PICKUP TRUCK RAMPS--Ideas needed

[YIKES]

One day you wake up and the resources are sooooo close they could bite you. Basically I am talking about the Jayco Owners Forums.

Bare with me. In my former life I was an Accountant. Which means my skills at building something are slim to non-existent, but when a fixed income enters your universe, you better get handy real quick. John (that's me) stop whining and get back on topic.

We have a 4000 watt champion generator, with a wheel kit on it. I tried carrying it in a Hitch Cargo Carrier. The 2 inch receiver was welded to the frame, in the back of our TT. Two problems. My wife and I could not lift it in (138 lbs) and I was as nervous as whatever, that I may lose the thing driving down the road. I know some cargo carriers have ramps, but our budget gets in the road. The inexpensive ones are high rent for us, plus me being nervous.

OK----how about building ramps to get the generator into and out of the back of our F350. Plausible ?????

This is where I throw it out, to the resources of this forum. The rules set by me 'are no laughing, I can hear you', it's has to be simple and remember our budget constraints.

I have a 2000 lb hand winch that may come into play. If none of this is do-able, just say it. I am far from thin skinned.

Thanks, Johnny

[Camper_bob]

I've seen a great many of those wheel chair cranes attached to trucks around here. They're used to lift power chairs into the truck and work just like any other crane.

Alternatively, you could get an ATV winch from Harbor Freight and some pulleys and create your own crane. Or use it to pull the genny up whatever ramp system you use. There are also several ramps available at Harbor Freight as well...

[3'senough]

Get a set of these and then add wood as needed. The shorter the steeper, but you want them to fit in your bed too. Harbor freight, Tractor supply or HW store will have them too.

http://www.amazon.com/Highland-07001...s=ramp+end+kit

[SouthCo]

Do you only use the generator while camping? If so maybe get help getting the generator in the bed of the pickup and just never take it out. Lock it down and get a cover. I'm assuming also that if you have trouble getting the generator in the bed your prolly not putting other big things in the bed either so it wouldn't be In the way. Just brainstorming......

[pawpaw]

I bought a set of ramps from Harbor Freight for about less than $75.00 if I remember correctly. I use a cheap manual boat winch in the front of the bed in my truck to winch it up and also to "unwinch" it back down to the ground. This system works great for me!

[etex211]

This is how I solved my generator loading problem...

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=18993

[Brownie]

You can pick up aluminum ramp ends, called "Ramparts" at Home Depot or Lowe's. You just add 2x10's or 2x12's cut to the size you need them. That's what I did when I had to haul a snow thrower around in the back of my pick-up!

[YIKES]

I opened with 'available resources'---WOW ! ! ! You gals & guys really came through.

Not only am I where I want to be, but you gave me options.

This is super forum.

Thanks, John----Ps: I will keep you posted, as to the direction I pick, including my WIP (Acctg. term for Work In Progress or Process).

[Jagiven]

How about a cheaper solution, with a little bit of manual labor.

You can go to your local hardware/lumber store and locate two metal ramp adaptors, which you attach a 2x6 to. They are cheap, you cut the 2x6 to whatever length you want. You and the DW pull/push the generator up, and leave it there during the duration of the trip.

Here is one an example I found online Pickup Truck Load Ramp.

[Seann45]

Depending on how much room you have and $$$ a Harbor Freight shop crane would work well to lift the gen up. It will fold down to ride in the back of the truck..
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-c...ane-69514.html

[Camper_bob]

Another potential solution from Harbor Freight. I LOVE that place!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-...0732-9889.html

[clutch]

My dad used a Harbor Freight lift in the bed of his truck. He quickly found that he needed a steel plate on the top and under the bed. With the boom extended it was real easy to bend the floor of the truck bed.

[YIKES]

Yesterday we went to a Harbor Freight store about 1/2 hour from where we live. I have never been to one before. I had no idea this operation existed.

YIKES ! ! ! ---- What a candy store they are.

We wound up with 6 foot, 9 inch wide tri-fold pickup truck ramps.

I could not believe the price. They even took time as to where I could mount my 2000 lb hand winch in the pickup and directed me into a set of front wheels to bolt up to the generator. The generator has rear wheels on it now.

Staggering----Quality and less than $100 in total (way less).----Even I can do the mounting and modifications that are needed.

Also, an unintended bonus---My lawn tractor can be handled by these ramps when it is time for it to be serviced. No more renting a trailer.

Thanks again Board Peeeeeples,

John

[SecretCoveDave]

The Peeps come through again!

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by YIKES

...snip... In my former life I was an Accountant. ...snip...

Originally Posted by YIKES

Yesterday we went to a Harbor Freight store about 1/2 hour from where we live. I have never been to one before. I had no idea this operation existed.
Staggering----Quality and less than $100 in total (way less).----Even I can do the mounting and modifications that are needed
....snip...

John

Score one for the JOF! Not only found a solution, but saved a member $$!

[troutslayer]

YIKES! That's great news

[bucko]

I use an engine hoist to get heavy items into my pick up bed. Maybe one of your friends has one of these?