Bed ramp for loading and unloading road cases

[loganddiamond]

I am a sound engineer and find myself transporting a lot of gear around in my truck bed. Its been great but since the cases are quite large and heavy... 50-80lbs and 40x20x30 at the largest. I can't lift them up into the bed alone. This has become a problem as I do a lot of shows where I am alone, and I hate to have to ask somebody to help me load cases into the back of my truck.

Does anyone know of a ramp I can store in the bed while traveling and that doesn't take a lot of space up in the bed? I do have a topper on my bed and was thinking maybe that I could store it on the top there or something?

Thanks!

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[Milwrdfan]

Does it just need to be a ramp, or does it need rollers to help get things up with a single person pushing from below? There are lots of folding loading ramp type options out there, but not sure what your specific needs are for loading assistance.

 

[siberdraknon]

Harbor Freight sells hydraulic table carts with 500# and 1000# capacities which are endlessly useful. They particularly excel at raising stuff up to tailgate height. They go on sale often.

 

[Headbanger]

Harbor Freight sells hydraulic table carts with 500# and 1000# capacities which are endlessly useful. They particularly excel at raising stuff up to tailgate height. They go on sale often.

I was going in that direction as well. Those are really nice carts.

 

[Dave O]

Just remember these carts are great options for hard surface application, trying to push these through the grass or soft surfaces will be like trying to push a house…

 

[ThisWas]

Harbor Freight sells hydraulic table carts with 500# and 1000# capacities which are endlessly useful. They particularly excel at raising stuff up to tailgate height. They go on sale often.

After you use the hydraulic table cart to lift the 50-80lbs case into the truck bed, how do you get the 100lbs cart into the bed? Just curious.

 

[Sticks]

40x20x30 is big enough that some clever technique might work. Lean one side on the tailgate, then lift the other side. Basic physics says the tailgate will support half the weight, just like a 2-person lift. Pair that with a lightweight folding dolly / hand-truck.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

After you use the hydraulic table cart to lift the 50-80lbs case into the truck bed, how do you get the 100lbs cart into the bed? Just curious.

You could diy a stinger to fit into the trailer receiver and then jack the cart off the ground. OR diy a lift gate! Endless flexing possibilities!!

 

[dbp]

I am a sound engineer and find myself transporting a lot of gear around in my truck bed. Its been great but since the cases are quite large and heavy... 50-80lbs and 40x20x30 at the largest. I can't lift them up into the bed alone. This has become a problem as I do a lot of shows where I am alone, and I hate to have to ask somebody to help me load cases into the back of my truck.

Does anyone know of a ramp I can store in the bed while traveling and that doesn't take a lot of space up in the bed? I do have a topper on my bed and was thinking maybe that I could store it on the top there or something?

Thanks!

I load drums and PA systems by myself, had the same problem. At age 73, it's not getting any better. Bought a small enclosed trailer! Load height is 15 inches, and the Maverick tows it easily!! And the bed is still free for the guitars and and amps when the other band members ride with me!! And I can store the heavy stuff in the trailer so the bed is free the rest of the week!! Works great for me.....

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I load drums and PA systems by myself, had the same problem. At age 73, it's not getting any better. Bought a small enclosed trailer! Load height is 15 inches, and the Maverick tows it easily!! And the bed is still free for the guitars and and amps when the other band members ride with me!! And I can store the heavy stuff in the trailer so the bed is free the rest of the week!! Works great for me.....

Good idea.
What size is your trailer and where do you store it?
Picture?

 

[dbp]

Good idea.
What size is your trailer and where do you store it?
Picture?

It's a 4 x 6 LOOK trailer. I bought it new with the optional 15" wheels in 2017. Used to load everything in my 2012 Transit Connect, but the trailer is much easier to load/unload. Towed the trailer with the van for several years, but the Maverick is a much better tow vehicle!!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

It's a 4 x 6 LOOK trailer. I bought it new with the optional 15" wheels in 2017. Used to load everything in my 2012 Transit Connect, but the trailer is much easier to load/unload. Towed the trailer with the van for several years, but the Maverick is a much better tow vehicle!!

That's a nice little trailer and you got that packed full.
Thank you for the fast reply.
Safe travels.

 

[dbp]

It's packed full with the drum kit in hard cases, 2 array PA systems(one backup), mixer(and a backup) backup mikes, several new drum head(in case I break one, which only happened once since 1968, and I didn't have a spare!! I do now!!) Tarps for rainy gigs, spare mic stands (the guitar player forgot his once) and tools!! I leave the stuff in the trailer year round. Locked front and rear...

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

It's packed full with the drum kit in hard cases, 2 array PA systems(one backup), mixer(and a backup) backup mikes, several new drum head(in case I break one, which only happened once since 1968, and I didn't have a spare!! I do now!!) Tarps for rainy gigs, spare mic stands (the guitar player forgot his once) and tools!! I leave the stuff in the trailer year round. Locked front and rear...

While it works for you and is a great option.
In reality, the OP may not have an area such as yours or the desire to pay long-term for a trailer storage area.
In a lot of areas of the country, storage fees alone can add up to more than the cost of the trailer.
When I used to buy defaulted storage units. I can't tell you the amount of times, I bought a unit where what the customer had been paying was worth more than what they were storing.

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