Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Ramps Steps or incline plane (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Ramps Steps or incline plane
Yahoo Message Number: 22723
I have wooden ramps with three step levels.  I use them as most do by running upon each step until I am   However, I saw an individual turn the steps down toward the ground, which created a continous ramp.   Are there any disadvantages using the "bottom" side of a 3-4 level ramp?

Larry
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 22724
Larry, Lots of people prefer the continuous incline type ramps over the stepped type because they can get a more accurate leveling. Either can be made quite easily. In fact the continuous incline type can be made even easier depending on how you approach making them. I don't see any disadvantage or potential problems to using stepped type in an upside down fashion if that's what you want to do.

Mike R.
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 22725
Quote
I don't see any disadvantage or potential problems to using
stepped type in an upside down fashion if that's what you want to do.

Quote
Mike R.
Mike R.
Interested in your comments on the continuous torque applied to the tires when using the ramps in an inverted position.
Steve T
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 22728
Steve T,

If you're using chocks, as you should anytime you use any type of ramps or jacks, there isn't really any undue stress on the tires with the continual incline ramps. Even if not using them the stress on the tires as long as the entire footprint is supported isn't going to do any harm to them in any way. Not supporting the entire footprint does do a lot of damage to them though. Tires are made to withstand the stresses they get when on an incline when the weight is evenly distributed across the entire footprint but not if they aren't fully supported with the weight evenly distributed across the entire footprint. The LD manual also has plans to make them although they're more suited for older and thinner bias ply tires of the older rigs due to the width stock they suggest using. Any x6 stock is far to narrow for today's tires and motorhomes. There are also several ramps on the market with continual inclines and some actually are wide enough to support the entire footprint of modern motorhome tires.
Some even have special chocks made for use with them but not all do.

Mike R
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 22730
Quote
If you're using chocks, as you should anytime you use any type of ramps or jacks, there isn't really any undue stress on the tires
with the continual incline ramps.

With chocks I agree, however I don't recall anyone using chocks in the 15 years I've been RVing. And I've seen lots of ramps used.
Steve T
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 22748
"With chocks I agree, however I don't recall anyone using chocks in the 15 years I've been RVing. And I've seen lots of ramps used."

Steve T,

I agree that many people don't use chocks and would even say that most RVers today don't. I don't know if that is because they aren't aware of the need for them or what the reason is. You also may not have noticed them in use on some vehicles. I've seen lots of people use them in my 37yrs of RVing since the time my parents bought their first TT.
 I do it from experience and knowing why they're needed. My dad was a truck driver and I worked in a warehouse were we always chocked the tires of the trucks so I know how important they are and do use them just like my dad did. They always chock airplane tires also even when they aren't loading or unloading. It's a safe practice to get into that can save you from injury and damage and everyone that uses ramps for leveling should use them. Emergency/parking brakes won't always hold the vehicle in place and they do fail. If the rear tires are off the ground or even one is there is either no brakes or they are only 50% or less effective. That puts a lot of stress on the transmission because then it's the main thing holding you in place. Chocks are cheap to buy and even cheaper and easy to make and use and only take an extra minute to set or remove and should always be used. Some of the people that I talked to when researching jacks for my LD that had been injured when kick-down jacks folded probably wouldn't have been if they were using them at the time!
 Regarding your original question about the continual torque on tires using incline plane ramps, tires are designed for that type of stress, when the entire footprint is supported. However tires aren't designed to carry loads above the rated capacity and only to that capacity if the entire footprint is supporting that load. If any portion of the tire is not supported the portion that is must then carry all the weight on them and that will over stress the tires. If you download the Michelin RV Tire Guide (in the links section of this group) it discusses this in two sections and everyone should get a copy of this guide either by downloading and printing it, from a dealer, or Michelin directly. Read it and follow the recommendations, there is no better RV tire guide available!

Mike R
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 22755
Quote
I have wooden ramps with three step levels.  I use them as most do by running upon each step until I am   However, I saw an
individual
 
Quote
turn the steps down toward the ground, which created a continous ramp.   Are there any disadvantages using the "bottom" side of a 3- 4 level ramp?
Larry, I didn't see the two main issues addressed in the replies you received:

-In most cases, the vector of the motorhome weight on the supported wheel will not pass thru the center of the wheel when supported on an inclined ramp. This means that without the brake on, you will roll.
If possible, it is much better to set up the blocks so you will not roll if the brake releases - or at least the least possible braking force is required.

-A stepped ramp inverted will contact the ground on only the step edges. Most materials will not take this pressure, and will deform or break. This is particularly true of wood. Further, once the force vector passes the last support edge, the ramp will pivot.
 I have seen a lot of support schemes through wavy public cg's on busy weekends, some which seem to defy the laws of physics. I have yet to see one fail, but I am sure they do.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 22758
I agree with Steve on both issues he brought up. If you want continual incline ramps you're better off making or buying new ramps of that type then turning stepped ramps upside down. Regardless of whether you use stepped or continual incline ramps you should always use chocks to prevent the RV from rolling! Brakes can fail and so can other things and chocks are the only things that will keep a rig from rolling! You should always use chocks on you RV when camping even if the ground is fairly level and you aren't using ramps or jacks.

Mike R.
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 22808
Larry-

I've RV'd for 19 years with a Class C motorhome.  I still have the 3 step hardwood leveling blocks I bought from Camping World over 15 years ago.  They work fine with LD and I have never had to chock the wheels.  With a choice of 3 levels, you can always dial in the level.
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23539
I received this interesting response from John Miller of Bridgestone- Firestone regarding my question to them of:  Is the constant torque of a slanted ramp detrimental? Steve T

"The use of ramps is quiet common in the leveling of RV's.  As long as the ramp is fully supporting the tire footprint (both tire footprints in the case of dual tires) there should not be any degradation to the tire's integrity.   The deflection the tire(s) sees on a ramp will be the same as if it were on a flat surface.
It is only when the tire is not fully supported in it footprint that it may be deformed and thus creates some internal damage that would affect its performance.  I hope this will answer your question."

Quote
Mike R.
Interested in your comments on the continuous torque applied to
the tires when using the ramps in an inverted position.
Re: Ramps Steps or incline plane
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23541
"The use of ramps is quiet common in the leveling of RV's.  As long as the ramp is fully supporting the tire footprint (both tire footprints in the case of dual tires) there should not be any degradation to the tire's integrity. The deflection the tire(s)sees on a ramp will be the same as if it were on a flat surface. It is only when the tire is not fully supported in it footprint that it may be deformed and thus creates some internal damage that would affect its performance."

Steve T
 It appears that Bridgestone/Firestone has confirmed what I said about this subject. I'm sure every other tire mfg will also.

I still think you should use chocks regardless of whether you have your RV on ramps or not and whether or not any other RVer you see does. They are an added safety feature that can often save you from personal injury, property damage, or both. They're very cheap and easy to use taking only a few seconds of extra time.

Mike R.
Ramps
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23113
I just brought my "new" 95 26 1/2 MB from San Diego home to Wisconsin.  Now that I have it here, I need to solve the problem of having a steep driveway that causes the unit to bottom out when I try puting it in the drive.  I have tried front and back attacks and even at an angle, but I need some sort of a short ramp setup to get me over the gutter.  It appears that a 6" height in the center and about a 8' length will do.  Is anyone aware of a product to do this (cheaply)?  I could store it, but would use it more if I have it at home.

I would appreciate any comments/suggestions.

Bob
2003 30' IB
Re: Ramps
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23144
Bob,
 I don't know what your drive looks like, but it sounds like you could make your own ramp by using boards with lengths cut to give a sort of long upside down triangle ramp to give proper support.  Admittedly it would be heavy, but if you did not put it together, you could handle the individual boards.

Barry 26.5' RB Texas
Re: Ramps
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23305
Quote
I just brought my "new" 95 26 1/2 MB from San Diego home to Wisconsin.  Now that I have it here, I need to solve the problem of having a steep driveway that causes the unit to bottom out when I try puting it in the drive.  I have tried front and back attacks and even at an angle, but I need some sort of a short ramp setup to get me over the gutter.  It appears that a 6" height in the center and about a 8' length will do.  Is anyone aware of a product to do this (cheaply)?  I could store it, but would use it more if I have it at home.

I would appreciate any comments/suggestions.

Bob
Just wondering where in Wisconsin you are?  We live in Door County and have a 26 MB 2001.  We may be the only two in Wisconsin since Arne Thesen moved away.  Have you ever been camping in Door County? It is really a nice area.  Mary and Lee
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Ramps
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23307
You're not the only 2.  I have an 89 22' RL and live in Grafton.
There's also someone in Waukesha that has a 26.5'.

John A Wozniak
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Ramps
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23329
Grafton in which state? On Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 04:33  PM,

Quote
You're not the only 2. I have an 89 22' RL and live in Grafton.
There's also someone in Waukesha that has a 26.5'.

John A Wozniak
Re: Ramps
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23388
Quote
--- In lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com, "bob59el"

We live in Sun Prairie, just outside of Madison.  We have stayed several times at the Nordic Lodge near Sister Bay, but have never camped there.  We are planning on being up there in August for our first camping in Door County, so would be grateful for any recommendations.  We think we need hookups to keep the pooch cool, but we are totally new to camping so will be learning as we go.  Our maiden voyage will be for 4 days at Gov. Dodge state park in a couple of weeks.

Bob & Ellen

Quote
Just wondering where in Wisconsin you are?  We live in Door County and have a 26 MB 2001.  We may be the only two in Wisconsin since Arne Thesen moved away.  Have you ever been camping in Door County? It is really a nice area.  Mary and Lee
2003 30' IB
 
Re: Ramps
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 23408
Quote from: fun2go02"

 --- In lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com, "bob59el"

We live in Sun Prairie, just outside of Madison.  We have stayed several times at the Nordic Lodge near Sister Bay, but have never camped there.  We are planning on being up there in August for our first camping in Door County, so would be grateful for any recommendations.  We think we need hookups to keep the pooch cool, but we are totally new to camping so will be learning as we go.
Our maiden voyage will be for 4 days at Gov. Dodge state park in a couple of weeks.

Bob & Ellen

Just wondering where in Wisconsin you are?  We live in Door County and have a 26 MB 2001.  We may be the only two in Wisconsin since Arne Thesen moved away.  Have you ever been camping in Door
County?

Quote
It is really a nice area.  Mary and Lee
Hi Bob and Ellen,  As you may have seen in a couple previous messages, we think Potawatomie State Park about 10 minutes from Sturgeon Bay is very nice.  We have also heard that the Wagon Wheel is a good place. It is near Riley's Bay.  Also Quietwoods North or South, in the Southern Door area--south of Sturgeon Bay.  My sister and her husband stayed at Frontier Wilderness near Egg Harbor and were pleased with that. Harbor Village is large , near Carlsville, and when we went in to check it out, it seems to cater to lots of kids.  Also, many of the sites were so shaded that we can't begin to think of the mosquitoes or trying to dry out.  Your other choice there is to be out in the field in the total sun.
There are many other places too.  Whatever you do, you should check out the Door Co Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay.  It's a class act.
Also, take in the American Folklore Theater in Peninsula Park.
Light, local humor, well done (outdoors under the stars).
Stop at the Chamber of Commerce just as you are rolling into Sturgeon Bay on 57--they have lots of stuff. Don't miss the Door County Coffee Company right in Carlsville--neat place.
Mary and Lee