Aluminum trailer ramps

[jives]

Looking to purchase new ramps for my newly refurbished trailer that I can also use separately for my new truck (would build a platform to run the ramps up to). Amazon has a huge array of 6000# (pair) 6' long ramps, all made in China, of course. Aside from one mention from PWC Customs in the "What did you buy yourself" thread, there has been no other mention that I can find.

Anyone have experience with this kind of ramp?

 

[JimH74]

I bought a set configured like the ones in the picture. Mine were 84"x14" and rated at 6000 pounds for the pair. If I remember correctly, I bought them from Gen-Y hitch. No problem with them loading or unloading my compact tractor with implements or my zero turn mower. I thought the welds looked kind of sloppy, so I had a welding shop look at them. Was told the welds were good, just not pretty.

 

[jhelrey]

I found a pair on the side of the interstate. They were Vevor brand. Looked fine to me.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I would go with 7' ramps makes loading a little easier.

 

[Jacko264]

You could always put wood blocks under the ramps in the middle
that’s what caravan transporters do
G

 

[gregs]

BTT. I am needing ramps for a trailer I recently purchased. Its a generic 7k car hauler that would have come with 12" x 60" angle iron built ramps that hook onto a piece of angle iron running across the back. Then they store under the trailer in 2 pockets. The ramps where missing so that was part of the "good" deal. I figure I have a few options. One is to find some of the same angle iron ones new, used, or buy some steel and build my own. One issue I always had was the spacing between the "treads" being a problem for small wheels since they are spaced kinda far apart. The next option is some 2x12's with a piece of angle iron bolted on one end to hook to the back of the trailer. This is nice that they are smooth and a 2x12 is pretty strong, but it is wood. The last option is the aluminum ones like the OP showed. I see those around the $150 mark. Seems like the best compromise so far. Any other thoughts?

 

[jives]

As a concluding follow up, I did purchase the 5" aluminum ramps. Probably shoulda gone with the 6 footers, but these have dual purposes. One is to ramp up to a platform for working under the low slung cars, and the second is to hook onto my trailer to load my 1200 lb zero turn. The hook on the ramp requires that I build into my trailer a "hook receiver", which I am mostly done with. I need to load the zturn from the side of the trailer, forward of the trailer wheels, and from the conventional rear.

The ramps seem strong enough, but until I drive my truck onto them, the jury is still out.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Harbor Freight has a good selection. Wait for a 10% Off Any One Item Coupon.

 

[racecougar]

BTT. I am needing ramps for a trailer I recently purchased. Its a generic 7k car hauler that would have come with 12" x 60" angle iron built ramps that hook onto a piece of angle iron running across the back. Then they store under the trailer in 2 pockets. The ramps where missing so that was part of the "good" deal. I figure I have a few options. One is to find some of the same angle iron ones new, used, or buy some steel and build my own. One issue I always had was the spacing between the "treads" being a problem for small wheels since they are spaced kinda far apart. The next option is some 2x12's with a piece of angle iron bolted on one end to hook to the back of the trailer. This is nice that they are smooth and a 2x12 is pretty strong, but it is wood. The last option is the aluminum ones like the OP showed. I see those around the $150 mark. Seems like the best compromise so far. Any other thoughts?

I would not trust a 5' long 2"x12" as a ramp for a 7k car hauler. Maybe for loading ATV's or lawn mowers, but not 3k+ lb vehicles.

 

[gregs]

I would not trust a 5' long 2"x12" as a ramp for a 7k car hauler. Maybe for loading ATV's or lawn mowers, but not 3k+ lb vehicles.

Yeah I agree. FWIW with a 5' ramp and a vehicle that has 5' or more between the wheels you aren't supporting the entire weight of the vehicle on the ramps. Its either partly on the ground or trailer bed. I am leaning more towards the aluminum ramps. I bought the trailer to move my small tractor around with that weighs around 2500 #'s.

 

[racecougar]

FWIW with a 5' ramp and a vehicle that has 5' or more between the wheels you aren't supporting the entire weight of the vehicle on the ramps. Its either partly on the ground or trailer bed.

Of course, but the point load applied by a vehicle tire mid-span on the board is very likely to exceed the capability of a 2"x12"x60".

I bought the trailer to move my small tractor around with that weighs around 2500 #'s.

I would not try to run that up a 2"x12"x60" ramp.

 

[gregs]

Of course, but the point load applied by a vehicle tire mid-span on the board is very likely to exceed the capability of a 2"x12"x60".


I would not try to run that up a 2"x12"x60" ramp.

Are you saying any 2"x12"x60" ramp? or just the wood one?

 

[racecougar]

Are you saying any 2"x12"x60" ramp? or just the wood one?

The wood option you described in post #6.

 

[jmarkwolf]

Don't forget you can support ramps at mid-span to increase the loading capacity.

 

[gregs]

I ended up getting a set of the aluminum ones. I gotta say for $150 they are pretty nice and seem like they will hold the loads I plan on using them for. The other thing is that they fit the storage pockets perfectly. I am going to figure out a simple latch system that I can lock so that they don’t potentially “disappear” when parked somewhere.

 

[MikeC55]

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[minytrker]

I have had those same ramps for maybe 6-8 months, they are great for the price. I have loaded multiple cars, trucks, lawnmowers and even my 40hp tractor with them, zero issues. They have not bowed or ever felt like they were going to break. I had some smaller cheaper ones and they bowed a lot and never felt great when loading something.