This winter, in collaboration with Marlon, I had the opportunity to test the Single Loader ramp. Marlon’s reputation in the world of sled decks is well established, so I had high expectations for the ramp I was testing. I will explain why this ramp offers impeccable build quality and a high-end choice of materials, but also why its design presents a few minor irritants. Let’s take a closer look.
Marlon Single Loader Ramp: Principle and Operation
The Marlon Single Loader ramp is designed to transport a single vehicle at a time. It is also engineered to load and support your machine during transport. Unlike traditional ramps, which are only used to load a vehicle into a truck, this one supports the machine throughout the entire transport process.
It is as long as a mountain snowmobile. In my case, I am using the narrow version (42 in x 120 in). It is built for off-trail snowmobiles with a narrower ski stance. A larger version (48 × 120 in) for trail snowmobiles is also available.
To load my snowmobile, I first place the ramp on the truck’s tailgate. It is equipped with a set of wheels in the middle, followed by two skids that act as supports. You then position the ramp between the wheels and the supports. In this position, the ramp is close to its pivot point, which will be useful once the snowmobile is on board.
Once the ramp is positioned this way, we can ride the snowmobile up. This requires a certain amount of speed. The first few times, it takes a good dose of courage and trial and error to find the ideal speed so the snowmobile climbs high enough. I should note that my truck has a factory 2-inch lift, which makes the ramp angle very steep. Once climbing, you simply stop the ski in line with the blue indicator installed by the manufacturer. Finally, you apply the brake and engage the parking brake to hold the snowmobile in place.
All that remains is to step off the vehicle, grab the rear of the ramp, and lift it. Once it is flat, we push the entire assembly forward using the wheels as assistance. The snowmobile is then resting on the truck bed, ready to be secured.
To unload the snowmobile, you simply reverse the steps. However, I discovered that it is not necessary to ride it down. You just release the parking brake and engage reverse. Usually, I can unload the vehicle without using the throttle by pulling back on the rear bumper. The snowmobile comes down smoothly, and it is very quick.
Build Quality of the Single Loader Ramp
The first thing I notice about this ramp is its visual build quality. The welds are clean and attractive, and the choice of materials is ideal. The ramp has a nice black finish with white lettering. In addition, the traction components are of good quality.
The surfaces for the skis are both slippery enough for carbide runners and grippy enough when you step on them. This is very important, as it allows you to climb the ramp easily while providing a solid, durable, and effective surface for the skis. In addition, when you need to step off the snowmobile, the surface offers good grip for your boots to prevent slipping.
The crossbars of the ramp are equipped with traction aids. They are robust and, once in contact with the track lugs, provide ideal traction. As mentioned earlier, once you find the right speed to climb, the snowmobile gains traction and makes it up without issue.
Overall, the ramp is attractive and robust. In short, the product execution lives up to Marlon’s reputation. The quality is there. That said, I did note some design drawbacks that apply to all ramps of this type.
Limitations and Possible Improvements of Pivot-Style Ramps
Of course, just because a product is well built does not mean its design is perfect. The improvements I mention are not specific only to Marlon’s Single Loader, but to the pivot-style ramp concept as a whole.
A Demanding Approach Angle When Loading
One of the things I find irritating is the angle at which the ramp presents itself when loading the vehicle. It is very steep, making mistakes more likely and potentially serious. This also means you need a fair amount of speed to climb it, especially with a long snowmobile that must quickly gain height on the ramp so the track lugs can engage. At low speed, I often have to back up and try again. In cases where ground traction is limited, my colleague Patrick found a solution by building a traction ladder. You can read his article here.
A Long, Rigid, Non-Folding Ramp
Having built my own drawer-style ramp in the past, one of the aspects I miss most is how easy it was to store. The Marlon Single Loader does not fold. This can create some inconveniences, especially in crowded or remote parking areas. In all cases, it sticks out past the truck, making it bulkier and more prone to catching onto things. Not to mention that off-season, it takes up more linear space in storage.
In addition, since it protrudes from the truck, it is impossible to install a tonneau cover and protect the bed from the elements or your gear from theft. Because the ramp cannot be folded, it remains in plain view. My old drawer-style ramp allowed me to hide it under the tonneau cover and store a few accessories out of sight. Since owning the Single Loader, I now carry a chain and padlock. Furthermore, by design, this type of ramp makes vehicle-to-vehicle transfer easier. For this reason, I feel it is important to secure the ramp to the truck more than I would with a removable ramp.
Weather Effects on Ramp Use
Weather conditions can also have negative effects on this ramp. During my testing, I experienced a mix of blowing snow followed by rain and then snow again. This combination makes solo operation more difficult. When using this ramp, it is essential to keep the truck bed free of snow and ice. Otherwise, it can be difficult to manoeuvre the ramp smoothly. A little snow is not a problem, but once it hardens and turns to ice, it becomes another story. This requires good bed hygiene, in addition to avoiding overloading your snowmobile before storms.
Marlon would certainly benefit from implementing a system that allows the ramp to fold in half so it can be stored in the truck bed with the tailgate closed.
Weight Distribution and Impact on the Tailgate
During my testing, I had an unfortunate incident. While unloading my snowmobile by rolling it backwards, my tailgate broke and a nice hole appeared. Of course, it happened exactly where it makes sense to place the ramp on the tailgate, so I now have to shift the ramp to one side to avoid it. One solution to protect your bed and tailgate would be to use plywood panels connected with hinges at the tailgate, to distribute the weight and reduce wear on your vehicle.
The Importance of Terrain When Loading a Snowmobile
One aspect of loading a vehicle with pivot-style ramps is that the system works by gravity. It is therefore crucial to choose a level parking area. If the slope is too steep upwards, it can make pushing and lifting the rear of the ramp very difficult once the snowmobile is on it. In those cases, you may need assistance. On the other hand, with a downhill slope, unloading becomes more difficult, as you must work against gravity to push the vehicle out. This is also the situation in which my tailgate was damaged. In short, to operate comfortably, you need to find a parking area with a minimal slope and enough space to manoeuvre.
Verdict on the Marlon Single Loader Ramp
In the end, the Marlon Single Loader ramp lived up to the manufacturer’s reputation. Thanks to its build quality, I am confident it will be durable and remain attractive and effective for many years. While this type of ramp does have its drawbacks, they can be worked around. I would like to see Marlon, as one of the industry’s top manufacturers, offer a version with a folding mechanism. Such a ramp would certainly address several irritants associated with pivot-style ramps.
That said, this ramp still offers an effective way to load your snowmobile onto a truck. From a cost perspective, at around $1,500, it is less expensive than a sled deck. It is an excellent choice, especially if you only have one snowmobile to transport. Overall, I am satisfied with my testing of the Marlon Single Loader. I would also like to thank the manufacturer for allowing us to conduct this test. With that, I wish you a great season.
