I have this & it is very nice & super easy to load

 

I have a few seasons on the regular Pro, awesome awesome ramp

 

I have one I'm taking to the metal shop today. First time I loaded with it it worked sweet. Until I got the bright idea to walk back down the black ski wear panels after loading. Yep, major slip and fall. When I came to and rolled off the ramp my 230 lb body bent a section on the outside......^%$$##^% I was pissed at myself. If the section did not bend I am sure I would have been in a bunch more pain. Hell I rode 125 miles after the slip and fall. Oh yes, I was a hurting unit the next day.


you want to get the black center wear pieces that keep the studs from tearing up the inside rails

 

Ouch that sucks. Does yours have the Grip Glides? Those spikey things that give you traction to walk on? I didn't do the center ones because I don't run studded tracks.

 

No just like the ones in your pic. I should have just jumped off the tailgate. live and learn. Metal shop guy is going to repair it for 50 bucks. It's not going to look right but if it works......Learn from my mistake people

 

They have grip glides. I walk right up and down mine.

 

That is good feedback dodger. Hope you heal fast.

I have a similar ramp setup, different brand, but same basic principle. It came with smooth slippery ski guides. I ended up swapping mine to the gripper glides after the first season. I had too many close calls.


BTW, I agree with the assessment on using the short ramp. The angle is steep. It can work if you have junk carbides and anchor the thing tight. Go with the longer version if you are loading sleds very often.

 

I made a riser that sits between the bed and tailgate so the sleds track is elevated a couple inches off the tailgate. Makes removing the ramp way easier than it being stuck under the sleds track.

 

Do you have any pics? I'm trying to do the same thing.

 

I had a ramp like this


All I can say is the cables holding the bed aren't really made to take that kind of weight. I had one snap, the cable had started corroding in the sheath and I didnt notice it


So pay attention to those tailgate cables!

 

I will check the load rating on the cables. They had a recall a few years back for cables that may break so they replaced them on the older trucks for free. I believe they have improved them so that won't happen anymore.

 

Been using this ramp for a couple of years now. It’s well built and holding up very well.

I use these on the tailgate, once installed the cables don’t support the load.

 

I made a dorky looking bed insert because of the cable issue.

There is a lot of weight pressure right on the rear edge when loading. I've been hauling in a short bed box. The bed insert works fairly well to distribute the weight. I have modified the thing a couple of times based on what I've seen. Loading would actually kick up the front of the bed insert. I anchor the front of the insert to the front box tie downs.(Don't have a picture of that method.) It does take pressure off that rear edge. I also added blocks for height to raise the rear of the sled. Those blocks help with getting the ramp in and out if the sled is loaded.


It's actually kinda funny that I still have the thing. I initially made it as a temporary deal to haul a long track. Sleds keep getting longer now. I think my current sleds hang out as much as that old long track.

 

Looks like a nice ramp. I need to up grade mine as it is 10 years old now and is too short. Mine is a 5 foot caliber atv ramp with trailer glides screwed to it

 

the 90 incher is the one to get

 

Here is my setup, Caliber Pro ramp. Just added all the stud protectors.

What I do is line the pickup bed to the tailgate with plywood. Hook the ramp up with the strap to the two hitch. With the parking break on I lift the sled and move the rear over to the side of the bed. Then I can put the ramp between ski and track. The toughest part is next, lift the track onto the top of the ramp. Then slide the whole thing to the center of the truck. Strap down with a ratchet strap through the rear suspension arm.

I don't find I have enough room in a half ton truck with the wide ski stance to put the ramp along the side of the sled. Have hauled my sled thousands of miles like this an never an issue. Way more traction with all the weight in the back and no trailer to break down. Sled stays clean for the most part being high up and out of the road spray. Doesn't take any longer to load/unload than a normal 2 place trailer.

 

Here is my setup, Caliber Pro ramp. Just added all the stud protectors.

What I do is line the pickup bed to the tailgate with plywood. Hook the ramp up with the strap to the two hitch. With the parking break on I lift the sled and move the rear over to the side of the bed. Then I can put the ramp between ski and track. The toughest part is next, lift the track onto the top of the ramp. Then slide the whole thing to the center of the truck. Strap down with a ratchet strap through the rear suspension arm.

I don't find I have enough room in a half ton truck with the wide ski stance to put the ramp along the side of the sled. Have hauled my sled thousands of miles like this an never an issue. Way more traction with all the weight in the back and no trailer to break down. Sled stays clean for the most part being high up and out of the road spray. Doesn't take any longer to load/unload than a normal 2 place trailer.

Thanks for the pics and tips. I will be doing this for the first next weekend. my ramp arrived today. your sled is a 129" though right? Mine is a 137 so I suspect some over hang

 

I just lay my ramp like over the wheel well kinda and have it lean against the spindle, strap through it to hold it in.

 

I had a Caliber ramp, I found it easier to just use the trailer honestly. No need to set the ramp up and take it down, and find a space for it.

I've been wanting to build something like this though, but without the need to remove the tailgate.

 

I've been wanting to build something like this though, but without the need to remove the tailgate.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN6RdL2w8Vw

I'm trying to figure out how to make a lightweight version of something like that setup. I had thought about resolving the tailgate question with a receiver mount that extends past the tailgate. The extension would be the pivot point as well. It would take pressure off the tailgate. Most receiver extenders I've seen, are too lightweight to modify.

 

 

When I had a ramp I stored it in front of the sled, like a toolbox would mount.


Right behind the cab, straddling the bed fenders. I would ratchet strap it down on both ends to the tie downs in the bed right under them

 

I just wish I could store this ramp under a tonneau cover with a 6.5' bed with the gate closed. I got a roll up cover specifically so I can put a sled in the bed. What, do you guys just put a cable lock through it while you are out and about?

 

Just roll your truck on the ramp, it'll take it. I used to lock it with a cable under the truck but someone can just snip it pretty easy if they had cutters.

 

Any battery powered Angle grinder with metal cutoff wheel will cut right thru cables and hardened steel padlocks in less than 10 seconds..

 

Of course. I far prefer having it out of sight. It's still not 100% safe but it tends to remove the temptation and a crime of opportunity.

 

The thing I do not like is that with no reverse, You have to stand on it and pull. 2 guys standing on the ramp makes me nervous but we have done it. It's pretty bouncy

 

Probably still safer than lifting it out by hand. Reverse is on most newer sleds.

 

This is 1 of 7 trailers I own, it is multi-purpose..I paid exactly $2,000 including the tax. Mine is similar and has a wood deck.

https://sleequipment.com/6-4-x12-al...BRBjEiwAmRbqYiNQgXM5_-yxr7UEIx0wuH7qex-VUUaNUsYhd2kSHy7GMS5nt4sTARoCOCkQAvD_BwE

 

I like the idea of the height, being in the back of the truck and further from salt spray. With a cover the sleds stay pretty dry back there compared to a open trailer. The extra weight for traction comes in handy too.

 

If you're a dedicated sled-in-the-truck-bed guy, there's a super slick ramp setup that mounts to the receiver hitch and stays there. No "what do I do with the damn ramp now" issues. The ramp folds/slides into a smaller package and just hangs out right behind the bumper.

See if I can dig up a link or a picture on it. Wasn't cheap. I think like $1000-1500 or so, but if you're dedicated to that method of sled transport it is pretty slick. I'm sure someone in this thread has seen the same thing.

 

My homemade sled ramp mounts to my truck towing receiver. I don't think i spent much more than a $100 to build it.

 

https://madramps.com/

 

https://madramps.com/

Damn $869, a guy could buy 2 Caliber Pro Ramps & a cheap whore for that!

 

Here is something I just don't get....

 

With a sled in the bed and in 4wd i've driven home on the highways that other vechile's were crawling, or off the road like it was a normal sunny day. Only issue was slowing down or a sudden stop...you need to give yourself plenty of time/room.