Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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I looked at the Desert Fox 38', really liked the unit. The one thing that just didn't make sense was the ramp door didn't touch the ground, instead it had additional ramps. Is this for the 05's or are others this way? Just seems like a hassle and I don't see the benefit other than ramp not being as steep. Is the AF the only one with this type of setup?
* This post was
edited 01/14/05 08:16pm by Y-Guy *
Winnebago Sightseer 35J | Custom ATV Trailer | Polaris Sportsmans & Honda Recons
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B&TA
RIght here right now
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Joined: 07/09/2003
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Don't you mean Desert Fox? I'm not sure but that may have started on the 04 models. I have a 2004 21SW model, and my ramp is the same way. I think you're right..... it helps keep the angle of the ramp from being so steep. They're not that big of a pain in a$$ that it would keep me from buying one of the best toy haulers on the market. I marked the ramp where the smaller ramps fit in so I don't have to guess every time how far apart to place them.
Bill & Terry
Scooter, "The Guard Dog"
2007 Sea Breeze 1321 Ford F-53 (but we call her "LUCY")
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04superduty
Michigan
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Joined: 08/22/2004
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the ramp door is thick because it has to support alot of weight, so they put the flip down ramp so you dont have a 2" bump to go up. there also might be some insulation in the door also.
04 F350 6.0PSD/TS EC SB
07 Outback Sydney edition
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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Thanks Scott, good idea on marking the ramp. And yes, meant Desert Fox too!
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deltabravo
WA state (where it rains a lot)
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There were several variations.
I bought my 2003 in Feb 2003, it's ramp touches the ground.
On the 04 and newer models, they put little legs on the ramp door, so the ramp sits maybe 6 inches or so off the ground. On the 04's there was a flip down ramp extension made of plywood and covered with diammond plate that folded over the ramp when it was up, then when you dropped the ramp door, you flipped it over to hit the ground - it extended from the ramp to the ground.
Late 04's (maybe) and then the 05's still have the little legs, but use the add on ramps... that setup is nicer than the flip over ramp extension in my opinion because the ramp extension sort of looked tacky from the inside when the ramp door was up. My frined's 04 has the ramp extension, my 03 doesn't
From my experiences in 2 season of using my DF, sometimes I camp where the ground isn't exactly level, and having the ramp door legs like the 04's and newer have would be nice because on more than one occasion I've had to put a few blocks of wood under the ramp so it wasn't quite so steep. see my rig by clicking on the link in my signature below. I've added a lot of cool features to it.
Doug
2002 Chevy 2500HD LT CC, SB, 4x4, 6.0L gasser, TTT Mirrors
2003 21SW Desert Fox LED lights, 2kw inverter
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Paul ADK
Mayfield, NY USA
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Having the short legs also keeps the top of the door from being muddied or chewed up from direct contact with the ground. Just remember to carry a couple extra wood blocks. Sometimes you will need them to keep one leg from dangling in the air on uneven ground.
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RambleOn
Livermore, CA
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Joined: 10/13/2003
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I think the main reason for this is so that the ramp isn't as long. This means that you don't have to have the trailer be soo tall in the rear like some. So yes, it's for lessening the angle of the ramp and I believe for keeping the ramp shorter overall. I loved that trailer but at the time couldn't spring for it...also it was a lot heavier than the one we ended up with and we were towing with an F150 in those days. I think someone should come up with a system that self levels the ramp for uneven terrain. I always have to block one side or the other unless we're at a really flat spot (rarely where we camp and ride).
If we ever wear this one out we will look at Desert Fox again.
RideOn,
J
2003 Ragen 21-G TH
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deltabravo
WA state (where it rains a lot)
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I end up having to level with a block of wood too, seems like I'm never level side to side at the back, and sometime the back slopes down which really makes the ramp steep.
The DF is one heavy beast... it gives my 6.0 2500HD a workout that's for sure.
As for the ramp door on the DFs, they are pretty stout. I was at the Tacoma, WA RV show last Sunday and was amazed at how flimsy the ramps are on some of the new toy haulers I looked at.
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