Posted 2007-08-20 10:00 AM (#66148) Subject: Leaf type ramp springs??
Veteran
Posts: 167 Location: Monroe, WA
I see these on bigger rigs all the time - they look like little boat trailer leaf springs, and they are mounted to a drop link to help pick up the big heavy ramps.I WANT!!!! to put a set on my steel BP trailer, as the dang ramp is just way too much to pick up easily - even 230 pound hubby has to oof a little bit. Love the trailer, HATE the heavy ramp - but it's really stout and solid and good for the horses.
Does anyone here know where to get these spring setups? Hubby is a certified welder and can put it on, it's getting the setup right the first time that has me a little concerned.
Posted 2007-08-22 8:07 PM (#66314 - in reply to #66148) Subject: RE: Leaf type ramp springs??
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Overpeck, Ohio 45055
Had the same thing on my 4Star trailer with LQ and since I couldn't lift it by myself, I had a friend take it off. Horses didn't like going up the ramp anyway and now they go into the trailer easier without any fussing and prodding. Best thing I ever did to my trailer.
Posted 2007-08-23 8:10 AM (#66340 - in reply to #66314) Subject: RE: Leaf type ramp springs??
Expert
Posts: 2614
I was trailer shopping on here,saw a lot of nice used BP 2H trailers that I really liked,4Star,Kiefer,ect.But I passed them up in a hurry because they had ramps.
I had a WW T'bred trailer with a ramp and almost dislocated my shoulder and hurt my cervical spine trying to lift it.No matter how they're made,you couldn't GIVE me a trailer with a ramp anymore.
Posted 2007-08-23 8:21 AM (#66343 - in reply to #66148) Subject: RE: Leaf type ramp springs??
Veteran
Posts: 167 Location: Monroe, WA
Well, the little skinny hunter gals who have the rigs I saw were able to literally lift the big heavy ramps with one hand, with the spring assist.... Quite a different scenario than the weenie coil springs that come with most ramp trailers!
I'll scout around some more, I really do want to put these on my trailer.
Posted 2007-08-25 8:52 AM (#66445 - in reply to #66148) Subject: RE: Leaf type ramp springs??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
Know what you mean about the heavy ramps. I had a trailer (notice the operative word "had") where the ramp almost came back on me when it was almost to the "up" position. I sold that trailer, pronto.
I still have ramp trailers but now I scruntinize the ramps before I buy the trailers (oh the lessons we learn over time, hope I help someone avoid the heavy ramp one). I do what I call the "coffee cup test". I hold an object in one hand and then pick up the ramp with my other hand. If I can't do it, then I know that the ramp isn't light enough.
There were a lot of ramps I could not pick up in this fashion. But there were a lot I could. When I told the sales people that the ramp was too heavy for me, they told me that it had to be that heavy in order to load horses safely in the trailer.
I don't know if that is a valid truth (could be if I were loading drafts into the trailer) but since my horses are in the 1000-1250 range, I figured that the ramps would be able to hold those horses, and they have.
Posted 2007-08-25 10:18 AM (#66448 - in reply to #66445) Subject: RE: Leaf type ramp springs??
Expert
Posts: 2614
You betcha."I heard that" as they say.
Problem we ran into was looking for used 2H trailers,it was too far to drive for a lot of them that were otherwise nice trailers,but,when I saw the ramp,I just said to myself,"Forget it."
Posted 2007-08-25 10:19 AM (#66449 - in reply to #66148) Subject: RE: Leaf type ramp springs??
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: georgia
While we too are not fans of ramps we had a trailer for a short time a couple of years back with one. What I did was to go to tractor supply and buy a small block and tackle. (That's a 2 pully system, one with one wheel and one with 2.) A peice of 1/4" coton rope and my wife had no problem pulling up the raps with the little getup. After the ramp was up she just throws it in the tack room until she needs it again.
Leaf type ramp springs??
