16 ' trailer Questions

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Rebuilding the bed on my trailer and would like to know if anyone knows where I can get the steal straps that clamp down the wood like the old pickups had. that would be better than drilling holes in the wood and would look better. Most of the trailer is made of 3 X 2 X 3/16 angles. In the bed they are about 30" apart or so with the last one being about 40" from the end. Do any of you trailer guys think I should add one so the last one will be only 20" or so. I plain to haul cars and not sure a 40" gap isn't too much. Last I need to build a couple of ramps I think I know how to do this but not sure how to hook them to the end of the trailer. I need a hinge that is strong enough to handle round 5000 pounds. ThanksBrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:Why 5000lbs? and why a hinge?
Reply:want to be able to fold the ramps up and lock them instead of taking them off. Guess I could use less of a hinge and build a leg under the ramp to support the weight. ThanksLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:If you want heavy duty ramps, just take a look at any heavy equipment trailer like Eager Beaver. In reality you probably don't need the ramps to hold 5000lb's, more like 3000lbs. Figure if each ramp is seperate it would need to support about 1/4 the weight of the vehicle. 3000lb's on 2 ramps would be a 6000lb axle fully loaded.One thing about folding ramps. we have them on our 20' equipment trailer. With the pickup on the trailer, you can't fold the ramps flat on the deck for travel. You need to strap them tight to the bumper of the pickup. No big deal for us, the bumper on the PU is scared anyways, but if the boss wanted to load his Excursion to get home after he drops off the big truck and trailer for inspection, there'd be hell to pay if we didn't wrap the crap out of the ramps so as not to F up the bumper. No matter how tight you crank on the chains secureing the vehicle and how tight you lash down the ramps things move in transit.
Reply:Those joint straps for truck beds can be had from someplace that has restoration parts for old model Pickup trucks...You might not like the prices though.You might be able to design your own from 16' pieces of metal either bolted down or screwed down...lot less money that way ...give it some thought.Build pockets under the bed so you can slide the ramps in and lock them in place. Every trailer I ever used with hinged ramps was a PITA...they are always in the way.I did see one that had a double hinge tailgate ramp that folded onto itself and was pinned,but it was on a 10' trailer. It folded like a bi-fold door so when used it was great and when folded it wasn't very tall ...just heavy.
Reply:Life is a compromise.  Folding ramps get in the way but the older I get, the lighter they ain't and I don't like to carry them far so hinged works best for me.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:That's exactly why my 16 footer has a tilt bed with a hydraulic ram and I'm thinking about replacing the hand pumped ram with an air over hydraulic ram...LOL
Reply:Yeah I thing building a pocket to slide them in is the way to go. I am not getting any younger folding ramps might be a little more than I want to mess with....Lincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:When is somebody going to build a split deck, assist tilt bed so every body can see?
Reply:My neighbour has spring-assist ramps.  Kick them down and they go slow without and hand on them, lift them up with one hand.  I relocated his license plate to underneath the left ramp so that it is protected and only visible when the ramp is up.  His ramps also slide over to accommodate differing wheel bases.In my neck of the woods ramps in slide compartments collect rocks, muck and salt and are a pain in the butt to deal with sometimes.  The best design I can find are stored up front but the trailer is long, I am old and feeble and those ramps weigh lots so I like the hinged ones.Best to find some guys that actually use a car-haul to carry scrap cars and ask, ask, ask until you are satisfied that you have the whole story.  AND, my father used to say not to ask someone that still ones one but ask the guy that sold it and he will tell you the truth.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:You could make a hydraulic ramp and use it like a dovetail.  I like the idea of sliding ramps under the trailer.