The ramp has to match the job
Use a ramp rated for the appliance, wide enough for the dolly wheels, and long enough that the angle is one you can walk, not a cliff. Set the feet on the tailgate or the trailer lip the way the ramp maker requires, and set the ground end on firm pavement, not on gravel that will kick out. Strap or pin the ramp so it cannot walk sideways. A makeshift board is how people drop a washer. If you do not have a proper ramp, use a liftgate truck, a helper with a proper setup, or a mover. The disposal trip can wait.
One person does not hold a falling appliance
A dolly under the appliance, strapped to the appliance, is the tool. A second adult guides and does not stand downhill of the load. Walk the dolly up slowly. Rest only where the ramp design allows. Do not stop in a place where the only thing holding the load is your grip. Refrigerators and air conditioners still need certified refrigerant recovery. Rolling them does not include cutting the cooling line to make them lighter. A washer should be drained first so you are not pushing a tub of water uphill.
Coming back down at the site
Unloading down a ramp is the same hazard in reverse. Chock the vehicle so it cannot roll. Have the second person at the side, not in the drop path. Lower the appliance under control. If the bay is flat and staff want you to use their dock instead, use the dock and skip the ramp. Do not invent a shortcut off the side of the trailer. When the appliance is on the ground, wheel it where the attendant pointed and tip it only if they said to. Return the ramp to the vehicle before you move the truck.
Before you go
- Use a rated ramp on firm ground, secured to the bed.
- Strap the appliance to a dolly and use a second adult.
- Do not cut refrigerant lines to lighten the unit.
- Lower it under control at the bay and move the ramp before you drive.
Sending a washer up a single loose board while standing below it.
Questions people ask
Can I use the appliance's own wheels?
Only if they roll freely and you can still strap the unit. Stuck rollers are why the dolly exists. Do not drag a gouging foot up the ramp.
What if the ramp slips once?
Stop. Reset the feet and the strap. A ramp that slipped once will slip again if you only push harder.
Search Dumpmapper by ZIP code or city, then call the site before you load the truck. Hours and accepted materials change.