Truck Loading Ramps

Truck loading ramps help bridge the gap between the ground and your pickup bed, making it easier to move compatible wheeled equipment for chores around the farm, work at the jobsite or a weekend on the trails. Whether you’re hauling a lawn mower, ATV or other equipment, choosing loading ramps for a pickup truck starts with checking the equipment’s weight, wheel spacing and ground clearance. Compare the ramp’s rated load capacity with the full load you plan to move, including fuel, attachments and any other weight the manufacturer requires you to count. Check whether that rating applies to a single ramp or a pair, and follow any limits for how the weight must be distributed. Ramp length matters, too: a higher truck bed generally calls for a longer ramp to keep the loading angle within the ramp and equipment manufacturers’ guidelines. The right fit helps reduce the chance of equipment bottoming out where the ramps meet the truck bed, while enough ramp width gives tires room to stay properly aligned during loading and unloading. A steady setup is just as important as selecting the right truck bed ramps. Park on firm, level ground, set the truck’s parking brake and check the truck’s payload and tailgate load limits before loading equipment. Inspect the ramps and attachment points before each trip, then secure everything with the straps or attachment hardware specified by the ramp manufacturer. Keep ramp surfaces clear of mud, oil and loose debris, and make sure the lower ends have solid support so they won’t shift or sink as weight moves onto them. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s loading procedure, including whether the machine should be driven, pushed or winched into place; never assume it’s safe to ride equipment up a ramp. Keep bystanders out of the loading path and away from areas where equipment could roll or tip. For everyday hauling, also consider how easily your pickup loading ramps can be handled and stored between jobs. Once the equipment is in the bed, secure it and the ramps for transport with appropriate tie-downs before heading down the road.