Trailer Ramp Question

[RottenRalphy]

Hope someone can help me. I built a 24' flatbed trailer on 14000 lb axles and I would like the hinged ramps to lay flat on the deck when transporting, but have a smooth transition from ramp to deck when loading. I have either or, but not both. Either the 1 1/2" bar is 3" above the trailer deck in order to allow for the ramp to lay flat or the ramps will have to be transported upright My ramps are 3" channel rails with 2"x2" angle cross supports. I broached a hole in the end of the channel for mounting, but then I ran into the issue of mounting.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[deepNdirt]

To be honest with you in having the ramps fold flat to the surface of the trailer you are not going to get a real smooth transition, the ramps pipe hinge will have to be set above the ramp itself in order to fold over and lay flat on the trailer which will cause the ramp to step down about 2"
Question? why do you prefere it this way? it will limit you to not having any of the load to the rear of the trailer,

 

[Dirthog]

Find someone that has larger tag trailer they are most all built that way they use sort of a double hinge setup.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

double hinge. Usually there is an odd shaped piece that hinges the ramp and the trailer seperatly. Its not a perfectly smooth transition but thats how my GN ramps lay flat when transporting. Moritz trailer. Its also spring assissted which i stronly suggest you look into fabbing up so your not going in for a hernia operation.

 

[RottenRalphy]

Less wind resistance and better fuel economy when running empty. I figured I could pin them up when loaded, lay them flat when empty. Then I realized I am not that good at figuring!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Less wind resistance and better fuel economy when running empty. I figured I could pin them up when loaded, lay them flat when empty. Then I realized I am not that good at figuring!

While there is a gain is it worthwhile? If running empty down the highway daily yes. For most its not.

I prefer slide in ramps. This way they are out of the way when empty and not in the way when hauling longer items.

Chris

 

[RottenRalphy]

Maybe not as much as I think, but I can tell a big difference in drag from the ramps pinned up vs not having them on. I prefer my ramps fold flat and at 135 lbs each, I really do not want to take them off and throw them around. I also am purchasing springs to offset the weight.

 

[Xfaxman]

Hope someone can help me. I built a 24' flatbed trailer on 14000 lb axles and I would like the hinged ramps to lay flat on the deck when transporting, but have a smooth transition from ramp to deck when loading. I have either or, but not both. Either the 1 1/2" bar is 3" above the trailer deck in order to allow for the ramp to lay flat or the ramps will have to be transported upright My ramps are 3" channel rails with 2"x2" angle cross supports. I broached a hole in the end of the channel for mounting, but then I ran into the issue of mounting.
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Mine are not smooth, but it never has been a problem.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

DP and I tend to disagree about ramps, but for a heavy ramp for loading equipment, you can't beat a spring assissted fold over ramp for ease of use and durability. I have skinned my knuckles many times on the slide in ramps and I flat out despise them/will never own or buy a trailer with them that I plan on loading anything over the rear end. A straight deck trailer for hauling hay is the only exception I can think of that I wouldn't turn down because it has slide in ramps. On my GN though, the ramps do a great job of providing a little extra support to the rear stacks when going down the road since they pin upright and the beaver tail pins level as well.

 

[deepNdirt]

I found another benefit from having ramps that pin up, is when need to carry roof truss, I can stand 24 ft. on edge leaving the longer end between the ramps wedge them in with a length of 2x4 and not worry about them falling over, well of course I strap them down tight,
I once had a smaller 10 ft trailer I would lay the full width ramp extended out the rear and chain it to the rail to support it, I extend a 10 ft trailer to a 14 ft trailer, I did this when having to carry 16 ft building materials,