4 wheeler ramps

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So I need to build a couple of loading ramps for putting a couple of four wheelers up on a trailer.  I would buy them but I need them to be 9 feet long to produce a decent angle since the top of the trailer is about 4.5 feet off the ground.  I was debating between using 1x2x1/8th tubing or angle iron maybe 1.5x1.5x3/16th for the outer frame.  What do you guys and gals think?
Reply:What kind of trailer are they going on? 4 1/2' tall? wowYup
Reply:Personally, I'd go with the largest side dimension that I could without making them too hard to handle.  Maybe even 21/2-3 on the wide leg of the angle iron.  But I have a tendancy to overbuild.  A ramp buckling at that height can kill you.Steeper the angle, the lighter material.  Less angle, heavier material.9 foot ramp length, or 9 foot clear span(edge of trlr. to where you want the ramp to rest on the ground)?Fold down legs in the middle of the span are a good thing too.  It decreases the span."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Last ramps I made were 5" channel, 12 feet long, made in four sections (2 each side), Quick mount pylon in the middle of each span.  Crazy things weigh 780lbs!!!!!!!!  Takes 2 guys to assemble them.  But I feel safe driving a large tractor on them.Last edited by farmersamm; 09-18-2008 at 07:52 PM.Reason: wrong length, actually shorter"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I made some 6.5 ft. long w/ 3/4"x1 1/2"x.060" for my wheeler and they've worked fine. Use them to load it in my p/u.                                   MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusI made some 6.5 ft. long w/ 3/4"x1 1/2"x.060" for my wheeler and they've worked fine. Use them to load it in my p/u.                                   Mike
Reply:I would opt for the 1"X 2" X 1/8" wall retangular tubing. That stuff is rigid.I build a set much like what you described except they are 10' long. I built them out of I 1/2" X 1 1/2" X 1/8" wall tubing because that is what I had laying around. The cross bars are 3/4" X 3/4". Don't remember the wall thickness but not very heavy. I use them to load a Polaris Expedition which is pretty heavy. They have no flex at all. I've been using them for 6 years and they are still perfectly straight.Also built a set 6' long to load a couple of Honda 250Rs out of an old swing set. The side rails are made from the frame which is 2' OD and really thin. Crosspieces are 3/4' off the same swing. I've loaded the Polaris on a low trailer a few times using them and they don't flex either. Kind of suprised as I figuered they would fles with the heavy Polaris.
Reply:Originally Posted by MartygrasSo I need to build a couple of loading ramps for putting a couple of four wheelers up on a trailer.  I would buy them but I need them to be 9 feet long to produce a decent angle since the top of the trailer is about 4.5 feet off the ground.  I was debating between using 1x2x1/8th tubing or angle iron maybe 1.5x1.5x3/16th for the outer frame.  What do you guys and gals think?
Reply:If I needed 9' ramps to get to 4.5 ft, I'd sell my QuadEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:The 4.5 feet is the height to the deck that the 4 wheelers sit on.  There is a lower storage area under it.  I will have to take some pictures of the trailer so you can get an idea.The load the ramps have to carry is probably in the neighborhood of 600-800 lbs depending on which bike/rider combo.  I hesitate to do a fold down support in the middle just because the terrain these are loaded/unloaded on is never level or even and I dont think adjustble legs would be worth the time it will take.  However, if I notice it sag then they will be going in.I went ahead and picked up the 2x1x0.120 That is what the 6.5 footers I have are built out of.  Ill get some pics as the project progresses and how they handle the load.Last edited by Martygras; 09-19-2008 at 10:47 AM.
Reply:Finally downloaded some pictures so here are the ramps that I ended up building.  Used 1x2 rect tube 1/8 wall for the outer frame.  Then ran two 1.25x 3/16 flat bar down the middle and welded on the same stuff every 4 inches for traction.sorry for the crappy picture was late at night when I finished and taking pictures was low on my priority list.And here is so people can see why I needed the Longer Ramp.