Making a ramp, any suggestions?

[soareyes]

I recently had a garage/shed made, mainly for the Seven and tools. There is a 12" drop from the garage floor to the ground. I eventually plan to have a concrete ramp made with a driveway that connects to my current driveway, but for now I need to make something that will get me by.

At first I was going to make something out of plywood, then I started thinking of practicing my welding on some angle iron and metal mesh like the ramps you see on the back of utility trailers. I'm not sure if that would be strong enough (I'm not an engineer by any means!). Any suggestions on these ideas, or any other way of making a sturdy but relatively cheap ramp?

Here is the unit:

[Doug Liedblad]

When I made my gadget to work on the car I used some Perf-O-Grip from McNichols.

One 10" wide length cut in half might do it for you. I think they come in 10' or 12' lengths. Use the 11 gauge thickness.

I used the 2" high channel and reinforced it because of the length of the span but if you keep it shorter for the ramp it might be OK.

Do secure it in place before driving on it.

Galvenized so you don't really want to weld it.

Delivery to your location might be a problem.

Check with Industrial Metals to see if they sell it. They have a Riverside location and may also deliver.

http://www.mcnichols.com/products/grating/plank/largehole/

Edited to correct the link to the channel. The first was to their stair treads.

Doug

[slomove]

My suggestion would be to get 4 pieces of 2x8 pressure treated lumber (10 or 12' long), set them in place 2 planks for each ramp and support as needed in at least 3 places each with other scrap lumber or gravel/dirt. You may need some framing ties to connect the ramp planks together and to the shed so that they don't slip away.

Not very elegant but should work until you get the concrete job done.

The shed looks good, where did you get it and how much? I am looking for something similar as addition to my garage.

Gert

[soareyes]

The shed looks good, where did you get it and how much? I am looking for something similar as addition to my garage.

Gert

Gert, I got it from a local company:

http://www.shedworld.com/supersheds.html

Mine is 14' x 24' and with the options I got (windows, garage door, etc.) it came to about $8000. They built it in 2 days with a crew of 3 workers! I'm having an electrician come out next week to wire it up for electricity. My original plan was to load up the roof with solar panels and tie into the Edison grid, but that was too expensive for now. I did install a solar panel-powered attic fan today which is pretty cool!

Thanks Gert and Doug for your ramp suggestions too.

Stan

[moosetestbestanden]

The shed looks good, where did you get it and how much? I am looking for something similar as addition to my garage.

Now Gert, if you'd been planning ahead you would have built that combination shed/trailer unit instead of just a trailer. Just think of the efficiency Deutscher: you'd never have to take the car out of the thing until it is time to drive it. Just back in the Kia, hook 'er up and go. Get home, un-hook and presto!

[soareyes]

Now Gert, if you'd been planning ahead you would have built that combination shed/trailer unit instead of just a trailer. Just think of the efficiency Deutscher: you'd never have to take the car out of the thing until it is time to drive it. Just back in the Kia, hook 'er up and go. Get home, un-hook and presto!

Gert, I think this is what Chris is talking about. Might have to upgrade the Kia though!

[soareyes]

Well, it took awhile, but I finally finished the shed and ramp this weekend. The "temporary" ramp is stout enough to last many years. Basically it is a tilted deck with eight 2x12's spaced about 10" apart underneath the surface boards. I can park two cars inside with plenty of room for tools, etc.

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

Stan

[Sean]

That's a damn fine looking ramp. Not sure I'd call it "temporary" if it was mine!