loading ramp question
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 87
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City
loading ramp question
seems like all the ramps i can find have a 750# capacity without going up to the super expensive/wider ramps. just looking for something to use for walking up my bike onto a trailer, not riding into a pickup for example. since the touring bikes are 800-850 would these ramps not cut it or am i just being paranoid? didnt know if these weight limits are close enough or if in fact i would need to go up to a big boy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,157
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
I'm sure they probably have a built-in safety factor... but is it 5%, 10%, or maybe 20%....???
I suspect you would be fine, however, I wouldn't risk it... It's not the odds that it won't handle it, but it's what's at stake if it fails.....
My 2016 Ultra Classic has a dry weight of 844lbs. With fluids and some "stuff" in the saddlebags, it's over 900lbs.. That means that ramp would need a minimum safety factor of 10% to handle my bagger...
We each get to choose the amount of risk we are willing to take... Nope, not for me..... I'd have a minimum of 1000lb capacity for my bagger...
Good luck with your decision....
I suspect you would be fine, however, I wouldn't risk it... It's not the odds that it won't handle it, but it's what's at stake if it fails.....
My 2016 Ultra Classic has a dry weight of 844lbs. With fluids and some "stuff" in the saddlebags, it's over 900lbs.. That means that ramp would need a minimum safety factor of 10% to handle my bagger...
We each get to choose the amount of risk we are willing to take... Nope, not for me..... I'd have a minimum of 1000lb capacity for my bagger...
Good luck with your decision....
Intermediate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 39
Likes: 30
From: SE Connecticut
I loaned my folding 1500 lb arched ramps to a friend, not knowing what he was going to use them for. Upon return to me, one of the pair was bent and broken in half. Seems he and a buddy of his tried to use these to load a touring bike into a pickup. It didn't go well for them, but I got a new set out of it. They neglected to consider the 1500 lb capacity is for the pair of ramps, a single one capacity is only 750. I only use these ramps for my lawn tractor, nothing heavier, my Ultra Limited would exceed that capacity.
For a trailer, I would get something like the Black Widow 8' x 40" non folding 3 piece ramp set. The center ramp will support 1500 lbs alone, 1200 lbs each side ramp. About $500 though. Better safe than sorry.
For a trailer, I would get something like the Black Widow 8' x 40" non folding 3 piece ramp set. The center ramp will support 1500 lbs alone, 1200 lbs each side ramp. About $500 though. Better safe than sorry.
A lot lot of ramps are designed to have the load spaced out. The loads a ramp will take with a touring HD on them in near what a comparable ramp would take having a car on them, considering that load would be spaced out.
Long story short, but a ramp specifically designed to take the weight of the bagger, knowing it's being used for that purpose. The fold up ramps on most trailers can take the weight of something riding up them for the weight the trailer is intended to carry. Seems that's not what you have.
For what you're wanting, and taking into consideration this is only for a trailer load, NOT a truck bed load, this is the bare minimum I'd trust. Note the straps on the side also anchoring it in place. Too much power and weight for the human body to manage if things go bad.
If I were buying something like this, I'd spend the extra and get this ramp instead. It's cheap insurance.
Long story short, but a ramp specifically designed to take the weight of the bagger, knowing it's being used for that purpose. The fold up ramps on most trailers can take the weight of something riding up them for the weight the trailer is intended to carry. Seems that's not what you have.
For what you're wanting, and taking into consideration this is only for a trailer load, NOT a truck bed load, this is the bare minimum I'd trust. Note the straps on the side also anchoring it in place. Too much power and weight for the human body to manage if things go bad.
If I were buying something like this, I'd spend the extra and get this ramp instead. It's cheap insurance.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 766
From: MS
For me it would come down to: Do I want to spend the extra money and get the better ramp? Or do I want to spend the extra money on potentially having to get my bike fixed because something goes wrong after over-loading the cheaper ramp. I'd choose the former and get the heavier-duty ramp just to be safe than sorry.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 2,114
From: Masshole
Trending Topics
One thing when looking at ramps
HOW are they rated? Overall weight rating or a per axle weight rating?
most motorcycle ramps are catered to the lighter weight dirt bike world, and eateries overall Personally Id opt for something over 1k pound rating and probably a wide one for ATVs.
most motorcycle ramps are catered to the lighter weight dirt bike world, and eateries overall Personally Id opt for something over 1k pound rating and probably a wide one for ATVs.
Last edited by 2500hdon37s; Sep 12, 2022 at 01:54 PM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
I happen to have these:
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/yutr...d-loading-ramp
1750 lb rating. Being full width is a wonderful thing, and the reason I bought them.
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/yutr...d-loading-ramp
1750 lb rating. Being full width is a wonderful thing, and the reason I bought them.
Lowes. 120$ 1250lb capacity.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-Tr...amp/1000875456
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-Tr...amp/1000875456
This is not the place to save money. We spend so much to buy these things and then try to go cheap, and I really don't get it. YouTube is full of people that went cheap on the ramp. If that doesn't teach you anything, hang up your keys and take the bus.
