Winching a Horse Cart
 

Hello all! I've been brainstorming on how to get a 150lb pony cart into the bed (and back out) of my F150, which has a 66" long bed.

First, I'd need some stable ramps that hook to the tailgate.

Then, I imagine a bed-mounted winch would be able to pull the cart up the ramps and into the bed without killing me, passersby, the cart, or the truck. It would have to be reversible to lower the cart back out in a controlled fashion.

So, where can I start looking for such things? Website recommendations? I like to familiarize myself with stuff before going to talk to a real local person.

And before anyone asks, no, I would NOT use the pony himself to pull the cart up the ramps (using a pulley). Given the unpredictability of horses, I wouldn't trust him to pull it up smoothly and stop in time to keep from crushing a $2000 cart AND the back of the cab!

Warn makes a line of utility winches and hoist. From what you describe, you want a hoist and not a winch, the difference being the hoist will have a brake on it so it can not reverse without operator input. Because it should freewheel up the ramps, you don't need a massive single line pull rate, you could get by with 100lbs hoist or even a nice come-along.

For the ramps, I would use the aluminum brackets you can pick up most places, a 10' 2x6 (cut in half for two 5' boards) a couple eye bolts, some chain and a pair of turn buckles. Let the brackets hold the boards on the tailgate, then use the eyebolts to tie the chain to the boards and your hitch, with the turn buckles inbetween to tension them down.

Thanks ReAX! I will look at Warn's products. I didn't know the difference between a winch and a hoist; see, I learned something new already!

I also found a place in Albuquerque that deals in truck and off-road accessories.

Fun to think about different solutions to this problem. :) Just wait until I buy a larger 4-wheeled carriage, then we'll really be in trouble.

Here is my rig. BackRack from craigslist Harbor Freight winch from Ebay.
Loaded and unloaded scores of mowers over recent years.
Total cost around $65