Hi Everyone, I was wondering if any QC 1500 owners who have actually run a sled deck in their half tons. My plans was for some new shocks as well as air bag. I already own two snowmobile trailers both enclosed and open, but looking for the freedom and late season riding the sled deck offers.


http://www.toyupindustries.com/services.html (my sled deck)

 

I got a very good buddy who I hunt with on occasion had a 2nd Gen 1500 RCLB 4x4 with the ATV deck on the back. He had to put add-a-leafs in but it was fine. We don't tend to see too many snowmobiles here in south Georgia. I think he still has the deck in his back yard, he's driving an Expedition now. Dumba$$ had a plenum leak and ran the truck without oil, burnt the 5.9 up about three years ago.

Thing bounced all over the place on the red clay, washboard roads when he didn't have an ATV on it though, I think you're doing the right thing looking at bags...

 

I haul my sleds on my QC 2500 with a sled deck, I personally would not do so with a half ton, as I feel I am running pretty close to the safe limits of 2500. When you consider the weight of the deck, sleds, tools and gear, you would surely be exceeding the G.V.W.R. of the half ton.

 

400lb sled deck plus two 500lb sleds. thats alot of weight

 

Payload on an '02 shortbed starts at 1520# with the V6 and goes to 1670# with the V8s. Without adding air bags, with the bags, you'll have no issues at all.

If you have a long bed truck, then it starts at at 1590# and goes up to 1820# depending on engine.

Obviously, putting that much weight ON TOP of the bed significantly raises your center of gravity and caution would have to be used when driving, BUT, the truck will handle it...

 

I've towed much heavier loads with my Truck and the brakes did fine and I have ten ply tires so I know they'll hold up. The total pay load will be around 1500 pounds which will be pushing the max for the stock suspension, which is where the air bags come in play to help with body roll and bottoming out. I feel the benefits of having all that weight over the rear axel and not having to deal with a trailer on icy roads and tight parking lots is worth the risk of pushing my gvw