What is a sled deck used for?

Sled decks are incredibly convenient for hauling recreational equipment without having to set up a towing system and trailer. It's also a useful application if you want to tow a travel trailer, boat trailer, horse trailer, etc., while bringing along extra toys like snowmobiles, Jeeps, ATVs and more.

Do I need a sled deck?

Not towing a trailer and having a Sled Deck makes backing, turning around and overall driving easier ! This is especially handy when travelling up snow lodging roads in the winter or chasing that snow line at the end of the season! Your machines are more protected on a Sled Deck from road grime and rocks.

How do you load a sled deck by yourself?

I always unload/load my aluminum 2 sled deck myself. For loading tip it up so it's balancing at a 45 degree angle, so resting on it's rear legs and back of the deck. Then shimmy it over to the truck, lower front onto tailgate. Then simply lift up the back and push it on.

How do you load 3 sleds on a sled deck?

Load the first two sleds like you would normally except pull them forward a ways. Then pull the rear of the two sleds to the outside of the trailor. Put the third sled in backwards between the first two. Strap and cruize,we did this many times and it worked fine.

What were sleds used for?

The earliest sleds were made from animal hide, wood, and bone. These sleds were primarily used as a means of transportation in areas with heavy snowfall . Over time, as other methods of transportation evolved, people began using sleds for leisure activities like racing and sliding down hills.

What are the things on the bottom of a sled called?

Runners: The two bottom pieces of the sled which come in contact with the snow. They extend back of the basket for the driver to stand on. Runner bottoms are usually wood, covered with plastic or Teflon.

Are sled decks universal?

Adjustable Legs. The MULTY® Sled Deck boasts a universal design that makes it a perfect fit for virtually any pickup truck with a long bed (8′) or a short bed (6.5′). Exceptionally versatile, it seamlessly accommodates diverse truck models, transforming them into the ultimate transport vehicles.

Can you sled without snow?

You can use a big plastic sledding saucer, or a toboggan (a sled without runners) with added steering . There are even some sleds made specifically for sledding on dry land if you don't mind shelling out some money.

Can you use a box as a sled?

A sled can be almost anything—even a flat piece of cardboard will do . But our kids loved having one with a back so they could push each other around, and a front so that grown-ups could pull them!

How do you install a deck slide?

You will need at least two people to attach the slide to the deck. It's important to have someone to hold the slide in place while screwing it in. Start by drilling one screw on each side through the slide entrance into the wooden entrance assembly first. Then it will be held in place to finish screwing it in .

Can you float a deck?

Floating decks don't require frost-depth footings because the deck blocks sit on top of the soil . Deck blocks allow homeowners to build a floating deck on uneven ground. Because there is no digging or excavating, you'll spend less on materials and equipment, skipping the back-breaking work.

How much weight can a Marlon sled deck hold?

The standard ramps are rated for 1,500 lbs capacity and the side by side ramp is rated for 600 lbs capacity when used properly as described below. First pull your ramp out of the ramp tray underneath the deck.

What do you put on the bottom of a sled?

"The main thing that I use is candle wax and Pam cooking spray . Those are my top two," King says. "There's a lot of high-tech stuff out there now, different types of waxes that you can put on; they have applicators and it really slicks the bottom of the sled up. But I tend to like the hard candle wax, the paraffin.

Three things you’ll need for mounting a sled deck (2024)

Sled decks for UTVs or MotorcyclesSled decks mounted on truck beds are convenient for hauling recreational equipment without having to set up a towing system and trailer. It’s also a useful application if you tow a travel trailer, boat trailer, horse trailer etc. and want to bring along extra toys like snowmobiles, UTVs and more.

When mounting a sled deck to your truck, there are several truck deck design options available. What you select for your truck bed will depend on what you plan to haul. Types of sled decks include long sled decks, short sled decks, flat decks and angle sled decks.

Recreational truck decks haul:

- Snowmobiles
- Sleds
- Snow Bikes
- ATVs
- UTVs
- Motorcycles
- Reverse trike or trail converted sleds
- Water bikes
- Motorized snow scooters
- Jet Skis

Using snowmobile hold-downs for hauling snowmobiles and other equipment listed above, mount the sled deck with a strong system that ensures safety when on the road. There are several ways people have mounted a truck deck for recreational cargo on their truck:

Frame mounted with external anchor points using a camper tie down system
Through the truck bed to a mounting plate under the box
Bed mounted with existing anchor points in the truck box

Three things you’ll need for a successful sled deck hold-down system, mounting sled decks include:

#1) TURNBUCKLES
Every application for mounting a sled deck requires turnbuckles. Turnbuckles are useful for securing cargo you plan on hauling with the sled deck. Not only do the following Torklift turnbuckles have a locking feature, they are also tool-free and easy to adjust. Let’s take a look at why Torklift turnbuckles are the best option when it comes to strength and convenience.

Option A: Original FastGun Turnbuckle
Torklift International FastGun turnbuckles are the fastest installing turnbuckle available and are used for a variety of applications. This turnbuckle has a quick-disconnect lever action handle that is available in two adjustable lengths to make securing a sled deck, cargo or any type of load exceptionally quick and convenient.

Long Range FastGun

Short Range FastGuns secure cargo
Long Range FastGuns secure truck deck

The body of the turnbuckle is made from 100 percent stainless steel while its handle is made from aircraft grade aluminum. Due to the durability of these materials, each FastGun turnbuckle boasts a pull down rating of 2,500 pounds and has the ability to apply up to 450 pounds of spring-loaded pressure.

Click here to learn more about the FastGun and why it’s the number one selling turnbuckle in the world for campers.

Derringer HandleOption B: Derringer Handle
Add a Derringer Handle to any basic hardware turnbuckle for a simpler way to tie down cargo to a truck bed hauler for ATVs, UTVs and more. The Torklift International Derringer Handle allows quick-disconnect capability and convenience of a FastGun turnbuckle. Deter and prevent theft by using FastGun Locks on the Derringer Handle.

AnchorGuard Derringer turnbuckle

Option C: AnchorGuard Derringer
Depending on your specific sled deck application, the AnchorGuard Derringer mounts the sled deck inside the truck box. If you plan to use bed mounted camper anchor points for mounting the truck deck, use the AnchorGuard Derringer or Short Range FastGun.

All Torklift turnbuckles are made in the USA and covered by Torklift International’s legendary lifetime warranty.

Tie Downs attach directly to truck frame#2) TIE DOWNS
Torklift International recommends mounting a sled deck to a truck bed by using a frame-mounted camper tie down system and FastGun turnbuckles. By attaching directly to the truck frame, achieve higher ratings and stability than a bed-mounted application can provide.

The frame-mounted design fits to specific vehicle makes/models allowing strongest possible attachment to the truck and eliminates any chance of bed and bumper damage.

Talon military grade aluminum Tie DownTalon Aluminum Tie Downs
 As an industry first, Torklift introduced the precision crafted aluminum Talon Tie Downs. They are made from 100% lightweight military grade aluminum alloy making them up to 50% lighter than steel applications. The Talons come with rust free corrosion protection for life.

Mounting a sled deck in addition to recreational equipment will add significant payload. Stay within the load capacity rating of your vehicle by using lightweight material such as the Talon aluminum Tie Downs.

#3) REAR SUSPENSION
StableLoads engaged and disengagedAdding payload to your vehicle may result in poor handling, even if you’re within the GVWR load capacity set by the manufacturer of the vehicle.To help remedy any severe side-to-side sway, porpoising and body roll, install the StableLoad suspension stabilizer to enhance your truck’s suspension.

When StableLoads engage the stronger factory overload leaf springs, the stabilizing effects of the truck’s suspension are activated sooner. By taking up the space within the leaf springs as pictured above, the strength within the springs provides a noticeable improvement in ride quality. With the ability to engage and disengage in seconds, enjoy the convenience of returning to a comfortable factory ride when you’re not hauling with a sled deck.

Jeep Safari event in Moab, UtahTorklift at Moab
Torklift International frame-mounted tie downs, FastGun turnbuckles as sled deck hold-downs and StableLoads provide a safe and stable mounting system for truck decks or sled decks. This year, two-time SEMA award-winning HPA Motorsports Inc. is attending the 2015 Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. As a division of HPA Motorsports, Coty Built is pairing a Volkswagen TDI motor with Jeep’s drivetrain from the flywheel back. Click here for more information on conversions.

People come from all over the world to attend the Moab Jeep Safari, a popular 9-day event that consists of a variety of desert trail rides that promote a recreational four wheeling experience. With food, music and a vendor expo, new 4x4 models are introduced by popular automakers.

Coty Built will haul the Jeep TDI conversion to the Moab event using a custom sled deck.

Custom sled deck for hauling a jeep

To mount the sled deck to the truck, Coty Built is using Talon frame-mounted Tie Downs, FastGun turnbuckles and StableLoad suspension stabilizer. Stay tuned as we follow the upcoming adventure to Moab Jeep Safari.

Coty Built hauls Jeep with custom truck deck while towing trailer

For more information on mounting sled decks with Torklift International tie downs and turnbuckles, feel free to call our Tech Support at 800-246-8003 or visit torklift.com.

Three things you’ll need for mounting a sled deck (2024)

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