I am looking to purchase one and was curious about the pros and cons?
sleddecks
- Thread starter hoolee99
- Start date
T
Tedd
Well-known member
IMHO, the pros outweigh the cons by far. We have owned open trailers, enclosed trailers, and now our second deck. You can ride later in the rear without having to plan for trailer turn around, you don't need nearly as much room to park, and you don't have to chain up because you are pulling a trailer(at least in oregon). The only con in respect to an enclosed trailer is that you don't have a place to change your clothes.
expandable sides? how do they make the deck better for use? I have only looked a one all steel deck. I have heard that aluminium decks have only 2 to 3 years use in them because they crack. Thanks for all the info
2 to 3 years? Sounds like a salesman is trying to sell you. Steel weights to much and rusts. I have a Moto Mikey deck that is going on the 4th season, and no issues with it.
Get a good aluminum deck and you wont have to worry about cracking. You get a large reduction in wieght with the aluminum deck. I did not have one with the expandable sides , but it does sound good. I went from the deck to the enclosed trailer. I needed room for more sleds and wanted a dry/warm place for the kids/me to dress. I miss the deck on those non family rides though. I do like having a built in storage area for the sleds/gear and like the fact that the sleds are inside all the time. They stay nice looking longer. Worse mileage with the large trailer. Best scenario..... buy both!
I'm sitting on the same fence, I would really like a deck for my superduty but I'd have to either get it cut out in front or ditch my exhaust setup. 
Anybody ever hear of these guys? I'm familiar with Mikeys stuff but I just found out about this local company last week. How do you think it compares?
http://www.toydecks.com
Anybody ever hear of these guys? I'm familiar with Mikeys stuff but I just found out about this local company last week. How do you think it compares?
http://www.toydecks.com
from the one that I have seen, and the countless pics of other deck manufactures the one thing I would be conserned about was the fact that it sits on the bed rails. ( It looks that way in the pics).
most of them don't sit on the bed rails. i have a sky high deck i bought used. not shure how old but it is on it's 2nd set of wood decking. no cracks. the only con i have is with a 2 piece ramp i lose some storage space under the deck. (no beavertail)
Sled decks don't blow tires in the middle of nowhere either. I'm strongly considering offing my 2 place open for a deck, if you want a 2 place open I'm open to offers on mine.
I have a deck and as far as I'm concerned, it beats a trailer by far. Enclosed trailers are nice, don't get me wrong but a deck has em' beat IMO
Pros:
-No insurance, plates, tires or bearings to worry about
-Easier to get around on logging roads (no 50 point turns to turn around)
-Lets say your in town and want to go to dinner, no biggie, hop in the truck and park at the resteraunt like you normally would, no worries about parking a trailer
-Added weight helps with traction
-Looks good (aluminum)
Cons:
-You lose your truck box if you use that a lot
-Sleds can get dirty
-Ramps can be stupid short and steep making loading and unloading a sphincter puckering experience, unless you have a long ramp
I'm on my 2nd season with my Marathon deck, its great especially with the optional 12' ramp (10' is standard). I just wish my sled had reverse LOL.
Pros:
-No insurance, plates, tires or bearings to worry about
-Easier to get around on logging roads (no 50 point turns to turn around)
-Lets say your in town and want to go to dinner, no biggie, hop in the truck and park at the resteraunt like you normally would, no worries about parking a trailer
-Added weight helps with traction
-Looks good (aluminum)
Cons:
-You lose your truck box if you use that a lot
-Sleds can get dirty
-Ramps can be stupid short and steep making loading and unloading a sphincter puckering experience, unless you have a long ramp
I'm on my 2nd season with my Marathon deck, its great especially with the optional 12' ramp (10' is standard). I just wish my sled had reverse LOL.
S
Sled169
Member
Like everyone said decks are the way to go, they beat an open place trailer hands down. Go aluminum, they look better, are much lighter and most all of the best companies are only building aluminum decks these days.
Don't see to many of them anymore that sit on the bed rails, most like ours, have legs that go down and sit in the bed for support. When it comes to picking out a deck, it really comes down to what options you want to have.
The expandable sides is one of the best things out there, it makes it really nice to be able to push the sides in when there are no sleds on the deck or when you just need to take one with you. If you have ever had a fixed width deck on, you know what a pain it is to see around, and how bad it hurts your head when you walk into it.
Look at what other extra they come with to, do they come with Super Clamps or just a screw down bar?
What quality are the clearance lights? are they LED?
Is the ramp at least 10 feet long? If it one or two piece? Does the ramp come with a good glide materail on it?
How much stoarge is under they deck? Is there a light under the deck to light up the bed of the pick up?
What kind of Aluminum is being used?
I'm sure there are more questions, but that is just the basics.
Check out our web site for many photos and lots of information about our decks.
www.CustomSledecks.com
Good luck,
Jay
Don't see to many of them anymore that sit on the bed rails, most like ours, have legs that go down and sit in the bed for support. When it comes to picking out a deck, it really comes down to what options you want to have.
The expandable sides is one of the best things out there, it makes it really nice to be able to push the sides in when there are no sleds on the deck or when you just need to take one with you. If you have ever had a fixed width deck on, you know what a pain it is to see around, and how bad it hurts your head when you walk into it.
Look at what other extra they come with to, do they come with Super Clamps or just a screw down bar?
What quality are the clearance lights? are they LED?
Is the ramp at least 10 feet long? If it one or two piece? Does the ramp come with a good glide materail on it?
How much stoarge is under they deck? Is there a light under the deck to light up the bed of the pick up?
What kind of Aluminum is being used?
I'm sure there are more questions, but that is just the basics.
Check out our web site for many photos and lots of information about our decks.
www.CustomSledecks.com
Good luck,
Jay
I was on the fence for a couple of years myself, I purchased a marathon deck and absolutly love it. I can always find a place to park and I even get acouple of mpg better! I have the expandable sides and they are nice!
I run a toolbox in my truck, year round. What are you guys doing when your deck is on? Anyone make a deck with a toolbox built in?
I'd love to have a deck, but I'm not giving up my toolbox storage (tie down straps, receiver hitches, spare oil, coolant, recovery straps, booster cables, lug wrenches, tools etc)
I'd love to have a deck, but I'm not giving up my toolbox storage (tie down straps, receiver hitches, spare oil, coolant, recovery straps, booster cables, lug wrenches, tools etc)
S
Sled169
Member
We are working on a design for a slide out box system that goes under the deck and would have a tool box on it that you can slide out to get into. Should have something ready to go by next fall on this.
I am happy I bought a sled deck and got rid of the 2 place.. you do lose a little storage but its so much eachier hauling driving around town.. parking in any parking lot.. turning around.. the get a little dirty but you don't really need to carry covers unless your going on a long road trip IMO.. if you have a locking tailgate everything is safe under the deck while you ride.. the slide out sides are worth the extra money.. I took some pics but they are at home I will post them later of my Custom Sled Deck in the tundra..
sled deck
I bought one of SLED169's decks earlier this year and I am without a doubt very happy with it. I get asked all the time about who makes it and were you can get them. Ive been up sledding alot this year and I havent had any issues with it at all. I've been able to park in packed snowparks where others had to turn away and like someone else said, you can stop at a restuarant and not have to look for a mile long parking spot.
Also SLED169's decks were featured in last months Snowest magazine.
Steve
I bought one of SLED169's decks earlier this year and I am without a doubt very happy with it. I get asked all the time about who makes it and were you can get them. Ive been up sledding alot this year and I havent had any issues with it at all. I've been able to park in packed snowparks where others had to turn away and like someone else said, you can stop at a restuarant and not have to look for a mile long parking spot.
Also SLED169's decks were featured in last months Snowest magazine.
Steve
Sleddeck all the way unless you need more sleds with you!!!
I would buy a used steeldeck beaver tail. You can pick up one really cheap and they last a long time. There is a few down falls with steel..heavy to load it up solo but I can still load my solo, just use a strap to the coner of the bed and crank away. I spray'd my with the rattle can under car coating/bedliner stuff looks fine and last long time.
If you got the dough buy new one from a snowest forum guys several to pick from I seen most of them and they all rock....
I would buy a used steeldeck beaver tail. You can pick up one really cheap and they last a long time. There is a few down falls with steel..heavy to load it up solo but I can still load my solo, just use a strap to the coner of the bed and crank away. I spray'd my with the rattle can under car coating/bedliner stuff looks fine and last long time.
If you got the dough buy new one from a snowest forum guys several to pick from I seen most of them and they all rock....
