When solving the problem of how to load or unload your car into your trailer, it can be tempting to go the DIY route. While we don’t necessarily discourage this strategy, there are still some things that you want to be aware of before you pick up the tools.
Sturdier than using wood planks, building a fold-up trailer ramps can be an attractive option for those who have the tools and the gumption to make it. At Race Ramps, we've found that the safest and easiest option is go go with our tried and proven trailer ramps.
Read on for some more insight into how to construct a fold-up trailer ramp as well as our suggestion for a safer, straight-out-of-the-box alternative.
Building a Fold-Up Ramp
Please note: that this is a very generalized overview of some of the steps required to build a metal fold-up trailer ramp, NOT a detailed step-by-step guide outlining the materials, tools and skills needed to construct a properly-welded fold-up ramp engineered to support the weight of your vehicle.
Materials:
- Square steel tubing
- Heavy-duty expanded metal grating
- Metal strapping
- Rust-resistant spray paint coating
Tools:
- Circular saw or angle grinder fitted with appropriate blade for cutting steel
- Square
- MIG Welder
- Strapping cutter
Available at any home improvement store, cut four lengths of steel tubing to match the width of the back of your trailer (you’re going to make a square out of the four pieces).
Next, lay two of the cut pieces parallel and weld the third across them at one end, using the square to ensure that everything is properly angled.
Lay the fourth piece of square tubing at the other end and weld it in place to form an equi-distant square.
Reinforce the center with two or more pieces of square tubing based on how strong you need the ramp to be in order to load your vehicles.
Next, cut your heavy-duty expanded metal grate to size so that it covers the frame of the ramp. Trim any excess and weld it to the frame.
To create a hinge, take one final length of square tubing and use the metal strapping to create the hinges and the gate to attach it to the trailer.
Lastly, give the entire assembly a coat of paint using specialty rust-resistant spray paint (several coats are usually recommended for best results, and the sky’s the limit on color choices), and you should be good to go with your new fold-up trailer ramp.
Advantages of Two Piece Ramps
Two-piece ramps can be preferable to fold up ramps for a number of reasons. First of all, they’re typically a sturdier construction than folding options. Two-piece ramps are usually sold as solid pieces all the way through, which means they’re far less likely to fail or crush like a fold-up ramp might if it’s put under too much pressure. They’re also quite a bit more portable than folding ones, as they can be easily thrown onto the trailer or into the back of a truck for transportation to the next destination with little to no fuss.
Finally, they offer an enhanced degree of safety by providing you with a sturdier base on which to operate. Plus, you don’t have to worry about fussing with DIY that can easily go awry if you opt to go this route.
Two piece trailer ramps offer you a degree of portability, affordability and stability that folding trailer ramps really can’t match. While many of our handier customers and readers have opted for making their own folding style, we still recommend that those who are less sure of their workshop skills choose angled wedges to move their precious recreational equipment onto their trailers.
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only, Race Ramps is not liable for any accidents, injury or damage caused by individuals attempting to build their own fold-up trailer ramps.