How do ramps calculate their load?

[txdon]

I'm looking at a try fold ramp that is rated at 1200 lbs for my golf cart to go into my trailer. The golf cart is 1300 lbs. the wheel base of the cart is 75" so there will mostly be 2 wheels either in the trailer or on the ground and never 1200 lbs at the center. Do ramps calculate the max load at the center, and will the ramps be ok?

 

[Looking4new]

They should be okay IF you put some support under them at the fold points.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Don't forget to add your weight. You will be closer to 1500#. I think you need to look for a stronger set.

Chris

 

[4570Man]

The ramps should work especially considering the safety margin the manufacturer factored in, but you need heavier duty ramps.

 

[newbury]

Ramps don't calculate loads. Engineers calculate loads. Advertisers state the load, or whatever they think will sell the ramp.

Post the name and specs of the ramps and inquire for input from other TBN'ers.

 

[dstig1]

They should be okay IF you put some support under them at the fold points.

Please don't do that. Ramps are best done with 2 support points - top and bottom. Putting in mid-span supports that are not intended to be there can cause trouble. Like my friend's Dad. He put a mid-span support on a set of ramps that were too weak for the load by piling up blocking. When he got past the support, the top section flexed down lifting the lower foot off the ground. With nothing much holding them up, the ramps then slid off the truck dropping him and the tractor straight to the ground in an instant. Lucky he wasn't killed. VERY lucky. And he was an engineer. It made sense to him afterwards, but didn't think it through before.

My ramps are rated with 2 numbers. It says 8,000 lbs max vehicle and 5000 per axle, or something like that (I forget the exact numbers). They are basing that on exactly what the OP is describing - both axles are not applying a mid-span load at the same time. When one is almost off the ramp, the other is just coming on the far end. I don't see that on a lot of ramps though.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Please don't do that. Ramps are best done with 2 support points - top and bottom. Putting in mid-span supports that are not intended to be there can cause trouble. Like my friend's Dad. He put a mid-span support on a set of ramps that were too weak for the load by piling up blocking. When he got past the support, the top section flexed down lifting the lower foot off the ground. With nothing much holding them up, the ramps then slid off the truck dropping him and the tractor straight to the ground in an instant. Lucky he wasn't killed. VERY lucky. And he was an engineer. It made sense to him afterwards, but didn't think it through before.

Good advice. ... The better ramp designs incorporate a tie strap that fasten to the ramp ~ midpoint and hook forward to the vehicle. Proper use of these will prevent what you describe. -- OP; look for it in your ramps.

 

[txdon]

Thanks guys, I found this stronger ramp. I like the trifold and want them to fit under the golf cart folded. I need 50" wide for my 860 lb Z mower also. The ramps will be going to a trailer not a pick-up like the photo. How about these rated at 1500 lbs?
Extreme Max 6' Tri-Fold ATV Ramp

 

[LD1]

I think you need a stronger set. ATV ramps are ment to load ATV's. lawn mowers, etc. When they assign the load rating, we can assume they are factoring 4 wheels at some given wheelbase. And not 1200# right in the middle.

 

[txdon]

I think you need a stronger set. ATV ramps are ment to load ATV's. lawn mowers, etc. When they assign the load rating, we can assume they are factoring 4 wheels at some given wheelbase. And not 1200# right in the middle.

Agreed, we were posting at the same time, look at the post before yours.