Aluminum Loading Ramp Suggestions.

[bigredcornhead]

Hello All,

I am looking through CL trying to find a decent used set of aluminum loading ramps for my truck, and i am curious as to which work best. Obviously, the lighter the better, and i keep seeing two different designs the folding ramps and then the rigid set of ramps that have a curve to them. Who has had success with either, and is one that much better than the other? Please let me know your experiences.

Going to be loading 4 wheelers, riding mowers, tracked snow blowers nothing too crazy heavy wise.

 

[T_R]

I've never used aluminum. I have a bracket kit that bolts to some 2x12s. They work fine. I've even loaded cars onto a trailer with them.

 

[bigredcornhead]

Nothing wrong with that suggestion either, what all came with the kit? Just the little lip and the bolts?

 

[drivesitfar]

BRCH: i own these 9 foot aluminum ramps that are great. i don't think the company makes these anymore for inventory, but they might still make a custom pair. i think they are in Kansas. i picked mine up off of Craigslist used and have loaded and unloaded fairly heavy machines and they didn't even start breathing hard. i think mine are 8 inches wide.

i also have a Melcher ramp that is 32 inches wide that is fiberglass and not sure if they make aluminum or rail type ramps.

good luck

 

[bigredcornhead]

Now i doubt i will find anything that looks that solid off of CL and well CL is my budget lol. Anyway those look awesome you find some good stuff up in the PAC NW. I think everyone knows the cheaper versions of yours i am referring too.

 

[paramud]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BB0NT92/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I use this. But, you would need 2. Not sure where to store the other.

 

[dfiler2]

The curved work well for loading lawn mowers with a low clearance. I like having two separate ramps so I can adjust for different widths. I had a one piece unit that folded in half but had to change to two separate ones for a Ranger.

I have something like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJBQ1SW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bigredcornhead]

The curved work well for loading lawn mowers with a low clearance. I like having two separate ramps so I can adjust for different widths. I had a one piece unit that folded in half but had to change to two separate ones for a Ranger.[/QUOTE

This is what i had in mind i thought two separate would be easier for loading different equipment.

 

[D45]

Harbor Freight

Dirt cheap and work well

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Longer ramps make loading things easier because the angle will be less. The curved ramps are better especially with mowers, because the angle at the top will be less.
I have wooden 2x12 ramps and curved aluminum ramps. I rarely use the wooden ramps due to weight.

Just to add to your confusion you can get a wide aluminum ramp (straight or curved) instead of pairs.
Solid ramps, expanded metal ramps or ramps with rungs.
The pairs of ramps work well with wide machine that you ride on (4 wheelers, riding mowers etc.) The single wide ramp is better for items you will walk up or down (push mowers, tillers, snow blowers etc.)
Things with small wheels can catch in the rungs on some ramps.

 

[bigredcornhead]

Just looked them up at Harbor and if they do not have any complaints, i think youre right there. 49.99 yes please

 

[tfinniii]

http://www.discountramps.com
Try this or just search and check out fleabay.

 

[brownbadger]

Home Depot rents ramps like the ones drivesitfar posted. I think the deposit is only like $20. So, you could rent them and "lose" them. But that wouldn't be very ethical now would it.

 

[Ray916MN]

I've been using these ramps for years.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-5-Pair-Al...wer-/361345662241?hash=item5421e13d21&vxp=mtr

They are light and work well. @ $120 a pair delivered to your home, I've never seen a better value.

 

[T_R]

Nothing wrong with that suggestion either, what all came with the kit? Just the little lip and the bolts?

Just 2 bent metal pieces about 1/4 thick and 4 bolts. You provide the 2x12 in the length you need. My first set got dried after about 6 or 7 years and started to crack. I got PT the next time. My guess it they hold more than the aluminum ones, because I have used them to load 3500 lb cars.

A neat side benefit of them is they make a good bead breaker for tires. Just lay the tire on the ground flat, put the lip of the bracket on the ramp right up next to the rim and drive a car up the ramp. Works perfect every time. I've mounted lots of tires with them.

 

[langss]

I bought these http://www.harborfreight.com/1200-lb-capacity-convertible-aluminum-loading-ramp-94057.html Because I had a lot of stuff to move and they worked out well. I made a wooden starting /ending ramp for the bottom end to eliminate the end gap. Other than that issue we moved a bunch of stuff very quickly and never had any problem. Never used the chains provided, either to long or to short.

 

[boobag]

I bought these http://www.harborfreight.com/1200-lb-capacity-convertible-aluminum-loading-ramp-94057.html Because I had a lot of stuff to move and they worked out well. I made a wooden starting /ending ramp for the bottom end to eliminate the end gap. Other than that issue we moved a bunch of stuff very quickly and never had any problem. Never used the chains provided, either to long or to short.

i'd never use ramps unless they were held to tailgate somehow. seen way too many accidents on the internet. lol

 

[Hghgrad]

I have the arched type ramps made by Reese. They're great. I was using 8ft 2x12's with some grip tape on them and almost had to leave my quad behind because it couldn't get back up them when the tires got any snow on them. Fell off the ramps half a dozen times before I borrowed a set of the arched ramps.

I picked up a set on my way home and they're great. No worries about dying trying to get back into the bed of the truck anymore.

They were $120 at tsc and I would buy another set in a heartbeat.

 

[mechanic217]

The HF steel ramps work well, I use a set of tie down straps to anchor the top to the truck or trailer before moving anything on them.

 

[GRN96WS6]

I have the aluminum tri fold harbor freight ramp, I only use it to load my bike into my truck but no complaints.

 

[Jack3]

I use ramps from longramps.com we have 5 or 6 sets for work trucks. They work great with side by sides and flatbeds

 

[JamesW84]

i'd never use ramps unless they were held to tailgate somehow. seen way too many accidents on the internet. lol

I had some alum ramps with little 3in tabs to sit on my tailgate. Young and stupid, I didnt strap to the truck , and they fell with me backing the lawnmower out of the truck. Not a good experience.

 

[lumpy790]

Harbor freight has a wide tri-fold ramp. I drilled out the hinge rivets and now have 3 ramps.

 

[rice rocket]

I use 8-foot quad-folding "suitcase" wheelchair ramps for my motorcycle, and used it for cabinets, Snap-On boxes, etc as well.

http://www.discountramps.com/portable-wheelchair-ramps/p/DWR-WC-RAMPS/

Works well since it fits inside the cab of my truck so I don't have to worry about it self-ejecting with the tailgate down. Usually all the cleats are taken up with tiedowns for the bike.

It's not wide enough for quads though.

 

[bigredcornhead]

How does everyone affix the "cleat" to the tailgate? Ratchet strap to your hitch?

 

[dirttracker18]

How does everyone affix the "cleat" to the tailgate? Ratchet strap to your hitch?

Yes but I prefer camlock straps for this purpose. They are just easier and faster to work with. Then use the cam locks to keep them in the back of the truck if the tailgate must be left down.

Aluminum bi-fold ramps here with the curve or hump in them. I thought I got them at HF but cannot see them on the website so perhaps it was somewhere else. Bought them in 2097 and they have long since paid for themselves.

FWIW
I have had guys borrow them, not tie them off and fall with their load on top of them, my 65 year old father included. Safety first, always tie off. They came with bungee cords which I immediately exchanged for a set of cam lock straps.

I also put an eye bolt through mine and welded the nut to use for not only straping for loading but to put a lock through when I need to leave them in the back of the truck, unloading quad for riding for instance.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I used to use wood ones with the kit and they work ok but are steep and can get slippery, even with grip tape. I strong backed mine to make them more rigid.

Now I use aluminum ones I got on CL. I'm not sure of the brand but they are non-folding arched ones similar to the Reese ones I have seen. They are easier to drive up because they are not as steep. They are lighter than the wood ones. And they don't get slippery even in the snow and rain. You can walk right up them while running a snow blower up them. And mine are strong enough for a Harley Electaglide.

I use two so I can walk on one while running motorcycles up the other. I do have cables because I have too had wooden ones slip out at the wrong time. I adjusted the cables so they can clip to the safety chain spot on the trailer hitch. Now there is no fear of them sliding off.

 

[zmotorsports]

I bought these http://www.harborfreight.com/1200-lb-capacity-convertible-aluminum-loading-ramp-94057.html Because I had a lot of stuff to move and they worked out well. I made a wooden starting /ending ramp for the bottom end to eliminate the end gap. Other than that issue we moved a bunch of stuff very quickly and never had any problem. Never used the chains provided, either to long or to short.

These are the exact same ones that I had. I bought them because inevitably a client would forget his ramps when he was dropping off a quad, motorcycle or piece of lawn/garden equipment and we would have to musle it out of their truck, so I bought this same set to have on hand for when this happened.

They worked well and I have no complaints about their performance for the price.

Mike.