Can I Attach An Aluminum Ramp to a Steel Trailer?

[luvbug]

I just purchased a new steel stock combo trailer with a very heavy ramp. The trailer is extra wide so the ramp is a little bigger than usual, but I didn’t expect the ramp to be this heavy! I can’t lift it by myself. The service department at the dealership worked on it, but I still can’t lift it. I’m having a welder look at it next week to see if he can help solve my dilemma.

I’ve seem some really nice aluminum ramps that are easy to lift. I know that putting steel and aluminum together will cause the aluminum to corrode, but has anyone successfully attached an aluminum ramp to a steel trailer? If so, how did you do it without causing problems?

[clanter]

I would think you would need a two piece hinge … one half aluminum the other half steel. The two parts I assume would be connected with a stainless steel rod

But my thought would be to either add or replace the assist torsion springs that should be on the current ramp If these springs are correctly installed and selected for balance the ramp should require little force

here is a link to an example of the torsion spring

https://www.finditparts.com/products…SABEgKmOvD_BwE

I see you said New Trailer… if new as from the manufacturer take it back and make the correct the spring rates or install the ramp correctly

If new to you used, then have the ramp inspected for corrected installaton

[Bluey]

I would say the manufacturer is who should be working on this until you are satisfied all is working as it should.

They need to fix it, at their cost.
They made a defective trailer if it doesn’t work right.
Not being able to lift the ramp is definitely NOT right.

[luvbug]

Thank you both for responding. The trailer is indeed new, and I’ve been fighting with the manufacturer about this. They said they would cover the cost of repair only if I took the trailer back to the dealership, which is an 8-hour trip (one way). I took it to the dealership and had to leave it there while they worked on it, but the improvement was hardly noticeable. They say that because the ramp is extra wide and steel, it is going to be heavy, and that I should not have bought such a large trailer. So I made two 16-hour drives, plus had to cover the cost for motel rooms, for this, and I still have a ramp I can’t lift.

Prior to buying my trailer I had not seen any ramps by this manufacturer, so I called the manufacturer and asked how heavy the ramp would be. I was told I would be able to lift it mostly with one hand. I didn’t think I needed to get that in writing, and now they deny ever saying that. Before I placed the order for the trailer, I also discussed my concerns about the ramp with the salesman at the dealership. He said if I didn’t like the ramp, we could just have the ramp removed and switch it with another ramp from a different manufacturer. When I told this to the service manager, he said it couldn’t be done.

When I placed the order for the trailer, the dealership encouraged me to have the trailer delivered to my house instead of driving down to pick it up from them. Being naive, I agreed. Now I am stuck with this problem. If I didn’t definitely need a ramp, I would just cut the thing off and turn the trailer into a step-up.

[Bluey]

@luvbug

Thank you both for responding. The trailer is indeed new, and I’ve been fighting with the manufacturer about this. They said they would cover the cost of repair only if I took the trailer back to the dealership, which is an 8-hour trip (one way). I took it to the dealership and had to leave it there while they worked on it, but the improvement was hardly noticeable. They say that because the ramp is extra wide and steel, it is going to be heavy, and that I should not have bought such a large trailer. So I made two 16-hour drives, plus had to cover the cost for motel rooms, for this, and I still have a ramp I can’t lift.

Prior to buying my trailer I had not seen any ramps by this manufacturer, so I called the manufacturer and asked how heavy the ramp would be. I was told I would be able to lift it mostly with one hand. I didn’t think I needed to get that in writing, and now they deny ever saying that. Before I placed the order for the trailer, I also discussed my concerns about the ramp with the salesman at the dealership. He said if I didn’t like the ramp, we could just have the ramp removed and switch it with another ramp from a different manufacturer. When I told this to the service manager, he said it couldn’t be done.

When I placed the order for the trailer, the dealership encouraged me to have the trailer delivered to my house instead of driving down to pick it up from them. Being naive, I agreed. Now I am stuck with this problem. If I didn’t definitely need a ramp, I would just cut the thing off and turn the trailer into a step-up.

Sounds shortsighted to leave such a problem in the lap of a customer.
Horrible PR for them, especially in today’s internet world.
Not the kind of story anyone thinking on buying their trailers wants to read when they research them.

Don’t know what else you can do.
They obviously are not going to fix it?
They seem clueless, if they can’t make that right?

Could you try some other company, see if they could do something about that?

Maybe they can change the rod where the assist spring goes and put a bigger spring there, etc. cheaper than trying for a lighter ramp?

[clanter]

here is some additional info regarding ramp springs and how to calculate… note this manufacturer can customize springs for your need also

In order for you to determine the approximate amount of torque needed by your ramp, you need to figure out the weight of the ramp and the ramp length in inches. Then, divide the length of the ramp by two and multiply it by its weight. For example, if you come up with 4000 in/lbs, that means you will need to use two trailer ramp springs for your ramp. For 6000 in/lbs, three springs are needed, and so on.

http://www.wermkespring.com/trailer-ramp-springs.html

regarding your trailer’s manufacturer… their response is unacceptable

They say that because the ramp is extra wide and steel, it is going to be heavy, and that I should not have bought such a large trailer.

they should not have sold such a large trailer would be my response… most state such as Texas have an implied warranty of serviceability that is the product should preform the task it was sold for

[HuntinQuarters]

Engineer here. In my opinion, putting aluminum and steel together in a trailer ramp is a recipe for galvanic corrosion (particularly in humid climates or when you may contact road salt). And personally, a ramp on a horse trailer is just about the last place I would want to risk a corrosion failure. A ramp or hinge collapsing with a half-loaded horse would make for an ugly wreck.

Obviously, continue to try to get the manufacturer to improve it, but I think some sort of custom spring package is going to be your best solution.

I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this frustration on a new trailer. Good luck!

[gumtree]

@HuntinQuarters

Engineer here. In my opinion, putting aluminum and steel together in a trailer ramp is a recipe for galvanic corrosion (particularly in humid climates or when you may contact road salt). And personally, a ramp on a horse trailer is just about the last place I would want to risk a corrosion failure. A ramp or hinge collapsing with a half-loaded horse would make for an ugly wreck.

Obviously, continue to try to get the manufacturer to improve it, but I think some sort of custom spring package is going to be your best solution.

I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this frustration on a new trailer. Good luck!

No disrespect but you are talking/thinking like an engineer, lol. Not saying you are incorrect, all true.

I am not an engineer by training. But I am a darn good life long MacGyver. When one has a big farm one better be pretty darn good at MacGyvering. Or go broke paying others.

The way I see it. The hinges should be looked at a “wear part” for reasons you gave. But the hinge is perfectly visible to the naked eye for very easy inspection. IME it will take a fairly long time for enough corrosion to do damage and the hinge fail. The average person with a little bit of explanation of what to look for. Should easily be able to see enough “damage” to have it checked out.

As far as the ramp partially collapsing with a horse on it. Well, I have had some “train wrecks” from time to time schooling young horses to load, lol. The ramp is not that far off the ground. I don’t see this as a big concern.

So, all that being said. If it were me. I would check into putting a lighter weight ramp on. If that is the only way to solve the problem. I would check with the person fabricating and quoting a price. To tell the OP what the new ramp will weigh. To make sure it will be worth the money, time and effort.

[HuntinQuarters]

@gumtree

No disrespect but you are talking/thinking like an engineer, lol. Not saying you are incorrect, all true.

I am not an engineer by training. But I am a darn good life long MacGyver. When one has a big farm one better be pretty darn good at MacGyvering. Or go broke paying others.

The way I see it. The hinges should be looked at a “wear part” for reasons you gave. But the hinge is perfectly visible to the naked eye for very easy inspection. IME it will take a fairly long time for enough corrosion to do damage and the hinge fail. The average person with a little bit of explanation of what to look for. Should easily be able to see enough “damage” to have it checked out.

None taken, but I work in the aircraft industry where corrosion failures are catastrophic and kill people (look up Aloha Airlines Flight 243). I grew up on a farm and have fixed a lot of things with “farm boy tech”, but IMHO trailering a horse is one of the highest risk activities we ever participate in and I go out of my way to mitigate risks there. For me personally, this would be above my acceptable risk threshold. But obviously each individual is free to make their own judgement and with routine inspection and good maintenance this plan should be safe and not have problems.

[luvbug]

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to respond. It’s very helpful to read your suggestions and to hear that you all feel the ramp should be lighter and the manufacturer needs to pay for the work. I appreciate your support!

I drove my trailer over to the local trailer repair shop and spoke with the owner. He feels the ramp is too heavy and suggested a spring that attaches to the center of the ramp and goes under the trailer. He won’t be certain about this until he looks more closely at the trailer, but he is sure that he can make the ramp much lighter. I have an appointment for him to work on my trailer in a couple of weeks.

Now on to the fight with the manufacturer! Wish me luck!

Thanks for all of your help!

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Who is the manufacturer?

[trubandloki]

Hoping for an update where this is resolved.

[luvbug]

I will post an update once I get the trailer back from the trailer repair shop, along with pictures to help out anyone else who happens to read this looking for a solution to their heavy ramp.

Until I resolve this with the manufacturer I’d rather not say who it is.

[luvbug]

My ramp is fixed! The trailer repair shop did a wonderful job. They installed a leaf spring that attaches from the bottom of the ramp to somewhere under the trailer. I can now lift the ramp easily.

I am reposting this, with more detail, under a new subject heading to make it easier to find if others are looking for a solution to a heavy ramp.

Thank you all for your help!

[Bluey]

Thank you for reporting you had a good solution and all works well now.