If you own a box truck, cargo van, or pickup truck you’re probably someone who hauls equipment and heavy loads for both business and pleasure. While it’s possible to grab two or three helpers and muscle just about anything into the bed of a pickup or back of a van, a folding ramp can make the task not only easier, but also much safer.
With so many options out there, from do-it-yourself wood ramps to folding and stowable aluminum ramps, how do you decide which loading ramp is right for you?
Safety should be your first concern
No matter what the application, safety should be your first concern when selecting a loading ramp. The relationship of the height of your vehicle to the length of the ramp, the amount of weight the ramp can safely carry, how the ramp attaches to your vehicle, and what equipment will use the ramp are critical questions that should be considered. Many of the inexpensive, imported ramps in the market tout themselves as being “universal” in design. This is often code for, “to make this ramp as cheap as possible, we’re going to make a single size and type.”
Because there are thousands of different models of small and mid-size commercial vehicles in the market, selecting a safe, long-lasting ramp can be a challenge. Humbly, the first place you may want to look is our Cargo Van Ramp Configurator. Enter in the Make, Model and Year of your cargo van into the configurator and we’ll present to you all of the folding aluminum van ramps that are perfect for your vehicle. And of course, our ramp experts at handiramps.com are always ready to help you find the right ramp for your vehicle and needs by calling 800-876-7267.
Selecting a Box Truck, Sprinter Van or Cargo Van Loading Ramp
If you’re looking to purchase a cargo van or box truck ramp for one of these common commercial vehicles, almost every one will ask you the following questions:
1. What is the year, make, and model of the vehicle?
2. What is the height and width of the door opening?
3. What is the height from the ground to the floor of the van or truck?
4. What will the ramp be used for and how frequently will it be used?
Knowing the make, model, and year of your vehicle is important because an experienced ramp consultant will know first-hand the challenges and intricacies of permanently installing a stowable ramp in your truck or van. For example, while a Ford Transit van might look an awful lot like a Dodge Ram Promaster, where you mount folding ramp brackets might be in a slightly different location to accommodate the specific structure of the vehicle.
How wide and tall the rear door opening is to a van or truck are often critical selling points to vehicle manufacturers. They like to tout how a box that measures 56.9 inches will make it through the rear doors of their vehicle, but won’t through a competitor’s which might be a half an inch thinner. In truth, the width and height of the door opening for cargo vans and box trucks in a given market segment are pretty similar, but having those dimensions is a prerequisite to ensuring that any permanently installed loading ramp will fit perfectly.
Similarly, the load floor height for most vans and trucks in the same vehicle category are within a few inches of one another. For example, the Ford Transit van and Sprinter vans, in almost all variations, have a load height that’s within an inch or so of 28 inches. At Handi-Ramp we’ve calculated that a ramp between 7 feet and 10 feet long, depending upon the use, provides both a safe incline and one-man use. You can find out more about loading ramps for cargo vans and box trucks at the link below.
Selecting a Cargo Van or Box Truck Ramp
Choosing the right ramp for your cargo van or box truck increases the utility of the vehicle making it perfect for delivery, service or just about any other commercial transportation need. A safe, well-designed and specified ramp will enable workers to quickly and easily load and unload cargo. The investment required for a permanently installed folding ramp will pay for itself quickly through increased productivity, reduced injuries and greater cargo flexibility.
To help you find the perfect folding van ramp we’ve created a step-by-step guide, Choosing the Right Cargo Van Ramp, that will ensure that you’re happy with your choice now and in the future.
If you’ve looked at pickup trucks lately, you know that they come in all shapes and sizes.
Because of the large number of variables involved in finding the appropriate loading ramp for a pickup truck, the first question a ramp specialist will likely ask is, “How do you plan to use the ramp?”
Handi Ramp’s M-200 Pickup Truck Ramp
For those who need a commercial-quality ramp to move lawn mowers, agricultural implements, or other rolling equipment, a permanently attached ramp is often the right solution. Stowed vertically, a see-through metal ramp that replaces the tailgate of a pickup truck can offer up to 1,500 pounds of load capacity, plenty for virtually anything that can fit into the bed of a pickup. For example, Handi-Ramp offers the M-200 pickup truck ramp, a permanently attached folding ramp that features a heavy-duty open grate construction, locking brackets, and an assisted deployment and stowing feature that makes it easy to use.
Conversely, if you need ramps only for occasional use, such as to load recreational vehicles like ATV’s, motorcycles and snowmobiles, there are portable ramps that attach temporarily to the bed of a pickup. These fixed and folding types of ramps include channel ramps, folding panel ramps, and one-piece ramps made of aluminum, steel and sometimes even plastic.
Speak to the Loading Ramp Experts and Handi-Ramp
No matter what your vehicle or a particular need, you can always call a Handi-Ramp loading ramp expert at 800-876-7267 for a free consultation. Handi-Ramp specializes in vehicular ramps for almost any commercial or consumer purpose. From wheelchair and scooter ramps for the rear and side doors of passenger vans to dog ramps that allow easier access for your pet into cars and trucks, the ramp specialists of Handi-Ramp can find the right solution for you.
Thom Disch
Award-winning author Thom Disch is owner and CEO of Handi Products that sells a variety of accessibility, commercial, and home products creating a safer environment for their customers. Thom is a leading expert and speaker on slip, trip, and fall injuries in the United States and has been compiling statistics and stories related to this healthcare crisis for ten years. Thom is also a serial entrepreneur and owns several companies and nationally known brands, including Handi-Ramp (handiramp.com), PetSTEP International (Petstep.com), and Industrial Toolz, Inc. (Industrialtoolz.com).
