Ramp Slope Question

[crokett]

Somebody on another forum suggested a ramp up to the front stoop on my shop rather than steps. I thought that was an excellent idea. I googled ramps and mostly see see ADA guidelines for a slope of 1:12 on a wheelchair ramp. Does that mean one inch for every foot? I have a 20" rise and that would mean a 20' ramp! Consdidering I am a healthy adult who would use this to move tools and materials in and out, what is a good recommended slope? Or should I just take a 2x4 out there and start moving it around until I get one that is comfortable.

[John Hunter]

I think I would go with a 2:12 slope, for your 20" rise that would be a 10 foot long ramp.

[leehljp]

Since it is not for wheel chair and handicap, what ever suits your purpose will be fine. IIRC, in numerous stores over the years where a ramp was needed to get boxes or items to a level by a hand truck, the ramp was built according to space available and muscle power needed.

1:6 and even 1:4 will be OK if your purpose is simply to get items up in a hand truck or platform truck, IMO. If you will be using a dolly and long furniture moving, a longer ramp would do better (1:6). IF you go with 1:4, you could add a 6 to 8 inch transition angle on both ends.

[master53yoda]

take a look at the ramp on a u-haul truck. they are about 10 to 12 ft long and lift 20 " You can get a piano up those so I would think a little steeper even then that would be ok. just a thought

[crokett]

I think I am gonna look at a 1:4 or 1:5 and see how steep that is. Thanks for the suggestions fellas.

[Tom Miller]

Another design approach is to consider what dolly/mobile cart/etc. you might be using, and design the ramp so the dolly doesn't bottom out when you transition from ramp to porch.

Regards,
Tom

[LarryG]

One inch per foot is indeed the maximum for a wheelchair ramp, and yes it can and does make for some long ramps.

For your 20" rise, I would probably build a ramp at about a 2.5 : 12 slope. Why? Because that would allow me to build it using 8' lumber and plywood, while yielding a slope that ought to be about right.

One thing to be wary of ... the floor at the door opening may be 20" above grade but it might be markedly more or less than that where the bottom of the ramp lands. Grades can fool the eye; people often look at an area and say, "That's flat" when in fact it has a considerable slope.

[crokett]

One thing to be wary of ... the floor at the door opening may be 20" above grade but it might be markedly more or less than that where the bottom of the ramp lands. Grades can fool the eye; people often look at an area and say, "That's flat" when in fact it has a considerable slope.

Yeah, I was looking at it last night. The rise where the front stoop is is about 20" but I believe it is a few inches less where the ramp would be. I know about how long I want the ramp so figured I'd mock it up with some 2x stock and see what kind of slope I have. I can make it longer or shorter depending.

Oh and 8' was about the length I was thinking, only because lumber comes in those lengths.

[leehljp]

I mentioned a 6 - 8 inch transition angle above, (don't know the correct term) but if you use a 4 wheel cart, that sure makes it easier. For a 2 wheel truck, not much advantage. Even 1 foot transition angles on each end of a 6 ft ramp would smooth the bumps out. This makes it more complicated but if it lasts 30 years and you are still there at that time, you will appreciate it.

[just started]

Forget the ramp - too much work to push/pull stuff up. Put in a pick-up type power lift gate.

[crokett]

Forget the ramp - too much work to push/pull stuff up. Put in a pick-up type power lift gate.

Now that would be a great idea, except even if it where in the budget my wife would never allow it. She doesn't even like me using my lawn trailer behind the mower. She says my wheelbarrow gives me exercise.

[capncarl]

The driveway into my shop is only on a .5 inch per foot slope, and every time I roll something out the door I have to chock the wheels or I have to chase it down the driveway. Nothing on the driveway or parking pad stays put. If I have to do it again I will exit the shop with a managable slope onto a nearly level pad.
capncarl

[crokett]

Carl, I have a level porch outside the front door that is about 5' deep and about 6' wide. The ramp would attach to this porch. So assuming the doors were open, I could wheel a sheet of ply up the ramp and park it on the porch. Long term I want to put a roof over the porch but that is waaay down the road.

[pelligrini]

OK, so you'll still have your stairs on that one end? Cool. I was just thinking about the couple times I busted my ass on a plywood ramp. They can get really slick when they're wet.

[crokett]

The ramp surface won't be ply. Probably it will be decking boards laid horizontally to give some traction. I may also add the grip tape stuff. I looked into a metal ramp but those are way too expensive.