A TRAILER WITH RAMP OR NO RAMP?

[caurimare]

I am ordering a 6 x 10 trailer and it comes with double doors in the back, do you guys think that it is woth it to upgrade it to a ramp for another $400, I would like to save that money if it is not really an advantage.
and if there is something that you would add to it please let me know.
I am getting it with a side door, a roof vent and an electrical package ( I still have to work with the guy to see what is included in this pakcage)
Thanks

[ShortBus]

I would go with the ramp. That way you can roll your planes right into the trailer. If you need to load something heavy into the trailer it will be alot easier to bring it up on the ramp than to lift it up.

We use a car trailer and the ramp is great.

[Fearless Flyer]

Go with the ramp

[JeeUm]

Ramp

[rc4flying]

I think that it totally depends on how you are planning on outfitting the trailer to start.

Here are a few pics of how we hauled 4-40% planes, 2-EZ-ups, chairs and other necessary things, and never had any problems

[jmiracle]

I agree with Joe....it totaly depends on how you plan to use the trailer. One thing to keep in mind is if you go to a show that doesn't have a lot of room between trailers and the pit fence (like some around here)....lowering a ramp can be tight.

[innovator]

I had one with a ramp and now have one with barn doors. The barn doors dont need as much room to open ( in the garage). And because I can't stay focused long enough to learn anything, I was always catching my stabs on the cable for the ramp. Just my experience.

[Jaybird]

I wouldn't spend 400$ on a ramp. I dont like the cables on either side. If you need to haul a dirt bike or ATV, just purchace an aluminum folding ramp.

BTW Joe, That is a NICE setup!

[SUPERFLYJAY]

WELL IF WE ALL HAD PAPA STEKS (JOE) MONEY WE WOULD HAVE A TRAILER WITH BOTH HES THE MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andy540T]

I really like having the ramp on my trailer. I would hate to have to lift the planes in and out all of the time. Rolling them up and down the ramp is much easier.

[Kiwi]

Alejandro,

From my perpective its a simple choice. If you are going to put a second level in your trailer go with doors as the ramp is of no consequence. You will still need to lift your planes up onto that second level anyway.

If your going to have a single level (floor) then the ramps likely OK but these things dont weigh a ton anyway so lifting them is no real drama.

However while on the subject of trailers I have found a real SOB of a problem with my 40% planes. The goddurn wheels go flat on you. They get flat spots and it gets so bad you need to junk a set of tyres if you dont fly your plane every week.

The only answer to that is you have to support the weight of the plane and get it up off the landing gear. Its a PITA but if your going to use lite wheels then you cant leave it sitting on them for weeks on end. They go square and it will rip the gear out if you try and fly with them like that.

I also think supporting the plane lessens the stress and eventual issues with your landing gear coming unglued if you have composite aircraft. That bouncing up and down eventually takes its toll so having some kind of support under the fuse to totally unload the landing gear and wheels is important.

Just my 2c's worth.

Kiwi

[caurimare]

I am almost 99% sure that I will do the second level so I guess 2 doors makes better sense.

[Andy540T]

If you go with the doors, make sure you can anchor them to the side of the trailer. I have seen the wind get a hold of a few double door trailers and wreak havock. Mostly when loading and unloading.

[rc4flying]

Jaybird,
Thank you for the kind words.

Superflyjay,
I wish I had all the money you think I have. Want to buy an Extra ?????

caurimare,
One thing with the ramp, is watch how you finish the ramp with any treatments, vinyl tile or such. When your shoes are wet from wet morning grass or light rain is falling onto it. It gets slippery.

[TheTank]

I thought long and hard about it before I ordered mine, and I ended up going with the barn doors... and I am glad a I did. I dont have to kneel down the strap the airplanes in in the rear, and its a short, easy lift up into the first and second level. Even with the falling gate, you still need to lift it over the gaps, and if you have a shelf, it takes two people instead of one. Glad I went with the barn doors.