Another Deck Question

[Radar78]

Can I put it on my half ton? Just kidding.

I found a good deal on good Marathon deck but the only problem is is that it’s only 7 feet long. Is that too short for 153/162 tracked sleds? That would be a lot of overhanging track would it not?

 

[catmando]

It will work, only 3 ft of track hangin out !

 

[catmando]

If that deck don’t pan out I got this one for sale

 

[Stg2Suby]

The shorter 7' deck will work but there is a drawback. Because only the front of the skid is being supported the front shock compresses and the skid tends to hang down at an angle. The angle creates force that causes the the machine to want to move backward over time. Just needs to be tied down securely ie: extra strap from bumper to the headache rack is what I did. Another thing you can do is fab up a 12" or so extension platform that rests on the rear crossmember, just slip this under the track once the machine is loaded.

 

[250mark1]

7 ft deck with a 163 xm only has about three paddles touching the deck with over 4ft hanging off

 

[Bnorth]

7ft is nice because you don't get salty slushy crap raining down all over you when you need in the tailgate as opposed to the 8' that collects grime all winter but it's a bit short for a mountain sled. The back end will sag, get an extension for the best of both worlds.

 

[Ballzdeep]

Mine the same as 250mark1 said. I got maybe 3 paddles touching on my 7ft deck with a 163" Get a Superclamp up front and one ratchet strap across the track and ya good ta go.

 

[Radar78]

Well plans changed quickly today and I sealed the deal on a different 8 foot marathon. Thanks for the input though guys.

 

[captain extreme]

I have never had a problem with sleds sagging off the back of a 7' whether its a 154 or 163, but see everyone else having problems. They should be pulled over, seen ppl with just a superclamp and the sled hanging completely off and 1/2 on to boot.

 

[Teth-Air]

7ft is nice because you don't get salty slushy crap raining down all over you when you need in the tailgate as opposed to the 8' that collects grime all winter but it's a bit short for a mountain sled. The back end will sag, get an extension for the best of both worlds.

HAHA, only guy who will try to sell us on the fact that having a short one is better than having a long one! Try that one on your wife. Maybe you can bring your extension ; )

 

[Bnorth]

HAHA, only guy who will try to sell us on the fact that having a short one is better than having a long one! Try that one on your wife. Maybe you can bring your extension ; )

Lol well I've tried the long ones and the short ones and settled on a short one... kinda like your wife

 

[norona]

Just a heads up, this year I have seen three separate occasions where guys lost their sleds off their decks due to too much track hanging off and when the truck hits a bump or road compression the suspension compresses and it forces the front end of the sled up and Superclamp's were never designed to hold down the front of the sled that way. You can do what you want of course but you should have at least 3/4 of the sled on the deck. If you dont the smartest thing to do is have two tie downs on either side of the front of the sled going to the deck as back ups

 

[nathan#19]

If the superclamp wasn't desighned to hold down the front of a sled..... what WAS it desighned for!!??

 

[Teth-Air]

If the superclamp wasn't desighned to hold down the front of a sled..... what WAS it desighned for!!??

They work great holding it down but if the sled gets pulled backward and to the side the ski can slip out from under the clamp. Some skis have a rough texture and others smooth, this and how tight you set the clamp are key to success.

 

[norona]

If the superclamp wasn't desighned to hold down the front of a sled..... what WAS it desighned for!!??

Sorry if you don't get different energy forces, the superclamp was designed to hold your sled down on the deck when the snowmobile is full supported. if you have only 3 paddles or 1/3 of your skid on the deck when you hit a road bump the rear end will compress, the force is then sent to the front end in an upward force, basically like pulling the bumper straight up with a lot of force. I have seen superclamps fold in half from this force as well as the bold pull through the nut, I dont know how to explain to you any better than that. It will hold like that until it fails. You may have been doing it like this for three years, but that does not make it safe. It is also not a warranty if that happens. Those three sleds that fell off their deck, were right off's, this has nothing to do with the strength of superclamps, this has everything to do with loading properly. And the sled does not have to be pulled back further for this to happen, all though if it is, it will happen also. I have yet to be contacted by one slipping out. Again not making this stuff up, it is what we see and just passing the info on to save the same happening to someone else. cheers dave

 

[nathan#19]

Ohh I understand energy forces. .. I also understand load ratings of securement devices. I am now reconsidering use of a device that is substandard according to what you are saying.

 

[sledn]

Ohh I understand energy forces. .. I also understand load ratings of securement devices. I am now reconsidering use of a device that is substandard according to what you are saying.

No tie down is designed for 1/2 the sled hanging past the deck— common sense says all weight behind wheels is just wrong. That’s why they make long boxes and long decks.

 

[hbar218]

Ohh I understand energy forces. .. I also understand load ratings of securement devices. I am now reconsidering use of a device that is substandard according to what you are saying.

i dont see where he said it was substandard, he said it was designed to support sled with track supported properly.

 

[norona]

"Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." -Unknown

 

[sc800]

So true!