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How long should a trailer ramp be?

Trailer ramp lengths can vary anywhere from 45 inches to 130 inches, however it is ultimately your trailer door measurements and angle of approach that will determine the trailer ramp you need for your vehicle.

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Nobody one wants to scrape their low rider, or wrestle with removing the front bumper! Trailer ramps are designed to notch into your existing trailer door to reduce the approach angle, allowing you to drive up into your trailer with no fear of scraping. Here are all the factors that go into finding a trailer ramp that will work for both your vehicle and your trailer.

Find your vehicle’s maximum approach angle

So that you can be sure your front bumper won’t hit the ramp on the way up, calculate the maximum ramp angle that will work for your specific vehicle. The easiest way to do that is with a humble yardstick and some basic trigonometry. Lay the 36-inch yardstick between the ground and the tire, and raise it up until it touches the bottom of the front bumper. Then, measure the distance from the highest end of the yardstick to the ground and calculate the angle closest to your tire in degrees. This is the maximum angle of approach your vehicle can accommodate without scraping the front bumper.

Measure Your Trailer Door Length

Now that you know the biggest angle of approach that your car can handle, it’s time to measure the length of your trailer’s door length and height off the ground. This will contribute to identifying the trailer ramp length that will work best for your angle of approach and your trailer. Race Ramps has a convenient trailer ramp calculator that will help you visualize your options and provide you with some information about your measurements. Trailer ramp lengths can vary anywhere from 45 inches to 130 inches, however it is ultimately your trailer door measurements and angle of approach that will determine the trailer ramp you need for your vehicle.

Measure the thickness of your trailer door

This i definitely an area you don’t want to skim over. Take your time, and it will make a huge difference at the show. Use old toothbrushes to really get into the hard-to-reach places, and microfiber cloths to gently buff everything when you’re finished. Never use WD-40, as dust and particles will adhere to it. Instead, use trim restorer. Take care not to get product on your belts either. As a final touch, you can use paint markers to make the colors pop on faded cap lettering, as well as covering up rusted screws so they don’t stick out like a sore thumb (if you choose not to replace them).

Make sure the ramp height is suitable

The ramp you choose should ideally not be taller than the combined height of the door thickness plus the notch, with an allowance of .5 inches. That is another important reason why we incorporate door height into our trailer ramp calculator.

Identify if your trailer door has flaps

Flaps could influence the angle that your car drives up the ramp, so if your trailer door ramp does have flaps, you will need to make sure that the ramp you choose has a cut-out to accommodate them. Measure their length, and be conscious of that measurement as you look for trailer ramps. Race Ramps offers two ramps that have 16 inch and 18 inch cut-outs for trailer door flaps.

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What size ramp do I need?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a 1:12 slope ratio for commercial ramps (ramps used in public spaces). This means that for every 1 inch of rise, 12 inches of ramp are required. For example, if an entryway is 36 inches high, you will need a ramp that is at least 36 feet long.

How Long Should a Wheelchair Ramp Be?

Posted on 10/5/2017 by John Burfield

If you plan to add a wheelchair ramp to your entryway, you may be wondering how long it needs to be. Some people might think a shorter ramp is better because it takes up less space and may cost less money. However, if you add a ramp that is too short for the rise of the entryway being ramped, it can be both hard to use and a safety hazard. This often results in a very steep ramp that may resemble a ski jump! The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a 1:12 slope ratio for commercial ramps (ramps used in public spaces). This means that for every 1 inch of rise, 12 inches of ramp are required. For example, if an entryway is 36 inches high, you will need a ramp that is at least 36 feet long. The 1:12 slope ratio reduces the steepness of a ramp to 5 degrees of incline and makes it both easier and safer to traverse. While the ADA requirements only apply to commercial ramps, many home access professionals adhere to the 1:12 slope ratio for residential ramps as well. However, a slope ratio of 2:12 is also acceptable for residential ramps if space is limited. This means 12-inches of ramp for every 2-inches of rise and 9.5 degrees of incline. If you have limited space, you may think that a ramp that meets the proper slope guidelines will not fit on your property. However, a modular aluminum ramp can be configured in many ways to maximize your space. A qualified ramp or home access provider will be able to evaluate your space and determine what configuration and length of ramp will work best.

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