Some toy haulers come with the option of having the back ramp door become a patio when not in use. Well mine did not come with this option and I figured, why couldn’t I do it?! So the wheels started turning and after a little research it actually seemed incredibly easy to do myself! Below I walk you through the process, step by step!
Supplies needed:
Socket Wrench
Impact Drill (not necessary but makes the fasteners way easier to tighten) Bolt cutters
4- Steel Surface Mount (3,600lb) D-ring brackets 4- 1.5″ long bolts with washers and nuts 4- 2.5″ long bolts with washers and nuts approximately 24ft of cable
Step 1: Level and Measure
First you want to have the ramp door open and prop up the far side with some sort of supports as seen below. Get a long level and place it on the ramp door. You want it to be level but in order to account for the slight drop that will happen when fully being supported by the cable you want to have it SLIGHTLY higher on the far side to “preload” the door.
Next from the top of the ramp door measure down 12″, this is where I placed the top hole of my bracket to be drilled in, mark the holes and repeat for both sides.
Step 2: Drill and Tighten
This was the most intimidating part by far, although extremely easy with the correct tools! I used my HART power drill and 3/8″ drill bit and drilled straight down through the entire ramp door. Although I did not use one, I would recommend using a drillblock to ensure a straight hole.
Once the holes are drilled insert the bolt through the washer and then up from the bottom (outside part) of the door, secure tightly with the bolt using a socket wrench. Repeat for both holes in the 2 brackets on the ramp door. THAT IS IT! Well almost….
Step 3: Repeat on the top
Next you basically do the exact same process up on the top of the back wall of the toy hauler. I have seen some models that come with brackets already installed making this step avoidable, however in my case they needed to be installed. We positioned them on the outside of the toy hauler just above where the door would close in line with the ones on the ramp so that the cable would go straight up with the edge of the door. Drill the holes and insert the shorter bolts through the washers from the inside out and secure the bolts on the outside to make it easier.
Step 4: Cable attachment
Take your cable and create a loop on one end and secure with 3 cable fasteners about an inch apart as seen below. I used my impact drill with a hex bit to get them super snug!
Next attach a removable link chain to the bracket on the top of the toyhauler and slide this loop into the link chain and screw the bolt up. This method allows you to remove the cable system and still be able to use your toy hauler ramp to load all of your “toys” if desired!
Once attached at the top, pull down to the bottom bracket and add approximately 8″ and cut your cable with bolt cutters. Loop that end through the bottom bracket on the ramp door and pull REALLY tight (another set of hands could be useful but not necessary) and secure with 3 fasteners here as well. Pictured below next to my little guys =)
To close the ramp door, have someone take pressure off ramp door (or prop the back end up if alone) and unhook the cable from the top removable link.
Let cable fall towards the middle of the door and as you lift the ramp door they will stay inside. Here are pictures of the outside when closed up!
Now decorate and relax!
