What do you guys think?

[Ryan Declark]

The only things I have found that allow you to put skis in the back of your truck, side by side are upwards of like 5 to 7 grand but obviously that comes with hydraulics. The reason I wanted something like this is because I dont want to have to store a trailer. I also didn't want to spend 7 grand to have a ski rack in the back of my truck.

I ended up making a ski rack that fit my skis in the back of my truck with a couple cheap rolling stands to hold the skis. Then a motorcycle ramp with rubber wheels to roll the skis up the ramp assisted with a come-a-long.

One of my big things is I didn't want to drill holes in my truck bed. I was able to to wedge the rack so the bed wells held the racks from moving.

My question is if I can make a cheap alternative for these racks for the back of people's trucks that look nice what would the market be for something like that?

 

[Jhucke]

I like the idea but this section would be a big no go for me as it basically makes the truck bed useless except for small items that you can fit between. Can you secure it in the front and just use a cross brace over the top of the bed sides instead (green) on the rear?

 

[Batteryman]

Im in a similar situation. Trying to get a WB1 and a stand up in the back of my truck. A lot of the solutions are quite expensive. One thing I dont like is the ramp is so dang steep when you have to go above the sides of the bed. I think for a solution like yours to be successful some sort of a bow stop should be integrated somehow.

This setup worked Ok for me last summer but I can only carry 1 WB and with a sailcraft tote the back of the bed is 80% used . I do need to reinforce the ramp as it broke on me at the bottom hinge while loading. luckily ski fell into the grass and was ok.

 

[wydopen]

 

[Ryan Declark]

Im in a similar situation. Trying to get a WB1 and a stand up in the back of my truck. A lot of the solutions are quite expensive. One thing I dont like is the ramp is so dang steep when you have to go above the sides of the bed. I think for a solution like yours to be successful some sort of a bow stop should be integrated somehow.

This setup worked Ok for me last summer but I can only carry 1 WB and with a sailcraft tote the back of the bed is 80% used . I do need to reinforce the ramp as it broke on me at the bottom hinge while loading. luckily ski fell into the grass and was ok.

View attachment 454779

That's rad but ya for a little truck like mine I needed to get above the railing to fit 2 small 550s, plus it gave me the abilityto close the tailgate to keep things from coming out. Also I think being above the rails will give me room for coolers and other camping supplies even gas cans to fit nice and neat

I built this in a pinch but I did use a I bolt to secure to the front to rachet the skis up buy was no good for securing the skis too.

 

[Ryan Declark]

View attachment 454780

Ya I mean I used to do that all the time. Then I got a wife, 2 dogs and more poop to take with me when I go ride the skis. So every square inch is kinda nice to have.

 

[Ryan Declark]

I like the idea but this section would be a big no go for me as it basically makes the truck bed useless except for small items that you can fit between. Can you secure it in the front and just use a cross brace over the top of the bed sides instead (green) on the rear?
View attachment 454778

Ya I quickly realized this as it was a pain I'm the ass to store away anything. I had to prepack the bed and then when I arrived I had to unload the skis.

The green line you made would likely be the next design I'll make to it as it will allow access below for easy stow with the ability to close the tailgate

 

[user_error]

I adapted an aluminum snowmobile sled deck and it worked great for me. Found it on marketplace for a fair deal and added bunks, better decking, remote winches, retractable straps, ect. All in all I was into it about $2200 including the cost of the sled deck.

I would’ve preferred the skis to sit closer together just below the bed rails of the truck, the sled deck was big and had a lot of unused space. If it didn’t have individual tilting sides you could have 3 skis on it.

 

[E350]

I think that is very cool!

To accommodate three skis, can you bolt the two sled slides together and tilt them as one?

 

[Ryan Declark]

I adapted an aluminum snowmobile sled deck and it worked great for me. Found it on marketplace for a fair deal and added bunks, better decking, remote winches, retractable straps, ect. All in all I was into it about $2200 nicks including the cost of the sled deck.

I would’ve preferred the skis to sit closer together just below the bed rails of the truck, the sled deck was big and had a lot of unused space. If it didn’t have individual tilting sides you could have 3 skis on it.

Yo that's rad but getting expensive for a poor like me.

 

[E350]

If you are already a sled rider, then your set up is the best. I see that sled carrier in the Sierra's in the Winter and have always wondered if they could be modded to accommodate skis.

But if you are not already a sledder, one of the things I personally like about trailers is that I can stand next to the ski and work on it while on the trailer on dry land. The engine compartment is at waist level which makes removing the fuel tank, etc. easier. Same thing for flushing out the engine compartment. But you can do nearly the same thing by letting the ski slide down the ramp a bit.

In any event, it is a very cool adaption.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I have seen numerous setups where they are just built out of 2x4's and 2x6's. The basically use the top of bed to sit on, then you have another section that sits just down on the inside bedrail that will prevent it from sliding left or right. Same thing for the front. Then a few vertical boards to support the load (Sagging - and take some weight off the 2x's going across. You can frame up a ramp and use casters or rollerblade wheels. Even add a winch or come-a-long.

 

[Batteryman]

I have seen numerous setups where they are just built out of 2x4's and 2x6's. The basically use the top of bed to sit on, then you have another section that sits just down on the inside bedrail that will prevent it from sliding left or right. Same thing for the front. Then a few vertical boards to support the load (Sagging - and take some weight off the 2x's going across. You can frame up a ramp and use casters or rollerblade wheels. Even add a winch or come-a-long.

I just may have to build something like that to take 2 skis and camper trailer to races. how to attach the ramp is the part I'm not sure about. I really should get a headache rack just in case

 

[AAlamo]

I built this rack to fit on my long bed so I don’t have to haul a trailer when we go to California. I can haul 5 skis or a quad and 3 skis. It also allows me to still drop the tailgate to put luggage and anything else in the bed. I use a set of ramps with roller wheels and a winch to get the skis up. I added airbags to the rear after this trip.

 

[bored&stroked]

Silly small truck problems lol.
I fit two superjets side by side in the bed of my 98 chevy 1/2ton shortbed no problemo.
And its slammed, so I just backed up to the water and slid them in. Cake.

 

[holygoat]

I like the ingenuity. But for two skis I would probably just get a trailer. I have one ski on a hitch carrier and it's okay, but I think for two I'd definitely just get a dedicated trailer. Pulling one ski on and off every time is enough hassle, couldn't imagine two!

 

[Ryan Declark]

I built this rack to fit on my long bed so I don’t have to haul a trailer when we go to California. I can haul 5 skis or a quad and 3 skis. It also allows me to still drop the tailgate to put luggage and anything else in the bed. I use a set of ramps with roller wheels and a winch to get the skis up. I added airbags to the rear after this trip.

That's crazy. How much did that rack cost to build?

 

[AAlamo]

That's crazy. How much did that rack cost to build?

About $1200 in metal