Trailer Ramp Plans – Pick Size, Material, Strength
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Choose your trailer ramp Length, Width, Material and Strength. These trailer ramp plans have all the engineering so you can make the ramps you need. Steel Ramps or Aluminum Ramps – For Loading Cars or Equipment or whatever you need.
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Description
Description
When you need to drive cars or equipment or power toys up onto a trailer, a good set of ramps is very helpful. Build them with these Trailer Ramp Plans – with full Engineering.
This is an adjustable design so you can make the ramps as Long or Short as you need. Make them wide or narrow to fit your vehicles. And the engineering includes both Steel and Aluminum options for material.
All the engineering for Ramp Strength is by Length and Material size. Choose 3″ or 4″ main rails. Just pick values from the charts, then build your ramps. Capacity is listed as “per Wheel” of your vehicle to load. Plus an Extra Capacity Add-On design.
These Trailer Ramp Plans include the ramps, as well as a connection bar for the rear of your trailer. We also include a safety mechanism to help hold ramps to the trailer when in use. This keeps a ramp from popping up a corner if the ground is soft, or uneven.
Engineered Trailer Ramp Plans
Engineering charts show a max weight for each wheel of a vehicle being loaded. If a vehicle has a relatively even weight distribution, a 6000 lb vehicle with 4 wheels will have about 1500 lbs at each wheel. Charts show a max length for your ramps, if you build in Steel, or as Aluminum ramps. We even show the ramp weight.
These are similar to the ramps in many of our trailer plans. However, this ramp plan package has more engineering, Steel or Aluminum, and more variations to choose. Also width options. Plus, the connection to the trailer is different.
One thing we cannot do . . . Please make sure the end of your trailer is strong enough for the loads. Use tail jacks or props to support the trailer tail while you load. Safe use of the ramps is up to you.
If you need them, these are the most complete trailer ramp plans available.
Specifications
Specifications
The trailer ramp plans are a flexible design so you can choose the length, width, and strength to meet your needs. Engineering tables, tips and instructions in the plans will guide you. The specifications below are therefore somewhat generic because your choices make a difference.
Trailer Ramp Plans – To Load Wheeled Vehicles
- This design is NOT a trailer. It is a ramp system to add to a trailer.
- Choose your ramp length, width, material and strength.
- Ramp length from 5 ft to 10 ft.
- Ramp width choices and rung material specifications are explained based on your ramp width choice. 8″ to 36″ wide.
- Material choice of 3″ or 4″ main side rails – depending on strength and length desires.
- Engineering data in tables shows the max loads by ramp length and material. Select the capacity and length you need.
- Ramp weight is also in the tables, based on 12″ length rungs. (Wider ramps will weigh more.)
- Total capacity is from 800 lbs to more than 3000 lbs per wheel on the ramp. That means the ramps will handle up to a 12,000 lb vehicle for short ramps (assuming the wheels are equally loaded).
- Or another way to think about it: If a 8000 lb. vehicle has 4 wheels, and a relatively even weight distribution, each wheel will have around 2000 lbs. Note your requirement, then choose the values from the Engineering Charts to build your ramps.
- Add 170% capacity to each ramp using the “Extra Strength Add-On” also included in the Trailer Ramp Plans. (Multiply the ramp strength engineering value by 1.7 for total ramp strength with add-on.)
- Plans include the connection bar design to hook the ramps at the back of the trailer. The design includes all the information to select the right material for your ramps and loads.
- The design adapts to trailers of almost any width. Simply follow the instructions and adjust the parts to fit your trailer.
- For greater safety, the plans include a slide mechanism which will help hold the ramps to the trailer for times when they are used on soft ground or uneven ground. This keeps the ramps from popping a corner up in an awkward loading scene. Great option for increased safety if you load on uneven ground.
- Some pieces are best cut via laser, waterjet, or CNC plasma cutting. CAD files for those parts are in the download.
- Plans include complete drawings, instructions, and the needed CAD files. Download the whole package in a single .ZIP file.
Maximize Your Project
Plans from Mechanical Elements are an awesome start to a great project. Here are even more resources!
First: For more info, please read: What's In The Plans? and What Makes Our Trailer Plans Better?
Second: Purchase plans with the "Add to Cart" button, then right after payment, a digital copy is ready to save to your computer. Please see this article for answers about getting the plans.
Third: We have many articles to help with trailer building. Just type a question in the Show Me bar (top of this page), then press "GO". Or, for simple browsing, visit Articles from the Mechanic.
Reminder:
Trailer building requires metal working skill and tools for things like cutting, drilling, and accurate set-up, as well as welding skill. Strength, durability, and enjoyment depend on building the trailer well. Build it well, then Enjoy the Finished Project !!
Notes for Success
* Trailer load capacity depends on all the parts and materials, as well as the craftsmanship in building. All Mechanical Elements trailers are engineered to perform as stated when built as defined with proper care in construction – including parts, material, construction techniques, weld integrity, assembly methods, and finishing. Capacity for this trailer also requires proper choices for parts such as the hitch, axle(s), wheels, tires, safety chain, decking, bolts, pins, etc. Please make sure component load capacities match or exceed the trailer total capacity. Do not exceed manufacturers limits.
For trouble-free trailer life, think care and safety. Please select fastening methods to handle how and where the trailer will operate – including vibration, proper fastener types, bolt grades, torques, and nut types (like lock nuts). Then, be smart about loading the trailer, load distribution, tire pressure, tire condition and the mechanics of towing. We want you safe to enjoy your trailer for a long time ahead. Always use proper safety and securing equipment when loading and towing a trailer.
Thank You — The Mechanical Elements Team
OldGreyKayaker (verified owner) –
Nice plans! Good details and solid info that comes with these plans and on their website. I’ve done drafting years ago and still could make drawings, but it would burn way more of my time; so these quality drawings are great value.