We all do it: buy a crappy old sled deck off Kijiji and modify it until we have a jack of all trades and master of none that needs to be replaced in a couple of years. Why not spend the money and get something that works right the first time?
Marlon Recreational Products Ltd. has a new series of aluminum sled decks that come with all the bells and whistles to make our life as backcountry sledders easier.
Released for the 2015-2016 season, the XPlore series sled decks come in three sizes: six-foot-six, seven feet and eight feet. A two-foot extension with a rear tail light is available as well.
The sides of these decks, which are expandable, feature a smooth finish—ideal for placing wraps or sponsor names—and they are wider to help hide the view under the deck.
On the surface, there are six strips of SuperGlides, complete with Edge Rail Trim, so that you can move sleds on and off with ease. The SuperGlides also provide traction for your feet, and they are installed so that you can haul one sled in the centre or two side by side.
The XPlore Pro is top-of-the-line and it comes standard with an all-aluminum floor decking, as well as two SuperClamps for the front and two for the rear to tie down your sleds. The XPlore model also comes with two front SuperClamps and plywood floor decking. Both models even include SuperTrac, which runs the entire length of the side rail. This multi-purpose, retractable tie-down anchor system comes standard with two SuperTrac deck hooks per side, making it easier to haul snow bikes, ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes.
When installing the XPlore or the XPlore Pro, you can choose to bolt the deck directly onto the truck box or use turnbuckles to attach it to the hooks that are already on your truck. The rear legs are adjustable, too, so that you can move the footings of the deck back or forward to fit a long- or short-box truck.
Loading in the dark? Across the headache rack and underneath these decks are LED bullet lights with an easy-to-access on/off switch.
To complete the package, the XPlore series decks come standard with a 10-foot, one-piece telescoping ramp. Or, you can exchange it for an eight-foot-six-inch telescoping ramp, designed for a five-foot-seven-inch box, or a 12-foot telescoping ramp for an eight-foot-long box. Each ramp slides easily into the ramp tray and stows nicely under the deck.
Marlon is located in Chilliwack, B.C.; Stony Plain, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Tacoma, Washington. According to the company, new XPlore recreational truck deck accessories are coming in the near future.
For more info, see the website.
