Trailer ramp tailgate

[ligito]

I have a 4 1/2 x 8 trailer and I want to build a hinged, ramp tailgate that will be strong enough to put the ST1300 on, if I ever need to. The height in the back is 14 inches.
I use my trailer to haul dirt, barkdust, gravel and my ATV, as well as moving furniture for others.
I want it strong enough for the ST but light enough that I can pick it up (I'm an old fart).

Can anyone provide some plans and material specs that would do the job?
I have a 90 Amp wirefeed MIG welder and a 230 Amp stick welder to do the work.

[SupraSabre]

I have a 4 1/2 x 8 trailer and I want to build a hinged, ramp tailgate that will be strong enough to put the ST1300 on, if I ever need to. The height in the back is 14 inches.
I use my trailer to haul dirt, barkdust, gravel and my ATV, as well as moving furniture for others.
I want it strong enough for the ST but light enough that I can pick it up (I'm an old fart).

Can anyone provide some plans and material specs that would do the job?
I have a 90 Amp wirefeed MIG welder and a 230 Amp stick welder to do the work.

You could start with something like this and add to it to cover the entire back!

16828

16829

It folds in the middle and you could make yourself a device that will hinge off your tailgate. I bought one off ebay ($250 - including shipping) for my trailer (4X8) so I could load and unload the ST by myself. :) Although I haven't had a chance to test it yet.

[ligito]

I want a tailgate like the ones that are on the yard maintenance trailers that is fixed to the trailer and hinges up.
I already have a folding ramp that is too light for the ST and a formed steel 5/16 ramp that is too difficult to use and requires two helpers.
I just want to make a ramp-end tailgate that will work for many things.

[dreddd2000]

My neighbor has a trailer with a tail gate like you're describing. It's made of angle iron for the frame with diamond grate for the surface. There are two things about it that you might not like. First, it's heavy. Second, on his the bottom isn't actually permanently hinged to the trailer. You pull a large steel pin from either side of the ramp (these are used to lock the ramp in place when it's up) and slide them into the hinges on the bottom when you're ready to put the ramp down.

I've helped him load equipment, etc. onto his trailer with that ramp and just didn't have warm fuzzy feelings about removing the locking pins first and then putting them back in as the hinge. And it takes two of us to put the ramp down without just letting it fall.

[EJ's 97ST]

Ligito, I agree with Joe here a little. A swing down is gonna be pretty chunky weight wise. I'm in the process with my brother-in law making a 4 X 8 trailer from scratch. We are using 1 1/2" sq steel tube with wire steel mesh for flooring. I have a bunch of other items I could list but what your asking is for a ramp! We are going with one of 2 options either the wire mesh that will slide under the trailer bed on L shape hangers. Each end will have drilled hole locations for pinging in place(not on paper yet). Even at 40" wide & 84" lg yer still talking some weight. And at 14" I wouldn't go under 7ft for your ramp lenght.Or I'll do what he did and buy the 7ft 3-way from Northern Freight. And really easy to store, widest part is the center at 16",1000lb cap. It comes in 3 sections and will be pretty light considering the alternative, only problem with it.....I'll have more $ in the ramp than the entire trailer, including alum. fenders, new wheels & tires. You mentioned hauling dirt so your trailer has to have some sides which are excellent for hanging alum. ramps on. If we can get something on paper this coming weekend I'll send you what we come up with.
Ride Safe.....

EJ :D

[Gonzo]

Except for the hauling dirt part, couldn't you use angle iron and expanded metal? That would make it lightweight and allow air to flow through for less drag.

This also would provide good traction for tires and boots.

I suppose for the dirt hauling you could then lay boards up against the tailgate/ramp.

gonzo

[dreddd2000]

When I said diamon grate, I might have meant expanded metal. In fact, now that I just went and looked it up, that's what I meant. Sorry, my metal-working terminology seems to be deficient.