Carrying a Snowmobile

Hi,
I devised the following way to carry a snowmobile in my 2022 Tacoma TRD OffRoad Access Cab. As the Tacoma tailgate is supposedly unable to bear the full weight of a sled and rider, I designed something around this bed extender.



I cut the extender down to the shortest length possible which puts it about a foot past the end of the tailgate. I then stabilized it with some flat steel and wedged thin metal into its joints to minimize rocking. I bolted a 2x4 onto it off of which I hung 3 joist hangers.



The platform deck sits atop rips of plywood that are joined house-of-cards style for easy removal. The long rips are wheel-well height and the short ones are shallow enough for the longest ramp I could find to fit underneath when it’s folded up. The top of the platform is three pieces of plywood that just butt together and sit there. I did put a couple of slits in the front piece so that I could get my tie-downs connected to the D-rings in the bed.


Between the extender and the platform I cut plywood “triangles” that sit on the truck bed on one end and on the joist hangers on the other, all the while not resting on the tailgate.


I included a hinged door through which to access and stow the ramp.



I finally put a couple coats of Wood Iron on everything.

Wanting to test it out, I drove over to a friend’s where we loaded up his behemoth 4-stroke and then drove it around on some local dirt roads.



Initial findings
I did not anticipate the track sagging down along the slanted part, making it impossible to open the door to restow the ramp. I have a couple of ideas to temporarily lift the back end as I would prefer to keep the ramp underneath the platform at all times.
I will need a 1” longer bed bolt on the non-ramp storage side to help with sled theft deterrence.
I haven't yet tested handling at freeway speeds. I may need to add something like SumoSprings in the back.

HTH someone,

Jay

Legal disclaimer: don’t try this yourself or you will die.

 

Nice well thought out.

Most just run a sheet of plywood, the weight of the sled is mostly in the front so its not a MAJOR concern, but it 100% a valid concern.

I think the big problem is you run into sag big time. We put fresh springs on my sisters tacoma and used add-a-leafs and it still screams when the sled is in the rear.

I'd do airbags if we did it again.

 

Tailgate isn't able to hold a sled? Mines lasted 3 seasons.

 

Let us know how it holds up.

 

Jus Send It..!!

 

I used to just use the extender and lift the back of the sled up to rest on the T-bar portion. Figured it helped to shift some of the weight forward back onto the skis and most of the rest on the hitch rather than the end of the tailgate.

 

Interesting. I'd read of guys "folding" their tailgates which is what sent me down this path.

 

Flag the tread.

 

I think i found the “ Problem ”.. is that a Yamaha RX 1Ton.. jk good job. That was my buddies sled brought home for him (cost 1/2 as much as my truck) had couple people warn me bout tailgate. If & when i haul mine ill prob just do 3/4 plywood all the way back jus passed tailgate. Good luck & Good riding.

 

Been running my homemade deck for 12 yrs now. I have a summit 165, pic below was my 154. Truck rides great, just need HD Dakars and airbags. And I have space for gear under the deck

 

Ha. Yes, that's the beast. I figure if the platform held up under it, I'd be good with any other sled.
Thanks,
Jay

 

Nice piece of fabrication backed up with 12 years of use.
I'm hoping my long bed may put the load close enough to the rear axle that I won't need to mess with my truck's suspension. Time will tell,
Jay

 

Roadmaster active suspension for the rear.

 

Seems like a lot of work to put it in the bed why not just drag a trailer?

 

Makes too much sense!

 

i was confused why you were worried about the tailgate not handling the weight of a sled when ive seen people doing it and doing it myself without issue for 15 years on my 2 tacomas. then i seen it was a yamaha. understandable...

 

Depending on where you ride you may not be able to bring a trailer and find parking. Also there could be some single track logging roads making it difficult to turn around. At least where I am in the mountains this can be the case.

 

When I first got my Tacoma I actually bought the access cab 6' bed to carry my sled. I have 8,000+ KM driven with this set up. I have had no issues with it. When I first got the truck I thought I was going to need to do something fancy to fit in in the back, but in all honesty it works without doing anything other then just having a trifold ramp. Only thing I'd do over again is PPF my tailgate, as the back roads have really chewed up my tailgate.

I used to have stock leaf springs and they were fine, the OME springs I use now are better.





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towing a trailer sucks when you can just drive it into the pan. unless you have enclosed sleds get buried in salt and sand too. also got my access cab specifically for loading sled and quad. only thing with a sled is front end needs to be under 39" wide to fit between wheels wells. icon rxt leafs on option 1 sag a bit but work fine (cut front fenders make it look squatted but its actually level)

 

Awesome setup! Thanks for sharing this