Problems loading with aluminum ramp

[~Rowdy~]

Hello All,

So I just got my first sled and bought an aluminum ramp that folds up. Well I can't seem to get the darn thing more than half way up. Here's what happens.

I get some speed, line up and start going up not too fast and my ski's get caught on the ladder rungs. I also seem to skid out with my track and just polish the ground.

Any suggestions? Please keep in mind I am a 5'4 girl with limited strength and would like to be able to do it myself.

Cheers!

~Krista~

 

[skibreeze]

You need to rivet some plastic guides to the ramp. The sled carbides and the ramp rungs are never going to get along.
This is what I use.
http://www.firstplaceparts.com/13320.html

 

[Scott]

Sounds like maybe you have an ATV ramp for this.

Make sure the ramp is long enough.

You can get high centered if you don't have enough speed to carry all of your track onto the ramp. I never start with my skis touching the ramp...I get back about 6 to 8 feet and get some momentum before I get to it.

 

[smokindave]

Please Krista,
Give it up before you get hurt.You need some puck board for each side that your skis run up.The carbide on your skis is so sharp and hard you will bend the ramp before you ever make it up.
I found this out the hard way my self and me being handicapped it was not a pretty site.Phone Willy or Grant at Chunk Motorsports at 404-603-3155 in High River tell them smokindave sent you.If you can't make it out there you can also get it at Ralphs at 403-292-4868.At Ralphs don't mention my name.
You can also try Dusty at The Snowmobile Recyclers in Dewinton at 403-938-0930.You can tell Dusty smokindave sent you.
But please what ever you do,do not try again with out puck board.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Funoutfitters.com]

Plastic guides, I agree!!

Josh Zieske

 

[~Rowdy~]

My ramp is approximately 6.5ft long, I'm sure it is an ATV ramp. How fast should I be going? I am going to get Puck board or super glides for my ramp so that should help me not stick to the ramp. What about my track spinning on the ground?

 

[KSH]

My ramp is approximately 6.5ft long, I'm sure it is an ATV ramp. How fast should I be going? I am going to get Puck board or super glides for my ramp so that should help me not stick to the ramp. What about my track spinning on the ground?

The guides will help keep you moving so the track does not spin.
Speed will be trial and error.


KSH

 

[skibreeze]

Yup, the glides make it slide easy. All you really need to do is get the entire track on the ramp and it will have enough traction to go up. I wouldn't ever go too fast, only bad things can happen. The other thing that helps with the ramp, is to put a block of wood in the bed to raise the track off the bed floor. That way the ramp isn't stuck under it when you pull the ramp out.

 

[jcrjet]

I used some 3/8ths plywood about a foot strip on each side of the ramp just for the skis. Then drill some small holes to line up with the rungs on the ramp and attach with some heavy duty plastic tie wraps. Won't cost you anymore than $10 for the whole thing.
It really did get old and dangerous loading onto a truck, I start my second season with an enclosed trailer.

 

[klubbo]

are you loading onto a deck, or just in the box of the truck? if you're using a deck, that 6.5" ramp will be too short, and you WILL get high centered...not to mention how hard it will be to back the sled off of the deck...if you're just loading into the back of the truck, you should be ok....plastic runners on the ski troughs is a must, and as for the rungs, i"ve seen a few guys fastening an old track to the rungs...seems to work for them....and....don't get too much speed up when approaching your ramp..i've seen a few people go at their ramp too fast, with disasterous results!

 

[Anvil]

I also like to use a tie down strap and run it from the top rung of the ramp, down to the bumper somewhere. This helps to hold the ramp in place so it won't move (or accordian up with the tailgate).

I even do this with my sled deck ramp now. Helps keep the ramp from jumping out of place if you hit it too hard.

Anvil

 

[Scott]

You don't wanna shove the ramps up into your truck as you try to load...that will stop you quickly.

 

[Transporter]

Dont want to end up like this, it worked with a lighter sleds but not the Apex.Sled ramp with rollers doesnt work very good.You want to make sure you use a tie down to keep ramp from sliding out backwards too.

 

[rdr99]

Like the others have said. Plastic puck board, or bedliner works well too, ratchet strap the ramp to the truck. Wear your helmet while you load. Does the bed of the truck have some sort of liner? If you haul the sled in the back of the truck long enough, you will eventually bow the tailgate. An aluminum tailgate cover will help prevent this, though the carbides love to stop in the aluminum when unloading. I hope you have reverse.

 

[Transporter]

Second thought find a friend with a trailer to take you sledding.

 

[flyguy_17]

I used to use the plastic ski covers when I had to haul in a truck with a ramp. They just slip under your skis and are held on with plastic dowells. Using a ramp sure makes you appreciate a trailer!

 

[94fordguy]

Sounds like you guys got all the bases covered...

Use some glides, ratchet the ramp to the bumper, and wear your helmet

 

[~Rowdy~]

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to say thanks for all the input and tips. I bought some super glides that I will rivet onto my ramp today which should help.

If I still have problems I will try some of the other suggestions. I already ratchet strap it down from the problems I had when I first tried to unload it (learned my lesson real fast).

Cheers all!

~Krista~

 

[Polar Express]

Hey Krista,

I found that I can get old pickup bedliner inserts from places that do spray-in bedliners. I can use a razor knife (or a circular saw) to cut the bottom grooved panel into strips. I then rivet or screw the strips to the rungs on the outter portion of my ramp. I leave the center part open, as the track paddles need to be able to grab those rungs to get the sled up the ramp. I have always been able to find the bedliner take-outs for free.

Also, and this is especially true when loading on wet pavement or snow covered surfaces, is that I need to get enough momentum to get the sleds off of the road/snow surface and the track fully on the ramp. After that, you have a positive traction condition, and you can just gently bump the throttle to get your sled up the ramp.

It appears by your post, that you are new to sledding. Please consider a few things: always ride with at least one other riding partner, and please, please take some avy classes, and learn to use the rescue equipment.

Hopefully this helps,

Welcome to the passion (I'd call it a sport, but that just doesn't seem to cut it!)

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

PE

 

[AkSledHed]

I put some very thin plastic sheets (1/16"-1/8") on each side of my ramp, your skis will glide right over them and loading will be a piece of cake.