Ramps for Flatbedding Applications

I could never justify the expense. A lot of things that need to be ramp loaded are taller than 8'6". Most of the things that aren't can by loaded by a rollback for $75 or less. I've improvised before (don't try this unless you're at home, like I was).


In the last 3 years I've needed a rollback to load me about 8 times, and 3 of those came out of my own pocket. The rest can be built into the rate. That comes up WAAAY shy of the $3000+ price tags I've seen on reliable ramps.

 

Flats are too tall for reasonable ramps. Shipper or consignee can arrange unloading.

 

Ramps are best suited for a step.

For me,.. the cost could be recouped with just 1 or 2 loads.

I use my ramps at least twice a month. Sometimes twice in a week. I really loath having to use them. But when you can negotiate a better rate because the load needs ramps,.. then I can justify the cost.

For example. Picked up a load today. Broker originally wanted to pay $3200 for a going just over 2000 miles. I said no way. It needed ramps so I said I wanted $5000. We couldnt agree so the conversation ended. He called me back and asked if I would do it for $3850. I said no,.. $5000. Again,.. the conversation ended. My wife called me. My brother is in the hospital, I need to get a few things done on my truck. The load would get me home from Denver. An hour later the broker calls and says he can do $4000,.. and that was his cap. He sounded so desperate. Young guy. I really wanted to stick to my guns,.. but I caved in for $4000. Its a light load, barely 16000 lbs. A limousine party bus.

Seems no one else in the area with a step had ramps. I was 10 miles from the PU. So no dead head,.. got out of Denver for $2 mi and heading home to Fla.

It was this load or sitting around waiting for someone in Denver willing to pay more than $1.60.

So the ramps have served their purpose. I still loath using them,.. LOL



Hurst

 

If you look at the picture in Hurst's post above you will see there is actually 4 - 8' ramps with 2 stands which connect the ramps making them 16'. The stands are height adjustable.

You could get 6 ramps and 4 stands for a flatbed. This would allow you 24' ramps and keep the angle down. I wouldn't recommend it though, the market is pretty saturated now with stepdecks with ramps. Maybe if you had a customer with use of a flatbed set up that way.

 

Yeah I think there is another 8 - 10 inches of adjustment I could raise the ramps. I've only raised the stand above the 2nd hole once in order to load 2 Corvette so they wouldnt bottom out at the deck. I had to use boards at the bottom to keep the nose from rubbing. There are 4 pin setting in the stands that I have. I drop it into the first when storing them under the deck. Then raise to the 2nd slot to keep the ramps even from the lower deck to the ground.

I dont see where they would be that useful with a regular flat. Most loads I do that need ramps are generally above 10' tall, so they would not work on a regular flat. When I ran flat and did loads with wheel machinery there was always a loading dock. Or if not,.. then like Barroll said,.. for $50 - $80,.. you can get a roll back to come put it on your bed.

4 stands and 8 ramps!? I cringe at the thought of having to put all that together and then putting it all away. Just get a step.

Hurst

 

Hurst

You loaded that Bus with the ramps setup as they are in the pics without the bus bottoming out?

 

And for what those ramps would cost, thou could hire a rollback a hundred times and still come out cheaper. Ramps work financially for a step especially when did ramps double as load leveled. Not for a flat.


Hurst, you did good. 2 bucks tho the truck out of Denver is phenomenal.

 

I agree, I don't think it's practical for most flatbeds to carry ramps. I was just pointing out that it can be done. I could see someone with a customer wanting to haul some mining vehicles or something requiring ramp delivery. He might prefer to do them with a flat to keep his options open for steel or things that don't work well on a step. hypothetically

 

Yes,.. exactly as you see it. Is how I drove it up on my bed. I stopped to make sure it was not going to bottom out. Had about 4 inches to spare.

Same set up but with the stands raised in the middle is how I loaded two 2002 Z06 Coervettes. They were low. They would not go on with how the stands are in this pic.

Edit:
Stopping by the house before I unload to pick up my wife. I'll get her to snap some pics to show the clearance when unloading.

Hurst