On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:39:40 -0700 (PDT), stryped
wrote:

Been looking at trailers on lots as others have suggested. Most that
have a fold down ramp made of angle iron and expanded metal.

Would there be any detriment to using diamod plate instead of expanded
metal on it? I am assuming there may be some sort of wind turbulance
pulling but am not sure.

If it was solid I could maybe but my 8N on the trailer if I ever
needed to which would be rare.

It will act as a big air brake if you hang a solid slab of steel out
there. Ergo the expanded metal that many utility trailers use -
plenty strong enough for riding mowers and Quads and motorcycles if
you place some modest reinforcement behind it.

But if you are going to drive an 8N on it (that's a medium size
tractor) or a car, just diamond-plate alone won't cut it. You need
some serious trusswork behind the plate.

Go look at some factory made implement trailers for design ideas you
can steal - they make the ramp out of really heavy channel or angle
with a triangular truss design, more angle on edge for the tire face
(best traction) and a built-in landing foot at the trailer end of the
ramp so you can load while the trailer is unhitched.

Though I prefer separate tail jacks on the rear of the trailer, they
can adjust for uneven ground without twisting the ramps or frame.

-- Bruce --