“Last year at VIR/Museum event, I shot a 2×12 homemade ramp about 30 feet. I could have easily killed someone. I just ordered a set of TrailerRamps.”
–Bink, Corvette Forum Senior Member

Getting into a Scrape

Transporting your sports or collector car can be a real challenge. Most car-carrying trailers and flatbed trucks aren’t equipped to handle the special needs of a low ground clearance vehicle: their angle of approach is simply too steep. This can cause damage to the vehicle at three different points. Initially, the front end can scrape as the vehicle is pulled onto the ramp. Secondly, the rear can drag on the ground as the vehicle pivots upward. The third and final assault occurs when the vehicle reaches the top of the ramp and the underside “bottoms out” while passing over the fulcrum point between the ramp and trailer floor. Then, one must subject the vehicle to these same punishments in reverse order to get it off of the transport.

Walking the Plank

Owners of low ground clearance vehicles are known to get very creative when trying to remedy this situation. Most frequently, they seek a solution with lumber. They put their trust in long, narrow planks that function as improvised extension ramps, precariously bridging between the ground and the preexisting ramps to provide a reduced angle of approach. Unfortunately, this arrangement does not provide much stability. The traction between the planks and the ground is not often enough to keep the planks in place as the wheels move forward, causing the planks to shoot out like missiles. Woe to anyone, or anything, in their path. The lateral stability also is compromised, which can cause the planks to shift to the side. Whether the planks shoot backwards or move sideways, the result is the same: a car dropping and slamming onto the ground. The use of these makeshift lumber ramps can cause significant damage to the vehicle and, in the most unfortunate of cases, to the people nearby.

Inclined to Perform

Enter Brute Industries, Inc., makers of RaceRamps. Known for manufacturing service ramps specifically for low ground clearance vehicles, Brute Industries was asked if they could also manufacture a safer, easier alternative for getting low profile cars onto trailers. Using the same patented technology that has made their other ramp lines so successful—including lightweight, non-slip materials and 100% solid construction—the company developed the TrailerRamps product line. TrailerRamps have a sturdy ledge on which a trailer door, the rear edge of a tilting flatbed truck, or the existing ramps of an open trailer can be placed. They raise up the existing ramps or trailer door and stretch the angle of approach—reducing it to as little as 4°. They are held in place by the weight of the car as it starts to drive up and additionally have a textured coating, which prevents them from sliding on all surfaces. They also won’t scratch or otherwise damage driveways or painted floors. TrailerRamps are available in different lengths and heights to suit different applications, and can also be made in custom sizes. They are extremely lightweight and have built-in handles so that they can be easily carried, positioned, or hung on a wall. As any sane person would agree, lumber is not a safe solution to the common trailer ramp/car loading dilemma. Don’t put your valuable collector car at risk. We have found a safer way.

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