Trailer Ramps

[kclark2227]

I don't know if I am saying this correctly in regards to ramps for equipment trailers.

Ladder (Long) ramps vs Knee ramps (I think it's called).

Is it just personal preference or is one really better than the other?

 

[rusty842]

The knee ramps support the back for the trailer when your loading. If you don’t support the back of the trailer you could bend the frame.

 

[1010]

Bend the trailer and pick up the back of the truck. And roll since the tires aren't on the ground.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

if I load a car I can get away with just a ladder ramp, when I load the skid loader need the knee ramp. 1010 is correct you will bend a lighter trailer without a knee ramp. I know i did it, long story, it was bad!

 

[kclark2227]

When I look at a trailer with either a knee ramp or a ladder ramp, both have the additional support (legs) to keep the trailer supported. See attached.

 

[jaxs]

The trailer I use must now days is a 20'lowboy rated for 10k. I use 4' ladder ramps with no support legs.
I prefer these simple ramps because;
A. I load and unload on all kinds of surface,many times unlevel. Supports can hang up on these surfaces.
B. I often haul tractors with mower attached. Mower overhang's rear because tractor isn't all the way forward on trailer when weight is balanced so hinged ramps would be in the way.
C. Ramps with supports are too heavy to lift into transport position unless they have spring assist and springs have a way of breaking at the worst times.
D. Ramps are always too short for low center things like cars and a workaround with support ramps is all but impossible. I can put trailer wheels in a low place or back up to street curb making it easy with ladders. I have a basket of 2Xs,4Xs and blocks outside cargo space between fender and front of trailer. If I load something heavy like the 9k Lb 4020 Deere,I simply throw blocks under rear of trailer and center of ramps. When I had construction equipment,I had dedicated trailers with hinged ramps. Personal preference according to purpose.

 

[rustyshakelford]

After bending the rear axle on a trailer by loading something heavy driven on I put jacks on the back of the ones that don’t have the supports on the ramps. Definitely like the longer ramps too as the angle is much less.

Brett

 

[two_bit_score]

After bending the rear axle on a trailer by loading something heavy driven on I put jacks on the back of the ones that don’t have the supports on the ramps. Definitely like the longer ramps too as the angle is much less.

Brett

I checked out some Diamond C tilt trailers in Seguin at D&D a couple weeks ago. None of this is an issue with a tilt trailer. Making a tilt look better all the time.


TBS

 

[rustyshakelford]

I checked out some Diamond C tilt trailers in Seguin at D&D a couple weeks ago. None of this is an issue with a tilt trailer. Making a tilt look better all the time.


TBS

I don’t really know how that work. Does the whole bed tilt or just the back half? I’ve seen both and don’t understand the half bed tilt part

Brett

 

[1010]

It's not really a half tilt, 2-3 feet in the front doesn't tilt like the rest does. You can get power tilt with elec over HYD that runs off a battery or just a plugged cylinder with fluid that allows gravity/weight to tilt down or up. With a simple but strong latch.