How to Choose Proper Trailer Ramp Door Spring Rating

Question:

How is the proper method of weighing the door for the correct spring set up. Is the Entire door weighed or how much pressure does it take to lift the unhinged side?

asked by: Simpson J

Helpful Expert Reply:

You won't need to obtain the weight of the entire door, just the un-hinged side. You'll want to find the amount of weight you'll need to overcome to easily lift the door. You could use an old bathroom scale, place some blocking on it, and rest the open side of the ramp on it. The weight you get, minus the weight of the blocking would be the amount of weight that the spring needs to overcome. For instance, the # 362SA8207 ramp spring you'd looked at has a 150 lb rating. If the spring rating is less than the ramp weight, the spring will provide an assist when closing the door. If the rating is greater than the ramp weight, the door will be easy to raise but will provide resistance when lowering it. Ideally, you'll want the spring rating to be as close as possible to the ramp weight.

On a final note, we recommend that these springs be professionally installed and the process for tensioning the torsion springs can be dangerous.

If you click the provided link, you can view a product description video featuring the ramp spring.

expert reply by: Mike L