trailer ramps

[Cord]

Having recently rebuilt my trailer suspension, I've found that it's now high enough that I now need ramps. I'd like to build a set of aluminum ramps, but have no clue what size the members should be. Does anybody have aluminum ramps that could share the szie with me?

 

[travis potter]

We need more info. What size load, how high is the deck? Will the detach or mount to the trailer?

 

[Soundguy]

I like steel ramps myself. less flexing thus less work hardening... thus less cracking..

soundguy

 

[TheTrailerGuy]

From my experience, i think that steel is the way to go on a heavy service loading ramp. Why???

#1. Aluminum is only as strong as steel pound for pound. Thus, a lighter aluminum ramp just cannot be as strong as a heavier steel ramp.

#2. Aluminum is tricky to weld correctly (but, hey... maybe you have the proper mig or tig stuff to whip it out.. who knows?)

#3. Steel is much more easily repaired on the road. Remember, nothing breaks when you are home near you tools. So make sure whatever you have is dead simple to fix in a strange town, late at night. Everybody knows somebody who can weld steel... aluminum? not so common.

Here is a photo of the ramps we put under our 7,000lb trailers. the 10,000 and 14,000lb rated trailers use basically the same dimensions with stronger 3" channel lengthwise frames instead of 2" channel. they are 18" wide and 5' long.

MAKE sure you weld them up like they are going to be taking artillery hits. It's your butt on the line when you are up on those babies on a tractor!

Good Luck.
Craig the TrailerGuy

 

[flusher]

I went down this path recently--aluminum ramps: buy or build?
My conclusion--buy- you're not going to save as much as you would think building them yourself and you'll probably screw up to the point where you'll have weak welds where you can least afford them--in the main members.

Here are the ramps I use on my Isuzu NPR 14-ft stakebed.



16" wide x 10 ft long, weight: 48lb, 5000 lb load rating on the ramps.
Discount Ramps-$550 plus shipping.

5,000 lb Per Axle Truck Trailer Ramps

 

[Soundguy]

#3. Steel is much more easily repaired on the road. Remember, nothing breaks when you are home near you tools. So make sure whatever you have is dead simple to fix in a strange town, late at night. Everybody knows somebody who can weld steel... aluminum? not so common.

excelent point.

just about every farmer has a AC stick welder that could help you out on a steel ramp.. but aluminum??

soundguy