Ramp It Up: How to Choose a Heavy-Duty Loading Ramp

If you don't have the proper equipment, loading and unloading things from trucks can be a very difficult task. To make things much easier, you can rely on heavy-duty ramps. They can help you get any type of load in and out with ease. There are many options to choose from because they come in many sizes and loading capacities. You just need to choose according to your needs.

What's a Loading Ramp?

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A loading ramp is considered a helping tool for loading and unloading cargo from and onto a transportation vehicle. When in use, they’re propped on the truck or the car and are inclined. This makes the whole loading and unloading process much simpler, faster and easier. Ramps are made of strong materials which makes them capable of carrying extra heavy objects. This means they can also move light to medium machinery.

They're a very popular helping tool in warehouses where there’s a lot of loading and unloading done on a daily basis. They make the work much safer, faster and more efficient. If you're thinking of buying one, choose a heavy-duty portable loading ramp. You can find them in many sizes and designs to do any job you need to. Ramps are made of different strong materials, but steel is the strongest of them all.

Types of Ramps

Car/Truck Ramps

This is a very common ramp that’s also used in everyday life. It's the right one to have if you’re loading/unloading your car. It's also good for flatbed trailers, Take 3 trailers and other, similar high-capacity trailers. However, they have a weight limit. Their weight capacity is between 900-5,500kg.

Step Deck/Levellers

These ramps are made of aluminium. This makes them lightweight and easy to set up and remove them when in use. Their weight capacity is between 1,800-10,500kg and can be used to load and unload tractors, cars, trucks, wheel loaders and heavy commercial equipment.

Equipment Ramps

Equipment ramps have a weight capacity between 4,500-5,500kg. You can use them for moving trucks, skid steers, tractors and heavy equipment such as Bobcats. They're made of military-grade aluminium which makes them lightweight, very durable and rust resistant. Also, they’re very easy to set up and take down.

Forklift Ramps

Forklift ramps are also known as yard ramps. They're made specifically for a forklift so it can move up and down and get in and out of a trailer. They can also be used on rail cars, docks and platforms. They're made of steel and are highly durable and very sturdy. This makes them suitable to handle weights between 6,800 and 13,500kg. A lot of models have wheels so you can easily set them up and move.

Military Ramps

Just as the name suggests, these ramps are used to load and unload big military gear such as Humvees, MMPVs, Hemmitts, military HEVs and other heavy armoured vehicles and trucks. Again, aluminium comes to the rescue and makes them lightweight and easy to handle. Military ramps can handle a weight of 10,600kg per axle.

Wheel Risers

This is a type of ramp used for service and maintenance vehicles such as buses and semi-trucks. It has a nice, sturdy structure and it’s often used as a display stand in auto shows and competitions. Wheel risers have a wide range of weight capacity that goes from 1,300 up to 36,200kg.

Custom Ramps

If none of the above works for you, you can always get a custom-made ramp. There are manufacturers that build them according to your needs and specifications. They can make portable loading ramps, wheel risers, step decks, equipment ramps or anything else you might need. Steel and aluminium are the two most common materials because of their strength.

What to Consider when Buying

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The Capacity

This is the most important consideration. Always check the maximum capacity you want to load. Each machine has its weight printed somewhere on it. Make sure you check it out and buy a ramp accordingly. However, that’s not the final weight. You should add the weight of the cargo that the machine is carrying, the liquids inside, the driver’s weight and any other accessories it might have. Add everything and then buy the ramp that can handle that weight.

The Load’s Height

This is the gap between the ramp's placement and the ground beneath it. The load height determines how long the ramp should be. There are different rules or guidelines on what’s the maximum gradient. Always check the machine’s specific recommendations so you can choose the right ramp. Otherwise, the load might get damaged or even fall off during loading or unloading. And of course, never go above the suggested load height.

Types of Tracks

There are steel and rubber tracks. Make sure you check if the ramp is compatible with the tracks of the vehicle you’re loading. In most cases, they’ll be suitable for rubber tracks, but check on them just in case. Steel tracks on the other hand might need a bit of rubber coating so you’ll have a smooth loading. A ramp with a milled surface will work as well.

The Wheelbase & Track Width

You can get the width of the wheelbase by measuring the distance between the centre of the drive wheel to the centre of the other wheel on the same track. The ramp’s capacity will decrease as the wheelbase decreases. If you don’t see this specification on the product, make sure you ask the seller because this is very important information.

Ramp's Weight

Before making the purchase, check the ramp’s weight as well. It's always a good idea for the ramp to be lightweight so you can handle it on your own. If you’re working with someone else, you might get a heavier one for more sturdiness. In some cases, there are even straps on the ramps so you can carry them around easily.

Ramp Maintenance

Maintaining and cleaning your ramps will help them last longer. Your ramps should receive the same level of maintenance as your car. We all know that well-maintained equipment performs at its best and lasts for a long time. Clean it thoroughly once a week to get rid of the debris that falls during the loading and unloading of the cargo.

Remember to lubricate the adjustable legs. This will give you a smooth loading experience. Also, check the tyre pressure. Give it some maintenance so there’s no damage on the tyres. If you’re working with heavy loads all the time, the tyres can take a hit. Fill them with air as the recommendations say and if you see any damage, replace them.