Toy Hauler Ramp Lift Assist

If you have been following along with the farkles (modifications) I’ve performed to my Forest River 19RR Toy Hauler, you know that I’ve added a bunch of weight to the rear loading ramp

Relocated Spare Tire to the outside of the ramp

Built a Ramp Extension for easier motorcycle loading

Added stabilizers to the main ramp

Converted the table to a desk mounted to the ramp

All of this added approx 100 pounds to the ramp. It is now quite heavy. I can still lift it, but I’d rather not chance a sore back.

I needed to figure out a way to make raising …and lowering…the heavy ramp easier.

I ordered a spring kit from Etrailer.com.

But when it arrived I realized I had interference with the media system in the corner of the trailer. And I’d still be bending over and lifting a loading ramp, even though this spring was to remove 85 pounds of weight.

Just about now, I get an email offer from Harbor Freight with a 2500 pound ATV winch on sale for $55…with a wireless remote control!

Figured if I didn’t use it for this project, I’d use it on an ATV…

The installation was very easy. A couple holes drilled through the header of the ramp door for 2 3/8″ bolts……

Winch mounted centered on the door

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once that was done, it was wired to an extra AGM battery I had hanging around. This was much easier than running the heavy wire 20′ to the front of the trailer. Since this winch will be used infrequently I’ll simply keep the battery charged with an Optimate automatic battery charger. (I raised and lowered the ramp over 20 times and the battery is still at 12.9v)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next was attaching the hook to the ramp. I used a simple “D” ring available from Harbor Freight and a couple 1/4-20 bolts.  This hook is too large and it will be replaced with something smaller in the near future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally I built an enclosure out of some pebble finish plastic panel I had hanging around

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a video of the ramp in operation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEDPbi9n83s&feature=youtu.be

Here are a few more pictures of the installation and more here

http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/toy-hauler-and-truc/forest-river-cherok/

Lot more articles on my main web site:

http://www.rvbprecision.com