Sled Deck Swaying

[Irocaz]

I have a 7' Marlon Xplore II deck in a CC/SB Duramax and I will haul 2 sleds at a time or a SXS with a riser mounted on top. The deck is turn buckled and bolted to the box with the Marlon feet/levelers.

When I'm just hauling sleds I have no concerns unless I'm on a logging and I will see the deck swaying side to side a bit but not too bad. When I got the SXS on I can also see a bit of sway normal driving if there is any bumps, but on a bad gravel road or logging road there is a quite a bit in the sled deck itself and the box of the truck starts rocking around.

The Marlon has the deck itself is rated for 2,000lbs and I am probably around 1,750 with the riser/SXS/strapping/mud/etc.

Has anyone had to modify the sled deck to tye the front legs together for extra bracing? For the truck box what about running C-channel across for the sled deck to sit on and mount it into the frame similar to 5th wheel hitch brackets? has anyone actually had their box crack?

 

[TKrebs]

Are the turnbuckles lose when you have the deck fully loaded?

 

[Irocaz]

Hmm I know the rear ones are tight but never crawled in to check the front ones while it was loaded

 

[TKrebs]

That could be the swaying your seeing . I had the same issue . I always had everything nice and tight with nothing on the deck and could never figure out why it swayed a bit when loaded , and found that . With all the weight on it , the deck settles into the box and the turnbuckles pick up a little bit of slack . Adjusting them nice and snug while it was loaded did the trick !

 

[Irocaz]

Awesome, il give that a try next time I get the sxs on there!

 

[captain extreme]

This was my fix for that, SOLID

 

[Irocaz]

That’s a great idea!

where/ how did you attach it at the bottom?

I was looking under the truck last night and thinking in the back I’m going to get some 2” square tubing to run between the box and frame And bolt it solid. For the front I’m not 100% sure yet but thinking of running tubing front to back between the box crossmembers and Tying it into the box frame mounts.

 

[Mcstuck87]

This was my fix for that, SOLID//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210108/d94088ad6f66815c06fd07bef1c28953.jpg

Are those dog leashes. Lol

 

[250mark1]

This was my fix for that, SOLID//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210108/d94088ad6f66815c06fd07bef1c28953.jpg

my marathon classic deck has aluminium strapping bars crossed like that in an X bolted to each leg and center bolted in the middle of the X

 

[captain extreme]

Used these, on top and bottom https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/5-000-lb-medium-duty-d-ring-0402775p.html#srp

That’s a great idea!

where/ how did you attach it at the bottom?

I was looking under the truck last night and thinking in the back I’m going to get some 2” square tubing to run between the box and frame And bolt it solid. For the front I’m not 100% sure yet but thinking of running tubing front to back between the box crossmembers and Tying it into the box frame mounts.

 

[captain extreme]

my marathon classic deck has aluminium strapping bars crossed like that in an X bolted to each leg and center bolted in the middle of the X

ya my marathon and marlon came with similar, but was to flimsy. Had build solid square tubing and X braced top to bottom welded and bolted, was much more solid than the strapping bars. They just didn't fit in the Chev 2020 box the way I wanted them too, so went this route. Saved my homemade bars for future use if Chev changes the box design again

 

[captain extreme]

Are those dog leashes. Lol

Lol, nope... Old cables I have from Pipe Lowering Cradles, owned Pipeline Const. Business once upon a time

 

[overkill19]

I’d check welds for cracks while crawling up front. Side to side movement and sled deck welds don’t mix well. Some decks are slapped together as quick as possible and the welding is sub par

 

[Bezzola]

My sons turnbuckles kept coming loose in the front so i double nutted them and we ran cross cables.

 

[800tundra]

My marlon explore had all four feet crack from swaying . Added some stiffeners to the feet , but still sways a lot. Cable Bracing etc. would help

 

[skegpro]

My marlon explore had all four feet crack from swaying . Added some stiffeners to the feet , but still sways a lot. Cable Bracing etc. would help

Bolted or turnbuckles?

 

[Beels]

my marathon classic deck has aluminium strapping bars crossed like that in an X bolted to each leg and center bolted in the middle of the X

Full Lotus was the same way. Crossed bracing on the front legs. There's a removable cross bar for the back legs too, but it restricted bed access underneath so I didn't use it. Bolted in to the box, no turnbuckles, no sway with 2 sleds.

 

[Irocaz]

Took the deck to a welder and he came up with this

 

[mammothdecks]

Full Lotus was the same way. Crossed bracing on the front legs. There's a removable cross bar for the back legs too, but it restricted bed access underneath so I didn't use it. Bolted in to the box, no turnbuckles, no sway with 2 sleds.

We currently use schedule 40 and schedule 80 aluminum piping all throughout our decks. This has proven a massive difference in any sway and the durability of our decks.

 

[1200]

Ya most of these cheap decks are made so shitty. Who would not put braces on the legs . Just makes u wonder who designs this ch!t. I always just make my own deck.