A trailer having a trailer ramp system that includes a trailer ramp coupled with the trailer and an actuator pivotally coupled to the trailer on a first end of the actuator and pivotally coupled to the trailer ramp on a second end of the actuator. The actuator is located below the trailer and is aligned with a central axis of the trailer ramp and a central axis of the trailer. The actuator is movable linearly to rotate the trailer ramp between an open position and a closed position.

A counterbalance hinge assembly includes a cam and compression device that counterbalances a weight of a door or a ramp. The compression device biases against a rotation of the door or ramp. The downward movement of the door or ramp drives cam followers in angled slots or cam surfaces of the cam. The angled slots or cam surfaces include varying angles of incline to correspond to varying torque forces of the door or ramp during the opening or closing movement of the door or ramp.

A counterbalance hinge assembly includes a cam and compression device that counterbalances a weight of a door or a ramp. The compression device biases against a rotation of the door or ramp. The downward movement of the door or ramp drives cam followers in angled slots or cam surfaces of the cam. The angled slots or cam surfaces include varying angles of incline to correspond to varying torque forces of the door or ramp during the opening or closing movement of the door or ramp.

A counterbalance hinge assembly includes a cam and compression device that counterbalances a weight of a door or a ramp. The compression device biases against a rotation of the door or ramp. The downward movement of the door or ramp drives cam followers in angled slots or cam surfaces of the cam. The angled slots or cam surfaces include varying angles of incline to correspond to varying torque forces of the door or ramp during the opening or closing movement of the door or ramp.

A ramp assembly for providing passenger access to a passenger vehicle. The ramp assembly includes a ramp having a first ramp plate, a second ramp plate rotatably coupled to the first ramp plate, and a ramp assist assembly. A ramp fold arm is coupled to the ramp assist assembly and to the first ramp plate, wherein the ramp assist assembly directs deployment and retraction of the ramp plate. The link system is connected to the ramp fold arm and to the second ramp plate, wherein the link system includes a slide mechanism coupled to an underside of the first ramp plate. The slide mechanism maintains tension for the link system when deploying and retracting the ramp from the vehicle.

A ramp assembly comprises a support defining a vertical and horizontal pivot axes and a ramp with a first ramp portion coupled at one side thereof to the support, a second ramp portion, and a hinge connecting the second ramp portion to the first ramp portion. The second ramp section is manually movable between a generally folded stowed position being disposed in a surface-to-surface facing arrangement with the first ramp section and an unfolded deployed position being disposed in an end-to-end facing arrangement with the first ramp section. The ramp is manually pivotable on the support, about the vertical and horizontal pivot axes, between a folded stowed position, an unfolded deployed position defining an inclined ramp surface, and a folded intermediate position. The ramp can be installed on a vehicle for use by non-ambulatory passengers and be disposed in a position allowing unhindered use of the vehicle by ambulatory passengers.

A transport vehicle, such as a trailer, is provided. The transport vehicle has: ground engaging elements; a body carried by the ground engaging elements and having a load supporting surface; a ramp rotatably coupled to the body, the ramp being rotatable about a ramp axis between a closed position and an open position; a spring assembly coupled to and extending between the body and the ramp, the spring assembly exerting a spring force on the ramp along a force axis. The spring force biases the ramp towards a balanced position located between the closed position and the open position. The spring assembly moves as the ramp rotates between the closed position and the open position such that the force axis passes by above the ramp axis in the closed position, passes through the ramp axis in the balanced position, and passes below the ramp axis in the open position.