Snowmobile Deck with Chev 1500HD

[slednek]

looking at buying a 2003 1500hd and wondering if the 8600 gvw is enough to haul a deck with 2 sleds and sometimes towing a 2 place trailer as well. According to my calculations the deck and 2 sleds are fine, it is the addition of the trailer and extra 2 sleds and personel that may put it over.

Any info would be great.

 

[NosRX1]

My understanding is that BC does not allow a half ton to haul sleds using a sled deck.

 

[TylerG]

I personally would go to a 2500 if I was going to be hauling something like that. In Alberta you would probably be fine, but going into BC you may run into a bit of trouble.

 

[slednek]

the 1500hd basically is a replacement for the regular 2500's from 2000. I would like to go with a 2500hd but from what I have found they usually have more km's than I want or are more $$ than I want to spend.

 

[TylerG]

Give Competition a call, see what they say about the weights, I mean they are the GM dealer, they *should* know best.

 

[slednek]

I've been meaning to. Thank you for reminding me.

 

[Summitric]

WHEN YOU ADD GAS, FLUIDS, BAGS, 2 TO 4 PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE, YOU WILL DEFINATELY BE OVER THE GVW CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE....
FIGURE: 2 X 600LB MACHINES(WITH GAS ETC) = 1200LBS
ALUMINUM SLED DECK(HOPEFULLY) 400LBS
2 X 205LBS MEN(AVERAGE WEIGHT) 410LBS
CLOTHES/BAGS/HELMETS/BOOTS ETC 200LBS
TRUCK FULL OF FUEL 100LBS
_______
2310LBS
ALREADY OVER THE REAR WHEEL GVW NOT TO MENTION EXTRA JERRY CANS, TOOLS, AND NOT TO MENTION THE EXTRA TRAILER AND SLEDS YOU MENTIONED, ETC. .... TRANSPORT CANADA HAD A GOOD SECTION ON TOWING AND GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA HIWAY TRAFFIC ACT AS WELL...... LOOK INTO IT BEFORE YOU BUY.... BEWARE. I KNOW MANY A FOLK WHO TRIED THIS, BUT WERE FINED, OR TRIPS DISRUPTED(ESPECIALLY INTO BC) BY THE "COUNTY MOUNTIES AND RC'S AND ORDERED TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD BEFORE PROCEEDING. GOOD LUCK

 

[slednek]

Thanks, I will definately check out transport canada.

I just want to make sure I am figuring this out correctly.

8600lbs = gvw
5800lbs = truck wt
2400lbs = deck, 2 sleds, 2 guys + fuel and equipment we will srap the extra trailer idea

400lbs under the gvw

rear wheel gvw = 6000lbs and weight distribution is 59% on the front axle, 41% on the rear
Now if it is 41% of the 5800lbs it would = 2378lbs
2378 + 2400 = 4778 which is still under the 6000
I know a regular 1500 rear wheel gvw is around 3700lbs so with the 2400lbs of pay load I would definately be over.


I don't mean to be a pain. If I could find a 2500 with the price,shape and the km's of this truck I would. Basically if I took off the 1500HD symbol, you would think it was a 2500 anyways . It has the 8 bolt axles, not the 6 bolt pattern on the regular 1500, and the heavier leaf springs (5 not 3)

 

[Summitric]

Thanks, I will definately check out transport canada.

I just want to make sure I am figuring this out correctly.

8600lbs = gvw
5800lbs = truck wt
2400lbs = deck, 2 sleds, 2 guys + fuel and equipment we will srap the extra trailer idea

400lbs under the gvw

rear wheel gvw = 6000lbs and weight distribution is 59% on the front axle, 41% on the rear
Now if it is 41% of the 5800lbs it would = 2378lbs
2378 + 2400 = 4778 which is still under the 6000
I know a regular 1500 rear wheel gvw is around 3700lbs so with the 2400lbs of pay load I would definately be over.


I don't mean to be a pain. If I could find a 2500 with the price,shape and the km's of this truck I would. Basically if I took off the 1500HD symbol, you would think it was a 2500 anyways . It has the 8 bolt axles, not the 6 bolt pattern on the regular 1500, and the heavier leaf springs (5 not 3)

I NEVER SAID THIS, BUT PEELING THE 1500HD SYMBOLS OFF AND THEN PUTTING ON AIR BAGS AND HIGHER RATED TIRES(LOAD RANGE E, NOT C OR D) WOULD BE THE WAY TO GO.... I AGREE IT SHOULD DO THE JOB AND THE REAR AIR BAGS WOULD HELP MAKE IT LOOK LEVELLER...... JUST MY $.02 WORTH. WHAT YEAR IS YOUR TRUCK...... I MAY HAVE AN OLD INVENTORY KIT THAT FITS THE "OLDER" BODY STYLE(UP TO 2000), THAT I WILL SELL VERY CHEAP......

 

[slednek]

It is a 2003 crewcab short box that I am looking at buying. It does not have the towing capabilities of a 2500 which, from what the dealer said is the only difference due to the transmission. Other than that it is a 2500 frame, axles, springs etc...

The guy who is selling it just put new BFG AT's 10 ply on ( I'm thinking the 10 ply are e rated) don't know for sure.

I'm still looking for a 2500. But to find one that has under 80,000km's and is in mint condition for under $24,000 is hard.

Thanks for all the help and info.

 

[Summitric]

YUP, 10 PLY TIRES ARE "E" RATED......... GOOD LUCK SLEDNEK.

 

[slednek]

Thanks again
As for a deck, it is just an option to look into, mostly for spring. I have a trailer. Using the truck for around the acreage as well. My 2000 1/2 ton 2wd ext cab isn't enough anymore and considering the extra gvw and room with the 1500HD crewcab it is definately enough for now, or until I can convince the wife to buy another one. As for the air bags, they are definately going on.
I talked to officer at a bc weigh scale. They told me they go by all the gvw's so as long as I am under all of them I will be fine. I guess I'll borrow the neighbors deck, load it up and take it to a local scale and see.


Only 4 months to go

 

[Summitric]

Yup, You're Right..... My '04 F350 With A Deck And Sleds And Loaded Plus A 4 Place Open Trailer Loaded Was Actually Very Close To The Limit Of The Rear Axle Gvwr, Surprisingly. We Went To The Bc Weigh Scale At Tete Juan Junction Just Before The Valemount/mcbride Junction And The Fellow Let Us Run Across It. I Still Have The Printout And Its All In Metric. Good Luck, Man

 

[QMAO]

NEVER SAID THIS, BUT PEELING THE 1500HD SYMBOLS OFF AND THEN PUTTING ON AIR BAGS AND HIGHER RATED TIRES(LOAD RANGE E, NOT C OR D) WOULD BE THE WAY TO GO.... I AGREE IT SHOULD DO THE JOB AND THE REAR AIR BAGS WOULD HELP MAKE IT LOOK LEVELLER...... JUST MY $.02 WORTH. WHAT YEAR IS YOUR TRUCK...... I MAY HAVE AN OLD INVENTORY KIT THAT FITS THE "OLDER" BODY STYLE(UP TO 2000), THAT I WILL SELL VERY CHEAP......

Now that does like a trick someone from Ponoka would do!!Thanks I might have to keep that in mind

 

[Summitric]

Now that does like a trick someone from Ponoka would do!!Thanks I might have to keep that in mind

HEY QMAO, GOOD TO HEAR FROM YA....... SSSSHHHHHHHHH, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SECRET. LOL

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

You can do all the changes you want but if the Hiway guy stop you your toast. Also consider the safety aspect. There is a reason they have these laws in place.
My 2 cents worth.

 

[snotterite]

Agree with you Sledbunny its not worth it for all the reasons you stated, especially the SAFETY PART. Hell put on twin stacks and cattle pusher maybe you can fool D.O.T. in thinking you have a deck on a Kenworth. lol Good Luck with whatever you do.

 

[whopper809]

here's a pic of a 02 1500HD that I had for a year, deck is 300-360lbs and both quads are over 500lbs each and the truck sits nice and also haddled the load just fine. I even hooked a holiday trailor behind it once in awhile. The only reason I sold it was the 6.0L gas power plant was hard on fuel. 9m/g when loaded.

 

[slednek]

Nice pic whopper809.
First off, if I am under the gvw's why would I be toast. If I am toast everyone with a 2500 would be toast as well. The gvw's are the same for both models. I talked to D.O.T. They go by the GVW's. Of course a regular 1/2 ton with a 6200lb GVW and 3700 Rear axle GVW would be over and unsafe. But like I said my GVW is 8600lbs with a 6000lb rear axle GVW. That is what most 2500's are.
I am not changing anything or trying to fool anyone. You can't tell me that 2 trucks that are identical (having the same frame, axles, suspension and same legal GVW ratings etc...) but one has a different # on the side is going to get fined and the other isn't.
Basically because one says 2500, it must be safer, even though the 1500hd is identical.

 

[whopper809]

I talked to D.O.T. They go by the GVW's. Of course a regular 1/2 ton with a 6200lb GVW and 3700 Rear axle GVW would be over and unsafe. But like I said my GVW is 8600lbs with a 6000lb rear axle GVW. That is what most 2500's are.

Your numbers are correct Slednek the 1500HD is good for what your lookin to do. Mine handled loads like a champ. If you look into the 1500HD badging verses the 2500 badging with GM the whole topic gets very confusing why they ever made a 1500HD. The 1500HD and the 2500 gm built where both the same trucks, (same rear diff) the 2500HD is the culperate that started the whole confusion, this is eventually is why GM got rid of the 1500HD badging.