Trailer w/Ramp or barn doors?

[dgassaway]

I'm in the market for a new trailer to be used for comps and for work as well. what type rear door do you prefer? Ramp or barn doors?

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks,

[Rich Parker]

Ramp is a must especially when loading and unloading smokers of any size. I would get a 6' 6" min interior height.

[Coz]

With thoughts of an enclosed trailer in our future I am torn between the ramp and barn doors. I have seen the ramps set up to cook on but I would like to keep the set up to fit in a 20 ft spot with out having to roll the cookers up and down the ramp. I have figured out a short deck made of aluminum that I can attach and take back off fairly easily. cookers would roll part way out on the deck enuff for the exhaust and fire boxes to be out of the trailer . Gives you something to think about.

[BBQ Bandit]

my trailer had barn doors... (7x16) being the trailer is 8' tall interior.

Went with a foldable aluminum ATV ramp (4' x 7') - over 1,000 lb capacity.
[a ladder bar shaped bi-fold - added plywood panels screwed down]

{Credit pic to Bobaft - from PGBBQ 2010}
The trailer/ramp is in the background

[Ron_L]

Coz has a good point. We have a 6x12 V-nose with a ramp (total length of the trailer and ramp is about 21 ft.) At comps with tight spaces we have to unload completely, close up the ramp and then back into the space all of the way. Then, to pack up, we have to wait until I can hitch the truck and pull forward enough to drop the ramp. I pay extra for a bigger space if the price isn't outrageous.

A trailer with barn doors and a removable ramp is a good alternative.

[chibi]

Originally Posted by BBQ Bandit

my trailer had barn doors... (7x16) being the trailer is 8' tall interior.

Went with a foldable aluminum ATV ramp (4' x 7') - over 1,000 lb capacity.
[a ladder bar shaped bi-fold - added plywood panels screwed down]

I am like Bandit. my trailer is 7x14 and has barn doors. I went with bi fold ramps. they work out the side door also. So I can get parked and unhooked asap. also can load up again right away.

[JD McGee]

Hey D-Gass...you have seen my 6x10 with rear ramp and side door. It is the perfect size for my gear...when unloaded I can fit a queen size airbed in it. $3000.00 out the door InterState...

[Coz]

Originally Posted by chibi

I am like Bandit. my trailer is 7x14 and has barn doors. I went with bi fold ramps. they work out the side door also. So I can get parked and unhooked asap. also can load up again right away.

Your rolling your clone down these ramps ? Not by yourself?

[RixCue]

I am using a 6’ x 12 ‘ with a 6’9 “ inside height . It is a barn door style but I built a slide out deck that is just over 5 ’ wide and about 5 ’ deep . The deck tucks neatly under the trailer , easily slides out , stabilized by jack stands and locked in place with pins to prevent it from separating from the trailer . Then I can roll out the smokers , and if I need to lock up the trailer , if I am not going to be around , I am still able to close and lock the barns doors .

[chibi]

Originally Posted by Coz

Your rolling your clone down these ramps ? Not by yourself?

Not Big Blue I am not.(the one I showed here) It will not even fit in the trailer. to tall to fit in the door.
But I am rolling Little Red in and out. Smaller clone only about 300lbs

Michael

[BBQ Bandit]

Originally Posted by Coz

Your rolling your clone down these ramps ? Not by yourself?

800 lb Lang offset... on-board 12 volt winch (when by myself)... upgraded from a pull-a-long hand winch.

[Smoke'n Ice]

6X12 Vnose with ramp door. Roll the FEC 100 and traeger out and use as a cooking platform or place them beside the trailer, place ramp on jack stands, put up the add a room and have an additional 5 foot work area that is protected. Would not consider any thing other than a ramp door due to the possibilities. It all fits into a 20 foot space

[bigdogphin]

I have a 6x12 dual axle trailer with a ramp door. Like Ron L said sometimes its a pain if your in a tight spot but most of the time its been great. Make sure you get one you can stand up in.

[swamprb]

I suggest you buy my 5x8 with the single barn door and I'll throw in an suitcase wheelchair ramp.





Cool BBQ stickers no extra charge!

[crd26a]

Using a 7 x 16 barn door trailer here, it fit into the budget for the extra's it had on the trailer we would have had to add later. I've got two folding ramps (Amazon.com: Lund 602004 Bi-Fold Loading Ramp - 30" X 69", 750-Pound Capacity: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31gGefe64AL.@@AMEPARAM@@31gGefe64AL ) that I use to unload two Superior SS'2 (~350 lbs each). If I could change anything about the trailer, it would be to have an integrated ramp door over the barn doors. Why?

The ramp door will be a little longer than those ramps, allowing for an easier angle to load / unload the smokers. Also, as you set those ramps up over the lip, I've always got a lip to start with that I have to get the wheels up and over, then hope the momentum isnt going to pull me down the ramp a little fast.

Likewise, as there isn't a flap at the bottom of the ramp, coming back up them I have the same issue, taking the smoker from a standstill against a bump and having to get 350 lbs of momentum pulling it up the ramp. With a easier pitch and the integrated ramp flaps / lack of bump, it would have a lot more ease in loading / unloading the smokers.

Hope that helps.