Lippert loading ramp door indentations

[harleyrider03]

We have a 2014 XLR Thunderbolt 350x12. We have owned the toyhauler since Labor Day 2014. Loaded and unloaded our Road King twice and it left indentation in the loading door. Was replaced in Nov 2014. Used the toy hauler and loaded the Road King twice again this spring and now there is indentations in the ramp door again. Tag on door says wheel weight can be 1000# each. Bike may weigh 1000# with me on it. Frustrating! Anyone else have problems with the Lippert ramp door?

[WolfWhistle]

That has to be frustrating... our models are different but, no distortion on mine. I do run my bike up closer to center... it looks like you are in between rubber snubbers supports... (That rest on the ground) My triumph weighs a little bit less, but with me on it, almost the same as your's.

[harleyrider03]

On the original door i did run it in the center and that is where the indentation started. I thought if I came up the side there might be a brace. I can't seem to find a description as to how the door is constructed.

[ZNR XLR]

harleyrider03,
I have the same frustration with my brand new 27HFS. My 08 Ultra has been up and down the ramp a grand total of one time (once up and once down) and I have the same crease right up the middle of the door. Appears to me that I drove my wheel(s) right where there may be a joint in the underlying structure because the indentation is absolutely straight up and down the length of the ramp. My first thought was what a stupid way to align the substructure since you know toys will be going up and down the longitudinal axis of the door...why not align the substructure going horizontally across the ramp? Neither here nor there. Anyway, talked to dealer and they're replacing ramp under warranty, but that won't happen until the new ramp arrives. I am definitely disappointed to hear that this is happening to your SECOND ramp. My dealer also informed me they have another customer with the same issue. Appears there is obviously a manufacturing flaw at best and a design flaw at worst. FR needs to jump into Lippert's knickers and get these ramps corrected. If you can't take a full sized Harley into an expensive toy hauler when the sticker states up to 1000# PER wheel, then they are not worth the money. Not all of us want to haul only dirt bikes and golf carts (not that there's anything wrong with that). I'll be monitoring this thread to see how you make out and I'll also post when I finally get my ramp replaced. Good Luck

[breezyhillfarm]

I put some diamond steel plates up the ramp. Spreads the weight.

[ZNR XLR]

Definitely an option. Did you put it over the entire surface area of the ramp or just where your wheels go? How wide a strip and how did you secure the diamond plate to the ramp door surface? Any issues being slick during loading and unloading if it is raining?

[Pierre Allard]

Had a wolf Pack Cherokee 27 ft with loading ramp before and was loading a Boss Hoss 1,200 pds plus me for 4 years never had this running strip, now have Spartan 1234X and same no problem but I must tell you that I put caulking around edge of ramp on both side (outside and inside) so no water can go under and reach plywood, if you get water under edge (left ramp open or while travelling) the plywood will become softer and seems like never dry I believe caulking it is a sure way to preserve your ramp plywood from becoming soft even if manufacturer says it is marine plywood and treated for water.

[breezyhillfarm]

ZNR XLR the plates were 18" x 24" and I put them in the middle of the ramp with stainless steel screws. I didn't have any problems when it was wet. I imagine if the ramp was steep it might be. YMMV

[bulletbob]

I will share this with lippert. Trust me, I'm not afraid to get in their butt. These doors (as long as they are new and under warranty) will be taken care of. As far as the doors having plywood...There is no plywood in the doors. It is all foam, glass and a composite material. On the VIP doors there is an additional sheet of aluminum on the inside for added structure for pointed items that may come in contact ie: table leggs, chair feet etc.

[harleyrider03]

Thank you Bullit Bob. I couldn't find how the doors were constructed. The foam and composite material does explain why the door has impressions where I run the bike up into the garage area to pull into the motorcycle chock that I have mounted to the tie downs. When it does get replaced do you suppose it would be possible to pay extra for the VIP door or at least wait to replace the door until they redesign it. I'm afraid that if the dealer just orders another door the same thing will happen again.

[bpadamson]

I wonder when they stopped using plywood? Our 07 295wp has plywood with spray traction grip stuff sprayed on it as top layer.

[bulletbob]

We stopped building them that way about 8 years ago.

[Curtster122]

I have a 2013 380 amp that I purchased in May of 2014. I have loaded my blue dress Harley several times and now I found that the actual door is breaking away from the hinges. I actually have my Harley still strapped in because I'm afraid the door will break off while I am in the process of unloading. I feel that this is a safety issue considering all the other reports I've seen on this forum

[bulletbob]

Post a picture of that.

[Curtster122]

The picture of my feet is to show how the door sags when weight is on the door. The hinges are breaking through the finished fiberglass exterior when weight is applied.

[bulletbob]

Looking at the pictures leads me to believe that the seal was not maintained properly around the door. It looks as though water has gotten into the door and caused it to delam.

[Curtster122]

I never had water inside the garage. How would water get in between the inside and outter laminate?

[bulletbob]

The extrusions are pressed on then sealed where the metal touches the exterior glass. Any seal void on that will allow watet to get inside the core of the door.

[Curtster122]

What does this mean for me? I'm screwed right. Lippert won't warranty a leaking door after 2 years.

[bulletbob]

Not necessarily. I just sent you a pm