Loading Ramps

Looking for suggestions/recommendations on loading ramps. Should I be concerned about one style vs. another??

I’ll need a minimum of 1000 lb capacity. I have an 08 F150, the tailgate seems to be higher than the older models so a slightly longer ramp would be nice so it’s not so steep crawling in. Maybe this doesn’t matter??

I’ve never loaded a wheeler in a pickup, so any suggestions/education you can offer is welcome.

Here are a few I’m considering:

Ramp1

ramp2

ramp3

ramp4

Ramp #2 gets my vote.

What did you get John?

i had #4. they are great ramps. worked really well with my 01 f150 with a 6″ lift. so height is not a problem.

An 03 Polaris Sportsman 600. It’s around 750lbs along with my fat , we need a 1000lb capacity.

Congrats on the purchase!!

Time to tear up some ice. Don’t forget the chains!

Chains, Otter box(large), winch….No shortage of accessories needed. However, the priviledges to my spending account have been revoked by the spending committee.

I’ve only used ramps when loading my wheeler on to a buddy’s trailer. They look very similar to #3 which in my mind is too narrow as the out side of my rear tires hang off the ramp about 2 inches on each side. I absolutely hate loading with those ramps as they don’t leave much room for error when loading or unloading.

A couple of things to keep in mind:
• What ever ramp you decide on be sure to use the safety chains that help to keep the ramp in place. Two years ago at Hunters my buddy was unloading and never used the chains up to that point. As he was backing off the ramp fell off the trailer with the front wheels still on the trailer. He fell backward off the wheeler and smacked the back of his melon pretty hard on the ice. As I’m watching this time felt like it stopped as I’m watching the wheeler teeter on the back 2 wheels and finally fell forward with the front wheels only on the trailer. Thank god it didn’t fall backward on to my buddy who was on the ice in the fetal position holding his head. Also, check with Grow on how he uses a ratchet strap and his trailer hitch to secure his ramp. It looked slick but I didn’t pay close enough attention.
• I’m not sure what you have in your bed for a liner, but have something. When it’s either wet or cold the bare bed becomes slick. When loading you may end up sliding and breaking the back window in the cab if your wheeler grill/bumper smacks it.

I’d buy the widest folding ramp available. I always figure my Sportsman is 6 feet long and 4 feet wide.

I’m heading to the Pond on Sunday. Let me know if you want to give it a trial run.

Great info, exactly what I’m looking for. I talked to Matt briefly about what he has, I suspect a garage logic session may need to be scheduled to fully understand the workings of his system.

I’m going to pick it up tomorrow so I’ll be gone most of the day. I think Sunday will be Mom’s day…I’d love to go.

Ramp #1 = Junk (I Know)
Ramp #3 is too bulky to haul around
Ramp #4 is two short for me. Especially for newer trucks. I used to have a set like this and they can be a pain. Maybe if you were concerned about saving $15.00.

Ramp # 2 is similar to what I have now. I got them from Northern Tool. They have quick release straps instead of chains. They are quicker to use than chains and are less clumsy. Plus the ramps are long and you can use them for things other than just your 4-wheeler. The extra $15.00 goes along way.

Those were actually my first choice, however, my only concern the length. It is sure nice to lessen the grade, but then I have an issue storing them in a 6.5′ bed.

Which brings up a better question…I guess I’m not gonna get the tailgate shut on it anyway… Sorry, thinking out loud.

Bifold ramps are simpler then trifolds, (less hinges to break) and they will still slide in the truck below the 4 wheeler, I like the #3 style, but I would go longer, and stronger than that one.
#1 style is to easy to fall off of.

JOhn these look exactly like the ones I bought At fleet farm for $50

I did ramps/tailgate down for a few years…No thanks. Stuff sliding out of the box. Go on Utube and search, you’ll find many vids of loading/ramps buckling, breaking, flipping and crashing, slamming into the box etc… For what your going to spend, $150, get on craigslist and pick up a $200-250 trailer. They’re out there.

BIRDDOG

Quote:

---

I did ramps/tailgate down for a few years…No thanks. Stuff sliding out of the box. Go on Utube and search, you’ll find many vids of loading/ramps buckling, breaking, flipping and crashing, slamming into the box etc… For what your going to spend, $150, get on craigslist and pick up a $200-250 trailer. They’re out there.

BIRDDOG

---

Yup I vote trailer too, I got a cheap ($400) 4×6 tilt trailer from northern tool a couple years ago, works great, in fact I don’t even use the tilt portion it sits low enough that I can just drive it straight on and it’s good. I did modify it a bit, back when I had a snowmobile, I cut the railing in front to allow the skis to fit through, it’s a good thing, because I need to make sure the trailer is all the way forward or it doesn’t tow well (needs the tongue weight) and I don’t have to worry about driving through my back window anymore, not to mention I can leave my topper on and keep my stuff in the box fairly secure.

I’m sure it won’t be easy to pass through the CFO, but it’s 100X better option. Not to mention I often use the trailer once I’m at the lake to haul my crap across the lake, a little slower, but it works great.

Kooty, I have ramp #2, not in the extra long though. I have never had a problem loading my 700 Sportsman in the back of a Ram, there plenty high too. There are times when I might think about my pants, cause its so steep, but if you get the longer ones, they will work fine. Also, I just slide mine under the wheeler, and one bungee cord on the back of the ramp, to a cleat in the front does the trick

Does this mean you don’t need the sled this winter ???

big G

You know it brother!!

Does this also mean, maybe a few trips the pond this winter…

big G

Quote:

---

Does this also mean, maybe a few trips the pond this winter…

big G

---

Let’s hope so!!

Kooty I’ve got #2 and use them a lot loading into the back of my truck. I threw away the straps that came with the ramp and use ratchet straps when loading/unloading. Watched a buddies ramps kick out when he was loading, on his back, kicked the wheeler away so it didn’t land on him, but did some damage to the truck. After that was done, we all had a good laugh.

If you have a plastic bedliner, take her easy loading, or you’ll find out what a new back window costs..

When strapping the wheeler down in the back of the truck, I run one ratchet strap from the front of the truck to one foot peg, and one strap from the back of the truck to the other foot peg. Remember to set the parking brake as well, or the window issue happens again….

Jami

I ended up with the same tri-fold in a shorter model. It turns out I can shut the gate on the wheeler, so I didn’t want the ramps sticking out the back.

Threw in a new battery and she fired right up. A tad cold blooded, but nothing more than I expected for a carb. 5 minutes and she was warmed up good.

Ran it up the street and gave each kid a short ride. So far, I’d say it’s as it was advertised. Only thing, I have a squeel out of the right rear. Without any investigation, not even gonna begin to guess. I’m sure you all will be getting lots of questions as I replace all the fluids, air filter etc….

Super excited!!

Kooty, invest in some good grease, cold weather if you can find it. Polaris’ need greasing or you will pay for it later. But It is nice to have the grease points than to not in my opinion. That 600 will have a lot of power for ya!

So are there zerts on the axles/ujoints etc??? I honestly haven’t done more than a cosmetic view of the machine to this point. I’m gonna tear into it tonight after the kids go down.

And suspension points. You can Google up a guide for that I am sure.

cool ramps

Could try some of these!

Probably just slightly more expensive than my cabelas brand….

As fas as ramps go…those look sweet!

Charlie or Kooty??

BIRDDOG

Felt kind of bad for old Charlie when I saw this. But I did laugh out loud. He has the safety straps just dangling there.

Stupdity comes in many forms…… Aw Charlie…..

I like this one… 4 wheeler unload, no ramps

big G

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RuzMdTTSzo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNlTwL9k9T8&feature=related

Another couple loading attempts gone wrong.