We are putting a fence in the back so we want him to walk right into it from the door
How do I make a ramp for our Old Dog Sam?
We purchased a beach house in Gulf Shores. It's in an area that requires us to be on stilts - 10' off the ground. We have wooden stairs but it's getting too much for Sam. Our grey faced friend is 13+ and we want it to be easier on him. If we cover it with plywood it could buckle. If we use 2x4 it would be amazingly heavy. Please give us some how's and what's.
Thank you.
Dog Tired in Gulf Shores
This is Sam and his adopted sister Nollie.
"Thanks for helping me"
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I would build a frame from wood and then use metal sheeting for the ramp part. You can use the ribbed kind so it isn't too slippery.
I think I have heard of Marine plywood that probably wouldn't buckle
I'm not a carpenter, but I made a small 8 ft ramp out of plywood to go over the top of 4 steps. I stained the entire thing with an oil based stain and then used liquid nails to cover the top of the ramp with a 1/2 inch thick yoga mat, so my dog would have traction. I glued/covered the sides with pool noodles to cover the raw edges and also help keep my dog on the ramp. I added a handle underneath so I could easily move it. Yours of course is much bigger, but I thought you would at least get an idea of what I did.
Oh, your pups are cuties!
Why not make him some sort of doggy elevator made with a rope and pulley system where he would get in it like a box that latched so it wouldn't come open while going up or down and just pull him up like an old fashion dumbwaiter or like farmers use for bails of hay except with a doggy box on it (that latches).
Just a thought...that way you would have minimal construction involved and it would also serve a dual purpose of being able to get supplies up and down to the deck.
I bought carpeting from Home depot to use on my ramp. It is the kind that has ribs in it. Gives them grip.
How about using bathtub safety strips on the wood?
when I got married my father in law to be was wheelchair bound but the reception hall had a 6' flight of steps to enter - pre-ADA days. We built a ramp w/ a sheet of 5/8" exterior grad ply cut in half lengthwise, with 2x4s nailed to each edge to stiffen & put a little lip to avoid rolling off - we supported the middle joint - where ends of both halves met, nailed to another 2/x4 (or 4X^?) with a pair of car jacks. It was cheap, quick, removable & reusable...and a heck of a different bachlorette party to have your bridesmaids build a wheelchair ramp with you!
There are numerous sites online showing ramps. Unfortunately, they are all for vehicles or beds. I think putting Sam in a good harness and lifting him up to a platform ledge and make part of your railing a hinged gate would be more comfortable for him. If you want the ramp, you might find someone who can build an aluminum ramp with non skid strips on it like you would use for a pull down attic ladder. It can attach underneath the floor of your upper deck.
excavate base for gear x driven screw pole under lawn at grassed corner. cage I= has 3 fixed sides. one side L is on base frame [ in ground and raises before cage moves up. same side L stops at floor [] of wood deck. screw pole goes up through hole 1/2 holes in 2 hinged deck floor openings < that raise and lower as cage comes up or down.
-x-[L---I=-----------------L--[]
Hi Check out this article I would build this ramp with a landing or 2 inbetween to get to the height and an incline that works for Sam
https://foxandbrie.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/diy-dog-ramp/
Good luck with your project!
Lots of posts here on building a ramp: Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk