Can a Spring Latch Pin be Used to Hold Trailer Ramps On a Trailer

Updated 12/15/2014 | Published 12/14/2014

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Bolt-On Stainless Steel Spring Latch

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$25.42

Weld-On Zinc Spring Latch

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$19.86

Question:

I have a car trailer with ramps the slide under the back of the trailer, but there is not any latch or keeper for the ramps so they fall out. I found a stainless steel spring latch on your site Code: SL716SS But there is no weight rating you have for it in the description. Would this be heavy duty enough to hold in trailer ramps?

asked by: Quade

Expert Reply:

The 7/16 inch diameter of the pin in the latch pin # SL716SS is on the small side for heavy car trailer ramps. It does not have an official capacity but if it were me I would do with something with a larger diameter.

Spring latch # SL58W has a 5/8 inch pin. It and the 7/16 inch latch pin do not have weight ratings but they are meant for trailer doors which are not all that heavy.

I recommend just using a hitch pin with clip, # PC3. Hitch pins are meant for more weight and you would have more pin holding on the ramps using a regular hitch pin versus a spring latch pin. This may require drilling holes though in the ramps and trailer frame if there are no existing holes available.

expert reply by: Michael H