[Shop-talk] trailer ramps

[Steven Trovato]

I have an auto transport trailer with ramps that I would like to 
improve.  Here's how it looks now:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J_5JK_VOQ5cVahfXWfX7IQ?feat=directlink

The first thing I would like to do is add a flat surface to the 
ramps, as going up and down over the cross pieces is a pain.  I was 
thinking of adding some expanded steel to make the ramps look more like these:

http://www.pacwesttrailers.com/PW144498_6.jpg

So, the question is, expanded steel comes in various gauges, diamond 
sizes, etc.  The trailer can theoretically carry 5000 lbs.  Does 
anyone know what kind of expanded steel it would take to handle that 
sort of use and stay flat?

Second issue is that the ramps sit on the back edge of the trailer 
just by having a downward facing steel angle on the ramp and a 
channel at the edge of the deck.  Nothing keeps the ramps from 
sliding left or right in the channel.  I think perhaps I can drill 
some holes and drop a bolt through both pieces to keep that from 
happening.  I'd rather not have extra loose pieces, but if I weld a 
pin onto the ramp I don't think it will fit in the carrier under the 
trailer for storage.   Any other ideas?  Thanks.

-Steve Trovato
strovato at optonline.net