Just takes a little practice. Always easier using 2 people for sure. I personally don't think it matters which one you load first. Depends more on the weight balance. Load whichever one on first and set the parking brake. You have to have it far enough forward to get it to go back down but if you are too far forward, you can't tip it backwards to load the second one. Just play with it a little, you'll get it. If you can't tilt it back after loading the first one, just release the parking brake and pull it backwards a little bit. Do that until you can tilt it and you'll be fine. Just don't forget to reset the brake or the first one will just slide back off.

 

i use a 4x4 block to keep the deck from tipping down,(between the tounge and the deck) load one sled, set the brake, load the second then pull the block and let the deck come down....its easier than it seems

 

I used to pull up one sled so the ski tips held the trailer up and put the other machine on then loaded the second , with the brakes locked .

 

I would recommend ski guides and a track mat if you don't have them. The sled will climb the trailer much easier rather than having your carbides dig into wood or the track spin on wood. The guides are a little hazardous to step on when it is cold though.

Looks like you have a nice shop.

 

get a old truck bed liner and make ski tracks and cut the liner the other way for the track. biggest improvement that you can make!

 

Does you trailer have any sort of tilt hold system? Some are just a gas strut, some are springs. Most trailers don't come with them standard but they make loading so much easier.

I drive one sled on my 2 place tilt with cap but not all the way up so the trailer tilts down then load the other sled. Once the second sled is all set then just move the first sled up and let the trailer tilts down.

Ski guides and track mats are nice, it really helps prevent the skis from fetching up.

The real trick is to carry momentum on to the trailer but not to much that you are going to have trouble stopping. It doesn't take much, just keep it constant and they will go right on. It's nearly impossible to get a sled that's half on the trailer to go the rest of the way after it's stopped. Just back it off and try again.

K

 

I did get 8ft of old conveyer belt and put 4ft on each side for the track/studs so it does not rip up the plywood.

 

I also use a 4x4 block incase i pull the first sled up to far. And if you dont have reverse, a block helps hold it tilted up when pulling them off. They slide easier off at an angle.

 

the gas struts suck , they get froze up and snap the the little ball off that holds the strut on . thats my experience with them . never tried the spring .

 

I have also used a block too, but its a 2x4. I have also used the pull one sled on part way trick. Both work fine. As for a trak mat, the best I have seen is a guy that took and old track and cut it into 2 pieces and screwed it on the trailer deck. Saw him load and it worked fantastic. He said he had to cut all of the drive nubs off the back side though.

 

Bob P. ... Both are fairly heavy sleds... drive the 580 on 1st and get whole sled on the trailer so back end is about 8" in, use the brake if needed to hold in place.... trailer shouldnt tip back down as the engine wieght is over the center of axle still ( balanced )... then drive the T-cat on to where you'd tie it down. The wieght change will probably tip trailer back flat or with just a little hand push down on front end...once pinned to Road position, move the 580 into place / tie down position...
I have loaded my sleds this way alone for years, never a problem... and 2 have no-reverse. If you don't have ski guide's, try and get some..the sled's go on 90% easier and also off easier...

I have seen guy's just put the ski's on the end of a trailer to load the second sled... and the trailer tipped up to flat position and wrecked the other sled's ski's and under the front end...

 

I got a friend that used an old track from a sled. Cut it to fit the length of the ramp screwed it down like an after market pad. Works great for traction get up on the trailer, then just apply parking brake.

 

When I have my trailer tilted up I take a short piece of 1x6 and lay it from the trailer to the ground where the skis will first make contact. This helps get the skis up on the trailer without having the carbides catch on the flat back end of the trailer. You can even angle the ends of the 1x6 so they are flush with the ground/trailer deck. I screw a 2x4 block to the bottom of each one so that if the skis try moving the piece of wood the little block pushes up against the back of the trailer. These work great when you've got very little snow or bare ground. I've attached a very cheesy diagram for all of your enjoyment...

I learned my lesson after trying to load without any snow and almost got flipped over the handle bars when the carbides caught... :wacko:

 

Great idea. I'll fabricate somethin'

Bob

 

I have seen guy's just put the ski's on the end of a trailer to load the second sled... and the trailer tipped up to flat position and wrecked the other sled's ski's and under the front end...

in all the years of loading sleds with my Dad and by myself Ive never had that happen . learn something every day .

 

I just drive the first sled 3/4 of the way up on the trailer and set the parking brake so the trailer stays tilted, then I pull up the second sled all the way, if the trailer doesn't level when I do that it will when I finish driving up the number one sled.

 

Lots of good ideas here, but really it is not difficult at all. A couple tries with the first sled stopping right at the balance point then load the second. Don't let it scare ya, it really is that easy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (109jb @ Nov 1 2010, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

...As for a track mat, the best I have seen is a guy that took and old track and cut it into 2 pieces and screwed it on the trailer deck. Saw him load and it worked fantastic. He said he had to cut all of the drive nubs off the back side though.[/b]

I just redid the plywood on my trailer and did the same thing. I had to pull all the clips off too. I used a sawzall to cut all the drive nubs off. Took a little work but great way to recycle.