Replacing an older Ifor William 505 trailer ramp

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sz90168

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I have noticed the wood is rotten on my ramp and need to replace it. I have had a quote from Ifor Williams for the panel but the wait list is very long. I am now thinking about doing it myself as my other half is very good at these kind of things and we have all the tools. However the measurements are 1525 x 1513 x 18 and most Marine or Birch Plywood sheets come in sizes 2400 x 1220. Has anyone encountered this problem and found a way around it?

I have spoken to Wickes, Travis Perkins and some smaller timber merchants. Any idea's great appreciated :)
 
I have my trailer serviced locally by an independent company, he said a lot of his business is replacing panels including IW (and others - he had several makes there when I went). I'd suggest you contact local companies, maybe ask on the local horsey FB pages for recommendations.
Personally I wouldn't do it myself as I'm not sure that the quality/strength of wood would be the same and I wouldn't want to risk my horse. It also might affect resale value if I ever wanted to sell the trailer.
 
Have you stripped the old wood out to check what support frame there is? Mines Bahill. The ramp is 162 x 155 ish. I forget the exact length! The wood goes in in 2 sections and sits on a frame, so I just had the wood cut to size. It goes across the length and half the width.

If theres no supporting frame it would be easy to add one, I'd want it welding though I think, although given the very short time its in use, it might be possible to bolt in on. Your better off stripping the old wood out and having a good look at whats there then deciding. Its a really easy DIY job. I stripped my old trailer down to the bare bones and rebuilt it and I'm disabled and my OH is not a handy man!
 
Google Fall Timber who do large sheets. They came up top on a random Google, oddly they are just round the corner from me and LOVELY people! Otherwise Robbins timber are masters of the trade, if it exists they will have it or get it.

But I would use phenolic board (aka Buffalo board). Still will need replacing in the end but far stronger and will last far longer. Call Fall and ask if they can source big sheets in that.

ETA Or just google advancedtechnicalpanels, have checked and they do do large sheets of Buffalo.

But if you are near to Fall, try them first. Great guys.

PS No Buffalos are harmed in the making of buffalo board :)
 
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sz90168 said:
I have noticed the wood is rotten on my ramp and need to replace it. I have had a quote from Ifor Williams for the panel but the wait list is very long. I am now thinking about doing it myself as my other half is very good at these kind of things and we have all the tools. However the measurements are 1525 x 1513 x 18 and most Marine or Birch Plywood sheets come in sizes 2400 x 1220. Has anyone encountered this problem and found a way around it?

I have spoken to Wickes, Travis Perkins and some smaller timber merchants. Any idea's great appreciated :)
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You can buy replacement Ifor Williams ramp panels from any Ifor Williams trailer dealer and fit them yourself. e.g. Barnwell Trailers in Oundle, Northants, keep them in stock.
 
turnbuckle said:
Aye, they do - but I bet cutting your own will save buckets!
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I spoke to Ifor Williams and the ramp is £132 plus VAT however the wait time is 2-3 months. To get the Plywood is about £130 so about the same price. I have found one timber place that sell a sheet big enough but it will leave me with lots left over.
 
Are you sure?? I did both ramps and all the walls for about £90! I think the ramp cost about £20 for wood, probably another few quid for fittings and I painted it with sealant a few times as well to waterproof it. But cant of been more than £30
 
Leo Walker said:
Are you sure?? I did both ramps and all the walls for about £90! I think the ramp cost about £20 for wood, probably another few quid for fittings and I painted it with sealant a few times as well to waterproof it. But cant of been more than £30
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What type of wood did you use? The only wood I have been offered that fits is 3050 x 1525 hence the steep price I think. I require 1525 x 1513 x 18mm but it seems to be a size hard to get.
 
sz90168 said:
I spoke to Ifor Williams and the ramp is £132 plus VAT however the wait time is 2-3 months. To get the Plywood is about £130 so about the same price. I have found one timber place that sell a sheet big enough but it will leave me with lots left over.
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Speak to an Ifor Williams trailer dealer. They should have the ramps in stock. Barnwell Trailers keeps side panels, front and rear ramps in stock both for sale to customers (who fit themselves) and for sale on supply-and-fit basis to customers.
 
Ifor tend to have a rotten rep for lead times on bits.

sz, is that a price for ply or buffalo? DO get a price for buffalo, it is miles better and the only varnishing needed is to seal the edges. Don't skimp on that though, it hugely increases life expectancy.

You'll have a big bit left over, useful for all sorts of odd projects!
 
kevd said:
in the past ive used GRP as it comes in 2.4m by what ever you like, its also white so doesn't look to bad on the outside.
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Heavier than straight ply, also from memory the big panels are actually formed from standard sheets with the lamination over them "holding" them together - so possible major weakness point. Brilliant idea for side panels though, and you could get them for peanuts from a lorry breaker!
 
It's not that much heavier that phenolic boards like buffalo boards. Yes it's made from sheets of ply covered in fibreglass but the coating gives it strength and there should be a frame to support the weight as well. I wouldn't recommend getting it second hand as it may well be rotten inside.
 
sz90168 said:
I have noticed the wood is rotten on my ramp and need to replace it. I have had a quote from Ifor Williams for the panel but the wait list is very long. I am now thinking about doing it myself as my other half is very good at these kind of things and we have all the tools. However the measurements are 1525 x 1513 x 18 and most Marine or Birch Plywood sheets come in sizes 2400 x 1220. Has anyone encountered this problem and found a way around it?

I have spoken to Wickes, Travis Perkins and some smaller timber merchants. Any idea's great appreciated :)
Click to expand...

Hi, I have the same issue, B & Q have a 18mm Thk, Hardwood Panel 2.44M x 1.22m x 18mm, some stores may have a 'in-store' panel cutting service, they should be able to cut this panel to your size requirements, I plan to look into this, I will keep you posted.

regards
Trossie177
 
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