[Irontrader]

I know that using a trailer is the easier way to haul a Ranger, but sometimes taking a trailer may not be possible or preferred.

I hauled mine home from the dealership in the bed of my 98 Dodge Ram 4x4. It fits fine in the box, although it is a tight fit.

I'm wondering what people use for ramps as a dirt bank may not be always available.

Since the rear wheels are actually sitting on the bed, I'm thinking the tailgate isn't needed.

 

[Rhinopkc]

I have the long, arched, ramps. It's been a while, but it seems to me that the tires are half in the bed, half on the gate, you might want to leave the gate on to give yourself some wiggle room.

 

[RANGERJACK]

The long arched ramps work fine and I would leave the tailgate on for a saftey measure.

 

[Irontrader]

Where do you get the long arched ramps?

 

[Smitty]

I've heard of people breaking tailgate cables and then the tailgate falls on your bumper and dents it while loading them in the bed, so I would be careful and try to use a trailer as much as possible.

 

[Rhinopkc]

There was a recall on some GM trucks because the tailgate cables were rusting and snapping. If you have a GM, I would look into it.

 

[Pops]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Irontrader

Where do you get the long arched ramps?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Tractor Supply, most ATV dealers, some walmarts sell them but you get what you pay for. I would also check some of the big sporting goods places, like BASS Pro Shops.

 

[digger128]

Costco.com


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11107870&search=loading%20ramps&Sp=S&Mo=0&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=0&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=loading%20ramps&Ntt=loading%20ramps&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[unclefred]

There is a guy who rides his large ATV on my neighbor's place that replaced the cables on his pickup tailgate with chains. I will try to take a closer look at them the next time he is there to see how he did it. I would think that they would be more reliable than the cables.

 

[Rhinopkc]

How about just using a couple of tie-downs to supplement the cables while loading?

 

[Irontrader]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_15771_15771

I prefer these ramps from Northern Tool over the Costco ramps since these are wider, which should be safer.

Still not sure about the tailgate. Don't know what the Dodge cables are rated for weight wise.

 

[digger128]

I checked the northerntools ramp.It does'nt fold short enough to lock up in my truck (63 1/2"). The costco ones fold to 48" and they are 7'' longer. I do like the northerntool ones, if I could get them inside of the truck I would have them.

 

[em42]

Good info, thanks.

 

[rngrgrls]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by digger128

Costco.com


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11107870&search=loading%20ramps&Sp=S&Mo=0&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=0&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=loading%20ramps&Ntt=loading%20ramps&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Each ramp has an individual capacity of 750 lbs = 1500 lbs. That is really pushing it since the Ranger weighs 1295 dry w/o fluids.

 

[Chiefmorton]

I've seen some nice ones at Tractor supply like someone mentioned. I also think adding some extra straps to the tailgate cables is an excellent idea. I was pulling a large MIG welder up a ramp one time, a brand new Miller I had just bought. I got almost ready to put my foot down on the tailgate when bang, one of the cables snapped! Luckily I had just got myself onto the tailgate and was able to hang on to the welder. The cables do get water in them and then rust. Why in the world they ever did away with the nice steel hinges is beyond me!

Brian

 

[Cervezamatte]

Because those steel hinges were like scissors. Many a finger has been separated from it's owner with those things. But I agree, they were much stronger.

Someone mentioned suplementing the cables with a tie down. That sounds like a perfectly good, easy and cheap solution to the VERY infrequent problem of overloading the tailgate.

Also, you can use a portion of steel ramp to bolt to the bed which spans onto the gate. This will spread the load.

Matt