The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk loading ramps

I cant find this question addressed anywhere on the site. I occasionaly use my bolt for work around the house and yard. I need some ramps for a piece of rental equipment(lawn areator) for a project upcoming.What do you guys use? How do you use them? Do you lower the tailgate and hang it on the chains then lay some ramps on that? Will the chains hold the weight? Do any of you use the ones that you make from lumber? Do you just set them on the tailgate? I guess since our bolts use the chains I wonder how safe this is. I appreciate any ideas. My truck is a daily driver so Im not concerned about some scratches etc.I want to keep this on the cheap and I dont want to buy expensive ramps.

Thanks in advance.

Kevs57,

The low budget but effective ramp is merely a fir 2X12 the length of the bed with a small piece of flatbar screwed to one end that catches in the space between lowered tailgate and bed.

Depending on what was being loaded, a pair of these might be needed. I think trying to load a heavy item across the chained up tailgate would only result in a bent gate.

Stuart

i'd buy a slightly curved model
i have several bikes and the need for a curved model is best.

http://www.motorcycleramps.com/motorcycle-ramp.htm

Get a sheet of 1 1/8" 'sturdi-floor" plywood.
You can cut one wide one or two narrow ramps as you need.
Use the piece of flatbar as Automarc described.
Marty

A ditch by a hill is the cheapest "ramp"

Drop the rear wheels in a ditch, and or back up to a bank / hill, no ramp needed.

If you don't have the perfect hill, then some planks from the bed, over the tailgate, to the hill may work.

Grigg

You can buy ramp ends like these. and put them on a pair of 2x12s like I did over 20 years ago. They are a bit heavier than the folding aluminum things you can buy now but they don't cost a fortune either.

I like Tiny's idea.

Thank you gentlemen. A great help as usual. I will make a decision from your suggestions. I just got new painted bumpers and I was wondering how to do this without laying the tailgate on my new rear bumper! :blat:

The tailgate shouldn't contact the bumper anyway. If it is, there be a problem somewhere.

You might be able to take a piece of rubber pipe insulation and cut it down the middle so you can slip it on the edge of your tailgate where the bumper will make contact to prevent damage when you take the chains off and lay the tailgate on the bumper.

i have a set of 2x12's, I have to take off the tail gate tho, as it will hit the bumper if i take off the restraints.