Harbor freight trailer ramp build help

[StevenB]

My neighbor wants me to build him a ramp for his hf 48x96 trailer. He uses it for his lawn mowers.
So I originally went with 1x1x1/8 angle at 16"o.c. Welded everything together and in my opinion the gate flexes to much, no expanded installed at the moment. I've got some extra 1" 16ga square tubing from a previous project that I'm thinking of using.
I wanted ask if the 1" square would be sufficient enough or should I get something thicker? My bigtex has 2" & I fill that's to much for the little hf trailer.


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[SteveH-CO]

Given that all trailers get abused and overloaded, I would go a bit heavier on the ramp. If a couple of guys are standing on the ramp trying to load something heavier than a mower, then you suddenly have far exceeded your design concept. Could you add some of the box tubing in-between the angle, as opposed to starting over?

 

[aka Larry]

I built this folding ramp for my buddies HF trailer using 2"x2"x1/8" angle:

 

[cre73]

That ramp probably weighs more than the whole trailer. Nice work

 

[StevenB]

Given that all trailers get abused and overloaded, I would go a bit heavier on the ramp. If a couple of guys are standing on the ramp trying to load something heavier than a mower, then you suddenly have far exceeded your design concept. Could you add some of the box tubing in-between the angle, as opposed to starting over?

I've been thinking about just adding some square tubing horizontally, at the same time I want ramp to look clean.
I'm going to try 3 vertical square pieces 8" o.c. from the angle & hopefully that'll tighten things up.




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[volleyball]

Doesn't HF also sell ramps? I would think those would be the most logical way. Nice ramps guy, way tooo nice for a HF trailer

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Nice folding design there. I like good projects like this. I'd be curious to see the hinge points on the trailer frame?

 

[koditten]

1", 1/16" wall would be more than strong enough. the 2' span is pretty short so you can get by with smaller tubing,

Those pics of a folding gate look pretty similar to mine

 

[Lippyp]

Mine are just made from some really heavy aluminium angle, and some nasty old 3/4" ply I had lying around thats covered in crusty old mortar from mixing cement on it. Adds lots of Grip! A strip of angle down each side of the ply adds strength with half a dozen bolts each side and a hook made from some steel angle bolted underneath hooks over the edge of the tailgate. they were knocked up as a quick project when I had an urgent need to load something heavy into my 6 x 4 utility trailer, I always meant to redo them nicer but they work so well I've never bothered.

 

[toofart]

The expanded really keeps things together. I made a similar ramp to others, using 1.25" x 1/8th square, and it is very sturdy. I only have three crossmembers; one in the center and one on each side where the wheels of an ATV/lawmmower would pass.

 

[aka Larry]

Those pics of a folding gate look pretty similar to mine

Notice I didn't say the design was mine. I did reference your design when I was building this one. I know you build lots of trailers and do good work, so at least I try to plagiarize someone in the know.

 

[toofart]

Why reinvent the wheel, the man does solid work.

 

[aka Larry]

Why reinvent the wheel, the man does solid work.

Agreed. Curt does excellent work.

 

[koditten]

Guys, As soon as you made it yourself, it's yours. I could give a **** if I get credit or not. It's a huge compliment to see things I posted being used.

Since we are all friends here, I have a confession. I saw the first bi-fold tailgate on a trailer at a Lower home center 20 years ago. I didn't take pics or make any sketches, but I told myself I got to try that. Now everyone who comes to me for a trailer wants that style gate.

I'm just passing the info on and am glad it's being used.

By the way, Larry, it's Kirk, not Curt. No biggie, I answer to both

 

[pepi]

Nice design and all, but I see weak points over the expanded metal. I can be off base cause I do not know what the intended pay load is planed for. I just see big unsupported spaces, more of a tailgate then a ram the way I am seeing it.

 

[aka Larry]

Nice design and all, but I see weak points over the expanded metal. I can be off base cause I do not know what the intended pay load is planed for. I just see big unsupported spaces, more of a tailgate then a ram the way I am seeing it.

On mine, the inside members were spaced for the owners riding mower wheels, so it would be fully supported even without the expanded metal.

 

[aka Larry]

By the way, Larry, it's Kirk, not Curt. No biggie, I answer to both

Ack! Sorry about that Kirk. I hate it when people get my name wrong, but like you, I answer to both.

 

[V-10 Killer]

By the way, Larry, it's Kirk, not Curt. No biggie, I answer to both

Hell, you should hear what we get him to answer to at work lol

 

[toofart]

Nice design and all, but I see weak points over the expanded metal. I can be off base cause I do not know what the intended pay load is planed for. I just see big unsupported spaces, more of a tailgate then a ram the way I am seeing it.

Expanded is stronger than it looks, and not all expanded is the same size. Crossmembers in the vicinity of the expected loads and it works out fine.

For my car hauler I used expanded for the ramps, and 1" .250 angle crossmembers. For my 4000 lb car I don't think the crossmembers are even needed, but I have them there since the trailer is a 10K trailer, everything has to match.

 

[StevenB]

Here's a in progress picture of the trailer.
I added square cross members & tighten up really nice.



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[koditten]

Looks like its taking shape. Adding uprights and a perimeter rail really stiffens up a trailer.
Keep the updates coming.

Later

KO