[lawnboy51]

Just starting out and I don't want to invest in a trailer at this point. Just going to do it part time, maybe 5-10 lawns. I have a 99 Ram 1500 and a Exmark 48" wb. Truck ramps will work for me right? Anyone else do this?

 

[vadeere]

I used to load a Deere gt235 into the back of my truck a couple of times a week. Its possible to do but is not any fun.

 

[jajwrigh]

I did it last year once and it sucked! Lots of room for error with the rotating front wheels! Try and look for a used trailer now because you will end up buying one anyway.

 

[TwoBrothersLC]

Lawnboy,
I had a small, and I mean small, trailer last season and used ramps with it. Had a few mishaps, but learned to take a little time loading and unloading. I bought a new trailer this year, but need to put a ramp gate on it next week. Best Blessings to you!

 

[grass_cuttin_fool]

My 2 months i was in buisness I used my truck to haul my mower, was a pain in the butt, my 1st major purchase was a trailer. ramps will work just becareful

 

[jt5019]

I started out using ramps with a 48 inch scag walkbehind loading onto a ford f250..Couldnt wait to get a trailer .After a few times you get the hang of it but its still a pain in the butt,You gotta do what you gotta do we all didnt start with huge trailers and 5 mowers.

 

[tedk]

we used to laugh at the guy who did the lawn next door to one we did. wasn't too long before we owned that account.

 

[twins_lawn_care]

Using ramps myself with my chevy pickup. Don't have the need for the trailer at this time in the game, as most lawns are less than 6,000 sq ft. You have to determine for yourself if you need a trailer, or if you'd just rather have a trailer. 90% of the time, it will make everything more efficient, but I am falling in the 10%, so will stick with the ramps until the larger mowers are necessary.
The truth is though, if that's what you can afford right now, then by all means, use them!
Good luck with your business.

 

[Kilroy]

Originally posted by lawnboy51
Anyone else do this?

Yes, I did it for about 3 years. Had an F-150 and a 48" Exmark. All my gear on the truck; used nice ($200-$300?) aluminum ramps. Worked fine; got lots of compliments on my rig. But.......

If I were to ever do it like that again, I'd go with a Redi Ramp at www.metko.com. Click on Truck Accessories. Saw one at my bike dealer the other day; they've been using one on their pickup for years to haul motorcycles. Very nice. Costs about $800 though. Would save you the unloading/positioning/reloading of the ramps each time you got to a new job. Hope this helps. Best of luck with your business.

 

[grass_cuttin_fool]

There was a guy on here the other week that has a set up like that. Has his truck lettered up and all. Has trimmer racks mounted on the bed of the truck, very nice and profesional lookin, i cant remember the thread, does anyone else remember the post or what thread it was???

 

[lawnboy51]

I know a guy that'll sell me a year old 6X12 trailer for around $500. Might as well do that if I'm going to spend a couple hundred on ramps.

Thanks for your thoughts guys!

 

[crawdad]

I do it every day. For safety's sake, fasten the ramps to the truck, and back it in. You don't want to be below it if it falls.
Many people are intimidated by this, but it's a piece of cake.
Crawdad

 

[ProMo]

I do an office that has 2 retention areas I use ramps to go up and over a 4ft wall to get into them

 

[youngdude]

I had two ramps i made from lowes that cost me about 25 dollars when I was done. The ones i built are a lot longer than the ones you can buy so it makes it a a lot easier to load up. I did this for one season loading a 36 inch bobcat into the back of a Ford Ranger. Now I just baught my 6 by 10 trailer and am loving it.

 

[Kelly's Landscaping]

I'm making me a set shortly not for a truck but I need ramps for a new lawn I signed up it has no other way on then going over a 2 foot retaining wall

 

[65hoss]

With care it will be ok for a while. Just invest as soon as possible in at least a small trailer.

 

[lawnbgone]

My son and I have done it for 2 years. We have a 48" Bunton and it must weigh almost 400 lbs. We bought a ramp kit from True
Value Hardware store for $35 and 2pcs.2x12x8 and no accidents.
It can be difficult if your truck is on a slight slope or incline.Also be careful when their wet. We added a doubler bolted from the top side to increase strength. SAVE UP FOR THE TRAILER. The safety factor ,the ease of use, and the professional image.

 

[CHEVYCRAIG]

BOUGHT THE YELLOW PLASTIC RAMPS WITH THE CURVE IN THEM SPENT $170.00 WORK VERY NICE, CANT RUN ANTHING OFF THE SIDES VERY EASY ALSO.THE NOTHERN TOOL CATALOG HAS A PICTURE OF THEM CHECK OUT NOTHERNTOOL.COM