Ok,gang I know its the middle of summer but I'm trying to get prepared for winter. I'm planning on building a ATV deck for my pickup that will haul 2 X2s with tracks. I'll be using aluminum for the structure. Has anyone seen a set of plans or seen a deck made for tracked ATV's?

I've searched the net and all of the decks I've seen are to narrow for tracks or mighty expensive sled decks. I priced out all of the aluminum for my plans and I'm at $650 including the ramp material. I figure that a few nights in my shop with my Mig and I could save a bundle.

As far as the engineering goes I have friend with a alumminum deck that I could model mine after, just modify for tracks, but I'm looking for any ideas so that I produce a deck that lasts and works with tracks as well as being safe. With over 20k invested in machines I figure beefier is when it comes to the ramps and deck construction.

 

What length and width would you be needing with the tracks on the quads?

 

84" minimum across the deck (tracks will hang over abit, 98" so 7" over each side) and 112" length. I think I've settled on making mine 84"x 96" with a 16" removeable extension for the rear. That way I can haul in the summer with a 84x96 deck for tires and add the extension for the tracks in the winter.

I picked up the aluminum today, $612.00. Tommarrow I'll be burning some rod.

 

Take some pics when you're done and load the quads on. I'd like to see it. Welding is one of those things I'm going to learn someday.

 

Have fun creating that, I always loved making things, especially with welding and fabrication

Be sure to post some pics, and what are you using as the deck itself? Diamondplate?

 

Finished the basic frame yesterday. It is 7' x 8'. Lots of cutting, fitting, and welding.

Haven't decided on the deck yet. The D-plate aluminum would look great but I'm concerned that in the winter it would get really slick. I'm considering plywood with a black epoxy resin paint and a healthy mix of aquarium rock on the surface. I know a couple of guys have used this and it makes one heck of a no skid surface. The black color would also help to warm the surface on a sunny day reducing ice and snow.

I've got a couple of days to ponder it as I'm headed over to Washougl for the AMA nationals this weekend.

 

I highly recommend Herculiner. It comes in a can and you roll it on. I was frustrated that I had to refinish my boat seats every couple of years. I had tried everything up to and including spar varnish. I put the Herculiner on and they have stayed rough and painted with no pealing for about 3 years now. I think if you mixed in the aquarium gravel as you described you'd have a long lasting solution. You can get it at most auto parts stores.