Need help with trailer ramp.

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I am needing advice on building a ramp for a "landscape trailer" The trailer is motley used for our tractor but now there is a desire to move our commercial mower with BIG bagger on it.  The mower with operator weighs in at about 1800lbs and the bagger can be another 200lbs.I am still working in how long the gate will be so it does not bind on the unit when unloaded (long when the bagger is hooked up) but I am hoping for about 6'.My question is how much steel do you thing I need to hold the weight with no risk of bending?I would like to do it out of all angle iron and expanded metal and keep it as light as possible.  I have a tendency of over building, but I don't want the tail gate to be 500lbs!  Me!
Reply:Angle iron will not be strong enough for that kind of weight with out bowing in the center. My suggestion would be to use 1"x2"x11ga. box tubing for the tailgate. Incorporate a set of ramps into the gate construction. Heres a picture of something similar to what you may need. I built this a couple of years ago for carrying two bikes, but you should be able to get the idea anyways. Dave Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Heres another trailer with ramps built into the gate, this one was built for a John Deere Mule. But it is the same basic idea as the other one. Dave Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:What is on the ramps on that black one? I like it....Me!
Reply:The ramps on the black trailer was actually covers for a screw conveyor we replaced a while back. I had about 10 of those covers that we saved off of the old system. It's just 11 gauge sheet with a bunch of holes punched in it. You can find similar materials in stock at most of your big steel suppliers.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!