What about loading ramps - ATVConnection.com ATV Enthusiast Community

wendal · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 10:28 PM

I was thinking of geting a set of load ramps. What are things to look for? bi-fold or tri-fold or just 2 ramps? About the only place where I live that would have them is orschelns farm and home store. or ebay. Is longer better? My pickup is a 3/4 ton ford with stock tires and regular bed. Nothing real tall. I plan on getting a honda 350 rancher 4x4. I will most of the time haul it on my trailer but my son has a 80cc (for now) that I will put in the back of the pickup.
thanks for the help

sjbr549 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 11:32 PM

i like longer ramps. they have less of an angle to climb plus if the truck is higher off the ground at the trail you have more room to play with.bi-fold or tri-fold is personal prefrence. some 2x6 will work and cheaper

ctateusa1 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 11:42 PM

definetly get the longer ramps, much safer. I would not use 2x6 as they tend to get slick in the rain and you have a chance to slide off and fall. and I have seen more than one break after a couple of seasons.

I would get the 7 foot aluminum arched ramps(easy to load a riding mower with too) they have holes in between the traction bars to let water and mud out and keep them fairly light weight. but also offer great grip for your tires when loading and unloading.

sjbr549 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 11:57 PM

i have to remember the have those alum. ones now.when i first started riding atc's wasn't out yet and the dirt bikes had metal gas tanks. the only thing we had was boards or backing the truck into a bank. now i'm just lazy i use a 5x10 trailer to get it around.

RickCJ7 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 12:59 AM

The longer/wider the easier to load, get good ramps! Good ramps can be had for $200-$400
Get at least 1500lb. rating! anything less is just wasting your cash.

Here's links to the best out there.

http://allramps.com/Ramps/HDFA91/Index.asp

http://www.discountramps.com/extra-wide-atv-ramps.htm

Williebee · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 02:45 AM

wendal I bought a set of tri fold Aluminum ramps from Harbor Freight for $79.99 i went to one of their stores in Chattanooga TN because i lived close enough to drive to pick them up and i had to pay TN tax on mine , but you can order them online or over the telephone if you prefer ; there is a sight map on their website to locate a store near you and i've order over the phone and online for their product's for yrs. before i had a pc to access the website !

I was in Small Engine Service and Repair for over 20 yrs. and back when i first started buying product's from them by phone , there weren't any Personal Computers that i knew of ; i just got their sales Catalogs in the mail ! So if you just need a set of tri fold loading ramps for a Honda TRX350 Rancher 4x4 i would go with Harbor Freight even when they're not on sale they're like $89.99 you won't go wrong either way you go i know if the ramp's will hold my AC400 FIS Auto 4x4 they will load your Honda 350 Rancher 4x4 with ease !

Just don't do like i did with my ramp's to keep them from being stolen while riding i would back my Chevy S10 longbed rear tire on one of the latter rung's and at first it didn't hurt them because i would lay them on the ground and backup ove them on the bottom end , but i made the mistake to back onto the part where ramp feet where the chain's with the hook's rest onto the tailgate and i bent them a little ; but i'm still using them as they are with no problem !

I'm going to fix them when i get the time , but i also have a 8x12 trailor with the metal mesh bed and side rail's and a metal mesh tailgate that fold down for a loading ramp as well !
So if you want a good Tri Fold aluminum ramp with 1500 lbs that you can drive up it instead of having to roll it up the ramp like most manufacturer's sell get the Harbor ! And sorry for the long reply ....

Williebee · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 03:14 AM

Oh wendal where are you located there might be a store near you either Harbor Freight or Northern if you live to far from one of their stores you can buy online or by phone , if it's to far to drive and you have to order over the phone or internet you don't have to pay taxes only shipping ; and on some item there's free shipping ! To find a store near you just go to www.Harbor Freightusa.com and the Phone # for Northern there's a toll free number 1 - 800 - 533 - 5545 or visit online www.NorthernTool.com

DesertViper · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2007, 09:16 PM

Honda Rancher 4x4s aren't too expensive, so go ahead and use the 2x6s, and it wont cost you too much when you dump it on its lid, LOL.

Seriously though, get a good quality bi-folding aluminum ramp and it will last longer than several ATVs will. I use one that has two separate ramps connected together by adjustable length links in the center. I use it to load dirt bikes, and just push the bike up one ramp while I walk up the other ramp. I use it to load our ATVs. And I also use it to load our Rhino. It is made by Moose.

sjbr549 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-18-2007, 11:35 PM

never lost any on the boards have replace a few back glass though