Aluminum vs steel car trailer ramps

rfuerst911sc · 12-06-2021, 07:19 AM

Hey guys hope you all are doing well . Yesterday I used my car trailer to deliver a garden tractor I sold . My steel deck trailer came with steel ramps . The ramps are 60" long by 12" wide and 2" thick . The darn things are heavy 😡. They work fine just heavy to handle .

Looking online similar size aluminum ramps are priced in the $220.00 - $400.00 range . Most reviews very positive but some say total garbage. I would like to keep the same size ramps because they store under the trailer . Generally speaking I won't haul anything heavier than 5000 lbs , usually closer to 3000 or less. Any of you guys using aluminum loading ramps ?

Crowbob · 12-06-2021, 07:58 AM

This is probably not useful info for you but for someone else thinking about a UTV/utility trailer my all aluminum (Floe International) utility trailer has a folding all aluminum tailgate/ramp that is really handy. It can be stowed flat inside the trailer or upright. It’s a tilt trailer so low clearance vehicles can be loaded (slowly) if needed. #5000 capacity. Pricey, though. I highly recommend these trailers. I didn’t want to mess with ramps.

Good luck with your search.

ted · ted's Garage

Aluminum ramps and aluminum trailer, wife approved. lol
Car is low so added spacers under the ramp door and these hinged ramp extensions.

Even with the ramp extensions the race car requires temporary front spring spacers for added splitter clearance to get it into the trailer.

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

My brother has a Featherlite trailer with aluminum ramps. I've wrestled them in/out of the storage shelf and can't even imagine how heavy your steelies must be.

He used to have a set of those U-Haul ramps that he used with his bus. You know the ones that are on all the bigger U-Haul box trucks? Those were heavy and LONG.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

Mine are aluminum but my car weighs nothing. Just need to add support under the ramps when I load a heavy car. Reduce the unsupported span.

rfuerst911sc · 12-06-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

Mine are aluminum but my car weighs nothing. Just need to add support under the ramps when I load a heavy car. Reduce the unsupported span.

Paul what do you use to support the ramps ? I think this is the way to go with aluminum ramps just to be safe .

cockerpunk · 12-06-2021, 11:34 AM

just buy race ramps.

they are spendy, but so much nicer.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

I have an Aluma aluminum trailer with aluminum ramps. Can't see from the picture, but the edges are about 2 inches wide, and the ramps have beans that reinforce the ramps on the back side. They are sturdy and won't buckle under the weight of my car.

rfuerst911sc · 12-06-2021, 01:59 PM

Z-Man how much does your car weigh ?

Zeke · 12-06-2021, 02:45 PM

If you ever have to drag something up a ramp, steel is less resistant to gouging. If not solid though, makes no difference. And you can always buy some sheet steel if you have to drag a load onboard.

URY914 · URY914's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Paul what do you use to support the ramps ? I think this is the way to go with aluminum ramps just to be safe .

I've put some 4 x 4's under them.

rfuerst911sc · 12-06-2021, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

If you ever have to drag something up a ramp, steel is less resistant to gouging. If not solid though, makes no difference. And you can always buy some sheet steel if you have to drag a load onboard.

Milt that's a good point , however my steel ramps have welded diamond grid mesh on them for a non skid finish . I know I wouldn't want to drag anything heavy up them .

rfuerst911sc · 12-06-2021, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

I've put some 4 x 4's under them.

Good to know , thanks Paul .

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by*Zeke*

If you ever have to drag something up a ramp, steel is less resistant to gouging. If not solid though, makes no difference. And you can always buy some sheet steel if you have to drag a load onboard.

Anytime i have to drag anything, i put down landscape timbers, they are right up there with duck tape for multiple uses.
I have 2 Featherlite trailers, with aluminum ramps and short and b long Race Ramp$,

ltusler · 12-06-2021, 06:25 PM

Look here.

https://www.discountramps.com/car-ramps/loading/c/4120/

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Z-Man how much does your car weigh ?

Just a tad under 3000 lbs. Trailer is about 1,400 lbs. Truck has a V8 and is rated to pull 7,500 lbs.

rfuerst911sc · 12-07-2021, 02:57 AM

My Boxster S weighs around 2800 pounds. Most aluminum ramps I have looked at online are rated for 3000 pounds or higher per axle . So I am way under the ramps ratings . My garden tractors are 1200 - 1500 pounds so again way under the ratings .

I think I will order the aluminum ramps and save my back/arms/shoulders the wear and tear of muscling these metal ramps . Thanks for the advice guys . 👍

rfuerst911sc · 12-10-2021, 03:27 AM

Update: so last night around 6:00 the Fed Ex truck pulled into our driveway . My aluminum ramps arrived in great shape with no issues . They are made by a company called Vevor and all the welds look clean and professional .

I slid the old steel ramps out and slid the new aluminum into the under trailer storage locations . Much easier with the aluminum . I am very happy with this purchase . My back/shoulders/arms are looking forward to using these 😁