Treating Ramps

[Scott & Heather]

I think when mine rot, I'll happily build another set. Small fry for me compared to the cost of the actual work I'll likely be doing on the bus when using them


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[bigred]

Gotta make me a set!! What size works best and how long should they be ?? Buy the way ,creosote is probably the best thing to use as a preservative.That is if it ain't been out- lawed by some government agency!! 

[Lin]

As mentioned, mine are 4ft long and each is made of 2 pieces of 4x8 bolted together.  Therefore the dimensions are about 7.5 inches high and 7 inches wide.  I think that this is about the minimum.  I thought of maybe covering them with 1 inch plywood, which would serve to protect them and also increase the lift a bit.  Of course, that would increase the weight also.

[bigred]

I have a set of ramps that I believe I bought from Harbor tool that are made out of some kind of plastic or composite stuff and had an unbelievable load rating .I have used them many times on the American Dream,but kind of think I might be stretching it with the Prevost .The labels have long since been worn off ,so I don't know the exact rating .My next trip to Harbor,I am going to check to see if they are still available and what the rating's are. 

[Lin]

Usually the ratings they give for that type of ramp is per set and not each.  It sounds kind of scary to me.

[chessie4905]

Use oak or hemlock. Just remember to make them long enough so the ramp angle isn't too severe. You could make the ramp part removable as long it is secure when attached. Good ramps are heavy btw.

[pvcces]

We made our ramps out of Douglas Fir, 5 foot long. They are 2 x 8 on edge and 6 pieces, throughbolted, and have served us well.

They have 18 inches level top, so the ramp is not too steep for most coaches and they work just fine on most other vehicles.

They give us around 7 inches of lift and are 9 inches wide. This size is economical to build.

Another solution might be needed to use with longer coaches or more axles.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher
Ketchikan, Alaska

[john9861]

I was able to get some RR ties about the same time I got the bus. 7 yrs or so ago. Used 1 of them for ramps. Cut in half on angle
gave me 2 ramps nearly 5 ft long. 40 " of landing on each ramp. 9 " wide 7" high. Hope that storing them above ground
doesn't turn out to be detrimental.