Making a Reinforced Coroplast Ramp

[spy9doc]

Disclaimer: I can't take full credit for these directions. They evolved as the result of a discussion between Kathlaaron and me.

Materials you will need:

* Strong wire cutter
* Straight strong wire - the bottom straight piece of a wire hanger worked the best for me.
* Coroplast (corrugated plastic)
* Velcro
* Some kind of durable door mat with rubber underneath, carpet on top; OR indoor/outdoor carpet, OR rubber stair tread material with the ribs placed crosswise (transversely)
* Wide clear packing tape (maybe)
* Binder edging (available at Michael's Crafts......called "poster hangars")
* Decent strong scissors
* Measuring tape/yardstick
* Pen/Marker
* Razor knife cutter

Measure out the height, width, and length you want for your ramp. The sides are usually 3 1/2" sides (unless you have "jumpers" in which case you may want them to be 5") with a 5 1/2 inch base. The length of the ramp is from 25-28 inches long, depending on the pitch of the finished ramp (the steepness).

So, now you start with a piece of coroplast that is 28 inches long by 12 1/2 inches wide; mark your score lines for the 3 1/2" sides and 5 1/2" base. Score the coroplast into three sections before bending the sides up.

Thread four pieces of wire (evenly spaced) through the squarish holes in the coroplast......through all three pieces. Cover the base of the ramp with a thin rubber-backed doormat, indoor/outdoor carpeting, or stairtread material. Now make a slightly slimmer long strip (~ 8") that will be attached to the floor of the ramp (strong clear mail packing tape or industrial strength velcro), so that you can slide that long piece underneath your "loft, bridge, or whatnot" for a good secure attachment.

You can use velcro to attach the ramp covering, or heavy duty double-sided tape. I highly suggest using binder edging (purchased online or at Michael's craft store) on the sides and bottom of your ramp. The coroplast is just too tempting to chew! The binder MUST be put onto the ramp before the final step of bending the sides up into its final configuration

After using my ramp for a few months, I found that any sort of carpeting will begin to retain odor and will need to be replaced or washed fairly often. I solved the problem by using the aforementioned stair tread material......easy to clean and no odor.

Your finished ramp should look something like this, with the stair tread material to the right:





If you aren't inclined to attempt your own ramp, then I highly suggest that you buy one from Sue:

Decks & Ramps

Good price and great service!

[mickey1007]

Question - where did you get the rubber stair tread? I have tried the carpeting previously and it does get icky so I would like to try the rubber stair thread but am having issues finding it.

Awesome instructions ... just what I was looking for, thank you!!

[CavySpirit]

I just wanted to add that this design for the ramp started from Sue on our store a few years ago. Not that it matters, really. As we've discussed before, different people can come up with the same idea, but I'm pretty sure that this one did start with Sue and her husband. It does make for a very sturdy ramp. We continue to use this on the cage ramps that we sell.

And we've got some awesome new products coming out on our new store very soon. Can't wait to share it with everyone. We are all very excited about it.

[pinky]

When I had a second level, I made fleece pads that were the same width, but slightly longer than the ramp. I sewed a strip of velcro to the underside of the top edge of the ramp fleece piece and another to the edge of the fleece piece on the upper level to hold the ramp fleece in place. It worked great. It gave the pigs a lot of traction, it was soft on their little feet and I could wash it with the bedding.

[spy9doc]

this design for the ramp started from Sue on our store a few years ago. Not that it matters, really. As we've discussed before, different people can come up with the same idea, but I'm pretty sure that this one did start with Sue and her husband.

Absolutely.......it's not an original idea and came out of a discussion with another forum member. And you'll notice that I say if one is not creative enough to make it, I provide a link to Sue's products.

[spy9doc]

Question - where did you get the rubber stair tread? I have tried the carpeting previously and it does get icky so I would like to try the rubber stair thread but am having issues finding it.

Awesome instructions ... just what I was looking for, thank you!!

You're welcome! The rubber stair tread is from Home Depot and comes on a roll. I *think* it is sold by the foot or yard......you'll find it in the flooring & tile section. Yes, I found that the carpet smelled within a month. The ramp is much easier to clean with the stair tread material and doesn't accumulate odor.

[mickey1007]

My ramp is from Sue! I bought it over 18 months ago and it still looks brand new except for the carpeting. The ramp is an awesome design and I encourage anyone who wants to buy one to buy this ramp as it's safe, very sturdy and very much worth the cost.

I tried the fleece over the carpeting but it was too slippery and the girls just slid down it. Then they would just nudge it to the side going up so they could get some traction.

Since I have to replace the carpet again, I want to try the stair tread to see how it works and if the girls like it. So thank you very much for the reply - going to Home Depot tonight!

[spy9doc]

Just as an afterthought........there are a couple of ways to attach the stair tread material. One would be with industrial strength wide sticky-back velcro, and the other would be with heavy duty double-sided tape.

When I do the weekly cage cleaning, I just spray the ramp with a vinegar/water mix, scrub with a stiff bristle brush, and then wipe dry. The stair tread material has worked like a charm and I've never considered going back to the carpet.

[pinky]

My ramp is from Sue! I bought it over 18 months ago and it still looks brand new except for the carpeting. The ramp is an awesome design and I encourage anyone who wants to buy one to buy this ramp as it's safe, very sturdy and very much worth the cost.

I tried the fleece over the carpeting but it was too slippery and the girls just slid down it. Then they would just nudge it to the side going up so they could get some traction.

Since I have to replace the carpet again, I want to try the stair tread to see how it works and if the girls like it. So thank you very much for the reply - going to Home Depot tonight!

I tried a single layer of fleece and it didn't work, either. The fleece pads worked very well, though. They had fleece on two sides and cotton batting in the middle. The guinea pigs never slid around since the pad was secured with velcro. What I liked best about it was that I could wash it with the other bedding so the ramp was never soiled.

[mickey1007]

I tried a single layer of fleece and it didn't work, either. The fleece pads worked very well, though. They had fleece on two sides and cotton batting in the middle. The guinea pigs never slid around since the pad was secured with velcro. What I liked best about it was that I could wash it with the other bedding so the ramp was never soiled.

I understand what you are saying now, that is a good idea!! Now I am torn as to which I'm going to try. I guess I'll just do both and see which works out better.

Thank you both for all your help!