bed ramp questions

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Oct 2, 2017 | 07:18 AM

milkweed.gardener

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bed ramp questions

Need to rent a brush mower, and figured a bed ramp to load it up in the truck bed was the way to go. I have never used a bed ramp, and never paid any attention to when I was around others using one.

How does a bed ramp secure to the pickup truck so it does not slide away while trying to drive equipment up the ramp?

Ford Accessories website has a set of bed ramps available for the Super Duty (https://accessories.ford.com/ramp-asy-11675.html), where it includes a description of "To help ensure a steady setup, ramps slot directly into the tailgate lip". If you zoom in on the photo of the pickup it has some sort of metal plate screwed into the inside of the tailgate that has a slot along the length of the tailgate. My 2017 F-450 XLT with spray in bedliner does not have a plate with a slot like that. Nor does it have any sort of receiver indented in the tailgate for any other obvious way to secure a ramp.

I see a lot of bed ramp offerings on other websites, and some have elongated tabs sort of like this one https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1jjOkCLaZL.jpg though the red appears to be some sort of plastic cover over the aluminum. Does a bed ramp with these sort of elongations even secure to anything on the truck? or do they just rest there?

Oct 2, 2017 | 09:14 AM

jergle

Mountain Pass

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The ramps I've used in the past just rest on the tailgate. But I've used them on trucks that were a lot lower than my F250. I'm not sure I have the nerve to drive something up ramps into the back of the F250! I would probably buy or rent a trailer.

Oct 2, 2017 | 09:27 AM

CACRanger

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From: Katy, TX

When loading/unloading my dirt bike I strap the ramp to my trailer hitch, similar to the picture below, however I hook to the holes where safety chains attach.

Chris

Oct 2, 2017 | 10:20 AM

WyoBull

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From: Casper, Wyoming

Quote:

Originally Posted by CACRanger

When loading/unloading my dirt bike I strap the ramp to my trailer hitch, similar to the picture below, however I hook to the holes where safety chains attach.

Chris

This!!! Do not ever attempt to load an ATV, motorcycle etc. without first securing the safety strap(s). Too many stories of ramps getting kicked out from a rear tire spinning and the machine coming back over on top of the rider, either killing them, paralyzing them or other serious bodily injury.
With what you are wanting to load, you will also want to make sure your angle of approach from your ramp to the bed is not too sharp so that when your front wheels breach over into the bed you get high centered and stuck. That is a very precarious position to be in.
The best option would be to rent a small utility trailer with the ramp on the back.

Oct 2, 2017 | 11:49 AM

milkweed.gardener

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CACRanger, I like that idea, do you have a ramp like the example picture you linked?
Most of the ramps for sale seem to be the two separate tracks. Wondering how to secure that.

WyoBull, "angle of approach": Is that why some of the ramps for sale are arched?

Oct 2, 2017 | 12:14 PM

CACRanger

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From: Katy, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkweed.gardener

CACRanger, I like that idea, do you have a ramp like the example picture you linked?
Most of the ramps for sale seem to be the two separate tracks. Wondering how to secure that.

I actually have a few different ramps.

I usually use my narrow ramp like this for my dirt bike since it is light.

I also have one of these for when I am loading multiple bikes OR an ATV. This is what would likely work best for you. Only reason I don't use it more is that it is heavier AND bulkier.

Hope this helps.

Chris

Oct 2, 2017 | 03:26 PM

rcorkum4

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I have Ford OEM ramps. There is a plate a fixed to the tailgate with a metal cylinder along the back edge. Each ramp has a "C" shaped fitting on the end that slides over the cylinder to lock the ramp to the edge of the tailgate.

There are also four hangers that attach to the mounting brackets in the bed so the ramps can be stowed when not in use.

I got the ramps with an F350 from dealer stock and do not need them, if you are interested.