Ram On Rampage Registering Patent for Built-in Bed Ramps

by Aaron Cole

Updated: December 31st, 2020 Published: July 14th, 2015

ram on rampage registering patent for built in bed ramps

Today’s most alliterative award may go to truck maker Ram registering rear ramps recently.

The folks at Allpar detail the filing, which was reportedly made by engineers at Ram. The patent was awarded June 30 and details a system for bed-mounted sliding ramps.

The system, which could be called Ram Ramps, could complement other monosyllabic options such as Ram Box and Ram Dams (our suggestion for their active grille shutters).

The adjustable loading ramp system is detailed extensively in the filing and includes a locking mechanism while the ramps are not being used in the bed.

The longitudinally stored ramps would be laterally adjustable and stored in recesses in the bed.

This isn’t the first patent we’ve seen where Ram has tried to improve the utilitarian pickup bed. In addition to the now-production RamBox, the company has also patented a split-tailgate system which has not yet come to fruition.

Both General Motors and Ford offer various devices to load or unload their beds, including the F-150’s ladder and bumper-mounted steps on the Silverado.

#Patents #Pickup #Ram #Ramp #Trucks

Aaron Cole

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7 of 17 comments

Lou_BC on Jul 14, 2015

Good idea. Now Ram needs to make a 1/2 ton that can handle the extra weight. IIRC they are working on a HD 1/2 ton. About time.

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- RobertRyan on Jul 14, 2015
  
  Aftermarket suppliers in Australia already produce something like this. I thought it might be difficult to patent it?
  
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Quentin on Jul 14, 2015

This would only be brilliant if the ramps could be stored while your cargo is in the bed. If the track of your ATV put the tires over the ram ramp storage area, you would be in the same situation as any other ramps (tossing them on either side).

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- MBella on Jul 14, 2015
  
  I thought of this too. If the track of whatever you are transporting is the same as the width between the ramps in stored position you are SOL. I think the way the Home Depot trucks do it is way better where they store under the bed.
  
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BrunoT on Jul 15, 2015

If it's like the 'ram box' it will be hideously expensive. There are already aftermarket solutions for this type of ramp that are pretty sophisticated and cheap. (under $600) and they fold so they will be longer and safer. They lock into a installed lip on the tailgate for safety. But as someone who has used ramp systems in business, they need to either have a full width ramp (safer) or not bother. They will be asking for lawsuits from people who run off the narrow ramps (or pop wheelies going up too-short ramps). And beef up those tailgate cables to get that weight capacity up while you're at it.

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- Lou_BC on Jul 15, 2015
  
  BrunoT - the Ram box may be an interesting idea but it is expensive and cuts into box space. I'd say for 1/2 of pickup buyers (one's who don't really need pickups) a Ram box would be good because it gives them a place to put stuff that would normally end up in the cab. Me, I like access to the full box for bulky gear. I have a galvanized steel drybox I bought used in 1985 for $75 plus 75 for security upgrades. It has been in every pickup I own and can be emptied and removed in 20 minutes. That expensive Ram box stays with the truck.
  
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Slow_Joe_Crow on Jul 15, 2015

First thought is really clever, second thought is how do you stow the ramps with your quad or tractor sitting on top of the channels?

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