I searched and haven't seen much on building a ramp truck. What do you guys think. I know, I know, lots of work. I'm no stranger to that. What do you think about taking an old dump truck and extending the frame, removing the bed sides, adding onto the platform, and limiting the dump action to stop when the ramp hits the ground. Although I haven't taken any measurements yet, it sounds possible. Why haven't I seen it done yet? Say a mid 60s Ford, Chevy, Dodge, or even International??? What do you guys think?
Too much? Too big of a truck? Better off with a 1 ton dually and making an actual ramp truck. Less moving parts right.
Looking at how tow trucks work, it greatly helps if the bed slides back say, 2 to 4 feet and then tips. Having the deck slide back and then tip lessens the hump and ramp angle, better for low rides. I would think the more vintage the truck the better....or COE.
Heres' some photos for inspiration http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338859&highlight=hauler
You will need a longer wheelbase truck........the ramp will be too steep..... We made one and had to usea winch (not wench) to pull up the car. HOWEVER, the short wheelbase is great for maneuvering in the pits and parking lots. No pics, mine was destroyed by a drunk driver (not me).
How far are you driving this truck? keep in mind that these trucks were geared to go about 50 mph....
Ok. so I probably need it to be reliable . Say a trip from New mexico to California or Texas and back. How about a 1 ton dually. Extend the frame, build a flat bed with a dovetail out back. a couple of boxes for straps etc. Medium and long ramps. massive winch. Whats a good builder truck to start with. I'm talking builder. No high dollar jobs. Big block or small block and try for a little better gas mileage?
Oh, and I called and checked insurance prices. not too bad. 50 bucks a month for commercial/personal use flat bed.
ad deleted but, a couple of days ago there was a good set up to copy on craigslist-Reno,NV - '75 Gm,454,Allison 3 spd trans with 2 spd rear axle,box camper, ramps,etc $3500 - anything is possible. look at all of the 30's COE trucks with extended cab, etc also search online at flickr.com: The Ramp Trucks and Box Trucks (Race Car Haulers) Pool
Over the last 30 plus years I have had 5 ramp trucks. Three were cut and lengthened. I didnt build any of them. Bought them used. Any way I had one that was a early 60's Ford like that. It had been an old milk truck. Instead of making the truck longer they angled it then added a dovetail to it. I hauled a 68 Camaro racecar on it. I didnt like the way it drove. Used it one season and sold it. It was just to short. It had to much weight behind the rear wheels and just to short w.b.. It tended to " follow " the road ruts to much. So if you use it I would cut the frame or have someone do it and make it longer. Just my $.02
I had a 71 GMC 5500 series, 350, 4sp,2spd rear with a hydraulic tilt bed with ramps and a winch in the bed-loved it, ins 25 a month, taxes 50 a year, plates 20 a year, good fairly good gas mileage 14/16mpg on road, but no power steering is why I sold it and after hauling a wreck today, I wish I had it back!!
Hard to beat a Hodges bed built and installed in Kentucky. Pick the truck and running gear you want, they will cut, stretch and add a ramp bed for about the same cost as trying to do it yourself and it will be right.
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