What do you do when you break your aluminum ramp in 2 on a holiday weekend..

I guess this was bound to happen.. I sometimes like to push the limits of the theory of relativity.. I've been using my 7k aluminum car ramps to load all kinds of stuff. My theory is 7k ramps + 2x10's equals 10k... I figure 2x10 on top of 7k ramps is worth an extra 3k lbs..

I been meaning to get better ramps but I can never seem to make it up to Indiana to pick up a set. So I've been sticking my 2x10 on top of the ramps for quite a while and it tends to work ok.. Loaded all kinds of heavy trucks & vans.. It's usually ok anyway because even a 12k F550 isn't 12k on the ramps at once for example..

Well, I booked this RV that was paying $2/mile out of FL. I picked it up Thurs at a copart (self load) this way I'm loaded and can leave out Sat or Sunday and deliver Monday and I don't have to fight with the mad rush of everyone trying to book everything listed Monday morning after a holiday weekend..

So a few weeks ago I loaded an excavator that was 10k or so and I could tell it was pushing my advanced theory of relativity that calculated the weight rating of my ramps.. It loaded/unloaded but I was testing the theory for sure...

Fast forward to yesterday, instead of doubling Up the board /ramp I used the 2x10's for a kicker ramp because it's an RV and I needed the extra angle. It's supposed to be only 11k so sped across 2 axles should be fine I thought.. well... RV was running bad kept stalling and too much time on the ramp equals bent & cracked a ramp... sad face..

So I had to spend this morning 'fixing" my aluminum ramp with steel. I don't have any way to weld aluminum so I made some supports out of angle irons and flat bar then caged it all in place so it can't move. Should last until I finally get to Indiana and pick up some heavier duty ramps.

####ty-looking welds because I was just trying to do it fast but they will hold..

 

The strength is needed in the middle. the 2x10s add strength there because they are nearly the same length as the ramp. The part where it hooks onto the trailer is more than strong enough.

Stabilizers don't work because if you, for instance, put wood blocks under the ramps the vehicle will push the back of the trailer down when the weight starts transferring to the trailer but the ramps don't move with it and they can come off the hook. The reason stabilizers work on step decks for instance is those types of ramps usually have a pin that holds it to the trailer so the ramp moves down with the trailer if the added weight starts compressing the springs when loading.

3k lbs on two 2x10's.. sure no problem so long as there is a way to secure the 2x10 so it doesn't move..

edit.... BTW I keep saying 2x10.. they are 2x12s and yeah they can actually hold a decent amount of weight.

 

If you are just wanting ramps like mine but heavier duty check here... They aren't the big multi-piece step deck ramps though.

Facebook link

 

Na I can get them cheap enough. I just looked at the ad again on FB and he's shipping them at a better price now. Last time I talked to him shipping price was really high so I was just waiting to get up there to buy them directly.

 

Yeah, it disperses the weight across the ramp so the full load isn't put onto the ramp in the center. I have little hooks that slide onto the slats on the ramp so the board won't fall off. It works pretty good TBH.. The only reason the ramp failed was that the Rv kept stalling because the choke was sticking or something and I think I bounced it a bit too much going up and down a few tries. (it's an older 80's one)

In fact, after the ramp broke, I put the 2x12 onto the ramp as I normally would for a heavy vehicle and drove it up using the 2x12 and put boards under it to support the broken part then loaded the RV on the broken ramp with the 2x12. The 2x12 held the weight of the RV at that point with the broken ramp under it so I could still attach it to the trailer.

Not that I'd like to do that again, but wood can actually hold a good amount of load if it's a good board.