help with expanded aluminum for loading ramp

[fastwin]

This is kind of a stretch but I'll start my search here first. I have "inherited" from Jen's ex a very nice tri-fold aluminum loading ramp. He used it to load his ATV on his trailer and pick up bed. He's now selling the ATV. The only problem with the ramp is that the rungs on each of the three panels are a little too far apart. Wouldn't notice it so much on big fat ATV tires but I can see it not being so smooth going up or down on 17" scooter tires. Bump, bump, bump... I was thinking, since I have no $$ invested in the ramp I could find some expanded aluminum panels (16"x 64") and have them either welded or attached with self taping metal screws so I would have a smooth, supported ramp surface. Aluminum wouldn't add a lot of weight but even expanded steel maybe could be used. It's not like I physically carry the thing around all day. 

Any ideas or thoughts where one could find expanded aluminum cut to size in the metro area?? Hate to let a perfectly good free aluminum folding ramp go to waste. Might be cheaper than buying another ramp that fits my needs.

[Dallas 1098]

You might try:

http://www.mcnichols.com/ in Garland or


http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/ in Dallas

HTH
Jeff

[RichD]

+1 for metalsupermarket

There is one on 287 and 820 in FTW I use all the time.

[fastwin]

Thanks for the input. That's two more than I had when I posted the thread!

[swanny]

I have a similar ramp that I use to load the bikes.....I just roll the wheels up the joint where the middle and left sections of the ramp join.  It is probably about 5 inches wide and solid.  I actually like having the rungs because I use them to give me a better foot hold when pushing the bike up.

Not much help but might be a solution that won't cost you anything.

[fastwin]

bump for a killer thread! ... post whore who actually doesn't care.

[Duc Fever]

Just attach some plywood!

[fastwin]

Too slick. Thinking expanded metal or aluminum.

[cdc]

Too slick. Thinking expanded metal or aluminum.

Expanded metal would weight next to nothing..  I used it as a screen for the radiators and oil coolers.

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