Sled Deck

[Bradzoo]

My Chevy is 6'6" sorry took so long got busy washing, wax and winterizing the boat last nite.

 

[blutooth]

tilltheend-
thanks for the input. I agree with you, however I can't weld aluminum so I have to pay someone... for me starting with the frame is the most cost effective (even though not the most desirable outcome). Looks like materials for the frame will be around $350 and welding at $300 or so, plus the cost of the trailer.

Looks like Midwest Metal Warehouse had the best pricing and best selection. I bought everything in 21' sections for tubes and 16' sections for angles and channels (standard extrusion sizes). I will provide a final list of materials once everthing is complete (in case I forgot anything).

Bradzoo-
That is exactly what I was looking for. I need to get started on my boat too!

Giga-
Yes, the truck camper tie downs are an option, but I'd rather keep everything inside the bed. The ties I have aren't galvanized or anything and winter really beats them up. I have called Chrysler to ask about the load capacity of the tie downs in the bed, but they don't know what it is... I'm guessing they are not strong enough though...

 

[skeedoo]

Blutooth, I've been told to not use the tie downs in any truck bed for fastening the deck to. If you happen to get a little squirly, which we all do chasing these snowstorms, you want those sleds/deck to be part of the vehicle. Unfortunelty bolting down is the best option.

 

[scott_b]

I am sure a couple of sheet metal screws will be more than sufficient to tie the deck to the truck

 

[techsledder]

With what Cuzz stated, it looks like I shouldn't have a problem with 5'8" for the frame to sit inside a short box dodge. Chevy and Ford would be good (I'm not brand loyal - I'm a truck indenpendant).

FYI, My 09 F250 Crew Cab shorty is 78.5" L X 63" W on the inside of the box flanges.

 

[zimmbob]

Blutooth's camper is in the truck box - thats a pic of it on this thread. (I remember when you posted that pic from a snowy's trip last year)

Damn cuz beat me to the punchline why don't ya!!

oh Duh.... maybe i should look at the picture next time....

 

[blutooth]

Update

Well I have an update for everyone ont he sled deck progress. Ordered the metal from Midwest Metals Warehouse in Menomonee Falls. They delivered for $10, which was nice because all of the pieces were 21' long. The total metal bill was more than I was hoping for at about $450, but I beefed up a couple of the different parts. I'd rather have too much metal than not enough when there are 2 sleds sitting up there.

Right now the legs and channels are welded to the existing trailer. the headache rack is complete and waiting to be welded on. I found a local welder who is a really great welder but he has a pretty old welding machine so it is taking some time to heat the aluminum before welding it - You can really tell which welds were properly heated prior to welding, they are a lot prettier...

So far we are about a 10 beer job with I am guessing another 10 beers to go with the ramp. Pictures are a little poor since they were taken at night in a poorly lit garage...

Ramp Mockup in my driveway (will be 2 sections)

Fully welded headache rack - to be mounted to deck tonight

Leg welded to deck

Blutooth

 

[catssuk]

Blutooth, Can't help you on the alumimun but I snapped a few pics of a homemade sled deck I saw out in Colorado last year that may not help much with your project but I did think the long dovetail on the back of the deck made pretty good sense, basically you could have a shorter loading ramp with that setup. Only thing with it being longer is it harder to get big items in/out of the truck bed. I also took a more detailed video with my helmet cam that shows his design a bit better, if you want to see that let me know and I'll dump it to youtube so you can view it. The last 2 pics are of a manufactured sled deck by Marathon - looked pretty basic. Good luck with your project, I'll be curious of how you did it and how it works for you. I'm still debating on which deck to get or whether to build my own.

hey thats my truck,heres some better picks. basically i used heavy walled 1" square tubing, its 8.5' wide and 9' long, with a 2' beavertail, and i can pull any trailer with this set up. the 1" is strong enuf, but i went pretty heavy underneath,5 bars across the 8.5 width and every 18" on the 9' length,i finished it with 5/8" plywood and superclamps,and put on over 12000 miles out west this year with no problems at all, my ramp is 10' long only because my truck sits a little high. if i build another i would use 1x2' tubing instead, chris

 

[lenny]

beautiful setup!

 

[blutooth]

That is a sweet setup. I was afraid of the beavertail (from a fabrication standpoint), but that sure makes it looks easy. Mine is getting there. The plywood and wiring come next!

I bought an old bedliner off Craigslist for $25 for the ski guides on the ramp and I just need to figure out the ramp assembly process so it is strong.

Ramp not yet assembled

Sliding ramp compartment

 

[Bradzoo]

Looks good so far

 

[tilltheend]

Looks good! They are the way to travel thats for sure. I guess were going to fab up a pair in a few weeks here...Im guessing its a at least a 30 pak job each... Let me know how that ramp works out, thats the one thing we havent really figured out yet, I was thinking telescopic out to 12' but the way you did it would be a lot simpler.