Tuff Lift experience....

[ferniesnow]

We are back and somewhat relieved, although I still have a nagging thought deep in my brain. Canada Customs put a scare of a lifetime into my wife and I. Some people close to us are telling us that we should turn the tide around and lodge a complaint. I have decided to let sleeping dogs lie. I don’t need the hassle of going through their BS anytime soon.

I don’t really know where to start. The purchase process was as good as it could have been given the circumstances; COVID was still affecting supply chains, the owner/fabricator suffered a heart attack and has had two stints put in. My deck, even though it was ordered in December of 2022, still wasn’t started yet. He offered a used one that he took in from a previous customer, I decided to take that as it has a few extras that I didn’t order and it was too my advantage in that I would at least get a deck. Booked the hotel 4 times for the installation due to problems with the guys health. Once we got there and went through the process, everything was the way it should be.
Installation was only two hours (he waved the $200 installation charge for me being such a patient customer) and he quickly made out a bill of sale for a used deck.

When we got to Canada Customs, the agents weren’t happy with the way the guy made out the bill of sale. We were there for three hours. They phoned the manufacturer 2 times, did a search on Snow and Mud (I told them that I got my information about the build for the site and they found out my handle name from searching the site), threatened to impound the truck and deck, and around and around we went for 3 hours. Some items that I bought weren’t on the bill of sale (the metal strips along the sides of the SuperGlides and some SuperGlide hooks) and I paid cash and we totally forgot about them on the bill of sale. We lost a little sleep for about a week waiting for “their supervisors” to come to the house and possibly confiscate our goods. It has been 6 weeks and I think it was just a small crossing, the agents were bored, and they decided to make us sweat. That we did....

I ordered his lift for a long box, no SuperGlides, and 12” wings for a 8’3” overall width. I ended up with a shortened frame that will fit a short box (resulting in about 18” of storage between the frame and the tailgate), a new pump and a new battery, as well as 2 Condor wheel chocks for motorcycles (ideal for our eBikes), and a large roll out storage tray.

Tim is great to deal with but a little disorganized and way too busy for a one man shop. He work is top notch and he builds a solid deck.

 

[ferniesnow]

Pictures are following.

 

[ferniesnow]

We hadn’t had a holiday since the beginning of COVID and treated ourselves at the Quest Casino and Resort in Spokane. A beautiful stay and very stylish native art and adornments.
The first sunset like that since I left the flatland years ago, the casino was good to us, the Copenhagen is $4.25 US a can, and some of the American flags in peoples' yards are huge.

 

[ferniesnow]

 

[rknight111]

Nice deck Doug, Sorry you had such a bad time at the border. Glad its over.

 

[2kDoo]

If Border Security is reading this you guys are a bunch of overpaid A holes.
He clearly bought the deck used, and forgot to tell the guy to write a bill of sale as is/where is used, for 200 dollaers. Guy you bought it off of must have forgot and if he was called by Border Security he would tell them ya I sold this used POS deck to someone. cash deal

 

[ippielb]

I bought my deck used in Canada, but it didn't have the folding sides or the third sled mount. I drove down to Tim to get the sides and third sled mount on it. Then brought a second deck up to Saskatoon on my way back. He had it all done in a day, my deck done, other deck loaded and strapped down ready to go. I went up to Canada through Idaho and i had zero issues at the border crossing with my work done, and the second new deck. Sad to hear he had a heart attack. And i also agree with you, hes far too busy. But quality control being a one man show. A hired hand may not take the pride he does,

 

[snopro]

Welcome back to Canadastan Doug! Nothing like a proper welcome home from some of the most power loving government workers on the planet. They could learn a lot from the blokes across the entryway on how to treat their own citizens I have been told. You would have been treated better if you and Bev painted your faces and walked across through the ditch somewhere with suitcases.

 

[bobsledder]

Canada Customs are dicks. I once crossed in Idaho into BC and they asked if the boat I was towing was mine. Never asked me to prove it. Crossing at Coutts they asked me if the snowmobiles on the deck were mine and if we had been snowmobiling?
Why would they even notice the hooks and metal strips?
I doubt you will ever hear from them again.

I used to cross the BC/ Montana border about 25 times a year for waterskiing. The American guys knew our names and basically waved us thru. Coming home was almost always a hassle as they found it hard believe we didn't buy anything.
Funny story, I was down once and forgot my medication so called my friend who was also a pharmacist and asked him to bring a subscription with him. He rolls up to the border in a lifted 4x4 van towing his barefoot nautiqe and they asked him what he did for a living and nature of his visit. He responded he sold drugs for a living and he was making a delivery. I got my prescription but it was delayed. Always respond with yes/no answers.

 

[ferniesnow]

A few hours work and the deck is the way I want it. The back rack bolt ons are added, the winch attachment didn’t work so I mounted it on the front of the deck (the winch will only be insight when I need it otherwise it is stored under the back seat) with the contactor and the controller in the waterproof gray box just inside the tailgate, changed out the clearance lights (there was a dysfunctional light), added SuperGlide ll’s in the configuration for a double or a single sled (being in the middle of the deck) set up, Calibre swivel end pieces so that the skis have a plastic lip to go up, and put on a few SuperClamp hooks.
Works great and we love the fact that we don't have to lift the 60 pound mountain bikes up to tie them down (all that is done flat on the ground). The Condor wheel chocks are awesome and will come off for the winter.

 

[bobsledder]

Nice It's overkill for e mountain bikes but works good

 

[ippielb]

View attachment 272912

One thing I did on mine was went to princess auto and bought a keeper wireless winch remote system. Then just cut the wiring harness and attached it to the winch controller like you have in your little box. You can unplug the wireless receiver from the harness until you know you're going to be using the deck. Nice little remote you can keep in your pocket. And you're in luck, they're on sale.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/wireless-winch-remote-kit/product/PA0008812380

 

[ferniesnow]

One thing I did on mine was went to princess auto and bought a keeper wireless winch remote system. Then just cut the wiring harness and attached it to the winch controller like you have in your little box. You can unplug the wireless receiver from the harness until you know you're going to be using the deck. Nice little remote you can keep in your pocket. And you're in luck, they're on sale.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/wireless-winch-remote-kit/product/PA0008812380

Great idea. Thanks Brendon.

 

[2kDoo]

That's a sweet looking deck !
How do you like it compared to the other truck/deck you were using ? This setup seems way better, still having the box to use on occasion

 

[ferniesnow]

That's a sweet looking deck !
How do you like it compared to the other truck/deck you were using ? This setup seems way better, still having the box to use on occasion

Thanks Kevin. I haven’t really got to use it that much yet. I am pretty sure that it will be easier than all the lifting I had to do with the old truck. Saws, generator, air compressor, building materials, etc. were getting to be awkward. I’m not a spring chicken anymore! So loading flat on the ground and lifting with the push of a button will be great.
The sled loading will be awesome and no problems with sloped staging areas.

The box area will be a little bit of a learning curve as the hydraulics and frame take up a lot of space. I do have a big roll out storage tray (4’ long x 3’ wide, and 18” high). I don’t know how waterproof the under side of the deck will be and only time will tell.

 

[ippielb]

Thanks Kevin. I haven’t really got to use it that much yet. I am pretty sure that it will be easier than all the lifting I had to do with the old truck. Saws, generator, air compressor, building materials, etc. were getting to be awkward. I’m not a spring chicken anymore! So loading flat on the ground and lifting with the push of a button will be great.
The sled loading will be awesome and no problems with sloped staging areas.

The box area will be a little bit of a learning curve as the hydraulics and frame take up a lot of space. I do have a big roll out storage tray (4’ long x 3’ wide, and 18” high). I don’t know how waterproof the under side of the deck will be and only time will tell.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/100-litre-storage-box/product/PA0008999146

I bought two of these, they fit sideways underneath my deck in my roll out box. Not sure if the designs changed since your deck is newer then mine. But with two in there i was able to pack them completely full of tools, parts, supplies etc. right up to the top of the container. So i don't feel like i lost out on too much space. I could've fit three, but i wanted the end of the roll out tray to be open so i can shove my tarp off my sled in there and oil.

 

[tex78]

Copy cat lol


Yes the wireless key fob function is great , but I still use the control to lift it

Keep a eye on it when lifting

Had to turn up the pump to lift this byotch lol

Sent from my SM-G991W using Tapatalk

 

[ferniesnow]

https://www.princessauto.com/en/100-litre-storage-box/product/PA0008999146

I bought two of these, they fit sideways underneath my deck in my roll out box. Not sure if the designs changed since your deck is newer then mine. But with two in there i was able to pack them completely full of tools, parts, supplies etc. right up to the top of the container. So i don't feel like i lost out on too much space. I could've fit three, but i wanted the end of the roll out tray to be open so i can shove my tarp off my sled in there and oil.

You are full of good ideas Brendon. The tray was a bonus to me as I didn’t order one. The wheel chocks were also a bonus. I have a few nagging thoughts about buying a used deck but they are slowly going to the back of mind with the more little things that I get done with this one.

 

[ferniesnow]

Copy cat lol


Yes the wireless key fob function is great , but I still use the control to lift it

Keep a eye on it when lifting

Had to turn up the pump to lift this byotch lol

Sent from my SM-G991W using Tapatalk

The key fob is just for the winch Geoff. I have two controllers to raise and lower the deck; one is a small keyless fob and the other is a big assed plug in controller. If the batteries go dead in the small wireless (it has happened once this summer) fob, then I plug in the other one and because it works on the truck battery power, one can still lift/lower the deck.
You are absolutely correct about keeping an eye on it when in operation.

 

[TylerG]

The key fob is just for the winch Geoff. I have two controllers to raise and lower the deck; one is a small keyless fob and the other is a big assed plug in controller. If the batteries go dead in the small wireless (it has happened once this summer) fob, then I plug in the other one and because it works on the truck battery power, one can still lift/lower the deck.
You are absolutely correct about keeping an eye on it when in operation.

other than losing the box space I think these decks are awesome, we have a friend with one, and to tie down, tarp, and everything on the ground is awesome....... I hate climbing around on top of the truck when it's slippery tarping etc.