Full height ramps on trailers and 3.5t?

ycbm

ycbm

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Why?

Surely one of the benefits of the low wheelbase of a trailer or van is that you can have a half height ramp which even a weakling like me can lift with one hand?

What benefits of a full height ramp on a low wheelbase vehicle am I missing?
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I've not (yet?) seen a full height ramp on a modern 3.5. (edited as the old Ifors had them)

I'm very meh about the ones on a 3.5 that seem to fix under and then the horse has to still step up onto the floor.
Much happier with mine that meets at the edge of the flooring.
 
Tbh whenever I've seen it I've assumed it's another dodgy build 3.5t as I'm not sure why you'd do a full length ramp but very happy to be corrected and educated.
 
A full ramp will be longer therefore less steep. But agree, they're not exactly steep already altho I do think 3.5 ramps can be a bit too short and uninviting.

A full ramp needs to be reinforced it's entire length therefore heavier than a half ramp and top doors so a terrible idea on terms of payload and vehicle balance.
 
These boxes have such low floors that it doesn’t seem necessary but agree with above, they will be less steep. I suppose it slightly reduces the number of moving parts (hinges and bolts) but yes would need to be stronger. I once had a 6.5 tonne where the full height ramp was still very steep and offputting, shame as it was lovely in every other way.

Presumably trailers have full length ramps because they are designed to be partly open at the top so that doesn’t seem to work with half height ramps. If we are talking about trailer side entrances - are trailers overall lower than 3.5 tonne boxes meaning that half ramps would be rather short and relatively steep?
 
Abacus said:
Presumably trailers have full length ramps because they are designed to be partly open at the top
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The Equi-Trek are all full up to the roof, side ramp trailers and 3.5ts. I can't see any reason for it.

I keep thinking I'm missing something.
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ycbm said:
The Equi-Trek are all full up to the roof, side ramp trailers and 3.5ts. I can't see any reason for it.

I keep thinking I'm missing something.
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Click to expand...
Looking at pictures of the Equitrek side ramp in particular - it is over the wheels, which means it starts higher than the ramp on a 3.5 ton which is between the wheels. Maybe this would make it too short to be a half length ramp, and would therefore be steeper. It also has to clear the upper wheel arches when down, so maybe needs to be longer.

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It’s a design choice that baffles me a bit also but will admit my half ramp on current box is heavier to lift than the full ramp on an equitrek (probably something to do with the full ramp having struts & mine only having a spring?)
 
As for the back ramp on the trailer: it's possible that it's not ideal to have barn style upper doors which would stick out to the sides of the trailer (imagine if you were broken down on the side of the road). Whereas on the 3.5 they are on the side and largely lie alongside the van body.
 
I think it might just be an easier and quicker way to build with a full height ramp. With the top opening doors they would have to strengthen the sides to hang those doors on
 
I was chatting to someone about my lorry as a friend of hers was looking. She said her friend is so short that she'd need a full ramp, as she can't reach the top doors on a half-ramp!
 
I must be the odd one out as I specifically wanted a 3.5 tonne with a full ramp! I have a coachbuilt box from a reputable builder (not Equitrek!) with a full ramp and loading gates. Having seen horses rear up and hit their heads on the ones with canopies, that was a no go. The barn door types seem to stop you opening the passenger door if they are open?! Loading youngsters is easier as the ramp isn't steep and the loading gates really help too. From a safety point of view, I can travel a weanling loose and secure the loading gates, before lifting the ramp.
 
I dont like the half top doors / canopies when you have a half ramp. I had a door swing open whilst driving on a 3.5 tonne. I have also had the wind catch the door, take it off it's opened hook thing and slam it on me / the horse. I am happier with one solid ramp. I have a fairly big ramp on current lorry (5.5tonne) and it is still easy for one person.
 
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