Love that you show the fails. Encourages us that mess up all the time. For the incline...perhaps add some wedges under the "stair treads" that you could glue or screw on to the ramp then reinstall the composite boards. Even 10-15 degrees would be enough to make some "steps." As always, enjoy your videos!
I am strongly considering build g this for inside as a dog ramp to my bed. The only thing I would change is to put plywood on top and cover the plywood with artificial turf
I need to do a similar project for my two small critters. I'm thinking cross brace or simple 2x4 set in place at the bottom between each of of the legs just to make certain there is no way for them to get kicked in, keeping them in their proper vertical position, With my big feet I can easily visualize me walking up to it and accidently kicking the bottom of one of the legs causing it to misalign. This is an absolutely perfect DIY video... GREAT JOB! Thanks for sharing!
We were in a rent house and I could put a dog door in. We have two smaller dogs. I put a dog door in plywood and sealed it in a window and used a strip to lock the window shut so you couldn't open it. Made a little ramp and some stairs inside they could use to go in and out. Not a high as yours, but worked like a champ. Not sure, but you might check with the manufacture of a decking. Some say you have to seal ends so they don't swell. I would just add a bit of length to the ramp. Since you hinged it will work easy and make the angle even less. Maybe a just a little separate "base" ramp with a cleat to accept and attach the original ramp to making it sort of a bridge.
Im working on my entire back yard, as many times as I have to go to Lowes or Home Depot, im having to add fuel cost to my total build expense. Good to know Im not the only one that has to make multiple trips.
Great video, I think this is my 3rd or 4th channel I have that follows shop nation! Excellent work, and great vibes! This is one of the few channels that gives me motivation to keep making my own content!
For my 5 Chihuahuas I had to make my ramp 8' long so the wouldn't slid around and I used the same materials and bought anti skid clear spray also great video as always.
I think it's pretty good. I agree about the grip tape being needed - the little guys are likely to slide and become uncomfortable about using it in bad weather. Snow won't be a problem, but ice and wet leaves will be. Side note - spray silicone/PTFE lubricant into the nuts and on the screws of the feet to slow the deterioration due to water.
Fun coincidence, I had to build a small ramp for my dog and her new doggy door this past weekend! Now I think I will go back later and use composite decking for the top.
Good job. If you want to help dogs with traction, do what chicken coops do - add little pieces of wood in between the panels that are higher than the panels, so the dog feet will grip to it if needed.
For my pet steps I built for my service dog to get up onto my bed I used some self adhesive traction pads I purchased at the big blue hardware store and I cut them down to size and installed them onto the steps to help her gain some traction climbing the steps.
Use the gap in the treads for a little bump rail to prevent slipping or cover with indoor/outdoor carpet it is cooler in hot summer months in direct sunlight.
Now that I finished watching the video, you might try a stain or paint that offers grit for them so they don’t slip. The surface boards I bought are “natural composite” decking boards that are two sided. One side is much smoother, the other is I guess scratchy but ik my two dogs love to fly out of the door so I’ll probably use the rougher side. Or use your router or a circular saw and cut thin grooves where they’ll step to give some friction for icy days
I've made a lot of dog ramps. The angle is important. As they get older it gets harder for them to go up a steep surface. When they get older I would reduce the angle a bit. They also slide easily. I had one dog that would lift up her nails and slide down on her pads. So funny. I have a lot of ramps in my house for them to be able to join me on the sofa and chairs. Mine are small too.
6:30 Make the ramp longer, and lay carpet (runner) That surface will be slippery and a runner is cheap and holds up to the elements pretty well. Staple it in place.
Travis, can you add floor heating elements to the ramp and prevent ice and snow from sticking... might cost a little more than tape but then its good year round... just a thought
Only suggestion would maybe be on the ramp. Stair have flat steps for traction and leveling. Maybe unscrew the lower screw on the ramp planks and shim them so it will be more flatter for the incline. Otherwise, great small project solution.
Great idea, just wondering if that won’t be too slippery in when it rains and snows. Just love this quick DIY, you seem very organized and have all right equipment. My partner could take a leaf from your book, at least now he’s trying to make a ramp so my mini pooch can go up to my bed!. I’m upholstering it too. I’ll try..
A small yet solid project. Your dogs are cute! It might just be the string of cynical videos I watched on TH-cam prior to yours but, I half expected the solution to be something like “we bought a bigger dog, problem solved” lol. All in all it’s as you said, a good Sunday project!
Weird! Your video came out just in time lol! I just installed my first through wall doggy door (it’s scary as shit busting through a wall) anyways I’m now on the task of building a platform and step that extends not just the dog door exit but also the door we use next to it. Initially I thought I’d have to build new steps for us humans and a platform for the dogs separately but it worked out to give us humans some foot movement room at the top since I have two dogs that jut out from all directions anyways. Essentially two steps with one being a platform but I’d thought about an actual ramp since I have two Aussies. One is mini the other Standard size and anyways it seems anytime someone has stitches or whatever my mini struggles to hop up steps. Anyways long story short I’m going with a 20” platform and 10” step/run with total of 8” risers. I hated to go with risers above 7 1/2” but as far as my calculations are it’s what I need. I decided to go with building boxes rather than the traditional risers we see. Looks cleaner I guess. Thanks for recording this!
I'd maybe raise the end of the ramp to the same height as a stair step , obviously they can get up stairs . Bringing it up another inch or 2 might make a much better angle . Otherwise yes add skateboard grip tape
Your videos are awesome. One thing that would be nice is if the music quite so loud. If I have the volume up so I can hear you the music is too loud. But otherwise your videos are great.
My only critique with this video is I wish you would have covered exactly what you would’ve done differently. I think you owe it to your viewers to either expound on that statement in this video or do another video explaining how you would improve this project. I would certainly like to build this with your upgraded recommendations so it would be a better dog ramp instead of building a dog ramp you consider to be sub par.
Bear with me here, but what if you flip the composite decking upside down? It looks like it'll be a bunch of grooves that the dogs might get better traction on in rainy / snowy weather. I've never used composite decking before though so I don't know if it'll be to rough on the underside.
Very nice build, would it be better to turn the treads the other way around for a better grip? plus what about putting a fold out piece at the bottom of the ramp, a scrap piece with a piece of the tread on top so it blends in, see if it works or looks ok if not then take it off and try something else. Stay Safe, Barry (ENG)
I would add a small guard rail for the top. That’s a big drop for small dogs. For the treads, could you add two or three beads of silicone or something for grip treads?
I agree. Don't need much, just an inch or so rise around the edges (wood or ripped bits of composite decking). Sliding while going up or down the ramp is no big deal, but sliding *off* the platform and sides of ramp could be a problem.
Maybe rip the left over composite and make 1” treads for the dogs to climb. Or if they are the athletic type you can add those fun rock wall climbing grips 😂
Love the channel, but I think I finally found a mistake. Experience has taught me the hard way that t-nuts are only for fastening through wood, not for use on the same side. Those screw-in deals for table legs would be better. Gravity will save you here, but keep that in mind the next time you’re standing in front of those hardware drawers at Lowe’s figuring out how you’re gonna get there.
Love the quick vid. How’s the shop going? You look a little out of place. Saw on the ground etc. :-) you’re the best. Hope the fam is well. When is kid 2 coming? Lol
Get bigger dogs ;-) jk Maybe some outdoor carpet will give the traction they need, if it’s an issue. Or make the ramp extend out a little further to the corner of that porch (2-3ft)
Love that you show the fails. Encourages us that mess up all the time. For the incline...perhaps add some wedges under the "stair treads" that you could glue or screw on to the ramp then reinstall the composite boards. Even 10-15 degrees would be enough to make some "steps."
As always, enjoy your videos!
I really like this. I would like to see something similar, but intended strictly for indoors, more specifically, to help dogs get on or off a bed.
I am strongly considering build g this for inside as a dog ramp to my bed. The only thing I would change is to put plywood on top and cover the plywood with artificial turf
If you flip the treads upside-down, the dogs will have more grip surface to walk on.
Then that would look tacky
Funny, exactly what i was going to suggest .... and as to 'tacky' .... utility of looks any day
My dad did a similar project, he put 2x2's at the "bottom of the tread". Worked great. Love your videos.
I need to do a similar project for my two small critters. I'm thinking cross brace or simple 2x4 set in place at the bottom between each of of the legs just to make certain there is no way for them to get kicked in, keeping them in their proper vertical position, With my big feet I can easily visualize me walking up to it and accidently kicking the bottom of one of the legs causing it to misalign. This is an absolutely perfect DIY video... GREAT JOB! Thanks for sharing!
We were in a rent house and I could put a dog door in. We have two smaller dogs. I put a dog door in plywood and sealed it in a window and used a strip to lock the window shut so you couldn't open it. Made a little ramp and some stairs inside they could use to go in and out. Not a high as yours, but worked like a champ. Not sure, but you might check with the manufacture of a decking. Some say you have to seal ends so they don't swell. I would just add a bit of length to the ramp. Since you hinged it will work easy and make the angle even less. Maybe a just a little separate "base" ramp with a cleat to accept and attach the original ramp to making it sort of a bridge.
Great job brother!!! I'm building one today for our bed and this video helped me a ton. Thanks
Im working on my entire back yard, as many times as I have to go to Lowes or Home Depot, im having to add fuel cost to my total build expense. Good to know Im not the only one that has to make multiple trips.
Skateboard tape on the deck boards would do it but looks good and these kind of projects always take longer than you'd think
Cool idea, beautiful house!!!
Great video, I think this is my 3rd or 4th channel I have that follows shop nation! Excellent work, and great vibes! This is one of the few channels that gives me motivation to keep making my own content!
For my 5 Chihuahuas I had to make my ramp 8' long so the wouldn't slid around and I used the same materials and bought anti skid clear spray also great video as always.
I think it's pretty good. I agree about the grip tape being needed - the little guys are likely to slide and become uncomfortable about using it in bad weather. Snow won't be a problem, but ice and wet leaves will be.
Side note - spray silicone/PTFE lubricant into the nuts and on the screws of the feet to slow the deterioration due to water.
The feet hardware are 304SS luckily but still probably worth doing!
Fun coincidence, I had to build a small ramp for my dog and her new doggy door this past weekend! Now I think I will go back later and use composite decking for the top.
Clever...good thinking...good to see you again...
If you can find a few roofing shingles, they make great traction aids for stairs.
Good job. If you want to help dogs with traction, do what chicken coops do - add little pieces of wood in between the panels that are higher than the panels, so the dog feet will grip to it if needed.
Going to get my materials now. Thank you so much !. Might build a set of rails on mine.
If you haven't made at least 2 extra trips to lowes, you're not done yet
For my pet steps I built for my service dog to get up onto my bed I used some self adhesive traction pads I purchased at the big blue hardware store and I cut them down to size and installed them onto the steps to help her gain some traction climbing the steps.
Gotta love the old measure the air technique , works every time
Use the gap in the treads for a little bump rail to prevent slipping or cover with indoor/outdoor carpet it is cooler in hot summer months in direct sunlight.
Now that I finished watching the video, you might try a stain or paint that offers grit for them so they don’t slip. The surface boards I bought are “natural composite” decking boards that are two sided. One side is much smoother, the other is I guess scratchy but ik my two dogs love to fly out of the door so I’ll probably use the rougher side. Or use your router or a circular saw and cut thin grooves where they’ll step to give some friction for icy days
I've made a lot of dog ramps. The angle is important. As they get older it gets harder for them to go up a steep surface. When they get older I would reduce the angle a bit. They also slide easily. I had one dog that would lift up her nails and slide down on her pads. So funny. I have a lot of ramps in my house for them to be able to join me on the sofa and chairs. Mine are small too.
6:30 Make the ramp longer, and lay carpet (runner) That surface will be slippery and a runner is cheap and holds up to the elements pretty well. Staple it in place.
Oh what we will do for our fur babies! I'm owned by 3 Jack Russell's so I know exactly what you are going through. Super cool video!
Travis, can you add floor heating elements to the ramp and prevent ice and snow from sticking... might cost a little more than tape but then its good year round... just a thought
Only suggestion would maybe be on the ramp. Stair have flat steps for traction and leveling. Maybe unscrew the lower screw on the ramp planks and shim them so it will be more flatter for the incline.
Otherwise, great small project solution.
OSHA called, they said your ramp needs handrails. LOL nice work, “wingin it” jobs are the best
Or "paw rails". Lol
Now that's funny right there!
Great idea, just wondering if that won’t be too slippery in when it rains and snows. Just love this quick DIY, you seem very organized and have all right equipment. My partner could take a leaf from your book, at least now he’s trying to make a ramp so my mini pooch can go up to my bed!. I’m upholstering it too. I’ll try..
A small yet solid project. Your dogs are cute! It might just be the string of cynical videos I watched on TH-cam prior to yours but, I half expected the solution to be something like “we bought a bigger dog, problem solved” lol. All in all it’s as you said, a good Sunday project!
Rip the leftover deck treads to 1 1/2" to act as cleats. Screw to top of each deck board.
Harbor Freight carries skateboard type tread/grip tape.
I was going to suggest the grip tape from Harbor Freight. I bought some for the ramp to my shed after busting my butt in the winter lol
I'm absolutely going to try this.
Brilliant! Very impressive! Thank you so much!
The things we do for our pets 😋
I’m using this idea to make a ramp for my chihuahuas to get up on my bed thank you 😂
Weird! Your video came out just in time lol! I just installed my first through wall doggy door (it’s scary as shit busting through a wall) anyways I’m now on the task of building a platform and step that extends not just the dog door exit but also the door we use next to it. Initially I thought I’d have to build new steps for us humans and a platform for the dogs separately but it worked out to give us humans some foot movement room at the top since I have two dogs that jut out from all directions anyways. Essentially two steps with one being a platform but I’d thought about an actual ramp since I have two Aussies. One is mini the other Standard size and anyways it seems anytime someone has stitches or whatever my mini struggles to hop up steps. Anyways long story short I’m going with a 20” platform and 10” step/run with total of 8” risers. I hated to go with risers above 7 1/2” but as far as my calculations are it’s what I need. I decided to go with building boxes rather than the traditional risers we see. Looks cleaner I guess. Thanks for recording this!
I'd maybe raise the end of the ramp to the same height as a stair step , obviously they can get up stairs . Bringing it up another inch or 2 might make a much better angle . Otherwise yes add skateboard grip tape
Your videos are awesome. One thing that would be nice is if the music quite so loud. If I have the volume up so I can hear you the music is too loud. But otherwise your videos are great.
Raise the left side up 6-8" and add another step up.
Cool ramp for some little doggos. Go VOLS!
5:15 Oh, com'on bro! You're adjusting the wrong part! The ramp needs to be longer.
Add some indoor outdoor carpet. Other than that it is awesome !❤
My only critique with this video is I wish you would have covered exactly what you would’ve done differently. I think you owe it to your viewers to either expound on that statement in this video or do another video explaining how you would improve this project. I would certainly like to build this with your upgraded recommendations so it would be a better dog ramp instead of building a dog ramp you consider to be sub par.
Bear with me here, but what if you flip the composite decking upside down? It looks like it'll be a bunch of grooves that the dogs might get better traction on in rainy / snowy weather. I've never used composite decking before though so I don't know if it'll be to rough on the underside.
Probably about 6” to 12” longer on the ramp and change the color of the doggie door frame and maybe some grip tape
But it looks great! When snow comes this year those little dogs are going to be cold.
smart and practical
Very nice build, would it be better to turn the treads the other way around for a better grip? plus what about putting a fold out piece at the bottom of the ramp, a scrap piece with a piece of the tread on top so it blends in, see if it works or looks ok if not then take it off and try something else.
Stay Safe,
Barry (ENG)
Just flip the treads over and let the ridged bottom provide the grip they need. .. or Grip Tape
So simple yet so ingenious!
This reminded me about the Instagram contest... I'm so pissed that I forgot to enter over the weekend!
I would add a small guard rail for the top. That’s a big drop for small dogs. For the treads, could you add two or three beads of silicone or something for grip treads?
That’s a good idea!
I agree. Don't need much, just an inch or so rise around the edges (wood or ripped bits of composite decking). Sliding while going up or down the ramp is no big deal, but sliding *off* the platform and sides of ramp could be a problem.
Got all the stuff now but was thinking instead of hinges, a way to hook the ramp into the base so that it can be in two pieces to take apart..
I don't have a shop but I do have some bubble gum, 2 drill drivers, duck tape and 2 circular saws. Should be fine.
Hmm. Looks like a nice spot for a small deck. Or at least build a new stair set. Those looked too steep for humans too. Nice video bud. Keep posting.
Maybe rip the left over composite and make 1” treads for the dogs to climb. Or if they are the athletic type you can add those fun rock wall climbing grips 😂
Love the channel, but I think I finally found a mistake. Experience has taught me the hard way that t-nuts are only for fastening through wood, not for use on the same side. Those screw-in deals for table legs would be better. Gravity will save you here, but keep that in mind the next time you’re standing in front of those hardware drawers at Lowe’s figuring out how you’re gonna get there.
could also be for goats.
Love the quick vid. How’s the shop going? You look a little out of place. Saw on the ground etc. :-) you’re the best. Hope the fam is well. When is kid 2 coming? Lol
I miss my shop bigtime! Very close to getting it all set back up
Get bigger dogs ;-) jk Maybe some outdoor carpet will give the traction they need, if it’s an issue. Or make the ramp extend out a little further to the corner of that porch (2-3ft)
I’ll use that for my kids trampoline
Check out GRK screws
I expected a lot more over engineering for this project.
What happened to the kobalt tools? All ridgid now
Yea my be slick but love the back of the napkin
4:25 OH! Slippery surface.
have you got a dog pram yet?
3:50 WHOA! Way too steep!
6:52: HEY! That's my thing! ;)
I built something similar for our dog to get on the couch, the older he get's the less he want's to jump.
Good job breaking out the Miter Saw. I see some spiders were starting to set up home. Pretty cool project for wingin it! Kudos Travis.
Use skateboard grip tape for the ramp
Just throw some skateboard grip tape on the ramp
Cleats
can't be right if you only went to hardware store once...
No safety glasses? You animal.
8
There is an easy fix to this issue. Get bigger dogs and the need for a ramp dissappears.