In search of: Loading Ramp Fabricator

[Sod Farmer]

Moose-Hunter-
Can I ask you why you need such long ramps? I wouldn't think you need the extra length for an ATV. There are come curved ramps that are reasonably short that give you more clearance when you reach the top. Give us some more info as to why you need the longer ramps. There may be solutions to your problem other than additional length.
Sod

[This message has been edited by Sod Farmer (edited 03-20-2004).]

[Moose-Hunter]

Hey there Sod...

The reason for the long ramps is due to a rack I plan to build (or have built) for the back of my truck. I need the ability to tow my boat, haul the ATV, and use the bed for "weather-proof" gear storage. So I have to get my 'wheeler not just up into the bed, but as high as the bed rails. I've seen the curved ramps and even played with a few of the "ready made", straight models and none seem to do the trick without extra length. Thus, the plan for a set of folding 9 or 10 footers.

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[Sod Farmer]

Now I understand! You have a long way to climb if I understand you correctly. If you figure out a solution, please post it here. I have thought about putting my ATV on a platform the same height as the top of my bed rails so that I would have the bed of the truck to haul my portable ice shak underneath. Sounds similar to what you are trying to do. Good luck!
Sod

[Moose-Hunter]

Hey Sod...

What do ya know... Great minds think alike.

I'm in the blueprint stages of that very thing right now. I've found a ton of bed mounted ATV decks that would do what we need. But what makes mine different is that.... hmmmm.... maybe a public forum is not the place to "spill my beans". At least not quite yet.

As soon as I have a prototype built, and the necessary paperwork filed, I'll go public. But until then....Sorry MUM is the word.

I still need the long ramps though....

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[Sod Farmer]

I remembered seeing this a while back. I finally found it for you. Take a look at this: http://www.off-road.com/atv/reviews/products/utlimaterack/ultimate.html

Part of what they are selling is a set of 10" ramps.
Sod

[Moose-Hunter]

Howdy all...

I'm in search of a steel/aluminum fabricator (resonably priced) that can build me a set of folding loading ramps. I've seen and tried the 6',7' and even a set of custom 8' ramps, but mine need to be a minimum of 9'. Preferably in the 10' range.

I also have an idea for a steel/aluminum truck "rack" that needs a price quote as well.

If any of you do this sort of thing, or know where I can find this type of work, please post here.

Thanks....

P.S. AutoCAD drawings would be provided...

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[jigglestick]

moose hunter, try joe at this address
[email protected]
shoot him your stuff, and or just give him a call. he may be able to help you out.
p.p., he's also an I.B.O.T. CAN'T GO WRONG!!

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a proud member in good standing of the International Brotherhood of Triangulists!! jigglestick I.B.O.T.#5 have you clamped today???

[This message has been edited by jigglestick (edited 03-21-2004).]

[TV BOY]

Moose hunter,
A friend of mine has a unit that mounts on the bed rails and has two long ~13' ramps. His ramps are aluminum and have a 2" lip on both sides to help keep things in line. He said the first time you drive that 4 wheeler up there it is a bit hairy, but not as hair raising as the first trip down backwards. He loads 2 traxters on his. He aslo added an air suspension to his dodge 1/2 ton.

Personally I would only try it with one.

If you need a link to the company (out of Colorado)let me know. Or, if it's ok with Dave I can post it

[Moose-Hunter]

Hey jigglestick...

Thanks for the info. when I get my plans together, I'll give Joe a shout. And he's a member of "the brotherhood" eh?... I thought this was going to be my year, but you know the best laid plans....blah...blah....blah..
Can one be clamped during open water?

TV BOY....

I may have seen that model, but if you can get me the company name of addy, I'll search for it. 13' ramps may be a tad too long, but they'd be closer than 6 footers, that's for certain...

Thanks for the info....

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[TV BOY]

M H,
Do a google search for atvpickupcaddy and you should find it. The ramps fold so that they fit in the bed with the tailgate closed so their 12-13 feet long when open.

Hope this helps

[SPIN DRY]

I've seen some where you load from the side, drive up one side down the other. So you never have to back off. The guy had two wheelers on his truck and pulled a camper. he was from Florida, so I couldn't tell you where he got them from. Good luck

[Grabs]

Moose-hunter, why not just have two different sets of ramps.

You could have your primary set of 6 footers to the tailgate, and then a secondary set that went from the top of your rack to the edge of the tailgate. This secondary set could be hinged or have a lip that connects it to the rack and then could fold away for easy storage. Then the 6 footers could still be stowed in your truck bed easily, much easier then a set of 9 or 10 footers.

This way you could still use the 6 foot ramps when you didn't use the rack, I would imagine there would still be times you didn't need the rack and just wanted to load the wheeler into the truck bed quick.

I know someone that you could work with, he lives in Chanhassen and is great, I've had him make some things for me in the past too.

e-mail me we can talk
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Grabs (edited 03-23-2004).]

[lip_ripper]

Moose-hunter

A friend/neighbor of mine fabs up railings,fences and has done atv ramps. Shoot me your e-mail and I'll give you his phone number if interested. He's in the St.Cloud area.

[Moose-Hunter]

Thanks for all the GREAT info folks!!!! It's very much appreciated!!!

Grabs...

Great idea about a "two stage" ramping system but I think the angle from the rack to the tailgate edge may be a bit too extreme. I think I'm going to stick with the longer ramps for both loading scenerios. I'll be emailing you as soon as the drawings are complete and we can see if your buddy in Chan can work some magic!!

Thanks again to all posters!!!!

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[This message has been edited by Moose-Hunter (edited 04-08-2004).]

[sledhead]

Just be sure you come back to the right place to get the second 700. LOL Tim told me he talked to ya. Plus I would like to see this loading ramp setup.

sledhead

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ride safe, wear a helmut, stupid hurts

If you get'em serviced, wash'em first.

[Moose-Hunter]

Well the ramps are finally done!!!

They ended up being a set of aluminum folders. About 10' long, 12" wide. The bottom half is basically straight/flat, while the top half is slightly curved to lessen the transition at the bed/rack. Each ramp weighs about 30 pounds. Estimated weight capacity is around 1200 pounds for the set. We didn't test them to failure (hope we never do!!) but we drove a 500HO to the top of the ramp, front wheels in the bed of my truck. And then pulled my 700 up behind the 500. With basically both ATVs on the ramps, they flexed a bit but that's all. After comparing before and after measurements, no bending had occured!!!

All things considered, I'm very happy with the way these turned out. If asked... "would you build another set?"... Answer... Probably not. I did not save as much as I thought I would. GREAT set of ramps, and CUSTOM too, but not really worth the hassle. Fun project though....

Now it's on to the in-bed rack system.....

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[Dave]

Sounds like you did a fun project, MH.

[Moose-Hunter]

Let's give this picture thing a try....

The side and center rails are made from rectangular tubing. The hinges from solid round and thick wall round tubing with flat stock added for bracing. The "ladder rungs" were just some extruded stuff my buddy had laying around his shop. The welds aren't pretty, but they hold.

In this picture, you can really see the curve in the upper ramp section. With my 700 Polaris sitting there, you can also see the slight deflection due to the added weight.

I just had to add this shot. Showin' off the FM "colors" on the bumper....

Hope this works....

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[This message has been edited by Moose-Hunter (edited 05-28-2004).]

[Ray Esboldt]

Dan,

Any chance you post pictures? I would like to see them, and so would the other ATVers.

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Ray Esboldt

Catch-N Tackle
MarCum
Stone Legacy

[Ray Esboldt]

I can see them! Very cool.

I've never liked driving up those short ramps. Your's I would be comfortable with.

Thanks for sharing.

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Ray Esboldt

Catch-N Tackle
MarCum
Stone Legacy

[Moose-Hunter]

Thanks Ray...

A couple more details.... Although these are "custom" ramps, a couple design concepts were "borrowed" from other maufacturers and then improved on. Like the hinge design. The total weight for the pair is a little under 60 pounds. I would have liked to have these about an inch wider (added comfort zone), but the 12" width works just fine.

The "short ramp syndrome" is exactly the reason for building these. I've seen people actually flip their ATV's over due to severe loading angles. (Right Todd? LOL!!!)

When loading into the bed of the truck, the angle is VERY comfortable. It will be a bit steeper loading on to the bedrail high deck, but it won't be real bad. In fact, in the design process for the deck, we used 9' 2x12's to test with and that angle felt okay. A little un-nerving going backwards on the 2x12's however. When strapped to the bumber, these ramps don't move at all.

Deck construction should begin next week. This will be my first real life welding project. I'll keep you posted....

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[This message has been edited by Moose-Hunter (edited 05-28-2004).]

[sledhead]

Man that thing is as clean as the day you picked it up! if not cleaner. Nice wheels you got for it. Sharp! Not to mention those loading ramps are pretty trick.

sledhead

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ride safe, wear a helmut, stupid hurts

If you get'em serviced, wash'em first.

[Moose-Hunter]

Hey there Sledhead...

You wouldn't have said it was clean monday when I got home. With all this rain, mud has been VERY easy to come by!!! The wheel and tire combo was the doing of Brian and Tim. They set me up right!!! This machine goes (and comes back from) places others fear to tread!!! Just ask my buddy who needed a Jeep to yank him out... LOL!!! If I get stuck, it's my fault..Not my 4wheeler's...

To the guys at S. St.Paul Hitching Post... Ya done GOOD!! Thanks!!

And I live by your words of wisdom, Sledhead... "If you get'em serviced, wash'em first." With a normal service call coming up quick, gotta keep her clean for ya...

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M-H (aka: Dan)

[woodyjdh]

Very nice ramps indeed.

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[This message has been edited by Ray Esboldt (edited 06-02-2004).]