Trailer ramp very heavy?

[Hampton Bay]

I recently bought an older trailer that is in pretty good condition. It needs some work, but nothing my father-in-law cannot handle.

One thing I have noticed is that the ramp is really heavy. It lowers just fine after you give it a little tug, but lifting it back up is hard. I am thinking there is something not quite right with the springs, but not entirely sure what. I can handle lifting it, but if it can be fixed that would be wonderful.

Any ideas?

[Ghazzu]

Check the wood on the ramp--if it's under a mat, could be waterlogged and punky.
Replace it, and you'll solve the problem.

[bludejavu]

Make sure you don't have one spring broken. We had a problem with breaking springs with a trailer we used to own and even with just one broken, it made the thing heavy as heck!

[Over the Hill]

You should be able to adjust the springs on the ramp to make it easier to lift. I did it on my old trailer. It's hard to do, but well worth doing. I have a length of chain, oh, maybe four links long welded to the trailer. The spring gets placed on one of the links. To adjust it, just move it to another link. You will need something to expand the spring in order to do this. I forget what I used, but I did it myself, so it can't be rocket science!:D

[Hampton Bay]

You should be able to adjust the springs on the ramp to make it easier to lift. I did it on my old trailer. It's hard to do, but well worth doing. I have a length of chain, oh, maybe four links long welded to the trailer. The spring gets placed on one of the links. To adjust it, just move it to another link. You will need something to expand the spring in order to do this. I forget what I used, but I did it myself, so it can't be rocket science!:D

OK I think we are talking about different springs...

The springs I am talking about are the ones that hold the ramp to the trailer. There are maybe 4 of them that run along the bottom of the back of the trailer.

I took the mat off and some of the wood is nasty. I cannot get all of it out on my own, but I will go see if it is easier to lift without the rotted parts. Will also check the springs too and make sure none of them are broken. We are actually considering replacing them all anyway because they do look a bit rustier than I would like.

[grinanride]

Springs can be replaced and are not very expensive, bang out the rod that runs thru them, you will need some help and a floor jack, put the new springs back in, there you go, sounds easy. Get the new ones in stainless steel
Risa
HappyTrailsTrailers.com

[goeslikestink]

you need thick wood and marine ply to replace the ramp then add the mats and then replace the structs that go across to hold it in to stop slipping but if the ramp like that then i wouls also check the floor of the trialer which is also double flooring check all the lights brakes and tyres as they two might need changing and check the hieght and width as some trialers are not meant for horses over 15hh trailers come in various sizes and height and lenght to accomdated the sizes of horses and ponies if less than 7ft 6in high its a pony box upto 15hh

[Hampton Bay]

GLS, we have actually pretty much torn this trailer apart to ensure that everything is structurally sound, and we have replaced some of the main structural components and will be replacing the floor too (we had to ruin it to get it up to work on the steel under it). So all of that is just fine. It's just the ramp that is in need of some help. My FIL is not too familiar with ramps on horse trailers, but he has been building and rebuilding trailers of all other varieties for about 30 years.

Risa, where would I order those springs in stainless? I have only seen them available in regular steel in my searches thus far. Also, what is this spring-assist thing I keep reading about?

Once this trailer is rebuilt I'm going to feel safer hauling with it than with anything else I could have afforded. It's just turning out to be quite the project :)

[Puddin Pie]

http://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/ : check this site for all sorts of useful trailer things. They might have the springs you need. I found it trying to find replacement latches.

[nightsong]

Given that you have to tug to even get the ramp to go down, I'd check the hinges.

[Frank B]

This brings out the redneck in me. First, try spraying them liberally with WD-40.
"If it's supposed to move and doesn't, use WD-40. If it's not supposed to move and does, use Duct Tape!"

Seriously, be careful working with those springs. There's a lot of potential energy stored in them.

[grinanride]

Measure the rod - LuckyB/Nuera has stainless for 1/2" rod, or call the trailer manufacturer, e coat with powder coat would be fine as well
Risa

[bludejavu]

Try this place - we have ordered quite a bit of trailer parts from them over the years. I'm not sure they carry the stainless steel springs but definitely is worth checking as their prices are very competitive.

http://www.redneck-trailer.com/products.htm