Slippery Gate Ramp

[ce2000]

I have a heavy mesh gate ramp on the back of my trailer that gets very slippery when my shoes are damp. I slipped and fell on it yesterday, tore my jeans and skinned up my knee. I haven't had a skinned knee in years. Is there something I can do to prevent the ramp gate from being so slick?

Thanks,
Terry
Cutting Edge Lawn Service

[CSRA Landscaping]

You could probably get something like sandpaper that has an adhesive contact on the back.

[Eric ELM]

I haven't even thought about this until right now, but why couldn't you take a small rod or long punch and stick in the holes and bend the back side of the mesh up a fuzz to help with traction? Bend the lowest part of a few and see if it helps. I would think this would work and you wouldn't have to bend them very far. I hope this helps. I might just try this myself. :laugh:

[Richard Martin]

Repaint the gate and before the paint has a chance to dry shake some sand over the wet paint. The coarser the sand the better. When the paint drys you will have a great non-slip surface.

[Freetime]

Maybe two 8 inch wide strips of “regular” expanded metal tack welded to the “flat” expanded metal of your gate. Weld it say 4 inches in on both sides of the gate. We have the same problem with our gate and it does get slick when wet.

Hope this helped.
:D

[awm]

my suggestion would be to try a different shoe sole

[Craig Turf Management]

I worked with a guy one time, and he had a trailer with a slippery expanded metal gate as well. The problem was that the expanded metal was welded on the wrong way. What I mean, was that the expanded metal was installed vertical to the gate. When the metal was welded horizontal to the trailer, there was a better surface in which to get traction. It's hard for me to describe without being able to show you a picture. Look at your trailer gate, and see if that might be your problem. God luck, Bill Craig:cool:

[75]

Freetime - good idea with adding the strips of "standard" expanded metal. To take that a step further ce2000, you could have all the gate mesh replaced with the standard expanded metal. I know that involves a lot more work initially, but when done you'll be able to walk anywhere on the ramp and still have traction. Your equipment will "stick" better too.

Bill Craig, I know what you mean about the mesh being attached the "wrong way". No picture here, but facing the back of the trailer and looking at the ramp, the long dimension of the diamond-shaped opening in the mesh should run left-to-right. That's the "traction" way.

Sometimes it gets installed the other way as a means of minimizing waste when cutting sections from the 4' x 8' sheet the mesh comes in.

[Twotoros]

I put a material on mine this year that works good . It is called is called "Matson Floor Grip". Made by Farwest Paint co. Tukwila, Wa.. this stuff is real chunky and added alot of traction when shoes or ramps are wet. Check with yiour local paint suppliers.

[racerdave]

Tractor Supply has a poly coating that is used for pickup beds. It's made for a tough non-slip surface. You put it on with a roller. I plan on putting it on my trailer when things slow down.
david

[CSRA Landscaping]

Advance auto parts has the same thing I believe ... I wonder if it could be used on a wood surface, like the ramp on an enclosed trailer?

[Avery]

Try wearing boots. If you are slipping on expanded metal then your shoes do ot have enough traction for working in. If you fall while operating a walk-behind mower or other powertool the results could be worse than a skinned knee.

[Island Lawn]

Yep. This happens to me occasionally. I just try to be aware of the problem. I have been considering some kind of texture paint.
I wear boots. Size 14. And those big boats still slip occassionally. I've yet to fall...knock on keyboard...

[ce2000]

Thanks for these ideas guys, I didn't know that I had so many options.

Craig Turf Mgmt you are right. My diamond mesh pattern does run the wrong direction.

[JJ Lawn]

I have the flat mesh on my ramp, and what I use is non-skid paint that I get from Lowe's. I believe it is made for steps. Has the grit already in it. It's water based and will last for several months. Just roll it on. I also us it on my deck of the trailer.

Jim

[CLC]

my friend just welded beads along the gate for traction

[bam]

I recently bought a new pickup and had a rhino lining sprayed in the bed. It is pretty good non-slip. The other day I had a chainsaw and a small 3HP engine in the back to take to the repair shop and they didn't move an inch for a very long ride.

Rhino lining and some others like spray x or herculiner have multiple applications and most of these products adhere to metal, wood, etc.
Of course they cost more than sand and paint, but it is a possible solution.

Try www.rhinolinings.com

[racerdave]

Bam is right on. Rhino is great. PEPBOYS and TSC have similar product that can be rolled on a trailer.