Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed: Too short for sled?

JJ · Jun 11, 2008

Ive never had a sled before so Im not sure about the logistics of this, but I REALLY dont wanna have to put a trailer on the back of my truck, is there any way something like an RMK 800 156" will fit in the bed? Looks like the bed is 5 ft long plus the height of the tailgate when its open. I am sure a decent amount will hang off the edge, but does anyone else do this setup and just tie it in really well and does it work for you OK? I am trying to convince my dad take this truck and get me one with a longer bed but it might not happen so here I am asking. I used the search function to no avail so forgive me if this topic has been covered before. Thanks guys!

xsummitx · Jun 11, 2008

it will work you just will hav a couple of feet of sled sticking out the back.a good ratchet strap will keep it in there.i have hauled sleds with much less of a vehical.and i had a buddy once haul on top of his escort wagon,just back it up to a snow bank and drive it.i laugh still when i think about it and it makes for a great story on crazy things.

Ex-Member · Jun 11, 2008

I'm in the same boat you are... I drive a dodge ram 1500 short bed, and really don't want to deal with a trailer and all the maintenence/fees/storage associated with one. My RMK 900 151" fits nicely in the bed with 1-2" between the ski and the wheel well. The tail end does stick out a bit, watch yourself when you're backing up or making a tight turn. I go a little crazy with tiedowns, one over each A-arm and one over the track in the back but it doesn't move once it's in there. Also watch your height, the windshield on my sled when it's loaded up sits about 8'6'' off the ground, so most drive-throughs are out of the question.

As far as a ramp goes, I have an Oxlite 11889 (Middle one at , got mine through handiramp.net) and it works great. Mine was around $300 but it's a real nice ramp. Tie it tight to the hitch and don't go too fast up the ramp, the back window and bodywork will run you about $1200

The one thing I would do if you get one of those is epoxy the rubber things on.

I don't have a picture, otherwise i'd post it here :\

Edit: I do have a picture of this though:

JJ · Jun 11, 2008

awesome thanks guys, thats great news! Another thing I worry about is there are only two tie down points in the bed, both are on the rear end of the bed just a couple of inches from the tailgate. Its just one ring bolted to the bed on each side and Im not sure how strong they are, I might have to get a dealer to put some more in for me if they even do that, itd be a lot nicer if there were two more places to tie down on the side closer to the cab, but I guess beggers cant be choosers eh?

JJ · Jun 11, 2008

Mule said:
Edit: I do have a picture of this though:

That is great! didnt damage the roof getting it off?

Ex-Member · Jun 11, 2008

heh, couldn't tell you about the car... found that pic on "teh interwebs".

As far as tiedowns in front, sounds like you're SOL there. I have two in the front corners I hook to. Might be able to hook to the bed if it's got the holes up on the rails. A load-lock may be another option.

Do you have a bedliner in there? If not, the skaggs are gonna tear the hell out of the paint. Mine's rhino-lined and it's holding up fine with the exception of a small area on the edge of the tailgate where the skis pop over it loading and unloading.

JJ · Jun 11, 2008

im good on the bedliner, its under warranty for the life of the cars lease

Hopefully Ill be able to get tie downs installed in the front for not too expensive...

team dirt · Jun 12, 2008

im runnin the same truck, sled wont fit between the wheel well and sits totally crooked. build a small deck that fits in box like a normal sled deck just for one sled only and bolt it through the box. then make tie downs on the deck for the sled. that way you can make it hang over the back end of the box over the tailgait. just make sure you put some plate under the box for backing on the tie down bolts. also there is a service bulletin on the tailgates to strengthen them because they bend way to easy. also one to replace rear suspension leafs on 05 and 06 models.more than enough power to pull 4 sleds on a four place trailer though, just add a trailer break controller and your set. airbags are a nice touch to for load leveling.

maluchm · Jun 12, 2008

With my Dakota Quad Cab short box it's too narrow between the wheel wells and even a short track is flush with the tailgate down. Still have the dents to prove it from some yahoo jumping his sled into the bed of my truck.

I'll be picking up a 156" REV Roller here soon and wondering where the center of gravity might be on it.

Jaynelson · Jun 12, 2008

In the short bed it would be a stretch for a 156" IMO.....I would buy/build a box for it that extendeds past the tailgate and evens the weight out more.

sled-fiend · Jun 12, 2008

JJ said:
That is great! didnt damage the roof getting it off?

Lol man that is hilarious!!!

05Tacoma · Jun 12, 2008

what you have to do is build a small platform that is just above the wheel wells. this gives you the width you need. also you're gunna want to use this idea for saving your tailgate... when so much pressure is hanging off the back.. it is good to have it elevated on wood so that your tail gate does not crease... ive seen a tacoma or two with a small V in it if you look at their tailgate when it is down due to all the pressure directly on the middle of the gate...what I did was built a little platform that sits over the wheel wells. then a telescoping ply ramp that is reinforced.. works nicely.
good luck.. but to answer the question.. it is deffinately not too short.. you just need to take some pressure off the tailgate.. and get it above the wheel wells if it will not fit .

Ex-Member · Jun 13, 2008

Most of the weight's in the front, there really isn't all that much on the tailgate aside from when you're loading/unloading. Been running that way all winter and haven't had a problem with the tailgate yet, latches just as well now as it did when i bought it. Just make sure the cables aren't worn.

But if the sled won't fit in there, yes... a deck's about the only way to go.

Rob1334 · Jun 13, 2008

I have an explorer sport trac I need to try and fit my 144" in, according to the specs the ski's should fit by 2 cm, haha, I just need a friend to see if it is true or not. What are you guys using to build the platforms, I need something so I don't have to drag the sled trailer around everywhere...

KMMAC · Jun 13, 2008

Have a friend with a nissan, he built a ramp/ sled bed that puts the skis up over the roof line. Built a mount to fit the ball added a small winch and has the whole thing slide in and out of the truck. It's pretty slick, drops the tailgate pushes a button to reverse the winch, sled slides out of the truck. When he loads he has a locking lever to hold the slide in place, then rides the sled up on the ramp ties it down, slides the whole thing into the truck with the winch locks the slide down and drives off! The main frame bolts to the bed and it and the ramp sit just above the closed tail gate. You have to build the frame that fits the ball around the tailgate when it is down.

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Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed: Too short for sled?

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