How to Build Your Own Ramp Kit

Lay the 2- by 4-inch lumber on a flat surface. The 2-inch side of the lumber should be facing up. The outside boards should be 32 inches apart when measured from their outside faces. Place the middle board equidistant between the outside boards. It's center should be 16 inches from the exterior face of the outside boards.

Position one piece of 32-inch lumber horizontally across one end of the 8-foot boards. The 4-inch side of this crosspiece should be facing up. Nail this crosspiece to all three of the 8-foot boards using 20d nails. Nail a second, 32-inch crosspiece horizontally at the opposite end of the 8-foot boards.

Nail the remaining 32-inch horizontal crosspieces to the 8-foot boards. The boards should be approximately 19 inches apart. The measurements need not be exact so long as the crosspieces are roughly equidistant from each other.

Lay the 8-foot piece of 3/4-inch plywood on top of the horizontal crosspieces. Attach the plywood to each crosspiece with the 6d nails. Hammer nails through the plywood and into each of the five crosspieces. Nails should be no less than 5 inches apart.

Lay the indoor/outdoor carpeting on top of the plywood. Attach it using the staple gun and staplers. The ramp is now ready for use and can be maneuvered into place. Attachment methods will vary depending upon the opening to which the ramp enters. In many case, if simply covering stairs, the ramp can simply be set in place. Its own weight will hold it steady.