Forum Discussion

Grit_dog's avatar
Grit_dog
Navigator
May 05, 2021

Ramp door patio DIY. Whose done it?

So although I basically don’t even have time to replace the batteries and get everything up to snuff on the new camper, already thinking about making the back into a patio on our new to us Torque XLT T29
Sounded cheesy to me at first, but we mostly do summer camping and it has the rear screen wall, so leaving the ramp door open when ya can will be awesome!
Appears the ramp is rated for it as its advertised with that model, ours just doesn’t have the option on it.
Not interested in the $1000+ fence and stair setup. Just the cables and a step stool for access.
Anyone made their own?
I’ve found a couple “kits” all inclusive with the fencing and all and they’re $$$. One place makes a cable kit for like $175.
But looking at it, for under $50 in parts, it seems pretty easy to do with a trip to the hardware store and Amazon. Might even do epoxy swaged ends.

Anyone roll their own here and experience with it?
Adjustability? I can see adding a turnbuckle to each cable could be good, but assuming I just use Crosby clips and don’t swage the ends, I can make them the exact same length and still adjust if for some reason one cable is taking more load.
  • I did it back with our 2005 Raptor. Let me see if I still have my write up and photos.
  • If it's an option and they already have the strong points to tie into, you just need a set of cables of the appropriate length.

    Alternatively, you could get a couple of adjustable legs and run a board across the rubber stops that normally sit on the ground. Just need a way to secure it to the outside of the door.
  • I haven't seen any pictures lately, but plenty of people have posted pics here over the years. It's not a hard job.

    If you can, go visit a few local dealers and pretend you're kicking tires. Take a look at how the cables are anchored.

    I've also seen people fab braces out of jack stands, but that looks pretty iffy to me.

    As far as the fence goes, as long as you don't have dogs or little kids, you should be OK.

    As I type this though, I just remembered a friend in our group whose cables broke while he was standing on his ramp. He had his infant granddaughter in his arms at the time and had to tuck and roll to protect her. It was insane to see. This was on a bluff overlooking the beach, and he was lucky he didn't have one of the spots where his ramp cantilevered over the bluff.

    Be careful and go ahead and over-engineer it.