I Need New Loading Ramps

[Brent13]

Hello Everyone,

I am in need of new ramps. I bought my current ramp on a whim from Cabelas. I was in a hurry as I was picking up my Grizzly on the same day in MN and then heading back to CO. I bought the cheapest one they had; an AL bi-fold measuring about 47" wide and 69" long. The quality seems great, but the length makes unloading and loading a frightening experience at best. I don't even sit on the quad when unloading any more, too much pucker factor for me. I stand at the bottom of the ramp and just slowing pull the quad out of the truck and ease it down the ramp. This has worked fine the two times I have done it. I suppose the first time I slip or trip and the quad rolls over me won't be a good time though. Loading back up is about a 10 on my pucker meter. The angle has to be in excess of 60 degrees at times. It feels like I am going straight up and worry that I may tip over backwards. I know, probably not close to tipping over, but the feeling is certainly there. I climb the ramp in full-blown diff lock just to get ever bit of traction I can get. While under a fair amout of power, I crest the top and can barely cut the power in time to keep from plowing into the toolbox mounted at the front of the cab. Then there is the fear of rolling back down the ramp while loading. I have to be right-on with the power and timing. Too much go-juice and I slam my toolbox. Too little and I risk rolling back down. If I roll back down and panic, which I am prone to do, and grab a bunch of rear brake I could see flipping over. I am loading into a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4. It is stock height, but a fair bit taller than other stock trucks. At least taller than others I have owned. I thought with some repetitive loading/unloading I would get used to the excessive angle, but I am not liking it. I don't want to flip my grizzly, period, but I really don't want it happening while loading/unloading. I have also tried to back the truck up to a slight up hill area to lessen the angle. This works great, but rarely has it been possible to find such a perfect place to do it.

So I am now looking for a new ramp, bi-fold, tri-fold, or even individual ramps. I just want something long and have seem ramps as long as 85". Would like to hear what you all are using and what you might recommend. I think I will look at selling my current ramp to finance the new one. Let me know your thoughts on everything Ramp.....

Thanks,
Brent

[Yamabeast]

Kinda went through the same thing years ago. Get a 5x8 trailer and be done with it. You're tow vehicle will feel better out on the road towing the trailer vs. having the quad in the back. Also, better ways to strap it down. Takes a little more gas in the truck with the trailer, but loading and unloading is such a breeze. You'll like it.

[Brent13]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Yamabeast @ January 13, 2008, 10:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Kinda went through the same thing years ago. Get a 5x8 trailer and be done with it. You're tow vehicle will feel better out on the road towing the trailer vs. having the quad in the back. Also, better ways to strap it down. Takes a little more gas in the truck with the trailer, but loading and unloading is such a breeze. You'll like it.[/b]

I hear ya, but I don't want to pay to store a trailer right now. When I had two ATV's a few years ago I had a trailer, and loved it. But it cost me about $20 a month to store it. Right now I am just not wanting the extra bill, plus the $800-$1300 for a trailer. I still have to pay off The Grizzly in the next few months.....

Brent

[miked73usa]

Hey there,

try atvramps.com they have ramps up to 120", with the sections being up to 19" wide. That is where I got my set. I also purchased a 5x8, rear fold down ramp trailer. This way I can haul two quads. I hook the trailer up to the truck, than put the ramps on the tailgate and floor of the trailer, then drive up the trailer and up the ramps, into the bed of the truck, secure it, then drive the other grizz on the trailer. I have a z71 with a 6" suspension lift and 35's, I need long ramps also, but needed a trailer, I got the trailer first, then the ramps, so me and a friend of mine quick take turns haulin the grizzz's.. looks pretty cool with 2 grizz's down the highway.

//\\//\\ikeD73USA

[Scott]

I sometimes use the same setup as MikeD with the trailer and the ramps. My truck has been from stock height up to 6" lift with 35's while still using the same 7' Home Depot ramps. My biggest fear has always been the tailgate straps breaking, i never even thought about flipping over.

And yeah, ive bumped my toolbox a few times but i guess it's better than bumping the back window lol.

[Tumbleweed]

Here's what I did. I bought a second, matching set of ramps. I then cut the new set in half and used the bottom portion to extend the original ramps. I bought some aluminum bar stock that would fit inside the square tubes of the ramps. I used 6 bars, not just the 2 in the picture.


Before the extension:


After the extension. The jack stand are not used, this was just in the test fit stage.


It is a good length for my 2500 4x4 Dodge diesel. I bolted the bars in place on the bottom extension and can remove
them if ever needed. I also use the extra safety straps to hold the 2 sections together.

It works real well, cut to fit so it would be the same length as the truck bed plus the tailgate. It was cheaper to do it
this way than to order an extra long set of ramps.

[TOlsen]

I have a six foot ramp to fit in my shortbox silverado, seemed a little steep at first but got used to it quickly. It has safety chains that attaches to the tailgate latch posts. I have the added obstacle of fifth wheel rails across the bed and my tool box at the front. When going without the wife I still prefer the ramp to pulling the trailer. I don't think you could tip it backwards with this setup.(I still wear my helmet when loading, just in case!)

[Tumbleweed]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MikeD73USA @ January 14, 2008, 1:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Looks pretty cool with 2 grizz's down the highway.[/b]

This is on order. Will be on the rear window of the MegaCab!


Will have 3 grizzlies on the truck and trailer this weekend!
Pic to follow for sure!

[ATVRIDER]

I have a 07 dodge ram 4 door 4x4 short bed and I use bi-folding ramps. I get wayyyyyy better gas mileage with the machine on the truck than on the trailer. I have a utility trailer with the gate on the rear .... It is a big difference.

[Tumbleweed]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ATVRIDER @ January 14, 2008, 1:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I have a 07 dodge ram 4 door 4x4 short bed and I use bi-folding ramps. I get wayyyyyy better gas mileage with the machine on the truck than on the trailer. I have a utility trailer with the gate on the rear .... It is a big difference.[/b]

There is about a 2 mpg difference if I pull my trailer or if I simply load it in the pickup bed.

ATVRIDER, if you do not have to have a tall tailgate on the trailer then you can either cut it down and/or remove the wire mesh and install rungs for the tires to roll up on. This makes a HUGE difference. I had a guy do this to his trailer and he is very pleased, said it made about a 2-3 mpg difference. He had the expanded metal screen before with only 1 of the cross members.

[Brent13]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jaxom @ January 14, 2008, 9:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Here's what I did. I bought a second, matching set of ramps. I then cut the new set in half and used the bottom portion to extend the original ramps. I bought some aluminum bar stock that would fit inside the square tubes of the ramps. I used 6 bars, not just the 2 in the picture.


Before the extension:


After the extension. The jack stand are not used, this was just in the test fit stage.


It is a good length for my 2500 4x4 Dodge diesel. I bolted the bars in place on the bottom extension and can remove
them if ever needed. I also use the extra safety straps to hold the 2 sections together.

It works real well, cut to fit so it would be the same length as the truck bed plus the tailgate. It was cheaper to do it
this way than to order an extra long set of ramps.[/b]

Jaxom,

Nice work there on the ramp extension. I had given that some thought also. Now I am off on another idea. If this idea is possible I can keep my short ramp. You and I have the same vehicle, so you may be just the person to ask. I am thinking about removing the two bed hooks at the front of the bed on the Ram trucks. Get myself a piece of 3/16" x 2" steel square stock to span the width of the bed. Weld on an end piece on each outer end and drill holes to match bolt pattern from where hooks were removed. Now I have this steel piece spanning the width of the bed. In the center of this piece I will drill a hole and bolt or weld on a large eye-bolt. I could also place an eye-bolt out on the end so as to still have in-bed tie-down points at the front. With this setup I could winch to load and to unload. Do you think there is sufficient strength to anchor this setup to the bedsides.I don't recall what the load rating is on the in-bed tie down points, but would guess each is rated at a few hundred pounds. I could do this mod for the price of the steel square stock as I have lots of plate steel at the house from other projects. Let me know your thoughts. I am going to do some searching as to the rating on the tie-down points in the Ram truck.

Brent

[Tumbleweed]

I don't know the load rating on the tie down hooks. I do use them to tied down the quad when it is in the bed.

Personally, I think I would make something up like the bar going across the bed at the bottom, but instead make something that dropped down into the stake pockets in front. That should provide a more straight pull until you get very close to the window.
I don't have any idea what the load would be winching up a set of ramps.

There's something about both of those ideas that I don't like. Might be fine, but it just gives me a bad feeling. I can't put my finger on it?!?!?!

I do place a spare tire in front of the bed for the bike to hit before it hits the glass. Also I have no problem w/ setting the weight of the bike on the tailgate and going down the road like that. Keep an eye on the cables and you'll be fine.

Best I can do, hope it helps.

Jerry

[ATVRIDER]

I put 2 4x8 up against the bed and then pull my machine up tight to them . That way it doesnt go threw the window ,( done that before, years ago.

[captjack]

I use these to load my griz into a f350 crew cab 4x4 with 35in tires on it.

http://www.atvramps.com/ITF-8546.htm


You only pucker for a while - then it becomes like second nature

good luck

[Brent13]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (captjack @ January 14, 2008, 4:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I use these to load my griz into a f350 crew cab 4x4 with 35in tires on it.

http://www.atvramps.com/ITF-8546.htm


You only pucker for a while - then it becomes like second nature

good luck[/b]

What becomes "like second nature"? Crapping my pants when the pucker factor of loading/unloading overcomes me? It is almost to that point. I hear ya though. I need to just toughen up and gun it up and down the ramp. I still am contemplating the winch up/down idea. I will remove the truck tie down hooks this evening and see how sturdy my mount idea might be.... I think it could work.

Brent

[dcorneli]

I bought these Duraloader ramps from www.performancecenter.com (about $138 a piece). I'm brand new at this, and these lengthwise folding ramps are very easy to use, even for me. We also have a 2500, so I know all about the bed height.





Good luck!
David

[mrpositrac]

I use some 70" ramps to load in the back of my 2007 FX4 F150 and it works fine. The angle is steep but I got used to it. Plus, I did have the ramps slide out once but the quad is long enough the front wheel where on tail gate the rear wheels were on the ground. Didn't even feel that scary. It was freezing rain all day an my safety straps were covered in ice and wouldn't hold, plus, they were back wards from the factory so they wouldn't hold for crap anyways. Turned them around and I can put all my weight on the middle of the strap and it won't budge.