Does Dual Ramp Door Spring Turn Each End Independently

Updated 10/01/2025 | Published 02/01/2025

Question:

I have cargo trailers with single spring tailgate lift. Because I don’t have level ground under the tailgate I very ofter have one cable lose tension and freewheel off the spool. Do your dual spring lifts have independent tension on either side?

asked by: Scott G

Expert Reply:

Hey Scott, yes each of the ends of the dual ramp springs like the part # M346FR that you referenced turn independently. How heavy is your tailgate?

expert reply by: Jameson C

Scott G.

2/4/2025

To clarify, your M346FR appears to have a solid axle and the dual springs attach to that separately, but not independent of each other. The spools on each end are attached to the single axle. So if the tailgate, in the down position , is on unlevel ground and the cable is pulling longer on one side, the shorter side does not stay under tension? I have to assume there isn’t a solution for this. Thank you for your time.

Jameson C.

2/4/2025

@ScottG Does your tailgate have the ability to have one side lower further than the other? That would seem like it's maybe not secured properly if so but I would assume I am not fully understanding the situation. The spools on either end of the # M346FR do turn independently of each other though.

Scott G.

2/4/2025

@JamesonC our trailers (6 of them) are all originally intended to be car trailers. The tailgates are intended to lower onto level (to the trailer axles) ground for the cars to be loaded/unloaded. We are an event management company and haul portable stages, A/V equipment, retail in road cases, lighting trusses…etc. We unload/load at the back of hotels that typically don’t have proper loading dock areas for a ramp equipped trailer. Sometimes we drop the ramp onto a leaning sidewalk. Sometimes over a curb on a slope. Our stage deck carts weigh almost 1000 pounds. So I have to have the ramp flat on the ground. Which has the cables extending to different lengths. So if your M346FR has a solid “axle” and the spools on either end are clamped to the “axle”, they can’t extend to different lengths. If the spools are able to spin individually, independent of the “axle”, then this should benefit us. Thank you for your time and effort.

Jameson C.

2/4/2025

@ScottG Glad to help!

Will S.

10/1/2025

My ramp door weighs about 200lbs. My opening is 72" I would like to use a double spring, but unsure of which strength to get.

Jameson C.

10/1/2025

@WillS I would go with the part # CB250D96SHD as it has more capacity than you'd need which allows you to wind it to get exactly the right amount of lifting strength to make lifting the door easier. The one you originally referenced has less than a 200 lb capacity so even maxed out you'd still need to lift about 40 lbs.