thoughts on 2wd Chevy 4 dr. dually flatbed as sled hauler??. .

[OrangeKowJumper]

Looking for something to combine sleds and gear into one truck and came across a 2000 Chevy 4 door flatbed dually and I've been thinkin on building a deck over the cab to hold 2 sleds, and use the flatbed for the other 2. ..haul 4 guys and 4 sleds with gear using one truck..no trailer. . seems like it'd be a good way to keep road costs down. . only thing is is it's 2 wheel drive. . .any thoughts on this???. . dually's without 4 wheel drive better or worse on snow & ice?? .. thanks..


Johnny

 

[Coldfinger]

With all that weight you probably will not have a problem, esp if you put studded snow tires on the rig.

If you do this, post pics.

 

[Mark's RMK]

Top 2 Sleds

How would you get the top two sleds in place? Use the same ramp you used to get to the first level? Or would you build in some kind of post winch to just pick them up and pivot them into place?

I think you would have some serious wind resistance from the sleds up top.

 

[Mafesto]

If you rolled your truck, there's a good chance that the sleds on top would get all scratched up.

 

[NorthMNSledder]

If you rolled your truck, there's a good chance that the sleds on top would get all scratched up.

And the ones on the bed would be fine?

 

[Coldfinger]

Yeah, probably crack or break a few windshields.

 

[ippielb]

I will never again drive a truck thats not a 4x4.

 

[Engine Pro 5x]

I took a 2-wheel drive truck to the mountains 1 time !!! That was in 2004 >>>>.

 

[OrangeKowJumper]

How would you get the top two sleds in place? Use the same ramp you used to get to the first level? Or would you build in some kind of post winch to just pick them up and pivot them into place?

I think you would have some serious wind resistance from the sleds up top.

Thanks for the responses, guys . ..especially the clowns of the group!

.. .I haven't thought too deep into it yet but initially my thoughts are to ramp up on the flatbed, then shift the ramp up to the upper deck and run'em up from there. .. . the truck is a construction truck that's for sale locally and the idea came when I saw the rack it has now extends out over the cab- to carry ladders, supplies, etc.- and I wonder'd why it couldn't be extended out all the way to the the front end and bring bracing up to support it, get some lite weight deck of some sort, and haul sleds. . ..it might be kinda hairy backin' em off but what the heck. . .just hafta be careful! Mainly my question is on the lack of 4wd and how many guys get by without it ?? .. .My work van is about the same chassis and I generally get around here in Iowa winters pretty well without 4wd.. ..just seeking some more input.


Johnny

 

[Jaynelson]

With that much weight I wouldn't be hugely worried about 2wd....particularily not on the highway and with good snow tires.

 

[Coldfinger]

I think you need to factor in the conditions generally encountered while driving in snow. I've been going from Lincoln Ne to the snowies since 91 and there has been about 1 time per year where I really needed 4wd or was real glad I had it. I probably could have done without in most cases if I was careful.

We did countless trips in 2wd vans years ago and made it fine.

Duallies, from what I've seen and from my limited experience, are more of a handful in bad weather because you have those two extra wheels and they are breaking new snow if the road isn't plowed and they provide additional floatation. If you are carrying 2500 pounds and have good tires I'm sure youll be fine.

If this is a rig just for snowmobile trips I'd consider studded snow tires and/or carry a set of tire chains just in case.

 

[WIS.REV]

I had a 2WD dually for a while. Had being the key word. They are awful in the snow. A little or a lot of snow it does not matter, they suck. Good luck with your decision. Even more good luck if you decide to buy it.

 

[roughrider99]

Like stated before. If it's setup to be winter specific u should be fine. Don't cheap out, spend the money on some good off road winter specific tires and keep tire chains with you. With that setup if you still have difficulties with road conditions then you shoudn't be on the road at all.

 

[Goinboardin]

Not that I drive a dually, but in my experience if you need 4x4 to get down the highway the roads will not be open. I only use 4x4 if its really nasty, I'm going up a pass, and my truck is empty or if the parking lot is a mess and I have a trailer. I suspect you'd be just fine with that truck (properly equipped) paired with some common sense.