Anyone build their own ramps to get their ATV in their pickup??<P>I see the folding aluminum ramps etc.. for 100 or so bucks.. seems a couple fir 2X10's would work with a piece of angle iron attached at one end...<P>I have a flatbed trailer.. but what a hassle just for 1 ATV ..<P>--Steve

Steve: I used to back up 30,000 lbs. Hyster fork lifts, up onto simi trailers. Using 1'x25' Apertan planks 4" thick. Cribing up in the middle. That was in the old days before all those new hydraluc ramp trailers came out. Let me tell you wood planks of any kind can become mighty slippery in damp weather. And I guarentee you slipping off the side of those planks would not be a pleasent start or ending to a hunt.<P>Just a Thought!<P>Phil

Guess I didn't consider the foul weather issue... Good point...!<P>Right now I can usually find a ditch bank(bar ditch) or sand dune to back up to to unload and load it.. <P>Just seems like the 100 bucks could be better spent.. ;-)<P>--Steve

I use the tri-fold steel ones. It is only a matter of time before you mess them up and steel is easy to fix (welding etc). I am on my second set (first ones grew legs). With these ramp security is easy just lay them on the ground and drive your truck up on them. I use them in mud and snow never had my wheelers stip yet.<P>6X6

When you do finally decide on the ramps you want. Just try and get the longest ones possible, about 80 inches is good. The shorter they are the steeper the angle of attack and when it's slippery. Well, you know the rest

For curiosity's sake, how many of you use ramps, and load directly into your P/U. And how many use trailers. Me I have no choice, my little Mazda P/U couldn't hold the 700+ pound Polaris, if I wanted it too.<P>Phil

It is very rare that I don't use a trailer. Some consider it a pain the butt but I don't even notice it. Might be because I've always had one. I would rather use a trailer than deal with a loading ramp plus the problems of fitting all of my crap in the truck with the bed full of three wheeler.

Last week, my boy tried to run his dirt bike up a single 2"x10" into the back of his 1 ton Chevy. He appearently thought he could just push it into the bed from the ground. I guess he's done it that way before. Any way this time he lost it, and it put a pretty good size dent in the side of the truck. Lucky he wasn't under it.<P>Phil

I always use the trailer. Leaves the bed free for coolers, equipment, stands and the tons of deer/hogs that I bring home <BR>badger.<P>------------------<BR>Keep the traditions alive, take your child hunting.....

I bought my first 4-wheeler last spring, a Honda Foreman 450ES...along with a folding 2-section aluminum ramp, 72" long, and just barely wide enough for the tires. It is light and handy, but I would recommend something both longer and wider, especially for winter use. Steel would be heavier, but a better choice, all things considered. A trailer is high on my wish list, though .... there's very little room left in the box with a 4-wheeler in it. (My son's whitetail buck had to ride the Honda side-saddle coming out last fall.) Also, a topper is pretty much out of the question if your machine is riding back there, if that's a concern.

Thanks Loud Cloud... !<P>I have looked at the different ramps.. they all seem to be 72" .. and I think I like the solid ones better than the folding ones.. but I haven't invested yet.. <P>I've just been backing the truck up to a bar ditch or some such and using a couple small lenths of 2X10 to get it loaded and unloaded..<P>I have a trailer(flat bed) but.. sometime I have to go through some rough country before I unload the machine.. so I haven't been real excited about that idea... I suppose for extended hunts that would certainly be the ticket :-) but then on extended hunts I usually go the horseback route ;-)<P>I appreciate your input on the weight issue.. I noticed Cabela's had some made of steel...<P>-_Steve

I have a set of bifold aluminum ramps that weren't quite wide enough. I took them apart to provide that bit of insurance width. Having a small truck, my winch pressed against my window so I began backing it in. Not fun after a day of riding. Trying to "aim" the ATV into the truck bed which is about 6" wider than the bike. Add to that the steep angle of the ramps. I now pull a 4x10 galvanized trailer. <P>Buckshot<BR>'99 Sportsman 500<BR>'01 Sportsman 500 H.O.<BR>'01 Sportsman 90<p>[This message has been edited by Buckshot (edited March 09, 2001).]

I guess i'm lucky.I have two aluminam ramps,they fold in half and very light.Not cheap at 120.00 for the pair but I really like em.Also have a 5x12 trailer with a built in ramp tailgate.<P>------------------<BR>Keep yer powder dry,and yer knife sharp.

I havent seen this mentioned yet. We have two ATVs both yamaha big bears, we also pull a camp trailer, so my husband made a rack for the bed of our truck, we drive the ATVs up the ramps from the side of the truck.We have all of the bed still open to store all of our other gear.He has telescoping ramps that fit right on under the ATVs and dont take up any room in the bed of the truck.We can take off with all our gear and still have room for any game we get.Before that we used the aluminum ramps --before that the boards, but they did get slick and thats not fun.

Muledeer4me, sounds interesting. Any chance you could post a photo of that setup? badger.<P>------------------<BR>Gun control is good bullet placement.....

Badger,we can give that a try.I have to tell ya we are not to good with the computer LOL. <BR>I got some other stuff that I e-mailed out if you want me to try it that way.If that fails I can always mail it out to you through snail mail.

Muledeer4me,<P>e-mail it to me if you would. My addy is [email protected] <P>I will post the photo here with your permission if you like. regards, badger.<P>------------------<BR>Gun control is good bullet placement.....

Badger,I havent forgot about you .Steve hasnt had a chance to get the pictures yet.We have been out buying new Bows and getting ready for some 3D shoots. <P>We have a shoot on saterday and hope to get out riding on sunday.

My ramps are actually made by Polaris. They are 72" long and are bifold, but they easily separate by pulling them apart. I use them apart. I can load my 500 HO into my truck (8' bed is nice) with plenty of room left. As for making your own, I would have to add something for traction. Some angle iron attached to the boards every 8 inches or so would work.

How about using some old sections of Aluminium ladders you get at yard sales??<BR>Heck, even new ladders are cheaper than the<BR>ramps mentioned here.