How do I make a ramp for our Old Dog Sam?

Lak33657791
by Lak33657791

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

We are putting a fence in the back so we want him to walk right into it from the door

This is Sam and his adopted sister Nollie.

"Thanks for helping me"

  12 answers
  • Lisa Hunt Lisa Hunt on Sep 26, 2018

    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.

    • Bobbi Jo Daudelin Bobbi Jo Daudelin on Sep 27, 2018

      Metal Sheeting will get to hot in Gulf Shores. I would recommend a narrow for him frame made of wood and covered with weather plywood with wood strips so he doesn't slip when it gets wet.

  • Rymea Rymea on Sep 26, 2018

    I think I have heard of Marine plywood that probably wouldn't buckle

  • Julianna Smith Julianna Smith on Sep 27, 2018

    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.

  • Julianna Smith Julianna Smith on Sep 27, 2018

    Oh, your pups are cuties!


  • Adastra62 Adastra62 on Sep 27, 2018

    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.


  • SM SM on Sep 27, 2018

    I bought carpeting from Home depot to use on my ramp. It is the kind that has ribs in it. Gives them grip.

  • Patricia Orrico Paul Patricia Orrico Paul on Sep 27, 2018

    How about using bathtub safety strips on the wood?

  • P P on Sep 27, 2018

    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!

  • Denise Denise on Sep 27, 2018

    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.

  • JIM HICKS JIM HICKS on Sep 29, 2018

    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--[]

  • DD DD on Oct 09, 2018

    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!

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Dec 12, 2020

    Lots of posts here on building a ramp: Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk