46 replies to this topic

[wvbuzzmaster]

Just have to register it in another state Steve, like Ohio lol.

[grand]

Nice looking project. Sounds like you have a good plan in mind. Will be looking forward to the updates.Thanks for sharing.

[maddhorse]

The oiled up hemlock looks good on the top I will mix an oil based poly and sand.
The lights and wiring are done. I ran the main wires from the plug through the frame into a junction box. Each individual light is wired out of the box, If one light goes out the others stay on.
I welded the rear end so that ramps would lock in but be able to slide side to side for adjustment and be removable. I was going to hinge them but at 8' long when it would go up I thought it would be to tall.
More to come but I have to go. I wanted to keep my word about pics.

[KennyP]

Looks good to me. Great job on this.

[mjodrey]

Looks good to me. Great job on this.

[GTTinkerer]

Getting to run the wiring before the bed is on makes it a whole bunch easier. Reminds me that I need to rewire my car trailer before I take it out of the county.

[wvbuzzmaster]

What is your ride height to the top of the deck? I assure you 8 foot ramps are way overkill. I built 5 foot long ramps for my trailer and it sits about 22 inches to the top of the deck. I have loaded tractors that the mower deck only lifts 2 inches off the ground (dragged a little but could not help it on that one LOL). The thing I find is if your trailer is stout enough you can lower your trailer jack and lift the back of the truck about 2 inches and your breakover angle is incredibly small. And 5 foot ramps are actually quite enough. I will load up a pic of the trailer here soon, show you what I built for your own reference.

[wvbuzzmaster]

Here is a picture. I don't have better right now. My ramps are 5 foot and slide from side to side, permanently mounted. Ramps are built from 2 inch a angle iron 1/4" thick. About as heavy as you would want them to be.

Edited by wvbuzzmaster, February 22, 2012 - 05:42 PM.

[maddhorse]

This post may be a bit lengthy while I want to cover a couple of different things. I went and checked out a 7 x 12 trailer today at the local trailer place they were asking $1,800 for it. I stepped on one corner and bounced, the thing twisted. Not just a little, I think I could destroy that trailer with little effort. The trailer I built is solid. It has some give but I have faith it will be around a long time.
This morning I drilled 7/16 holes in the ends of the hemlock boards. Then I anchored the boards with 5/16 carriage bolts at both ends, sandwiched between the frame and old bedrails predrilled with 5/16 holes. The boards are green and will not swell to become longer or wider then they are but will shrink so I used no other anchor’s. I wanted to allow them to expand and contract through the seasons and not split.
Squeaky Wheel My deck is at 22” as well, I have messed around with different ramps loading into my truck and a couple of different trailers too. I don’t have trouble with mower deck, it is the tiller or snow blower. I can’t be the only one who has this trouble. I know 8’ is way overkill but I want to do this once and be happy. I have one ramp complete and posted picture of it. It is long and awkward but I can make a ramp shorter however I don’t want to try and buy a ramp stretcher. I am guessing it is way out of my price range. Ha ha ha, just messing with you! Again it does not seem to bad just big and clumsy.
Lastly I sold my welder before my last deployment and just recently replaced it. I needed an easy project to build my confidence and skill back. This was a lot of fun and easy. I would suggest using the popup frame to anyone. My only complaint is that it is narrow.
I will post pics after I paint it in a couple of months. I do not have a heated space where I can spray this out. I am taking suggestions on colors, I am leaning towards JD green and yellow.

[KennyP]

I have about 6.5-7' ramps for my trailer that is only 12" off the ground. Any shorter and my MTD would bottom out going on it. Couldn't load the Cub w/ mower either.

[sacsr]

Great looking build! Wish I had the skills to build/well something! Thanks for sharing!

[wvbuzzmaster]

Decent looking ramps there, and might I make a suggestion, more cross supports because that mesh isn't that sturdy.

I did the same thing at a trailer place, stood on the trailer corner, asked the price, and said "I can build one twice as good for half that."

[josh deaven]

Good job!

[maddhorse]

wvbuzzmaster; I put a cross support every two feet. How many do you suggest?

[JDBrian]

Looks good. That should make it easy to load just about anything without worry.