As a flatbed hauler, you may occasionally come into possession of unique vehicles that have a low clearance, or an undercarriage that’s low to the ground. Experienced haulers will know just how difficult it can be to load these types of cargo onto a flatbed or trailer without scraping up the front bumper. Thankfully, the solution is simple and easy to use: car hauling ramps!
Car hauler ramps can be a game-changing tool in your garage arsenal and play an important role in safely transporting cargo or equipment! In its most basic definition and use, a trailer ramp for cars is used to transport items up or down an elevated point between the ground and your trailer.
We don’t recommend using traditional or homemade lumber ramps to bridge this gap. There is a high risk of the vehicle splintering or breaking the wood and causing a hefty amount of damage, both to the vehicle and your wallet! Getting good quality, heavy-duty trailer ramps kit for cars – like aluminum car ramps – will allow for a smooth transition, making your job more efficient and safe!
How to Use Trailer Loading Ramps: Step-By-Step Guide
Applying trailer ramps for the vehicle and trailer you’re going to be transporting is relatively simple! Here’s a quick, step-by-step guide for using trailer loading ramps:
1. Lining Up The Ramp:
To start, place the ramp stands on a firm and even surface or section of the ground; it’s crucial your stands are on a stable foundation, otherwise you risk your ramps becoming loose or unbalanced once pressure is put on them. Then place your aluminum car trailer ramps on the stands. Ensure that the trailer ramps for cars are aligned properly with each wheel! If the wheels aren’t centered with the ramps, you risk cracking or damaging the car trailer ramps or having the vehicle fall off the edge, potentially damaging your trailer and cargo as well.
2. Slow and Steady:
While movies may lead you to believe driving a vehicle up aluminum car ramps at fast speeds will lead to an exhilarating glide through the sky, real life is unfortunately less exciting. To keep yourself and the vehicle you’re transporting safe, keep your speed low and the wheels straight. It may help to have an extra pair of eyes on the outside to give you a signal if you’re veering off or dangerously close to the edge of the ramps. The only situation in which increasing your speed is recommended is if you feel the ramps beginning to slide.
3. Stop at the Top:
Don’t drive the vehicle entirely onto the trailer. Stopping right at the top of your car hauling ramps will make it easier to unload the vehicle if you need to realign or re-center your cargo for any reason. Once you’re certain the vehicle will be in a safe and stable position, engage the parking brake to eliminate the risk of accidental vehicle shifting.
4. Double-Check Safety:
Do a double-check that the vehicle is centered and entirely on the trailer before you begin securing the vehicle’s tires and/or axles to your trailer.
How Car Hauling Ramps Help With Flatbed Loading
Trailer ramps for cars are very helpful for all auto haulers, as they’re capable of handling weight between 2,000lbs to 12,000lbs! Most car trailer ramps are designed with polystyrene or aluminum, which often weigh less and are easier to store and care for than steel car hauling ramps.
- Polystyrene Car Ramps: Polystyrene trailer ramps are a very lightweight tool for creating an easy bridge between your trailer and the ground. Some haulers prefer this car hauler ramp to others because of how sturdy, yet stable they are! They will not slide, scratch, or damage surfaces/floors and work terrifically on ice!
- Speed and Simplicity: Trailer loading ramps are incredibly easy and fast to use and thus make them good choices for new and experienced haulers! They have a simple setup and, so long as they’re on stable ground, remain sturdy no matter the type of vehicle you drive up or down the ramp! They also have easy storage once you’re done using them!
- Maintenance Help: If you find yourself needing to check the vehicle’s undercarriage or maintenance but don’t have the means to lift the vehicle safely, using car hauling ramps is a good solution for a quick maintenance check! While jack and axle stands can also be used to lift the vehicle, trailer ramps for cars are a much safer option – especially on a slated or sloped surface!
- Affordability: Getting a good, high-quality set of aluminum car ramps can end up making you more money than you spend! When you consider the financial cost associated with damaging the undercarriage or front bumper of a vehicle when improperly trying to lift a vehicle to a trailer – especially when using no ramps or poor-quality ramps like lumber – you eliminate the risk and gain a tool that will last many uses with car trailer ramps!
Tips on Car Trailer Ramp for Car Haulers
No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, you should never stop learning new tips and tricks to make your job easier! Here are some pro tips regarding car hauler ramps:
- If you’re struggling to get the wheels of a car up the trailer ramps, using tools like wheel risers can go a long way!
- Investing in high-quality loading ramps may seem more costly, but they’re a better investment because they’re made of better or stronger materials. Stronger materials can handle heavier loads and more use!
- You may note some trailer ramps for cars have a slight dip at the top; this is to inform the hauler when the wheels are resting safely in position before you stop the vehicle and put it into park! This eliminates the risk of the vehicle rolling backward down the ramps!
- At Mytee Products, we recommend all car haulers invest in wheel chocks! Our wheel chocks are made of high-quality, tough materials like aluminum, polyurethane, and thick rubber which keep your vehicle’s wheels from any accidental movement or jostling! Wedging in wheel chocks with the addition of engaging the parking brake is just an extra safety step you can take as a responsible car hauler towards keeping your cargo safe and secure!
- Lifting anything up at a tilt of 90 degrees is the most inefficient and difficult way to load cargo onto any trailer. As such, lower angles are the best option when loading heavy equipment or vehicles! Keeping your car hauler ramps at the lowest angle can decrease the possibility of accidents and take less effort and strain on both the cargo and your ramps. Our ramps are designed to work best at lower angles to increase your productivity and safety!
If you’re still unsure about whether or not you could benefit from using car hauling ramps, the best determining factor is the type of cargo you will be hauling. If you plan to transport sports cars, custom cars, and cars that have low clearances, aluminum car trailer ramps will help make the transition from ground to trailer smooth and safer. You don’t have to worry or wrack your brain about how to lift the vehicle onto your trailer for securement without scraping or damaging the underside of the car.
Feel free to browse our website for more information about car hauling tools like wheel chocks, wheel risers, and trailer ramps for cars! If you still have questions, contact us at Mytee Products customer support and we will be happy to assist you!
