How To Make A Trailer Ramp

You have a great welder.

And you've been practicing.

Now you're ready for a real project.

You want to building a trailer ramp gate onto your utility trailer. And use for your quad bike, motorcycle. Or sit on mower.

After a ton of research around on the web.

I found some high value information produced by Matt of Red Wing Steel Works. An AWS certified welder and fabricator.

His utility trailer plans describe a complete trailer build. Including building a trailer ramp gate.

This article focuses on the utility trailer ramp gate plans. And trailer ramp gate designs.

You'll get extra ideas on how you can tailor and add to his outline plans. So you can build your own homemade trailer ramp gate.

You get pictures and the plan detail.

Along with the plan's PDFs and you'll links so you can watch the videos. – If you've time.

When you're ready to move onto the build. You can jump across to this post covering how to build a trailer ramp gate.

This article along with the plan's PDFs, should see you well on your way to welding your own DIY trailer ramp gate.

The Free Trailer Ramp Plans

You can download this PDF from Red Wing Steel Works. Matt gives away his PDF plans for free.

But don't let that stop you.

They're a great set of steel trailer ramp designs to start your build of your utility trailer ramp gate.

The trailer the plan describes is capable of supporting a load of up to 3500 lbs.

This means that you get free trailer ramp gate plans that are as sturdy and as robust as the trailer they go with.

Here's a link to the free Utility Trailer Plans.

PDF credit to Red Wing Steel Works

Trailer Ramp Gate Size

You've a utility trailer tailgate for a four foot long ramp. To fit a five foot wide trailer.

Nifty for wheeling up your off road bike. Or a quad and when you've plenty of ground clearance.

Six foot wide trailer?

Matt has those plans too.

Need a flatter more angled ramp?

Because let's say your sit on mower only has low ground clearance. And you need a shallow climb to your ramp. Then you'll need a five foot ramp.

Cool.

You can change the plans to extend the ramp to five foot.

The advice and plans here are provided as is. And you should tailor to your own needs.

And above all else please make your welds strong. So your ramp is as strong and sturdy as you can make it.

Because a ramp falling apart because of poor welding is just plain boring.

Utility Trailer Ramp Gate Plans Materials List

To get going you're going to need a materials list.

You'll find the FULL material list in the PDF document. But that list covers the trailer AND ramp gate.

Below is your list of the materials you need for the utility trailer ramp gate itself.

Utility Trailer Ramp Gate Plans Materials List — Materials List

They are;

Step 1 – Trailer Ramp Front And Back

2 of 58 inches lengths of 2 x 2 x 1/8th inch steel angle iron for the front and back of the trailer ramp frame.

You'll notice that front and the back are two inches short of five foot wide. This is so the trailer gate ramp when finished sits upright. And so you can latch it on either side to your trailer.

Note that:

For your front and back ramp angle iron. You cut the part of the angle iron that forms the bottom at a 45 degree angle.

On both ends.

But the part of ramp angle iron that's for the sides you cut straight.

Step 2 – Trailer Ramp Sides

2 of 48 inch lengths of 2 x 2 x 1/8th inch steel angle iron for the sides of the trailer ramp gate frame.

Again.

Both ends of the side lengths of angle iron you cut at a 45 degree angle on one side. To match the front and back of the frame

(see picture above of example cut).

Step 3 – Trailer Ramp Cross Members

2 of 47.75 inches of 2 x 2 x 1/8th inch steel angle iron for the cross members.

While you plan how to build a trailer gate for your trailer. Keep in mind that the cross members give support to the trailer ramp frame.

Why?

Read On.

Utility Trailer Ramp Ideas

Already know that you'll be rolling up the ramp heavy machinery or plant?

Then think about adding extra cross members.

When you need to support the heaviest of loads. You put your steel cross members so they center your machine across the ramp.

How do you do that?

You measure the distance at the front of your sit on mower. Or Quad. Between your tires.

Just think about where the tires would roll up your ramp.

And arrange your ramp cross members so that they're your machine's tires.

Then you even out the rest of the cross members across your ramp.

And this may well mean you have to allow for more cross members and so lengths of angle iron.

But then you'll get the best support for your machine while it's rolling up onto your trailer.

Total up the extra cross members you need if any. And add that to your materials list.

Alternative Frame Material You Could Consider

You can use 2 x 3 x 3/16 steel square tubing for a stronger more rigid trailer ramp.

Tempted to use less than 2 x 2 x 1/8 inch angle iron? Or 2 x 3 x 3/16ths square tubing?

Don't.

Because the material will just be too weak for a folding trailer gate.

Step 5 – Utility Trailer Ramp Gate Hinges

You've a choice for your utility trailer ramp gate hinges.

You can either make your own trailer ramp hinges as shown in the plans.

Or you can decide to buy sturdy hinges from Amazon or your local trailer supplies store

It's easy enough to make your own utility trailer ramp gate hinges.

Making your own hinges.

The utility trailer ramp gate plans call for two hinges.

2 of 3/4 inch schedule 40 black pipe. To act as center pieces for the ramp hinge. 4 inches in length – 8 inches in total.

4 of 3/4 inch schedule 40 black pipe. For end pieces of the ramp hinge. 2 inches in length – 8 inches in total.

2 x 8.5 inch lengths of 3/4 solid steel rod for inside the ramp hinge. It's your ramp hinge pin – 17 inches in total.

Ramp Hinge Pin - Part 3 — Ramp Hinge Pin – Part 3

This picture is a plan view of how the hinges would look once welded correctly into place.

In the end it'll look like this.

The four inch section forms the center of the ramp hinge.

The two inch sections of pipe form the outer parts of the hinge. Two per hinge on either side of the 8.5 inch pipe section. The rod goes through the center of all three pieces.

This is what the utility trailer ramp gate hinges look like when you put the pieces together.

Aim to put your utility trailer gate hinges where you need the strength for your ramp.

And this would be where the tires of your Quad or mower would roll off the ramp and onto your utility trailer.

Step 6 – Latch Pins

Matt has an outline plan for you to make your own latch pins. You use two half inch diameter solid rods. You cut them three inches long and weld in the shape of a T.

The latch pins need;

4 of 3 inches in length of 1/2 inch solid rod – 12 inches in total

Unless you particularly want the kudos of making your own latch pins. You could just as well buy trailer latch pins from Amazon or your local trailer or builders supply store.

Step 7 – Trailer Ramp Gate Flooring Or Deck

As well as the above materials. You'll need to choose the best material for your utility trailer floor.

Using Wood For Your DIY Trailer Ramp Gate Floor

Choosing to use 2 x 4 wood for the floor of your ramp could mean;

Your ramp would be heavy, to tow and lift.
The barrel style of hinge detailed here may not work for your trailer ramp gate.
Because the wood could get in the way of the ramp closing with a barrel style of hinge.
Wood is also subject to warping and rotting over time.

If you want to use wood flooring for your homemade trailer ramp gate then;

Check where the existing flooring of your utility trailer ends. And double check that when your ramp gate closes with your wooden flooring the two won't clash.

Ramp Floor In Solid Sheet Metal

Matt's utility trailer ramp gate plans uses solid sheet metal to cover the entire surface.

But this gives you a smooth surface. And means that you could get problems with slipping on the ramp in the wet.

Solid sheet metal creates more drag when the gate is up as you're driving along.

It's more likely that you'll want flooring with grip.

So when you carry stuff up the ramp, or drive your equipment up. You're not slipping and sliding all over.

If you decide on sheet metal for your flooring. Choose 14, 12 or 10 gauge sheet metal depending on how firm you need your decking.

Trailer Ramp Floor In Regular Expanded Metal

OR consider using the open mesh of Regular Expanded Metal, my personal favorite. It's reasonably rigid. The raised kind not the flattened kind provides a roughened surface and some traction.

The cost is also reasonable.

10 gauge, #9 3/4 inch diamond sections is a great choice.

You can take a look at some here.

Order it cut to size.

Or you can cut it 1/2 to 3/4 inch smaller than the finished length and width of your trailer ramp frame.

Cutting Your Regular Expanded Metal Floor

You cut it at the diamond intersections for strength. And so that you've best place to weld when you come to attach it to the trailer ramp gate frame.

There you have it your utility trailer tailgate plan parts step by step.

Utility Trailer Ramp Gate Plans Build Material Totals

Ramp Gate front and Back = 2 x 58 = 116 inches
Utility Trailer ramp sides = 2 x 48 = 96 inches
Trailer ramp cross members = 2 x 47.75 = 95.5 inches

A Total of 307.5 inches of 2 x 2 x 1/8 Angle Iron. Or 25 foot 62 and a half inches at least.

More cross members will add 47.75 inches per extra cross member to the total above.

Then your hinge and latch pins if you're making them yourself.

Center pipe for your ramp hinge = 2 x 4 = 8 inches
Outer pipe for your ramp hinge = 4 x 2 = 8 inches
Center solid rod for your ramp hinge = 2 x 8.5 = 17 inches
Solid rod for your ramp latch pin = 4 x 4 = 12 inches

Add more cross members if the machinery you have to roll up the ramp is of significant weight.

You now have your build material list.

Plan View Of Trailer Ramp Gate

Here's the overall plan look for your DIY trailer ramp gate when it's all put together.

Picture plan view of the full ramp connected to the trailer.

And here's the plan view of what the ramp will look like when connected to the end of your trailer.

Before you connect your ramp to your trailer. You attach your ramp surface to your DIY trailer gate.

Latching Your Ramp – Utility Trailer Gate Latch Ideas

When the ramp is up you can see Matt's option for latching the ramp in the upright position

The picture purposely for shortens the length of the ramp and the trailer to give you the close up view.

You've a few options here I think.

Match the side of the ramp to the side rails of your trailer.

If you currently have side rails that end at the end of your trailer. This picture shows how you could extend them by a couple of inches.

Drill some holes through so you can use a bought or made latch pin to secure the trailer in its upright position.

Other Gate Latch Ideas

You could use chain to latch your trailer ramp gate.

Whatever you choose to use. Make it easy for you to secure your trailer ramp. Use something that won't accidentally come loose as you're driving along.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use This Plan For A Folding Trailer Ramp Gate?

A folding trailer ramp gate demands more work and effort but is a neat idea.

If you're doing a lot of highway driving. And worry that four or five foot of ramp gate up in the air will cause too much wind resistance.

A ramp that folds in two would cut down on the wind resistance by about 25-30%.

To make your folding trailer ramp gate this plan will work for you too.

Turning This Plan Into Bi Fold Trailer Ramp Plans

Amending this plan to make folding trailer ramp plans. Means making the gate ramp described in two sections. What I mean by that is;

If you want your ramp to be around four foot in length. Instead of having two ramp sides 48 inches in length, you would have four ramp sides 28 inches in length.

Double up on the front and back angle iron sections. Because you're going to need two fronts and two backs

You'll need an extra set of hinges.

And you put those hinges in the middle of your ramp.

Because the hinges that sit in the middle of your ramp. You use to fold your ramp up in the opposite direction to the hinges attaching the ramp to the end of your trailer.

Important!

You want those center hinges to only work in one direction.

Have your hinges line up for strength.

Look back earlier in this article to the part about positioning your hinges. Put them under where your plant or machinery wheels would roll.

You'll need to consider how you secure your ramp in its folded up position. Increase the length of the extension you add to your trailer side arms for the ramp gate.

You can use a latch pin to secure your ramp in place or a chain arrangement.

Think about the action of folding.

You don't want your fingers. Or anyone else's fingers caught as you fold your ramp.

Think about adding handles to the outside of your folding trailer ramp. As they'll help you to move your ramp up and down. And fold and unfolded.

YouTube Utility Trailer Ramp Gate Plans

Here's a link to the full 17 minute YouTube video from Red Wing Steel Works covering the trailer ramp plans.

Utility Trailer Plans Fully Explained

Video Credit: redwingsteelworks

It's worth watching if you've the time.

What To Do Next

Now you've your utility trailer ramp gate plans.

What about the next most important stage in your homemade trailer ramp gate build?

How to build a trailer ramp gate?

The next post in this two part series covers how to make a trailer ramp. And the key things to keep in mind during the build of your utility trailer ramp gate.

You can click here now to head over to the article"How to Build a trailer Ramp Gate 12 Best Tips For Welders".