busy riding days.

In hind sight I would have gone with the 8ft deck, I just wanted to be able to fit into parking garages easier so went with the 7ft... One more year with this truck and I will get a 3/4 ton. More truck and more torque would definitley be an improvement.

 

[AndrettiDog]

You also have to drive it like it's heavy, turning and braking will not be the same with that much load.

Ummmm...yeah, that's what we are trying to help him avoid.

 

[M8Chris]

That's what worries me is driving up a curvy canyon with that load.
Phatty I will get some air bags soon and pm you and take you up on that so I can See how I like it before I make the decision to buy or not

 

[jacmmaxwell]

Ive seen two sled decks fliped on there side and BOTH were 1tons... I was just making the point that there is a ton of weight up there and alot of guys I see drive like the truck is empty.

 

[phatty]

That's what worries me is driving up a curvy canyon with that load.
Phatty I will get some air bags soon and pm you and take you up on that so I can See how I like it before I make the decision to buy or not

you can take logan canyon faster with a deck than an enclosed trailer. Plus when you pass the freakin subaru hippie wagons you dont have to worry about getting the trailer past them to pull in.

let me know when, i will probably be pulling the deck off mid june for the summer

 

[M8Chris]

you can take logan canyon faster with a deck than an enclosed trailer. Plus when you pass the freakin subaru hippie wagons you dont have to worry about getting the trailer past them to pull in.

let me know when, i will probably be pulling the deck off mid june for the summer

Sounds good! Thanks phatty

 

[Jaynelson]

you can take logan canyon faster with a deck than an enclosed trailer. Plus when you pass the freakin subaru hippie wagons you dont have to worry about getting the trailer past them to pull in.

I literally LOL'd on that one...love it

 

[jaysonfreerider]

i run a deck on my 1/2 ton long box 6cyl. dosn't do half bad. squats abit, but not as bad as youd think. your not goin very fast when you crest over the top of a good hill though.

 

[RevvinKev]

I have a sled deck(Full Lotus) on my half ton(04 sierra crew cab). It worked great with 85psi in my airbags. Evened it right up. It goes over the capacity since the sleds where 540lb and 560lb but I never had a problem. The truck would sway because so much weight up high but it is so nice to wave at the chain control people.
This year I made my sled deck into a flat bed and it has been the best decision, next to buying it in the first place. The weight is so much lower and it is the ultimate sled hauler.
Hope this helps

 

[Mafesto]

As snowmobilers, we are all very well aware of the physics involved with cg.

We are also very aware of how important it is to keep weight as close as possible to cg.

This is why a 2 place deck on ANY half ton is a bad idea...period.

Let's say you can haul 1200 lbs & remain within the payload rating.
That rating is based on proper placement of that 1200 lbs,
To raise that load 2 ft & move it rearward GREATLY reduces the capacity of the truck.

It would be like lifting the rated load with a forklift....would it be wise to raise it fully & drive around? Of course not!

This isn't rocketfreakingscience people!

 

[winter4ever]

Ive done it for 10 years, no problems. Just drive like a white man and youll be fine. everyone that flames on here has never actually done it, they just assume the worst will happen.

 

[KMMAC]

Bigger springs and sway bars and 10.50 rubber did it, loved it, being able to turn around in the middle of the road and not have back all the way to the snow or,, back all the way out at the end of the day was awesome, just sayin.......

 

[Mafesto]

Ive done it for 10 years, no problems.

Many of us could say the same thing about drinking & driving, speeding, texting while driving, playing with matches, running with scissors & unprotected sex...........Doesn't make it a good idea.