Think tank advice

[bones1]

Because of up coming back surgery I have a need now to motorize the heavy ramps on my trailer.Trying to come up with a design to raise and lower the ramps either with a small winch or linear motors.The ramps move freely on a pipe to go up and down.If you had to do it, what would be your idea?.Thanks for any input.The link below is my trailer.





http://www.downtoearthtrailers.com/images/downtoearthtrailers/64530001.jpg

 

[Egon]

Place vertical posts outboard of each ramp and use one electric winch with cables?? Vertical post have to be far enough outboard to clear equipment being loaded.

Under hung sliding ramp that cane be pulled forward or back with cables.

 

[lug nut]

How about some springs like some of the larger trailer ramps?

 

[SnowRidge]

You could mount a small 12 volt winch on each fender. You obviously need to clear anything loaded onto the trailer, so having a central winch at the front is probably out.

You would need a removable gin pole for the ramps. If you are not familiar with the term, a gin pole is a temporary pole, usually mounted at right angles to the main object to be lifted. It allows the lifting cable to approach the top of the object at the correct angle for the start of the lift.

Once the object being lifted gets high enough, the gin pole is no longer required.

But if this is a long term condition, I think I would first see if I could find a trailer with powered ramps and forget the home brewed solutions. I would think somebody makes such a thing.

 

[SnowRidge]

How about some springs like some of the larger trailer ramps?

I have that, and my ramp still takes some effort. I wouldn't want to do it with a bad back. I am assuming the OP will not be able to lift much of anything.

 

[dbdartman]

Quick & dirty idea. Tube (thick red) welded to ramp at an angle connected to a winch on the fender (thin red). As long as the top of the tube (on the ramp) is higher than the pivot point (when the ramp is down) it'll raise the ramp. Store the ramp below vertical & drop.

 

[bones1]

Thanks for the quick replies.
Egon, I'm trying to picture just what you mean.

Lugnut, thought about springs but when the ramps are on the ground is where I have trouble lifting the dead weight.I can lift them, ONCE.

Snowridge, what if just one winch was mounted underneath the trailer say midway back or closer to the ramps and connected to a tab or leg welded to the cross pipe that the ramps ride over.Of course then the ramps and pipe would have to be drilled to allow for adjustability,in or out and to allow both ramps to raise and lower in unison.

 

[firemanpat2910]

looking at your angle I would think an old rim welded on each side of trailer, small winch mounted at trailer deck height. test angles with rope and rim before welding any thing on. Or check on those "Cranes" that you mount in truck bed to load. I know there has to be an easy way.

 

[SnowRidge]

Quick & dirty idea. Tube (thick red) welded to ramp at an angle connected to a winch on the fender (thin red). As long as the top of the tube (on the ramp) is higher than the pivot point (when the ramp is down) it'll raise the ramp. Store the ramp below vertical & drop.

This is the gin pole idea I mentioned, but the pole needs to be longer and at a right angle to the ramp. It also needs to be stabilzed, so that it won't cant left or right.

If nothing is ever to be loaded that would have any pieces or parts that extend beyond the outer edges of the ramps, it might be feasible to weld the gin poles directly onto the sides of the ramps.

 

[lug nut]

You could replace the round tubes on the trailer and ramps with square tubes. That way, you could lift the ramps with a winch and still be able to slide them in or out.

 

[lug nut]

You would also only have to have a winch on one side that way.

 

[SnowRidge]

Thanks for the quick replies.
Egon, I'm trying to picture just what you mean.

Lugnut, thought about springs but when the ramps are on the ground is where I have trouble lifting the dead weight.I can lift them, ONCE.

Snowridge, what if just one winch was mounted underneath the trailer say midway back or closer to the ramps and connected to a tab or leg welded to the cross pipe that the ramps ride over.Of course then the ramps and pipe would have to be drilled to allow for adjustability,in or out and to allow both ramps to raise and lower in unison.

That would mean a short arm, which would require a very stout pull, probably in the thousands of pounds. It would require a very powerful winch. It would probably make more sense to drive the arm with some sort of linear actuator or hydraulic ram. 12 volt hydraulic pumps are available.

 

[zzvyb6]

I solved this problem by putting an electric jack post on the trailer tongue. The trailer kneels, so you can just drive up on the beaver-tail. So what if the tow vehicle raises up a bit. This way you can load even without the truck attached (need 12v, though).

 

[bones1]

I would prefer to have the winches and or rams below the trailer and out of the way.Snowridge, I think one of these might be adapted to work from below, somehow.Linear Actuators

dbdartman,thanks for the idea.
zzbyv6, never thought of that.

 

[SnowRidge]

I would prefer to have the winches and or rams below the trailer and out of the way.Snowridge, I think one of these might be adapted to work from below, somehow.Linear Actuators

dbdartman,thanks for the idea.
zzbyv6, never thought of that.

I don't think the 400 lb max force would cut it. Assuming you are going to have a rotating tube move both ramps at one, you are looking at some serious forces. The crank arm would be severely limited by available space, which means a short moment arm, and again, I think you are looking at 1,000s of lbs. I'm not familiar enough with linear actuators to know if they are available in an appropriate size at an affordable price.

I tend to think hydraulic would be the best bet for the forces involved.

 

[Pete Milley]

Why not contact a lift gate manufacturer or handicap lift manufacturer to see if there is something available in kit form? Or a splined shaft for the ramps, so they are still adjustable side to side and a 12v servo (winch) motor?

 

[bones1]

[quote Or a splined shaft for the ramps, so they are still adjustable side to side and a 12v servo (winch) motor?[/quote]
Pete, that would be ideal but splined components would be pricey.Attaching a motor to spin the pipe and ramps together as a unit would be perfect if I find the correct motor.Would have to be somewhat small, strong, low rpm, and reversible.Wouldn't know how to size a motor for this application other than a good guess.Or just take the cable off a small reversible winch and attach it direct.
Got me thinking some more.

 

[cp1969]

How about just trade for a tilt trailer.

 

[lug nut]

The square tubing would be relative cheap. You would need 2 sizes, one that would fit snuggly inside the other. You would also need 2 different sizes of round tubing to make the ends that will attach to the trailer.

A small atv winch with the cable hooked to a pulley mounted on the outside of the round tube should easily pull both ramps up. You may have to try a couple of different sized pullies to find one with enough leverage and speed to work properly. A spring or two to might be necessary to assist in the lifting.

I can picture what I have described, but I am not sure if I have explained it so that anyone else can.

 

[bones1]

The square tubing would be relative cheap. You would need 2 sizes, one that would fit snuggly inside the other. You would also need 2 different sizes of round tubing to make the ends that will attach to the trailer.

A small atv winch with the cable hooked to a pulley mounted on the outside of the round tube should easily pull both ramps up. You may have to try a couple of different sized pullies to find one with enough leverage and speed to work properly. A spring or two to might be necessary to assist in the lifting.

I can picture what I have described, but I am not sure if I have explained it so that anyone else can.

lugnut, I need a visual. I can see where the two pieces of square tubing would take the place of a spline but I can't see what the 2 pieces of round are for.Do you have time to draw it in Paint and post it?.