How to fit a snowmobile in a double cab short bed

Hello people, I'm a new guy here and just wanted to post this project I did to my recently purchased Tacoma. I knew that buying a short bed would have its downfalls, but I figured having 4 doors would be more practical for my lifestyle, and that has proven true. I was still disappointed but not surprised that my snowmobile would not safely fit in the bed. Especially since my sled is not that long compared to what people are riding these days. So my crazy project started when I built a wooden platform to allow the sled to fit between the wheel wells. I heard our tailgates are not very strong so I ordered the tailgate reinforcing plate from mobtown thinking that was the solution. I am very happy with the product, but it still (slightly) bent the tailgate when I loaded up my sled. So then I started thinking, I'm so close to making it work and too far to turn back. That is when I built a tailgate extender that would fit in the receiver and support the weight of my sled. I used 11' of 2x2 square tubing 3/16" wall thickness and welded it all up. I kind of designed it as I went, but it turned out absolutely great! It works, and to me it doesn't seem that obnoxious haha. It was definitely a fun and unique project, and now my truck can haul every one of my toys. Once again, I'm new here so forgive me if I don't upload the pictures correctly. But let me know what you think!







Coated with self etching primer (didn't take a pic after the actual paint was slapped on, but I used black Rustoleum enamel (brushed on). Super cheap stuff and very chip resistant.



Not fully welded but you get the idea.

 

Very nice! I used to own the same sled.

 

I once drove from Wyoming back to Colorado with a snow mobile in the back of my 98 tacoma, the road was snow packed in places and due to the weight being too far back in the truck was so ass heavy it made for a white knuckle drive. I just knew at some point I was going to lose it. But I didn’t luckily, I had stock suspension, and that was a no no, for that trip.

 

I definitely notice the front end is lighter but it doesn't feel dangerous. Granted the suspension mods help, but it doesn't feel any different than hauling a small trailer.

 

Do you have our tailgate cap as well?

 

No but I was going to buy that at some point. It would have been good to have when I first loaded up my sled though. Because it bent the rim of the plate inward where the stock plastic cover is, but only in the middle where the snowmobile track sits. Not a big deal to fix.

 

How has this been holding up long term? I have a short bed 2016 Tacoma and was going to make one of these to save my tailgate. Otherwise, I considered the Mob Town tailgate reinforcement.

 

This has been working out perfect for me, at least with the old sled I have. It might be asking too much to fit anything longer. But the extender does it's job keeping all weight off the tailgate and most importantly the cables, which is yet another weak link IMO. No worries about snapping cables and totaling your tailgate on a long bumpy drive. That said, the Mob Town hardware is definitely a good option. I actually just bought the tailgate cap and hardware upgrade to complete the armor. From my experience you'll want to buy all three things together, or build what I built. When I tightened the bolts the tailgate flattened out 1/4" from past mistakes before these upgrades.

 

So you think I either need to weld a hitch rack like yours OR get the MobTown tailgate + end cap reinforcement? or are you saying do all 3 of those?

 

From my experience I think the mobtown upgrades should do the trick. Definitely the easier option. Keep in mind your sled will be crooked if you don’t build some kind of wood structure to ramp it over the wheel wells

 

How much does your sled weigh? Mine is a 2013 Polaris RMB and the skis did fit between the wheel wells

 

Very interesting. I didn't think any sled would fit between the wheels! My sled is quite heavy at 525lbs. its a yamaha SRX 700

 

Slick setup. What’s the measurement from your bracket to the front of the bed? Also does it flex down at all and did you build it to be level with the tailgate or slightly higher or lower?

 

My old 94 Arctic Cat had to be loaded like yours and I even used a hitch extender like that to hold the weight on the backend off the tailgate. My Renegade Backcountry can fit between the wheel wells with the skis set to the 38” narrow setting.

 

I'll have to pull it out and get some measurements. I'll get back to you

 

Marlon has just answered the need!
https://www.marlonproducts.com/prod...-+Marlon+MTN+Single+Loader&productID=270-0181