trimster Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 Sketching my bed build and a really good suggestion from someone was to have the ramps IN the bed, not on top. Can some of you who have ramp storage in the bed, post some photo of what yours looks like? And maybe a measurement from the truck rail to the top of the bed so I can get an idea how much lift I have to put in to clear the ramps over the tires. The ramps I am looking at are 6' long and 5" thick (when folded in half). Also, what ga. or thickness is the ramp box build? I'm thinking 1/8" is enough...maybe. Thanks. Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance A Lott Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 Trimster I put mine above the frame over the fuel tank. I put 1/4" by 10" plate on edge and made 2 tubes for the ramps. I made them 10 tall as I removed the pins from one set of 3 and put half with each full ramp. This also gave me plenty of room over the tires, I have a 4" tall toolbox over the tires so you could get away with 6" on my 630 Volvo. I was going to cary a Spider before getting a Smart. I built most of my beds frame from 1/4" plate it is very strong and takes up almost no space. I have been very happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 Poor planning has led us to carry the ramps in a box we built on the rear of the bed. Imagine one of those cheap cargo carriers that folks throw on the back of a jeep to carry coolers and such. But ours is bigger, has sides, and besides slipping into the receiver hitch, also has 4 - 3/8" bolts holding it at the ends. I find it easier than wrestling the ramps so high. It's big enough to carry two ramps and our tripod hitch stabilizer. There's a lot of wasted space back there. Quote 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 rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 Quote MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~ 2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 2014 smart Fortwo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted October 3, 2020 Report Share Posted October 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Big5er said: Dang Phil how do you have that much space? I follow the George Carlin rule “if you have empty space you need more stuff”. Quote 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...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted October 3, 2020 Report Share Posted October 3, 2020 1 hour ago, SuiteSuccess said: Dang Phil how do you have that much space? I follow the George Carlin rule “if you have empty space you need more stuff”. That's where he keeps his trunk monkey. The monkey also took the picture for Phil to post. Quote 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 (edited) Edited October 4, 2020 by rickeieio Quote 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 rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hone eagle Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 (edited) The less lifting the better ,mine were low and behind the drives - backbreaking. They are now beside the car ,same height .Wish they were under the car, beneath the car tires. next time Edited October 4, 2020 by hone eagle Quote 2005 volvo 670 freedomline singledNewmar Torrey Pine 34rskswoot woot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 Bob, I think Phil pretty much has the right idea for you since you are not singled. My Volvo is singled and we never touched the length of the frame. This gave enough room behind the rear tires for another full size box. We put a tunnel between the back boxes and the ramps are inside that. Quote Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 I think the best place would be directly under the car between deck and frame rails. You would remain upright handling them. Where Phil and I have ours, we have to bend over to get them out. I don't have enough clearance for that though. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lappir Posted October 4, 2020 Report Share Posted October 4, 2020 (edited) I am in the process of redoing my motorcycle ramp again. First it was carried under the car and had to be drug to the truck box to unload the bike. Next I had it cut in half with a hinge and put it at least on the truck. This week I hope to have half of it placed directly under the bike loader device with the other half on the truck. I found it's much easier to handle one piece at a time and found a couple hitch pins that fit in the bolt holes where they had hinged. It worked once as a trial lifted off the box floor enough for 1/2 of the ramp to fit. Next will be the ramps for the car. They are heavy steel and so far I'm able to move them into place, but if I can find a loading dock I will use it to load the car and leave the ramps in place. I used to do that when the truck box was large enough for the car. Below, top photo is campground in Cape Girardeau, MO. Next is the temporary blocking at the front to get the height I want for the rack. The straps held everything in place for a single load and unloading to check for clearances. Last photo is the ramp halves ready to find their new homes. Rod Edited October 4, 2020 by lappir added photo info. Quote 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...
Radar274 Posted October 5, 2020 Report Share Posted October 5, 2020 We used discount Ramps, if i remember the clearance is 4.5 inches. Quote Bob&Kay 2012 VNL730 I Shift D13 2.47 ratio 2018 Mobile Suites 40 kssb4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted October 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2020 I'm looking at Discount Ramps as well. The ramp system for trikes. So three 12' ramps that fold into 6' x 5.75" thick by 19.75" wide. The three storage slots under the bed would be some 60" wide. The bed build would be 5 - 6" to clear the tires when the bags are empty, then 6" for the ramp slots/boxes. Then another inch for the for the decking. I'm leaning towards aluminum planks used for bleachers and those non-skid ramps found on U-Haul moving trucks. There's several non-skid tread patterns. They come in 1" x 12" wide x 12' long. The ramps weigh 65 lbs each if I recall properly. Not real heavy but enough one should brace. Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmup68 Posted October 5, 2020 Report Share Posted October 5, 2020 I love my ramps that Charlie built for me. No lifting, slide in and out on rails. Can even put on actuators to make them fully automatic in the future if wanted. One of my favorite things of the bed re-do. Quote 2003 International Eagle 9200i, Cummins ISX, Freedomline 2007 Teton Scottsdale XT4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 5, 2020 Report Share Posted October 5, 2020 3 minutes ago, lockmup68 said: I love my ramps that Charlie built for me. No lifting, slide in and out on rails. Can even put on actuators to make them fully automatic in the future if wanted. One of my favorite things of the bed re-do. Pics please Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted October 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 On 10/4/2020 at 9:48 AM, GlennWest said: I think the best place would be directly under the car between deck and frame rails. You would remain upright handling them. Where Phil and I have ours, we have to bend over to get them out. I don't have enough clearance for that though. Glen: Been doing some figgerin' on what it would take to put ramp storage like you suggested. So here's the tail-of-the-tape: - I need 5" additional bed rail height to compensate for the air bag deflation. - I need 6" more space for the ramps. They're 5.75" folded in half. - The deck will be 1" thick (aluminum bleacher planks) ....so, that will be 12" (roughly) of additional height PLUS the rise when the bags inflate (+5"). That will be a fairly high bed it seems. But maybe not out of line considering some I have seen. I didn't measure any of them that had under-bed storage. Maybe someone who has that configuration could run a tape on the height and post it here? Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 22, 2020 Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 Don't put your ramps over the wheels. Put them forward, saves the 5" of space the wheels take. You want the deck as low as possible, particularly for a smart car. They sit low, so break over becomes an issue. Quote 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...
trimster Posted October 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2020 Don't have that option with dual axles & 110" wheel base. Ramps I am looking at are 12' long with an arch. Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 23, 2020 Report Share Posted October 23, 2020 (edited) 6 hours ago, trimster said: Don't have that option with dual axles & 110" wheel base. Ramps I am looking at are 12' long with an arch. Split the difference, one in front, one behind. You need to keep the finished deck height as low as possible. Our smart car donated it's belly pan to the transition from deck to ramp, even though I was watching it. It snagged a couple times, and was reattached, but the final time was the final time. It came out in enough pieces, there was no repairing it. ETA: We carry the ramps in a cross body toolbox, behind the axle. Edited October 23, 2020 by Darryl&Rita Quote 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...
trimster Posted October 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2020 Complicating things, we will have 3 21" wide ramps. For a trike. Smart car maybe later. Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 23, 2020 Report Share Posted October 23, 2020 My bad. I thought you were building with a smart in mind. Still, check the break over angle on the trike, before gluing any metal. Quote 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...
trimster Posted October 23, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2020 No problem. I didn't specify what was going on the ramps. My Goldwing has the same problem . Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 23, 2020 Report Share Posted October 23, 2020 As soon as you said trike, I remembered you saying that previously. My mental block happens to be between my ears. Quote 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...
rickeieio Posted October 23, 2020 Report Share Posted October 23, 2020 senior moment........ Quote 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 rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted October 23, 2020 Report Share Posted October 23, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, rickeieio said: senior moment........ If only. More than a handful of years before I get my license to be grumpy, full time. I'm the kid, remember? ETA: When Henry was reminiscing about early camping adventures with his plane and family, he revealed that I'm younger than them. Edited October 23, 2020 by Darryl&Rita Quote 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...
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