Trailer Tailgate Latch Ideas?

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I've got a utility trailer tailgate latch that's similar to the old pickup tailgates with the "S" shaped hook on a chain.  It seems like the tab that is on the trailer bed is always getting bent which makes it difficult to fit into the tailgate.  The tailgate is actually a tall loading ramp which is truly an awesome feature.  I've made several solo loads & unloads of large refrigerators and freezers with nothing more than a fridge dolly.  The trailer sits low enough to the ground and the ramp is long enough so it has a gentle slope, especially when backed up to a sloping driveway.  The problem is the ramp is really heavy and you have to hold it closed with your shoulder as you try and latch it closed.Anyway, I need to replace this latch system with something better.  Yesterday on the photo forum I saw an ATV trailer with a simple spring loaded slide bolt.  Pretty smart idea.  I'm not sure if something like that would be safe enough for a large heavy tailgate though.  I'm sure there are some other good designs out there, so what have you got?Thanks for your help.
Reply:Don't forget that gravity is very reliable, if you can set it up so a pin drops through a hole on the ramp, it would be difficult for the pin to rattle out if gravity is pulling the pin down.A spring loaded pin should also work.  I would put a pin on both sides of the ramp to make it more secure.One time I designed a cart with a somewhat heavy ramp.  I had vertical pipes on both sides of the ramp, with a pulley at the top of the pipe.   A heavy weight was put inside the pipe, the cable ran from the weight to the pulley to the ramp.   It was so well counterbalanced that I could drop the ramp on my foot from 3 feet off the ground without hurting my foot.  Obviously there was some design and calculation involved in making this work right, but it worked very well.   I even satisfied the safety guy, who thought for sure that this design would hurt somebody, until he saw me demonstrate it and drop it on my foot.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge