Tweet
The loading ramp was too steep to back in our second Can-Am Spyder - the rear tire broke traction on the loading ramp. Also, the nose of the Spyders would scrap going forward or backward onto the loading ramp. The only way to get the second Spyder into the 15' garage is to back it in. Solution: make auxiliary ramps to extend the surface and reduce the angle.
Modified a basic tri-fold aluminum ramp set from Northern Tool: added aluminum diamond plate to bridge the ladder-like structure of the ramps and strengthened the end tabs that rest on the GD loading ramp surface. Added frame work for registration/alignment/retention of the auxiliary ramps onto the GD loading ramp. Trailer leveling jacks are placed under each of the rubber bumpers on the GD loading ramp, set to a height of ~12". For travel, the ramps are nested into two holders and strapped to the loading ramp. Takes about 5 minutes to set up and about 10 minutes to pack up and stow in position.
Loading can be performed while trailer is on its levelers or attached to the tow vehicle without need to raise or lower the trailer. The first Spyder is ridden in forward and the second is backed in positon. For reference, the Spyder wheel base is 67" with a ground clearance of 4.7".
The center ramp carries the heaviest load of about 500# on the rear wheel. A Harley bagger (mine weighed about 1000# with fuel and add-ons plus the rider weight) may overload this ramp, although I did add a continuous sheet of diamond plate on the underside of the center ramp to create a stress skin design to minimize deflection for our load.
Modified a basic tri-fold aluminum ramp set from Northern Tool: added aluminum diamond plate to bridge the ladder-like structure of the ramps and strengthened the end tabs that rest on the GD loading ramp surface. Added frame work for registration/alignment/retention of the auxiliary ramps onto the GD loading ramp. Trailer leveling jacks are placed under each of the rubber bumpers on the GD loading ramp, set to a height of ~12". For travel, the ramps are nested into two holders and strapped to the loading ramp. Takes about 5 minutes to set up and about 10 minutes to pack up and stow in position.
Loading can be performed while trailer is on its levelers or attached to the tow vehicle without need to raise or lower the trailer. The first Spyder is ridden in forward and the second is backed in positon. For reference, the Spyder wheel base is 67" with a ground clearance of 4.7".
The center ramp carries the heaviest load of about 500# on the rear wheel. A Harley bagger (mine weighed about 1000# with fuel and add-ons plus the rider weight) may overload this ramp, although I did add a continuous sheet of diamond plate on the underside of the center ramp to create a stress skin design to minimize deflection for our load.
Comment