The rear door needs to be strong enough to support my 5500 lbs buggy. This is the design that I came up with to minimize its weight and maximize its strength.
Very cool way to raise and lower the ramp door, but wondering why you didn't just simplify the operation by using a spring assist instead of winches, which are prone to failure, or dead batteries? Is the door too heavy for spring assists? I see this was about a year ago, and the trailer must be done by now?
Thanks. I used winches because the door is heavy. I have to drive a 6000 lbs vehicle on it. I have 2 winches on it for safety. The system has been working good, the only trouble is that the two winch lines become out of sync when lowering the door and I have to manually re-spool one of them each time I open the door. Maybe spring assist would have worked with some heavy springs, but I also got worried about injuring myself trying to set them up properly.
@@rgsabat I work at Edwards AFB as a jet engine mechanic, and our overhead cranes made by Demag are a dual crane / winch setup in which the two cranes running on the same track, can operate independently, or in sync, so we can lift a long engine from both ends evenly as if it was a single crane. So, the technology exists to have synchronized winches for your door if you ever get tired of fussing with getting your two to get along together. Just an idea!
I am getting ready to change a box truck to a toy hauler. I am disabled so i want to do it correct the 1st time.This video helped me a lot. What would you guess the door weighs? I hope to use the roll up door cable to assist the ramp.What are you going to use to cover the ramp? If you ran a round bar across from the winch to the other side it could roll it up both sides evenly. Then you can alternate winches so they both get even use. Thanks
The door is heavy, probably almost 400 lbs. I need it heavy duty so I can drive my off-road buggy over it. For something lighter duty, the door can be made a lot lighter and even use the spring assist. Thanks for the tip on the the round bar connected to the winch. I will need to do something to sync the 2 winches.
@@rgsabat Thanks for the quick reply. Look at a roll up door for the perfect roller design.I have owned 5 box trucks with no roller or spring problems. I want to bring in my RZR. I wonder how much weight the existing spring cable will help. I might be using half existing and half winch. I am looking for rear door springs to help. Some people do not want to sell parts. If i figure it out i will let you know. I have to practice up on my welding. Fun fun fun.Cheers
Thank you! I didn't put a lock on the rear door because anyone trying to open it from the outside will be forcing against the two winch cables that have brakes on them from the winch drums.
@@fastdadgarage-northsouthch4418 OK, I understand now. I had one winch cable at first, which was ok and did not affect the ramp door in anyway (the ramp is quite heavy duty). However, I eventually added a second winch on the opposite side for safety (in case the single winch cable fails). It works ok now, but the two winches are out of sync when I drop the door down and I have to manually re-spool one winch cable to get them to sync again. I should have installed a pulley system for the ramp door, I might do that at a later time.
Tell you one thing cuz. 30 years from now this trailer will still be on the road. Impressive build.
Thanks Tony!
Nice job, Mister! Things are really shaping up.
Thanks Pete
Gracias por compartir !!! Adelante!!!
De nada mi amigo
Very cool way to raise and lower the ramp door, but wondering why you didn't just simplify the operation by using a spring assist instead of winches, which are prone to failure, or dead batteries? Is the door too heavy for spring assists? I see this was about a year ago, and the trailer must be done by now?
Thanks. I used winches because the door is heavy. I have to drive a 6000 lbs vehicle on it. I have 2 winches on it for safety. The system has been working good, the only trouble is that the two winch lines become out of sync when lowering the door and I have to manually re-spool one of them each time I open the door. Maybe spring assist would have worked with some heavy springs, but I also got worried about injuring myself trying to set them up properly.
@@rgsabat I work at Edwards AFB as a jet engine mechanic, and our overhead cranes made by Demag are a dual crane / winch setup in which the two cranes running on the same track, can operate independently, or in sync, so we can lift a long engine from both ends evenly as if it was a single crane. So, the technology exists to have synchronized winches for your door if you ever get tired of fussing with getting your two to get along together. Just an idea!
@@seansayegh4678 Thanks, I appreciate that. I will look into how to synchronize them better.
I am getting ready to change a box truck to a toy hauler. I am disabled so i want to do it correct the 1st time.This video helped me a lot. What would you guess the door weighs? I hope to use the roll up door cable to assist the ramp.What are you going to use to cover the ramp? If you ran a round bar across from the winch to the other side it could roll it up both sides evenly. Then you can alternate winches so they both get even use. Thanks
The door is heavy, probably almost 400 lbs. I need it heavy duty so I can drive my off-road buggy over it. For something lighter duty, the door can be made a lot lighter and even use the spring assist. Thanks for the tip on the the round bar connected to the winch. I will need to do something to sync the 2 winches.
@@rgsabat Thanks for the quick reply. Look at a roll up door for the perfect roller design.I have owned 5 box trucks with no roller or spring problems. I want to bring in my RZR. I wonder how much weight the existing spring cable will help. I might be using half existing and half winch. I am looking for rear door springs to help. Some people do not want to sell parts. If i figure it out i will let you know. I have to practice up on my welding. Fun fun fun.Cheers
Amazing build! Just curious, how do you lock the rear ramp door so people cannot gain entry while you are away from the trailer?
Thank you! I didn't put a lock on the rear door because anyone trying to open it from the outside will be forcing against the two winch cables that have brakes on them from the winch drums.
@@rgsabat that would make sense! Forgot about the electric winches! Thank you for the inspiration, looking into building an enclosed trailer myself!
@@andhig05 Enjoy it! It was a fun project for me to do.
What thickness are the rectangular tubing and round tubing?
1/8" or 0.120"
Does pulling from one side flex the ramp much?
I use the ramp to drive up and down it, I haven't tried pulling it from the side. Not sure I understand your question.
@@rgsabat I was talking about the raise and lower winch for the door itself. You had it attached on one side.
@@fastdadgarage-northsouthch4418 OK, I understand now. I had one winch cable at first, which was ok and did not affect the ramp door in anyway (the ramp is quite heavy duty). However, I eventually added a second winch on the opposite side for safety (in case the single winch cable fails). It works ok now, but the two winches are out of sync when I drop the door down and I have to manually re-spool one winch cable to get them to sync again. I should have installed a pulley system for the ramp door, I might do that at a later time.