Adding ramp to, or converting step down trailer to ramp door?

[tpup]

I have an Adam slant/stock combo. I love it but it’s a step down. I have a horse who is increasingly hesitant about stepping down, and also dislike watching horses back off of it. It usually involves a slip of one or more legs. I have the protector guard where they step off but it’s still a step down. My back trailer door is a swing door - opens left to right, hinged on right, latches on long left side of trailer

Has anyone ever converted a trailer like this to a ramp rear door, or added a ramp somehow attached? I often trailer by myself so a “portable” ramp wouldn’t be helpful as I’m not sure I can lift it myself to/from truck bed. Would love any thoughts.

[Eleanor]

You can add ramps over top of the door. Not sure of the cost but I have seen it done. here are a few photos of what it would look like.

http://www.fivestarranch.com/images/new-trailer.jpg

http://www.blueribbontrailers.com/trailergallery/custom/horse_5_6_custom_deluxe/data/thumbnails/rear_of_5_horse_slant_with_ramp_and_hay_pod.png

[Jim_in_PA]

While it’s not likely a DIY job for most folks…both for skills and fabrication tools…it certainly can be done in many cases. The way the back of your trailer is built will be a factor in that it will need to be able to support both attachment of appropriate hinging as well as the spring mechanisms to allow a normal human to lift the ramp up and down safely. I’m guessing that most trailer manufacturers use the same basic box and frame for trailers with and without a factory installed ramp, so the chance is good you can accomplish what you want. As Eleanor mentioned, unless the ramp replaces the doors, it will need to be installed as an overlay for the existing doors…not an uncommon arrangement on some trailers actually.

[js]

I had it done to my Featherlite trailer. I ordered the ramp from Featherlite and the trailer sales where I bought my trailer had a local welder, well versed in doing aluminum welding, put it on. Left the doors on, so I have full doors and a ramp.