How do ramps calculate their load?

txdon · Nov 22, 2015

I'm looking at a try fold ramp that is rated at 1200 lbs for my golf cart to go into my trailer. The golf cart is 1300 lbs. the wheel base of the cart is 75" so there will mostly be 2 wheels either in the trailer or on the ground and never 1200 lbs at the center. Do ramps calculate the max load at the center, and will the ramps be ok?

Looking4new · Nov 22, 2015

They should be okay IF you put some support under them at the fold points.

Diamondpilot · Nov 22, 2015

Don't forget to add your weight. You will be closer to 1500#. I think you need to look for a stronger set.

Chris

4570Man · Nov 22, 2015

The ramps should work especially considering the safety margin the manufacturer factored in, but you need heavier duty ramps.

newbury · Nov 22, 2015

Ramps don't calculate loads. Engineers calculate loads. Advertisers state the load, or whatever they think will sell the ramp.

Post the name and specs of the ramps and inquire for input from other TBN'ers.

txdon · Nov 23, 2015

Thanks guys, I found this stronger ramp. I like the trifold and want them to fit under the golf cart folded. I need 50" wide for my 860 lb Z mower also. The ramps will be going to a trailer not a pick-up like the photo. How about these rated at 1500 lbs?
Extreme Max 6' Tri-Fold ATV Ramp

LD1 · Nov 23, 2015

I think you need a stronger set. ATV ramps are ment to load ATV's. lawn mowers, etc. When they assign the load rating, we can assume they are factoring 4 wheels at some given wheelbase. And not 1200# right in the middle.

txdon · Nov 23, 2015

LD1 said:
I think you need a stronger set. ATV ramps are ment to load ATV's. lawn mowers, etc. When they assign the load rating, we can assume they are factoring 4 wheels at some given wheelbase. And not 1200# right in the middle.

Agreed, we were posting at the same time, look at the post before yours.

Ford850 · Nov 23, 2015

Try this site for lots of heavier options. Here's a 3000lb ramp for about the same price.
Arched Tri-Fold UTV Trailer Ramp 5'5" Long | DiscountRamps.com

LD1 · Nov 23, 2015

Thats a better weight rating.

How high is the deck on your trailer?

txdon · Nov 23, 2015

The deck on my trailer is 16".
Ford850, The center of the mower wheels on the Z is 40" so that would work. The folded height is higher than the clearance of the golf cart but I could put the ramps in back of the pick-up. Thanks for the link.

Ford850 · Nov 23, 2015

txdon said:
The deck on my trailer is 16".
Ford850, The center of the mower wheels on the Z is 40" so that would work. The folded height is higher than the clearance of the golf cart but I could put the ramps in back of the pick-up. Thanks for the link.

Dig a little more on that site, or other sites. I did the same thing a couple years ago, and found some various brands that were really built well. Some were outrageously priced, but there are some nice stout decent ramps out there.

newbury · Nov 23, 2015

Ford850 said:
Dig a little more on that site, or other sites. I did the same thing a couple years ago, and found some various brands that were really built well. Some were outrageously priced, but there are some nice stout decent ramps out there.

Since there are probably many of us that could use a "really built well" ramp and you've done some research, could you share some names of the better brands? Please.
I need a set to get my B7610 into my F350 dually.

4570Man · Nov 23, 2015

Why don't you build a attached fold down ramp for your trailer? I have used both and I much prefer the attached ramp.

Ford850 · Nov 23, 2015

newbury said:
Since there are probably many of us that could use a "really built well" ramp and you've done some research, could you share some names of the better brands? Please.
I need a set to get my B7610 into my F350 dually.

I'm sorry, but I'd be starting from scratch again. I just did a quick google search to provide the link above. There are other sites out there that specialize in ramps of all kinds. Look at the details and specs, and find a few that are close to your needs (length, width, and capacity).

txdon · Nov 23, 2015

4570Man said:
Why don't you build a attached fold down ramp for your trailer? I have used both and I much prefer the attached ramp.

Agreed and good thought!
Since I carry things in my trailer that are longer than my trailer a fold down ramp would have to also fold in half. If this would be a weekly thing I would do it, but I'll only need the ramps maybe 4 times a year. Also ever since the scrap metal people bent the side of my trailer it's hard to think about improvements to it without first tackling that job (without making it worse) - but it still pulls in a straight line now so. . . I really just need a new ramped trailer but that's another year.

Ford850 do you remember what brand name ramps you have?

4570Man · Nov 23, 2015

You can chain an attached ramp at the same level as the trailer deck. It doesn't get in the way of hauling longer stuff.

ProjectKing · Nov 23, 2015

txdon said:
I'm looking at a try fold ramp that is rated at 1200 lbs for my golf cart to go into my trailer. The golf cart is 1300 lbs. the wheel base of the cart is 75" so there will mostly be 2 wheels either in the trailer or on the ground and never 1200 lbs at the center. Do ramps calculate the max load at the center, and will the ramps be ok?

You have answered your own question. Ramp is rated for 1200 and your vehicle is 1300 lbs not including you. Ramp is too weak for application. Don't go cheap on loading ramps. You'll pay if you do.