sled deck

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Well new project on the go yet again, decided to throw together a sled deck for the dually, it will be 100" wide x 106' long deck w/ 1ft beaver tail. had built an aluminium one for my previous lifted duramax but sold it with the truck. This time I decided to go with steel and black it out to match the truck, I didn't mind the aluminium one but was sick of the material fatigue cracks, and how high maintainence aluminium is to keep looking good. will have this one professionally box liner'd, smoke LED lights. Still in the early stages but this is what I was able to get done today, main frame and side rails all 3" x 1 1/2" x 1/8" main frame, and        2 x 1 x 1/8 crossmemembers,  9' 6" ramp, headache rack, super glides, and super clamps for the sleds, wired LED lighting underneath so itll light up the box when you open the tailgate. Just picked up our first mig machine for the shop as we have a large structural platform job coming up, we do almost exclusively pressure work but I must say for this job the mig is the cats ***, "convienient timing on the new mig machine! "  the deck will be home for two turbo'd skidoo freeride 146s ! also the deck is going on a dually for those weight police out there... lol Attached ImagesLast edited by Pressure_Welder; 12-01-2013 at 01:10 AM.
Reply:If jealousy is a sin, Im sinnin rite now.
Reply:Subscribed. I have the bottom frame for a sled deck (actually used for quads) in my shop waiting to be welded together.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Here is my Sketchup of what I have planned. Mine is going on a new body style black Dmax also but with SRW. I want a folding dovetail because it has to clear my toyhauler.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:cool design on the folding dovetail raptor. Unfortunately for us iam "making mine to fit both my long box and friends shortbox" well have an adjustable base that slides forward and backward via bolt holes. and then to get the style of ramp we want it will be sitting out on the dove tail by about a foot. Basically the ramp is set up so you never have to lift it, slide it out and it locks on the dovetail and slides either way. This is just my personal opinion but throw on some mounting plates on the bottom to put maybe 4 bolts through the box itself, for myself I just don't trust "only" 4 turnbuckles like most of the manufacturers use. Ill be using the 4 turn buckles plus 4 bolts. To make it easier so I am not crawling under the truck all the time ill just leave 4 bolts in place by keeping the bolts bolted in with maybe 2" of extra thread in one of the valley corregations in your box, then the mounting plate will spread across two upper corregations in the box, the nut you already have on your bolt will prevent your mounting plate from collapsing, throw on your washer/nut and your laughin! of course drill oversize by maybe 1/8 - 3/16"..... also have made a set of 2 jacks that makes unloading the deck by yourself a breeze, tighten up the jacks to the outside of your deck frame, lift it 1-2" out of the box and drive away, same goes for loading. Essentially just like a truck camper.
Reply:I too plan on a jack system to lift it off. I'll probably use a couple sidewinder tongue jacks. I'm going with the turnbuckles but mine will just be traveling down the freeway and will all but rest on the bed rails. I'll put some foam on the underside to minimize damage from contact. As for ramps, I really need to be about 12' to be able to ride them up. 10' would be pushing it and if I go that way (cheaper) I'd probably go with a winch system for loading.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:So does the beaver tail just fold down? or up underneath the back of the track? Or does I detach and store with the ramps?
Reply:well had a chance to put some hours in yesterday working on the deck, everything is coming together quite nicely, however making it fit a shortbox ford 1 ton, and a long box gmc NBS 1 ton has proven to be fun! got the deck in and maybe got a little horny on the height however my tool box in the bed is what I was allowing for, kinda looks like I could lower it another 2" and still be fine, so I THINK I am going to take 2" out of the legs and re-weld, its not really a height/loading thing more of an asthetics. I also incorporated a large "clamp" mechanism at the front that utilizes my fifth wheel hitch bed rails which go to the frame..... I just don't trust 4 turnbuckles, so ill have the one big clamp in the front, and two turnbuckles in the rear. Attached Images
Reply:couple more of the dovetail w/ ramp sitting flush at the end of it Attached Images
Reply:What's the difference between a dove tail and a beaver tail?Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Hmm I like the idea of using the hitch as a tie down point
Reply:joker, their the same thing just different wording! yes the fifth wheel hitch rails are a great place to tie into as their right to the frame.
Reply:Oh, it's looking great. Nice skidoo  by the way. Keep us posted.PlasmaCam CNC cutterLathe and Band SawClamps