trailer gate ramp, what size metal frame?

[ulmanb]

I have a 6x10 landscape type trailer. I am going to fabricate a hinged tailgate for the rear, wondering what size and thickness angle iron to use.

Figuring 4' long by 6' wide tailgate and using expanded metal (3/4x9).

About the heaviest thing going up this ramp may be a 13hp diesel kabota lawn tractor, but normally will be dirt bikes and quads.

I was figuring the outer frame as 2"x2", inner frame 1.5"x1.5", but am not sure if I should go with 1/8" or 3/16" thick.

[Chickenhauler]

You may want to re-think the flip up tailgate idea, they can be a real wind trap, even using expanded metal.

My brothers trailer has 30" tall sides and has little ramps that are about 5' long and when not in use, become the tailgate (they slide down into a channel at the rear). They're made of 1.5x1.5 angle iron frame with expanded metal tacked on. Each ramp is 15" wide.

If your trailer doesn't have sides, you could make like a stake pocket on the side to slip them into for transport.

He's had it for at least a dozen years now, and loads his riding lawn tractor up every weekend to mow the grass at his cabin....would have been cheaper to just buy another lawnmower than a trailer, but that's another story....

[MasterT2000]

Chickenhauler is correct. I yanked the flip up tailgate off of one of my trailers for that very reason and noticed a big difference while towing. Not only by feel but MPG went up as well.

[dazarooney]

You may want to re-think the flip up tailgate idea, they can be a real wind trap, even using expanded metal.

My brothers trailer has 30" tall sides and has little ramps that are about 5' long and when not in use, become the tailgate (they slide down into a channel at the rear). They're made of 1.5x1.5 angle iron frame with expanded metal tacked on. Each ramp is 15" wide.

If your trailer doesn't have sides, you could make like a stake pocket on the side to slip them into for transport.

He's had it for at least a dozen years now, and loads his riding lawn tractor up every weekend to mow the grass at his cabin....would have been cheaper to just buy another lawnmower than a trailer, but that's another story....

Great response chickenhauler, that's helped me greatly.

[Rip Wheeler]

You may want to re-think the flip up tailgate idea, they can be a real wind trap, even using expanded metal...

I made an "under the trailer" ramp storage. It holds 3 ramps so I can even do 2, 4 or even a 3 wheeler.

As long as the trailer deck isnt too high, the ramp can be shorter.

I used 3 ramps from harbor tools, cut them shorter (low deck height) and slide them under the trailer. Used a Master round lock to secure them. No sliding around in the trailer, always out of the way but always with me.

[ubu]

How about something like Durangoman's folding side gate?

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=784103&highlight=durangoman+trailer

I had something similar on my 4x8 but it was done with 3inch pipes and u-bolts that made it extremely heavy. A good design with expanded metal would be usefull.