Heavy Duty Aluminium Loading Ramps: Safely Load Large Vehicles

Loading heavy machinery, vehicles, and items in general onto a trailer can be quite the task, especially if you don’t have the right equipment to do it safely. To make loading trailers a safe and easy experience, you should get heavy duty ramps. For the best experience possible, you should go for ramps made of aluminium.

They are dependable and highly versatile. You don’t have to worry whether or not they can withstand the pressure from a heavy load. Aluminium heavy duty ramps are lightweight too. Whilst this is quite a contrasting feature, aluminium is lighter than most metals. Aluminium ramps are highly adaptable as they can be used in extreme weather conditions and climates, unlike steel ones. Also when an aluminium ramp is near the end of its lifespan, you can dispose of it without worrying about polluting the environment as aluminium is 100 % recyclable.

Buying Considerations

Weight Capacity

If you’ve settled on getting an aluminium heavy duty ramp then you’ll want to consider an important factor when buying – its weight capacity. The ability of your heavy duty aluminum loading ramps to support a load will depend on their weight capacity. So, before you decide to get the first heavy duty aluminum loading ramps that you come across, make sure to check the weight of the loads you tow on the regular.

Connection

You need to keep in mind the ends and feet of the ramps and choose the right ones depending on your needs. There are different types of feet and ends. Starting with the ends you have plate, pin-on and hybrid. Plate ends rest on the trailer with the help of a plain metal plate and are adaptable to any trailer. Pin-on ends are much safer than plate ones but they require special brackets in order to be installed on a trailer. Hybrid ends have both a plate that allows them to be hooked on any trailer and a hook to work with specific trailers.

Feet also come as three different types knife, roller, and stub feet. Knife feet are those that decline in a natural way and thus provide a smooth transition from the ground to the ramp. Roller feet ramps are used with semi-trailers that haul cars, They have wheels on the ends to make them slide into the trailer’s storage pockets more easily. Stub feet are meant to be used with larger load height trailers and they are also the most versatile and flexible option.

Width & Length

The width and length of the ramps will depend on the type of vehicle you are going to be loading your trailer with. The width of the ramps determines how much room for mistakes you have to work with whilst the length of the ramp is what needs to work with the ramps weight capacity. The length needs to correspond with the wheelbase and ground clearance of your vehicle too.

Surface

You can choose between two types of ramp surfaces, smooth and serrated rung. With smooth ramps, there is the risk of slipping and potential damage and/ or injuries, especially during winter. With serrated rung ramps, you get eh ideal surface for loading heavy vehicles. You can rest assured in wt or icy conditions that loading any vehicle will be done like a breeze.

How to Mount Ramps to Trailer

Mounting your ramps to a trailer isn’t that hard as long as you pay close attention to what’s being done and do it exactly as it is shown.

First, park your vehicle together with the trailer on a smooth and level surface that can withstand the total weight. Make sure the surface you park your vehicle on is sturdy enough so that there’s plenty of traction.

Next, position your ramps on the trailer and make sure they sit securely onto the trailer. To ensure that this is the case, get yourself some tie-downs, straps or a cable to keep the ramps from moving. To prevent the trailer from moving, apply the hand brake so that it stays attached to the towbar. Position the ramps so that they are flush against the trailer tray.

Attach the straps or cables to the rump. Do so by locating the ruing on each ramp second to the trailer’s lip. Then you need to attach the straps or cables tot he trailer. To do so find a secure point somewhere under the trailer where you can attach the other end of the straps or cables. Pull them tight and then try to move the ramp. If it’s wobbling, tighten up the straps/ cables, otherwise, you’re all set. Make sure before you load anything on the trailer that the ramp doesn’t have any grease or oil on it. Wipe it down if you have to but ensure that the surface is dry as a bone.