GT Engineering Students Need Your Input!

[GT_Engineer]

Hi all, my name is Ben, and I am on an Senior Undergraduate Engineering Design Team at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. Our team is designing an automated device, operated by only one person, that loads an ATV into the bed of a pickup truck (instead of using a simple ramp).

We would appreciate your input to this problem by answering the questions below. We are trying to get a feel for the market for this type of product.

Please reply to this post with your answers to the questions below:

1. What kind of ATV do you own (make, model)?

2. How do you transport it currently (pickup, trailer, etc.)? How many people does this require to load it?

3. If you own a pickup truck, would you buy an automated device that safely loads your ATV into your truck?

4. If you do not have a pickup truck, hypothetically if you did have one, would you buy a device like this?

5. What is the maximum price you would pay for a device like this?

6. Can we contact you later about this project? If yes, please PM me with your e-mail address and name.

Thank you very much for your input! If you would like to contact our team, you can e-mail us at gogomoto.gt[at]gmail.com.

[marioweldinginc]

1- 2003 Honda 400EX

2- Dodge 2500 Cargo Van. Requires one person to load and unload with folding ramps.

3- No and No

4- No

5- $300

6- No

[GT_Engineer]

Thanks for the reply, any and all data we can get is much appreciated!

[Tagels]

1. 2004 Honda TRX450R

2. Ether in a pickup truck or trailer, it takes 1 to load into the trailer and 2 into the truck because we dont have good ramps.

3. Maybe, if i had the money to spend on something like that but i dont have the money, so probably not

4. Same answer as above ^

5. $500

6. No

[marioweldinginc]

Maybe this could be a dealer installed option.

[GT_Engineer]

Maybe this could be a dealer installed option.

We were thinking about this, if this design ever goes to market, it could maybe come packaged.

And thanks everyone for the input so far, keep it coming!

[marioweldinginc]

Would this device be mechanical (springs or tension rods) or electrical. Would you be able to remove it or is it bolted onto the truck?

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[GT_Engineer]

Would this device be mechanical (springs or tension rods) or electrical. Would you be able to remove it or is it bolted onto the truck?

We are still in the process of gathering data and clarifying the problem, so we don't have any specifics on how this device would work. But we do want to make it so there do not have to be any permanent modifications to the truck (therefore removable).

[quadnut20]

We are still in the process of gathering data and clarifying the problem, so we don't have any specifics on how this device would work. But we do want to make it so there do not have to be any permanent modifications to the truck (therefore removable).

But will this lift be removeable by one person ! and what weight will it be !!

[GT_Engineer]

But will this lift be removeable by one person ! and what weight will it be !!

Yes, the device would be able to be operated and assembled/disassembled by one person. Weight, not sure yet, that will be worked out in the later phases of design. Right now, we do not have any concepts in mind, we are just trying to get a feel for the market for a device like this.

[wylde1]

1.01 Polaris Trailblazer 250

2.Pickup and just me

3.Nope, I have no problem loading it with my ramps

4.No

5.NA

6.NA

[quadnut20]

Yes, the device would be able to be operated and assembled/disassembled by one person. Weight, not sure yet, that will be worked out in the later phases of design. Right now, we do not have any concepts in mind, we are just trying to get a feel for the market for a device like this.

Cool simalur to a wheelchair type device? But also I think cost will be a factor also ! JMO

Edited September 27, 2011 by quadnut20

[marioweldinginc]

Ive seen ones for dirtbikes that are similar to the cargo holders that mount to the receiver hitch. Would they be able to make one strong enough for an atv .. Maybe a small sport quad

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[GT_Engineer]

Both of those are valid ideas, we would need to perform some more analysis on that. But thanks everyone so far for the data, if there's anyone else out there who would like to weigh in and answer these quesions, please do!

[rappy97]

1. 2006 Raptor 350 and 2007 Raptor 700

2. Truck or trailer, takes 2-3 people...

3. Maybe

4. Maybe

5. Depends...

6. Nah

[hangingon]

02 kawasaki prairie 650 & 2000 e-ton 90

The 90 goes in the truck load it myself

the 650 goes on the trailer just drive it on myself

No! I would not want something thats going to add weight and take up space in my truck bed.

No

No more than a set of ramps they work good their lite weight and won't cost an arm & leg.

no

[hangingon]

Here is something to think about my truck is a quad cab Dodge Dakota the bed is only 5'3" so their is not much too work with. If I load my prairie on my truck you can't close the tailgate and it's 2 to 3 inches from hanging off the tailgate I don't mean the rack or hitch I'm talking about the rear tires.

[swampcat07]

Here are some ideas.

My fifth wheel is removeable from the back of my truck, when removed it is almost flush with the bed and it can hold alot of capacity. Maybe you can use similar anchor points.

Some companies have a similar product that is similar to a roll back but they are heavy and costly. (I will try and post links later)

ATVs can weight over 1000lbs when fitted with gear. Dry weights are around 800lbs now.

If the device can not only lift the ATV but secure it against falling out and theft that would be a plus. Maybe it can even support the weight of the ATV on the tailgate.

Good luck with the project.

[WillyPoP]

cool concept...post pics when you have a prototype!

[Ichoptop]

I milled some blocks with posts that mount in place of the bed hook mounts in my dads F250. He was having trouble getting in and out of the bed of his truck after his stroke. He pulls up to the ramp and lets his winch cable out and loops it around a piece of heavy walled exhaust tube I cut to length to fit. I drilled a hole on each side to slide over the posts then he lets the winch pull it into the truck.

I could very easily revers it so a small electric winch mounts in the truck bed and you pull the cable out to the quad.

[marioweldinginc]

Sounds familiar to my idea. I was using a rechargable Pullzall with a tow strap wrapped around my van seat posts to pull my atv in. Found out its so much quicker to just push it in. The van floor is only 2 ft high so the ramps arent steep

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[Stoopidbot1]

Would be a nice feature to have, a automated loading devise. But you need to keep the price lower than a set of ramps and a small winch mounted in the bed of a truck and what kind of space is going to be needed to house/store this devise???

[swampcat07]

Here is a link but it is expensive GoodGuys Powersports Specialties Motorcycle Gear and Powersports Accessories

[marioweldinginc]

Wow that is expensive. Keep it simple please

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[pete59edsel]

1. What kind of ATV do you own (make, model)? Have 4. But 2004 Suzuki Eiger

2. How do you transport it currently (pickup, trailer, etc.)? How many people does this require to load it? Pick-up or tilt trailer. Just 1, myself.

3. If you own a pickup truck, would you buy an automated device that safely loads your ATV into your truck? Not even tempted.

4. If you do not have a pickup truck, hypothetically if you did have one, would you buy a device like this? Not a chance

5. What is the maximum price you would pay for a device like this? Zero, if I won it, I'd sell it.

6. Can we contact you later about this project? If yes, please PM me with your e-mail address and name. No, just not interested..good luck though!!!

[marioweldinginc]

[5. What is the maximum price you would pay for a device like this? Zero, if I won it, I'd sell it.

[pete59edsel]

Thanks!!!! I'm here all week. Just being honest my friend.

[CK1999_400ex]

i own 5 quads rite now ... it usually takes 1 or 2 to load them we use a tralor some times and load in the truck also ... my biggest quad weighs over 800 lbs and is a bear to load in the truck without ramps ... i have ramps and use them but have loaded with out them .. i think it would be a great item to have ... i also have snowmobiles and it would be a great item to have for thoes also ...