SuiteSuccess Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 Below is a picture of my “Big Boy” ramps. I store them under the smart when traveling. I would like to put some HDPE strips on the supports in between the “fluted” bars to keep the metal from rubbing on my deck. I need to drill some 3/16” holes in the box supports to rivet the strips on. My question is am I going to induce a stress point that is prone to crack in the future? To my thinking the side walls of the box frame carry the stress and my holes would be in the floor, but I’m not an engineer. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertMiner Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 epoxy them on.....no holes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickthrotl Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 12 minutes ago, DesertMiner said: epoxy them on.....no holes! AGREE 2004 Volvo VNL 780 2017 Momentum 376TH 2007 Harley Davidson FLHTC 2009 Smart4two Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 Epoxy won't stick to HDPE. I don't know of anything on the market that will be a permanent fix, but some epoxies will last for a while. In a case like this, I'd get the HDPE heat formed to a "U" shape, and epoxy on all 3 sides. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted February 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 So I am assuming you feel drilling is not a good idea, lol? 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moresmoke Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 The top and bottom of the box have the most stress on them. The stress on the sides is minimal. If you think of how an I beam is made, the center webs purpose is to keep the top and bottom flange the right distance apart. I would avoid drilling holes in the ramps if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 My experience with HDPE is that nothing will chemically bond it other than to itself with heat welding. You have to mechanically attach it. I've used various epoxies and none have held for long. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted February 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Ok, no drilling. Now to Plan B or is it C? Thanks for the replies. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hone eagle Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 West systems makes a epoxy that will glue a poly kayak ,that was cut in two. After bonding they ran down a gravel pile with it. Back to full strength. might work bet it fixes coolant tanks too, least long enough to get home. 2005 volvo 670 freedomline singledNewmar Torrey Pine 34rskswoot woot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted February 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 1 hour ago, hone eagle said: West systems makes a epoxy that will glue a poly kayak ,that was cut in two. After bonding they ran down a gravel pile with it. Back to full strength. might work bet it fixes coolant tanks too, least long enough to get home. Thanks Ralf. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALLOY Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 VHB (very high bond) tape may stick to the HDPE. Shorter strips of HDPE is better as it needs room to expand and contract Can a strip of (black) HDPE be bolted to the side of the steel deck and another block to the end of the ramp that would slide across the deck? Gluing is HDPE is possible but it needs to be flame treated. Finding a glue that will bond alum to HDPE maybe an issue. 2011 Cameo 34SB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazybanshee Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 I mounted some 1 1/2" aluminum angle on the bed surface from side to side and slide the ramps on them. Saves the bed and gives a secure mounting for the ramps 2007 Volvo 780 Ultrashift Trailersaver Hitch 2017 Momentum 397th 3 Yamaha Banshees 2 Honda 400EX's Polaris Outlaw 50 Polaris Outlaw 110 EFi 2018 Polaris RZR S 1000 Stealth Black 2019 Polaris RZR S 1000 Titanium Matte Metal 2015 Polaris RZR S 900 VooDoo Blue https://i.imgur.com/e0ajU8Pl.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Carl, use heavy duty zip ties. If the hdpe is thick enough, whittle a recess so the tie doesn't rub the bed. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrap Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Doh that is what I was going to say!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 Drill through the piece to run your zip ties (or bailing wire)through. Rod White 2000/2010Volvo VNL 770 with 7' Drom box with opposing doors, JOST slider hitch. 600 HP Cummins Signature 18 Speed three pedal auto shift. 1999 Isuzu VehiCross retired to a sticks and bricks garage. Brought out of storage the summer of 2022 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Two door hard top. 2007 Honda GL 1800 2013 Space Craft Mfg S420 Custom built Toyhauler The Gold Volvo is still running and being emptied in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted February 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 10 hours ago, rickeieio said: Carl, use heavy duty zip ties. If the hdpe is thick enough, whittle a recess so the tie doesn't rub the bed. We have a winner. That was exactly my plan B. Was going to router two shallow grooves in each strip. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.