PT 1X4X8 ok for shed ramp?


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Old 10-07-10, 10:03 AM
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PT 1X4X8 ok for shed ramp?

I am building a shed ramp and purchased pressure treated 1X4X8's for the decking. After thinking about it, Im not sure that was a good move. Will 1X4's be able to carry enought weight for a ramp? I currently dont have a riding lawnmover but may at some time. The heaviest thing I have at this point is a snowblower.
 
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Old 10-07-10, 10:08 AM
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What kind of support and what is the spacing?

Dick
 
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Old 10-07-10, 10:11 AM
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I am going to have 2X4's underneath as supports at about 2 foot spacing. The ramp will likely be 8 ft' wide but am considering going down to 6 ft.

I didnt realize that the 1X4 and 2X4's were the same price. If the 1X4 wont work I can easily take them back and get the 2X4's.
 
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Old 10-07-10, 10:32 AM
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5/4" x 6" are usually nicer for use as floor boards. This is assuming your ramp jacks are parallel with the length of the ramp, and spaced 16" OC... and your floor boards are going to be perpendicular to the ramp jacks.
 
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Old 10-07-10, 11:00 AM
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Thanks for the help folks. I think I am going to exchange them for 2X4s. It's probably best in the long run.
 
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Old 10-07-10, 12:32 PM
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Another option for a shed ramp is to use gravel, less expensive than wood and more sturdy. I built a shed about 5 years ago and I used 0-3/4 gravel topping which after it gets wet becomes hard. The ramp is 7’ wide by about 8’ long.

I used rocks on the sides to support the ramp originally and filled the bottom of the ramp with rocks and 3/4 gravel and then top it with 2” of 0-3/4 gravel. I also landscaped the sides of the ramp to come gently up to the sides and now the grass covers up everything nicely.
 
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Old 11-01-10, 01:41 PM
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Kolias,

Could you provide a picture of your ramp. I was thinking of doing the same thing, but thought it was a crazy idea! I'm building an old school shed with barn board. I think that would look so much better than a wooden ramp.

Thanks!
 
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Old 11-01-10, 03:38 PM
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The attached picture was taken right after I finished the shed and as you can see I have some concrete blocks lined up with the door edges. The reason was that I though the concrete blocks will help keep the gravel in place but actually they are not needed and it’s about 2 years now that I removed them and filled the voids with 0-3/4 gravel and it’s solid like a rock.

When I excavated, I installed treated 2x6 on the perimeter of the ramp (still visible) to hold the gravel and I didn’t even compacted the gravel but eventually it settled and remained like that.

You are right, gravel ramps are much better than wood and besides they are maintenance free!

Here is the picture
Ramp :: 6CabanaFinished.jpg picture by kolias - Photobucket
 
 

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