Loading dock or ramp?

[pmiranda]

So I've got a good 2 to 3 foot height difference between the back end of my new shop build and the ground.
Originally I was thinking that a ramp down would be the best bet so I can drive stuff straight through from the front, or have an indoor/outdoor gokart track

Now I'm wondering if that's too steep for a useful ramp, and maybe I'm better off leaving it as a sheer drop so I can back up a truck to it. It's not nearly high enough for a true industrial loading dock (48 to 52 inches), but about right for a pickup truck or a box truck.

It's alot cheaper to pour a ramp now than later, but maybe that's closing off a better option?

 

[Pluribus]

If access is good, my preference would be for a loading dock rather than a ramp. In my life, I'm always loading or unloading a pickup truck. Being able to do it close to the level of the bed floor would be awesome, IMHO.

 

[pmiranda]

Yeah, if I leave it as a dock now, I can always put in a ramp later. A lot harder to remove 7 yards of concrete. Changes the drainage story a bit, but if anything it's easier.

 

[pmiranda]

Measured it today. Almost exactly 3 feet... so if I can find a suitable ramp I can reach down a foot to most pickup beds, or up a foot to most truck heights.
I am having trouble finding suitable ramps... I can find a lot of narrow ramps meant for hand trucks, and giant 30 foot yard ramps, but not an in between one... probably have to get somebody local to weld up what I need when the garage is all done.

 

[Dustball]

Look for a dock plate.

https://www.uline.com/BL_3876/Dock-Plates

Dock board if you want one rated for forklifts.

 

[pmiranda]

Nice, that's exactly what I was thinking.

 

[pmiranda]

So dumb question: what keeps a dock plate or board in position when a forklift drives up/down it?
I ask because when I was driving a scissor lift up a ramp into my house a while back the driven front wheels kept pulling the ramps backward creating a gap at top which could have been a really bad day if I hadn't noticed and it was loaded up with stuff.

 

[The Cobbler]

those dock plates are more designed to go between a semi trailer & the dock. captive in there and cannot slide much as they're trapped

 

[Red 17]

So dumb question: what keeps a dock plate or board in position when a forklift drives up/down it?
I ask because when I was driving a scissor lift up a ramp into my house a while back the driven front wheels kept pulling the ramps backward creating a gap at top which could have been a really bad day if I hadn't noticed and it was loaded up with stuff.

Look under the RH handle in that picture. There are two legs that extend below the dock plate that go between the truck and the dock.

I used to work with one of those in steel every day. I got funny looks pulling it out and away from the truck in one graceful but loud motion and clank.

 

[matt_i]

Imo a ramp that's hinged/permanently attached to the dock could be a more complex way of solving a few issues.

The truck bed height can change significantly under load.

As you mentioned the ramp can shift. If pinned/hinged then it can't.

Dock plates (for forklifts) are heavy, and even a lighter duty version would be heavy to drag around. You might need a mechanical assist.

Another idea: can you build an I-beam monorail that's centered and overhangs the truck dock? Even if you only had 1/4 ton = 500# capacity that would be pretty big for loading and unloading trucks with ease. You don't need a lot of cantilever, 8ft to reach all parts of the box but there's hardly a truck sold with an 8ft box these days.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Dock. I can't count the times I've ordered stuff and clearly indicated "No loading dock. Delivery vehicle must have tailgate lift" and had it show up on a regular truck.

Tommy

 

[Dustball]

If you go dock height, you could always make ramps to drive the back of a pickup truck onto to raise the pickup truck bed to dock height.

 

[Wildstar]

If you go dock height, you could always make ramps to drive the back of a pickup truck onto to raise the pickup truck bed to dock height.

This right here. Much better for uneven surfaces than a dock plate.

 

[Simplytodd]

I have a loading dock on the end of my shop. Probably my favorite feature as its allowed me to unload some fairly large and heavy items by myself.

I have had to engineer some loading ramps a few times to accommodate the height difference from the bed of my truck to the concrete but it was quicker than waiting for my wife or friends to come over to help with the unload. Trailer height means having to go uphill but again a little a little ingenuity ie winch or come along and out they came.

 

[My Old Tools]

I had a 6 wide door exactly PU bed height in my first shop. Handy as a shirt pocket. Got used a lot.

 

[nadogail]

Docks with plates, or cranes? both great options.
Before I would commit to an opinion I would have to do a "Work Study"; time and travel expenses included. Yum Yum
I made a dedicated ramp for my wheeled generator, the Harbor Freight come along pulls into my van very nicely.