How to Make a Tailgate Ramp
Hauling heavy, bulky items can be a challenging endeavor. One option is to tow a trailer specially designed for your load. But instead of having to purchase, license and maintain a specialty trailer, use the space you already have in the back of your pickup truck or sport utility vehicle to haul your items. You can easily make a pair of sturdy ramps that fit flush over the end of your tailgate to make for safe, easy loading of riding lawn mowers, all-terrain vehicles or motorcycles.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 Sawhorses
- 2 pieces 2"x 8" lumber
- 2 ramp ends (available in farm stores)
- "C" Clamp
- Pencil
- Electric drill
- 5/16" drill bit
- Circular saw
- 100-grit sandpaper
- 4 5/16" x 2 ½" carriage bolts
- 4 lock washers and nuts
- Adjustable wrench
- 3/8" drill bit
- 2 5/16" x 1 ½" carriage bolts
Instructions
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1
Set the 2"x 8" boards across two sawhorses. Clamp the metal ramp ends to the end of each piece of lumber using a "C" clamp. Tighten the handle on the "C" clamp in a clockwise direction.
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2
Use a pencil and transfer the location of the holes from the ramp ends to the lumber. Remove the "C" clamps by loosening the handle in a counterclockwise direction. Drill holes through the lumber on the marked locations with an electric drill and a 5/16" drill bit.
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3
Cut the end of the ramp boards at an angle to facilitate rolling your load onto the ramp. Set the base of a circular saw to cut at a 45-degree angle. Make cuts at the end of each board with the circular saw and sand with 100-grit sandpaper to soften the edges even more.
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4
Set both ramp boards upright and drive a 5/16" x 2 ½" carriage bolt through each hole in the ends of the lumber with a hammer. Turn both boards over and align the pre-drilled mounting holes in the metal ramp end over the projecting carriage bolts in the lumber. Use one ramp end for each piece of lumber. Place a lock washer and a nut over each bolt and tighten with an adjustable wrench in a clockwise direction.
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5
Make pins to keep the ramps from sliding off the tail gate when you are loading. Place the finished ramps onto your vehicle's tailgate, making sure the lip of the metal ramp end sits on the edge of the tailgate. Slide the ramps to the correct width needed to match the track of the vehicle you are loading. Transfer the pin mounting hole location from the lip of the ramp end to the top edge of the tail gate. Remove the ramps. Use a drill and a 3/8" bit and drill holes into the tailgate, being careful not to drill through to the finished side of the tailgate. Use 5/16" x 1 ½" carriage bolts as pins and insert them through the hole in the lip of the ramp end and into the holes in the tailgate.
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Tips & Warnings
When determining what length of lumber to buy for the ramps, keep in mind the ramps should be at least eight feet long or the loading angle will be too steep.
Use only clear, quality lumber when assembling ramps. Failure of the ramp can result from using lumber with knots or splits, possibly causing serious injury.
