Commercial vans might be outpaced by utes when it comes to sales figures and popularity, but they do have a few tricks up their sleeve. With a long wheelbase, larger storage area, and the benefit of locks and a roof, there’s just more available loading space. You can easily carry larger items, all your tools and still have space left for anything else. The lower loading height also means loading that cargo is straightforward. Vehicles like the Toyota Hi-ace, Hyundai iLoad and the Ford Transit have greeted the most buyers because of their versatility and adaptability.
Accessories for commercial vans abound. And some of the more sought after accessories are van loading ramps. Purchasing a van loading ramp is a smart decision as it helps you wheel anything in or out of the van with ease – be it motorcycles, ATVs, trolleys, carts, machinery or material handling equipment. Different ramps will vary in size, the load they can take, the added safety features and how they are stored in the loading bay. With many available, choosing the right one for your van will depend on a few crucial factors.
The Things to Look for in Your Van Ramp
Van loading ramps come in different sizes, designs and materials. They’ll also be able to carry different loads and have features that make loading and unloading safe, fast and easy. Here’s what to look for:
Van Height
The height of the loading lip of the cargo bay will determine how long the van loading ramp needs to be so you can load and unload things at safe angles. Gradients shouldn’t exceed 30 degrees so the feet of the ramp lay flat on the ground and can carry the advertised weight. A general rule is the higher the lip, the longer the ramp. Most ramps start out at 6 feet or 1800mm. The majority come in at 7 or 8 feet or 2100mm and 2400mm. Longer ramps are available and can help in issues with tow bars or high set rear bumpers.
Loading Capacity
Determine what you will be using the ramp for, and get the ramp with the adequate loading capacity. Loading capacity starts out at 300 kilos, and can reach over 1500 kilos or the recommended loading weight of the van. How much a ramp can carry depends on the design, the materials and build, and overall length.
Foldable vs Fixed Ramps
The majority of van loading ramps are foldable. They can be extended from a retracted position quite quickly, and sit flush with the ground. Smaller foldable ramps have two folding sections, while longer ramps have three. The benefit of foldable ramps is that they take up little space in the cargo area. Options include swivelling mechanisms that let you move the ramp to either side when folded, or completely remove it when not needed. On the other hand, fixed ramps will limit the loading area but often have higher loading capacity due to the inherent design. They are also often sold in longer variants.
Channel Ramps
These are often sold in pairs. They are tailored to loading and unloading wheeled machinery, trolleys and motorised vehicles. The benefit of channel ramps is the lighter weight and that they are adaptable to other vehicles besides vans. In addition, they often have high sides to prevent items from falling off.
Van Ramp Designs and Surfaces
The surface of the ramp must prevent slipping and smooth surfaces should be avoided. Instead, consider either a ramp with an evenly spaced serrated rung surface to better grip wheels in trolleys, wheelchairs or equipment or a mesh plate design for the best grip possible. This allows loading in all weather conditions but is especially useful in the wet.
Another thing to consider is how the ramp lays flat on the ground. Different foot designs can increase or decrease overall stability and grip. Stub toe feet have a larger surface than the ground, so enable users to load heavier items. The downside here is the slight bump, so your load needs to sit on bigger wheels. For smoother loading look to knife cut feet that taper to a smooth finish at the edges, but need to be set precisely to avoid damage. Lastly, there are roller feet ramps, with roller wheels, though these are rarely seen in van ramps.
Other features you may want to look for are hinges and grab handles in outer sections of folding ramps, and support brackets and arms in securing the ramps when in use.
Materials and Weight
To reduce weight but not impact on overall loading capacity, van ramps are often made of durable aluminium. Smaller ramps are light enough to be lifted and removed by one person, while still being able to carry in excess of 300 kilos. Heavy-duty ramps are made of stainless steel, but these are more often seen on trucks and heavier vehicles. Smaller ramps weigh around 25 kilos so are easy to maneuver, while ramps reaching 3000mm or 10 feet weigh around 50 kilos. Wider ramps will come in heavier, so consider the overall width you need and whether your van has single or double rear doors. If loading to the side, also take into account the opening width of the side doors.
