If you utilize a portable loading ramp for your operation, you likely understand how important it is to know how to attach a loading ramp to a trailer. Properly attaching a ramp is crucial for ensuring optimal safety when driving a forklift between surfaces and transporting materials. As a leading manufacturer of high-quality portable loading docks, the team at Dura-Ramp knows how important it is to use the right equipment when connecting ramps to trailers. That is why our team has provided a list of 3 ways to attach a loading ramp to a trailer to help you determine which option is right for your needs.
Are portable loading ramps safe?
3 Ways to Attach a Loading Ramp to a Trailer
The method of attaching the loading ramp to a vehicle will differ depending on the type of ramp that you have, the type of traffic that will be travelling between the ramp and the vehicle, and the types of vehicles that are being unloaded. There are three main types of transition points that can be built into a ramp to connect it to a trailer for secure loading and unloading. These types of connections include:
1. Dock Overlap Strips
Short overlap strips are included with most loading ramps. They allow forklifts, pallet jacks, and people to move in and out of a truck or trailer without a gap in between the vehicle and the ramp. These overlap strips are a great option for ramps that frequently move around a shipping yard and only deal with trucks that back in.
2. Transition Plates
Transition plates are one of the easiest options to use when loading and unloading cargo. They are 16” long and offer additional space for forklifts and pallet jacks to move in and out of a trailer. Transition plates operate on a hinge that allows them to be lifted and lowered manually, making it easy to collapse them when they are not in use.
3. Integrated Dock Leveler
An integrated dock leveler is an excellent tool for transitioning between a loading dock and a trailer. The built-in rubber bumpers help to keep the trailer and the ramp from getting damaged while mechanisms within the dock leveler allow for a larger range of height adjustment. This makes attaching a trailer to a ramp easier, safer, and more efficient.
To learn more about attaching a loading ramp to a trailer or other elements of loading ramp safety, get in touch with the team at Dura-Ramp. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our products.
