Unloading From Deck

[hypnotoad]

thinking about getting a sled deck and am wondering how hard is it to unload a sled from one with out reverse? Don't want to get one then find that's a PITA to unload my sled.

 

[Xrider]

It takes a few tugs but not too bad. Once the sled starts back you have a lot of leverage by moving down the ramp and pulling at the same time. Another thing you can do is stand on the ramp behind the sled and grab the top of the track, both sides and pull it backwards and it will roll the sled out, just don't go too far and get your fingers in the rear wheel. Make sure you have ski glides on the deck too. Also pay close attention to the skis when they are right at the point of leaving the deck and going on the ramp and go slow, they tend to jack knife and may run off the ramp on the way down. Stop and straighten them or have your buddy stand on the outside and keep them straight.

 

[BlueBYu]

Best way I've found is to stand in the frt. of the sled and kinda squat over the hood..lift with your legs..doing it this way will help guide the skis..cuz they will jackknife. I have a steep ramp and this tends to make the skis jackknife more than a normal ramp would. but it only takes a few min. to unload

 

[hypnotoad]

so in other words it's not a big deal and shouldn't steer me away from getting one

 

[winter4ever]

nah it aint nothin but a thang! really easy with 2 people too. 1 person isnt too bad either. if you get reverse down the road its way easy. like the other guy said, grab the skis before she goes down and line them up, cuz she gets a little wayward right at the tipping point.

 

[hypnotoad]

good to know, now it's just trying to find a good deal on a 8' marathon. new or used

 

[AndrettiDog]

I just push the sled off on my deck. sled just slides right off. I suppose not all decks/ramps are the same though.

 

[ak]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt4Y4uiyBiA

 

[TNTCOPP]

Get something like this one and you never have to even get up on the deck to unload. They are made by HI-Lite in BC. Had one - worked great.

http://www.lufttrailers.com/detail.html?itemid=189

 

[Reeffzilla]

I have reverse and still push it off easy -Reeff-

 

[snowmanx]

Easiest way I've found is to grab the track and roll it backwards....other thing is I never use the ramp anymore to unload, I just let her drop off.

 

[hypnotoad]

that sounds like a sure fire way to blow out my shocks having the sled drop 5 feet

 

[snowmanx]

that sounds like a sure fire way to blow out my shocks having the sled drop 5 feet

Ya really think so? I think they take a lot more pounding than that down the trail, even if you don't jump......

Anybody else think so, now I'm curious.

 

[Xrider]

I never use the ramp anymore to unload, I just let her drop off.

I can't even imagine doing that. My deck was on a 3/4 ton Dodge and it was way up there.

 

[JMCX]

Before you pull the ramp out roll the sled backwards from the rear by pulling on the track lugs (takes little effort). Bring it close to the tipping point, then after you put the ramp in place it is very easy to lift from the front and let gravity do most of the rest. Keeping the skis aligned takes practice.

If I bombed my sled off my deck it would first land on the rear bumper then the carbides would come down my tailgate/bumper.

 

[ridgeclimber]

sled deck

I would suggest getting a newer sled deck with the telescoping sides and a 11ft telescoping ramp. I had a home made sled deck with the full sized deck and a less then 8ft ramp. I hated using it. It was little intimating to load with that short ramp and with no sides on the deck. Then unloading with the short ramp I would catch my mud flap if I would drive it down the ramp. I now have a Full-Lotus deck with the telescoping sides and the 11ft ramp. What a dream to use. It is the most heavy duty deck I have seen and I have looked hard at them all. I use it for sledding and atv's as well. I was also tired of having to repair all the stress cracks on the lighter duty and home made decks every season. Plus now for spring riding you have the traction from the weight on the truck and you still can turn around easily. Good luck.

 

[Tec]

Gravity is your friend!

 

[Scott]

so in other words it's not a big deal and shouldn't steer me away from getting one

Right. Not a big deal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt4Y4uiyBiA

I never load as fast as that guy does. I do get hung up sometimes but I error on the safe side of not crashing into the back of the window. LOL