Need some measurements on Ramps for trailer

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I bought a 20ft deck over trailer to replace my 16ft with rails.

The 20ft deck over came with 3 ramps on the rear, I was told it was built for hauling tricycle trailers. The ramps don’t adjust to a useful enough width for most things so I decided to have a buddy come over and make it one gate. Here’s before and after.



Next I need to have him build feet on the ramp so it doesn’t lift the rear of the truck so much and want to push the truck while loading.

How far off the ground should the feet be? So it doesn’t pinch and get stuck.


I will prob have him do something like this.

I would like this but idk how much I want to invest in ramps lol

Random pics of trailer in use.



I’m also gonna add springs to help lift the gate, need to see what I need to do for those, I was thinking the ones that go on the round rod but not sure if my ramps are spaced right on the first rung.

 

[Morning Wood]

With the trailer sitting level the feet should contact the ground gently.

Do you have springs on that ramp? It must be heavy as ****

Ahh. Read your post. Usually the spring ramps have a bigger diameter tube the ramps swing on

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

With the trailer sitting level the feet should contact the ground gently.

Do you have springs on that ramp? It must be heavy as ****

I don’t have springs yet, I will be adding them soon, currently it’s too heavy for one person to easily lift, I prob could but don’t want to by myself. I will be adding springs and lots of them.

I was thinking like 4-6in above the ground on the feet.

 

[Xfaxman]

On one of my previous trailers I carried some short 4x4s to block it up.

This is what Jd1a mentioned in the other thread:

 

[4570Man]

I’d go for 3-4 inches off the ground on level ground. It’s not the end of the world to have to back up to get the ramps down if the supply was too long. I honestly don’t see the spring assist working at least with the standard design. The mega ramps on my Big Tex run out of spring assist and half way up and it’s about all I want to get them the rest of the way up. I’d want hydraulic or something powered on that ramp.

 

[4570Man]

On one of my previous trailers I carried some short 4x4s to block it up.

This is what Jd1a mentioned in the other thread:

View attachment 554774

I’ve used a trailer with those. Even my old trailer with support post that were too long and required backing up and pulling forward the fold down/up the ramps was less hassle.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I’d go for 3-4 inches off the ground on level ground. It’s not the end of the world to have to back up to get the ramps down if the supply was too long. I honestly don’t see the spring assist working at least with the standard design. The mega ramps on my Big Tex run out of spring assist and half way up and it’s about all I want to get them the rest of the way up. I’d want hydraulic or something powered on that ramp.

Only prob with the feet is it makes the trailer another 2ft or so longer because the feet stick out so far.

I kinda like the idea of the jacks on the sides but that would be a bit time consuming to crank them both down so idk lol.

 

[XSKIER]

The cost of admission is painful, but not needing ramps is priceless!

 

[ch47dpilot]

I found an old scissor jack on side of road. I use it under my 7K 16ft trailer between the ramps. Probably over grossing it but it was free so it works great till it breaks.

 

[TooRow]

Broke Farmer John, Thanks for the info on the other page; I followed you over.

What Is your deck height at the end of your dove tail when the trailer is level? How long are those ramps? I am asking because I have a lowboy but no dove tail and am trying to get a feel for how long to extend my 5' ramps.

I agree with you on investing in those ramps. I sure would like to have them but I don't think I want to pay for them