Which type of ramps do most folks prefer? Who likes the individual ramps, arched or not arched, and why? Who likes the full platform, bi-fold or tri-fold style, and why? Who thinks one style is better than the other, and why? I leaning toward getting a new full platform, tri-fold model in a long (82 inch) length.

 

The arched ramps are designed for units with a low ground clearance, such as a golf cart or a riding lawnmower. Even loading my atv is easier because it graduates the angle when you reach the level of the bed.
I custom made a set that mounts in place of the tailgate. It's very easy to swap with the tailgate.

 

i use two 2"x12" boards painted with non-skid paint. (frosty boards are slick as snot). i think the arched ramps are for lawn mowers and low clearance stuff. the boards are fine if you are careful. there are hardware kits to put a metal lip on one end of the boards but i made my own.

monty

 

I've used most styles over the years and my favorite all around it a tri-fold aluminum. The main thing is to get ramps that are long enough for the height to your bed and to make sure that you have a way to attach the ramp to the truck via pins or a safety chain. When loading into trucks with plastic bed liners there is a strong tendency for the rear wheels of the ATV to sling the ramp out backwards right as the ATV reaches the top.

Other factors to consider is the storage space taken up by the ramp when you travel down the road and of course, price. Northern has some good selections.

Jaybee

 

2x10"s always worked great for me. And muuuuch cheaper than the prices they want for some of these ramps.

 

Gentlemen - Thanks to everyone for all of the replies thus far.

Jaybee - I am considering a new tri-fold aluminum model that is 46" wide and 82" long (API model from Bass Pro Shops). My truck has a Line-X spray-in liner, so I doubt it will be as slick as a plastic liner. Shouldn't have to worry about that, I hope. What is "Northern?" I am not familiar with it. Thanks...

 

Northern Tool & Equipment Company. This has got to be the greatest retail store known to man or beast. They sell all kinds of tools - air, power, hydraulic. If you want a 20-ton hydraulic jack, you can get it from Northern. They carry truck boxes, all the parts needed if you felt like welding up your own trailer (they sell trailers too), go carts, cart and quad tires, rope, chain, cable, winches, all kinds of hooks and shackles, lights, hitches, pressure washers, log splitters, yard tools and equipment - even engines and generators. They are a national chain but I don't know if they are in your area - an internet search will tell you. They basically have lots of big & heavy-duty stuff that you just don't see anywhere else. They also have pretty good prices with lots of clearence deals of small tools and stuff. And of course they also sell ramps - Tri-folds & Bi-folds in aluminum, straight and arched single ramps in aluminum, steel and plastic as well as the end cap kits to make your own ramp out of 2x8's or 2x12's.

My truck is the same height as yours and my ramps are 78" long so the 82" should work fine for you. My tri-folds have a set of safety chains on each front corner that I can hook around my tailgate cables. BTW, I like the tri-fold because you never have to worry about setting the width correctly, plus they fold up to a managable package - thin enough to fit under my ATV. Even though I usually trailer, I still will transport in the truck if I'm only taking one ATV.

Jaybee

 

dude,

what ever kind you get make sure you get the one with the safety straps on them.. when the front wheels
hit the tail gate and the rear tires are still on the ramps, your atv will try to kick the ramps out from under you..
and thats somthing you dont want...

I personally have the bi-fold type with the safety staps, and those seem to work for me, I've used them
to load all of my wheelers on them with 0 problems..

 

I use two old sections of bridge planking. They are terribly heavy and have an annoying habit of sliding off the tailgate. Not to mention that when they get wet/icy/muddy they are treacherous. Nothing like falling off the ramps or having them slide off the tailgate. One of the worst injuries I have ever had on an ATV was when I got up to the top and had the front wheels on the tailgate and the rear wheels which were still on the planks kicked them out backwards. Yikes.

 

Thanks for all of the replies regarding this subject. Those of you using boards, planks, etc., with no tie downs, are scaring me a little! LOL... I think I will definitely be spending the +/- $150 to get a good set of ramps, or platform, and save myself from a costly trip to the emergency room. I think I like the idea of the platform the best. As Jaybee mentioned, you don't have to worry about proper width spacing that much with the platform.