Ramps I've Seen

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Pluton

Pluton

Joined
Oct 12, 2004
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I once saw a Disco with a lot of recovery equipment mounted on it..Roof rack, shovel, hilift, extra spare and these two metal ramps...couldn't tell if they were steel or Al, but they clearly were intended to support the weight of vehicle crossing super deep ruts, etc. The ramps were about a foot or 14" wide and about 4 or 5 ft long, with holes about 2 or 3 inches in the metal, kinda like structural steel sometimes has. Does anyone here know what this things are called and/or what the type of metal product is called generically? Thanks, -Keith B.-
 
They are often called 'sand ladders' and are really to be used as a traction devices (ie to help the truck float on sand).

I'm sure they would work, or at least be helpful, in mud and snow as well. You would have the check the ratings, but I don't think they are really designed for 'bridging' - ie unsupported spans. The ones I have seen are made of aluminum and I would doubt that they can take the load of 1/2 the truck over a wide span (ie a 4' gap with a big hole that your truck could fall into!).

They are mostly used in the desert, which is why you really don't see them in NA (although I once almost bought a rover in the arctic that had them - but it had been imported from a desert region). IIRC, 'Rovers North' in VT used to carry new ones.

As Brian has noted, there are similar divices used to make portable runways - but I believe these are longer, wider and heavier.

Cheers, Hugh
 
This is a good review of the two: http://www.rangerovers.net/outfitting/offroadmisc/ladders.html

The sand ladders are not very effective in my experience, and can actually cause a lot of damage to the vehicle. IMO they are more of a "style" accessory and tend to be used more for a work surface or for a shower platform :) Modern tire design and lower air pressure has made these pretty obsolete.

Now the bridging ladders are a good tool and allow traversing washouts, climbing shelves, ledges, etc. They can also be modified to accept table legs for a good work surface, etc. They can be used for mud and sand extraction. I have used inexpensive aluminum tread/cat walk in 4' spans. It can bear 1,400lbs with 1.5" deflection. Can be a useful tool, though a heavy one. the weight of two ramps goes a long way to a winch though...
 
Some of these are also made of some sort of a composite material with good load rating. They're also known as "Waffle something"! But as Scott said earlier, they tend to be a stylish thing more than anything else. A carryover from the Camel Trophy racing days!
 
Scott:

Nice link. My brother once gave me this great reference guide from the Army that is used (he was in recon) to evaluate bridges to see if they could safely handle the load (based on material, spans, etc). I've been to a few backroad bridges where I thought it might be of some use!

Out of interest, what's been the problem with sand ladders? Do they get spit out or something?

Cheers, Hugh
 
Sand Ladders of Death

Thanks for the replies, I can see where sand ladders would have been more useful when the standard(read ONLY) tire for 4x4's was the now-quaint "Grave Digger". Saw some potentially interesting stuff at www.discountramps.com
 
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CDN_Cruiser said:
Scott:

Out of interest, what's been the problem with sand ladders? Do they get spit out or something?

Cheers, Hugh
Click to expand...

Exactly, today's agressive tires and stonger motors can kick out the sand ladders and either damage the side of the vehicle if used on the front tires, or injure the people behind the vehicle pushing if used on the rear tires.

On the few Camel Trophy videos I have, they are typically strapped to the top of log bridges for stability and traction or used for some other special task.

I do like those plastic "waffle" devices as they are light and compact, and probably less dangerous.
 
Ya, I can just picture it: - Guy on one knee behind the truck, making sure everything is lined up and looks ok - '"Ok,....give it to her.......ahhhhhhhh, I think my head has a hole in it....."
 
i have on several occasions hi lifted my rig enough to backfill the holes under my tires and then use mother natures magical extraction traction device, works everytime.


just a few small leafy branches under the tire before i set the rig back down :D


i also used to carry a couple strips of plywood, 1' wide and 4' long with a short rope tied to them and the back bumper, that way after i extracted myself i could keep driving and the ramps would follow me to harder ground.
 
RHINO said:
i also used to carry a couple strips of plywood, 1' wide and 4' long with a short rope tied to them and the back bumper, that way after i extracted myself i could keep driving and the ramps would follow me to harder ground.
Click to expand...

LOL, cool idea! I love the tying a rope to the bumper concept... It does create a pretty funny visual though :)
 
The military aircraft strips used to assemble runways are know as PSP's or Perforated Steel Plates. You can get the original steel units without a problem. The problem is that they are usually available in quantities of 20 or more. Most people only need or want 2. A group buy would solve that problem. Bridging is also available, but you are talking a few hundred for the commercially available units. The PSP is plenty strong, but a fully loaded wagon would likely taco one. An unloaded 40 on the other hand, might make it across. The PSP's are great for mud and sand when running with the traditional short and skinny tires. Modern mud tires largely solve the need for PSP's. I actually used to carry a section of heavy gauge chain link fence for recovery. Anchor it down and it flexes and conforms to the terrain while allowing great traction. It's easy to roll up and store a short section and cheap to replace when it wears out from distortion. You just have to make sure it is anchored really well or it can wrap up. IMHO tree branches, rocks, and dry leaves really work the best and are usually readily available. The price is right too.
 
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