Trailer ramp expanded metal replacement

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

Location

Rochester, NY

• Apr 26, 2023

• #1

If we need a contrived reason to make this "tractor related" I use this trailer to haul my Farmall Cubs around.

The subject is my 7x12 single axle landscape trailer with full-width attached flip-up ramps. They are covered with expanded metal garbage which has broken off and stretched over the years to the point where I can't reattach it. I've already put my foot through it once.

Expanded metal is stupid expensive, and the ramps are just big enough that a single 4x8 sheet won't cover, so I need to buy two sheets, and it will more than likely end up ripping off again in a few years.

What are some options that will be light, relatively cheap, and not turn the ramp/tailgate into a giant parachute?

 

O

old-9

Well-known Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #2

add more bracing under the metal.

 

M-MAN

Well-known Member

Location

Bostic, NC

• Apr 26, 2023

• #3

If you have a rock crusher nearby
you might be able to get some
screen from them. It's heavy enough
for that. We used to get it and
weld it to the front standards on
our log truck to protect the cab.

 

D

DRussell

Well-known Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #4

What about angle iron welded about 4 inches apart across the ramp.
Probably expensive, but should be pretty permanent.

 

Blackhole49

Well-known Member

Location

White Lake MI

• Apr 26, 2023

• #5

What 9 said and use some diamond plate to fill in where the single sheet won't cover.

 

TerryfromSWIowa

Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #6

Only problem with making it solid is it will be like dragging a brake if you can't lay if down flat when in transit.

 

DoubleO7

Well-known Member

Location

Crystal River, FL

• Apr 26, 2023

• #7

Light, Cheap, not a parachute.

The above might be a situation where you can only have two.?

I would use aluminum bar floor grating, bars running cross ways on ramp.

Because I could buy some out of the scrap bin at a former employer.......

 

S

ss55

Well-known Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #8

Cattle panel doubled up with some extra support added?

 

jon f mn

Well-known Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #9

Post a pic of your ramp and I'll try to
help. But new expanded with a couple extra
cross pieces would be my advice without
looking.

 

C

caterpillar guy

Well-known Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #10

Expanded metal comes in various thickness and hole size so use some thicker and larger holes like 1-/2x 2-1/2 hole size in like 3/16 would hold up and let the air through.

 

S

steve in ok

Member

Location

central Oklahoma

• Apr 26, 2023

• #11

I would use heavier expanded steel and you can get sheets bigger than 4 X 8 Maybe 5X10 would cover it with out splicing. Metal yard should have it and be able to cut it to size if needed. Will still be pricey.

 

DoubleO7

Well-known Member

Location

Crystal River, FL

• Apr 26, 2023

• #12

Cut the ramp down to 7 x 4 or 7 x 5 with the 1 x 4 drop used at center and 12 x 18 inches of solid at each end of the drop piece.

 

B

Bob Harvey

Well-known Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #13

Does the ramp NEED to be full width? How about heavier expanded on 2 ramps on a slide arrangement, for
various widths.

 

kcm.MN

Well-known Member

Location

NW Minnesota

• Apr 26, 2023

• #14

If you don't like the idea of replacing with expanded metal, what about using rebar?

As for the weight, I assume you mention this from having to manually lift the ramp? If so, what about using a small, cheap winch for raising the ramp? Maybe even a manual boat-type winch such as this:
https://www.amazon.com/Segomo-Tools-Heavy-Manual-Ratchet/dp/B092MQG2RS?th=1

Would just need to add a post on one rear corner with a snatch block, which would provide more lift when raising. The above winch can also be used to lower.

 

G

geok

Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #15

2 X 2 or 1-1/2 X 1-1/2 1/8 angle iron welded with the point up spaced to not let wheel fall through?

 

Steve in IL

Member

• Apr 26, 2023

• #16

I stopped using my original one big & heavy swing up rear ramp. Removed it, and bought 2 stout aluminum ramps
that are stronger than the original ramp. And lite. Also, they lay nicely on the trailer, and dont create the big wind
drag of the original swing up ramp.

 

OP

OP

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

Location

Rochester, NY

• Apr 27, 2023

• #17

My main concern about weight is making the trailer too tail heavy and causing it to sway when empty. It's already VERY light on the tongue and it wouldn't take much to tip the balance.

This is the trailer model I have:

 

showcrop

Well-known Member

• Apr 27, 2023

• #18

I would do what Bob Harvey posted.

 

jon f mn

Well-known Member

• Apr 27, 2023

• #19

If it's that light on the tongue already
you are kinda stuck. I would put new
expanded on it and maybe add some extra
cross pieces that are spaced so the tires
of what ever you load drive right on them
so the expanded doesn't stretch.

 

G

geok

Member

• Apr 27, 2023

• #20

I have seen a few where they cut the gate in half and make them bi-fold on trailers that are used on highway a lot. When I built my heavy equipment trailer about
40 years ago, I made the ramps bi fold.