Using an Electric Winch to Raise and Lower a Ramp Door on a Logan Horse Trailer

Question:

Happy New Year! What do you recommend for my 2 horse trailer ramp door that weighs about 90 to 100 pounds, I bought it used and I had the ramp door rewelded with new sheet metal and hinges and new channel angle iron where it had rusted out. I saw your trailer ramp springs/. the double or single ones and I was also thinking about having a electric wench welded to the trailer to lift and open the ramp door. I have a little concern about the cable on the sides of the ramp causing a injury to a spooked horse going in or out of the trailer. Horses can be very unpredictable and I dont want to make my trailer unsafe for horses or anyone . Is it possible to have the cables detachable from the ramp after opening it before the horses are released to back up out of the trailer. I will have a professional garage door installer put the trailer springs on per your professional advice and recommendation.. Thank You ahead of time for your professional advice and suggestions.

asked by: JoAnn J

Expert Reply:

With an Enclosed Trailer Ramp Spring # ERS120D81 when the door is lowered it will pull the cables which will turn the pulleys and put tension on the springs. The cables could not be detached with the ramp door lowered because the springs would suddenly lose tension and they could break and that is very dangerous.

What I recommend doing is just using a winch with a system of pulleys (or you could mount the winch above the door at the center so you won't have to use pulleys). Once the door is lowered you could detach the cable until you are reading to lift the door back up.

The Bulldog Winch Utility Winch # BDW15008 is a good option. It is a low cost option, plenty of capacity, and comes with a remote. When you have it installed I do recommend some sort of protective box to keep it out of the elements. Something like # DMC38FR with the grille cut out could work or I am sure they could fabricate something from sheet metal.

expert reply by: Michael H