Abstract:
A recreational vehicle loading and transport platform for pickups provides a base mountable in a pickup box to pivotally carry a transport platform below the upper edges of the pickup box. The transport platform carries outrigger assemblies laterally of and depending below the upper edge of the pickup box to support outer support structures of recreational vehicles straddling the pickup box sides. A pneumatic cylinder moves the forward end of the transport platform vertically to responsively tilt the transport platform for loading and unloading of recreational vehicles. A loading and unloading ramp is removably secured to the rear end of the transport platform to move between use and storage positions.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   There are no applications related hereto heretofore filed in this or in any foreign country. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to apparatus for loading and transporting recreational vehicles on a pickup truck box, and more particularly to such apparatus that simultaneously carries two elongately oriented and laterally adjacent recreational vehicles partially supported on outrigger assemblies outwardly of the pickup box sides. 
   2. Background and Description of Prior Art 
   For purposes of this Application the term “recreational vehicle” includes snowmobiles, 4 wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATV&#39;s) and similar off road vehicles. 
   Generally only one recreational vehicle can be accommodated in a conventional pickup truck box because of the width available between pickup box sides. This is a disadvantage and other means to carry two recreational vehicles at the same time have been developed, but these other means also have had inherent disadvantages. 
   Trailers have been used but are generally large, difficult to store, expensive to maintain and license, increase stopping distances, are difficult to maneuver especially in off road areas, and require additional parking space. 
   As an alternative, horizontal platforms disposed above the truck box and extending laterally beyond the pickup&#39;s sides, commonly known as raised decks, have been developed. Disadvantages of known raised decks include instability because of the higher center of gravity, decreased fuel mileage because of increased wind resistance, limited passage under overhead objects such as tree branches, garage doors and commercial drive-throughs, difficulty in loading and unloading recreational vehicles onto the raised decks because of the height, and no structural means to prevent lateral movement of a recreational vehicle in the event the pickup is in an accident because the raised deck is above the pickup box. Raised decks are also of a relatively permanent nature once installed and occasionally require modification of the pickup bed with fastening structures. 
   Loading recreational vehicles onto and off of raised decks has been done either with a crane-type apparatus that moves the recreational vehicle vertically and pivots it horizontally about a vertical axis, or with inclined ramps using vehicle&#39;s own powering system. Both of these methods have inherent risks that have resulted in serious injury to persons and damage to property. Crane type apparatus are dependent upon cables, pulleys, and other mechanical linkages that must securely attach to the recreational vehicle for support. Such components however are subject to mechanical wear and failure which may disrupt their function unexpectedly. When a snowmobile moves from an inclined ramp to a raised deck there is a position whereat the skis of the snowmobile are not in firm contact with either the inclined ramp or the raised platform and the snowmobile “teeters” on the apex of the transition area. When in this position the snowmobile and operator are at risk as the recreational vehicle may uncontrollably slide, pivot or move in an unintended direction. 
   The instant invention seeks to resolve these and other disadvantages inherent in known devices by locating a recreational vehicle transport platform within the box of a pickup below the top edges of the box sides and above the wheel well covers. The transport platform pivots adjacent the tailgate end to reduce the transition angle between the transport platform and loading ramp as the transport platform is inclined. The transport platform also carries outrigger assemblies outwardly of the pickup box sides to support the lateral structures of recreational vehicles to allow the recreational vehicles to straddle the pickup box sides. 
   The instant invention may be easily installed and removed from a pickup box by one person without specialized tools and requires no modification to the pickup. The invention as compared to similar prior art lowers the center of gravity of the load, reduces wind resistance responsively increasing stability and fuel mileage, and provides structural means to prevent recreational vehicles from moving laterally if the pickup is in an accident. 
   My invention does not reside in any of the foregoing features individually but rather in the synergistic combination of all of its structures, which necessarily give rise to the functions flowing therefrom as herein specified and claimed. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   My invention provides a base positioned in the box of a pickup and carrying a pivoting transport platform on axles journaled by laterally opposed axle mounting arches secured to the rearward portions of the base and transport platform respectively. The transport platform and base are secured in the pickup truck box by forward and rearward securing mechanisms. The forward securing mechanism is formed by an elongate box beam with laterally extendable end pieces frictionally communicating with the inner sides of the pickup box, and the rearward securing mechanism comprises a rectilinear plate carrying two axially aligned spacedly adjacent pins that engage between the base and tailgate brackets of the truck box. A securing tower at the forward end portion of the base carries a pneumatic cylinder pivotally interconnected between the transport platform and the base to vertically pivot the transport platform. 
   The transport platform carries elongately extending outrigger assemblies outwardly of and below the top edges of the pickup box sides. 
   An angulated loading ramp extends rearwardly from the transport platform to carry at a medial position a transition angle decreasing structure and at a ground engaging end an extensile traction pad. 
   In providing such a device, it is: 
   A principal object to provide a recreational vehicle loading and transport platform to simultaneously carry two adjacent elongately positioned recreational vehicles on a pickup box. 
   A further object is to provide such a transport platform carried partially within the pickup box with support surfaces below the top edge of the pickup box sides. 
   A further object is to provide such a transport platform that carries outrigger assemblies laterally outward of the pickup box. 
   A further object is to provide such a transport platform wherein recreational vehicles carried by the transport platform straddle the upper sides of the pickup box. 
   A further object is to reduce the vertical height of the transported recreational vehicles to lower the center of gravity of the assemblage, reduce wind resistance, increase stability, and increase fuel mileage of the pickup. 
   A still further object is to provide such a transport platform that pivots spacedly adjacent its rearward end to decrease the transition angle between the loading ramp and the transport platform to increase safety of loading and unloading recreational vehicles. 
   A still further object is to provide such a transport platform that may be installed and removed by one person. 
   A still further object is to provide such a device that is of new and novel design, of a rugged and durable nature, of simple and economic manufacture and one that is otherwise well suited to the uses and purposes for which it is intended. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein like numbers of references refer to similar parts throughout: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial orthographic right side view of a pickup box showing a phantom image of a snowmobile carried on the instant invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a left side forward looking isometric view of the base and forward securing mechanism. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial isometric view of a laterally extending end piece of the forward securing mechanism. 
       FIG. 4  is a left side forward looking isometric view of the transport platform without decking. 
       FIG. 5  is a left side forward looking isometric view of the loading and unloading ramp and the extendable traction pad. 
       FIG. 6  is a left side forward looking isometric view of the two opposing outrigger assemblies isolated for clarity. 
       FIG. 7  is a partial left side forward looking isometric view of the base, transport platform, outrigger assemblies, ramp and extendable traction pad in an inclined loading and unloading orientation. 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged partial left side forward looking isometric view of the base, transport platform and outrigger assemblies in a transporting orientation. 
       FIG. 9  is a left side forward looking isometric view of the base and the transport platform in position for loading into or unloading from a pickup box. 
       FIG. 10  is an enlarged partial isometric view of the rear securing mechanism on the left side rear corner of the pickup truck showing its structure and installation. 
       FIG. 11  is a partial right side forward looking isometric view of the transport platform and loading ramp in an inclined loading and unloading position. 
       FIG. 12  is a partial left side forward looking isometric view of a non-pivoting species of the transport platform. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As used herein, the term “forward”, its derivatives, and grammatical equivalents refers to the portion of the platform that is positioned forwardmost when the platform is installed in a pickup bed. The term “rearward”, its derivatives, and grammatical equivalents refers to the portion of the platform closest to the tailgate portion of the pickup. The term “outer”, its derivatives, and grammatical equivalents refers to the driver side or passenger-side of the pickup as opposed to the laterally medial portion of the pickup truck. 
   My recreational vehicle loading and transport platform for pickups is generally comprised of base  1  pivotally connected to transport platform  2 , carrying at least one outrigger assembly  3  laterally outwardly of at least one pickup box side, tilting mechanism  4  to incline the transport platform  2  with respect to the base  1 , forward securing mechanism  5  and rearward securing mechanism  6  to secure the base  1  in the pickup box, and ramp  7  for loading and unloading recreational vehicles. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2  the base  1  is comprised of two parallel adjacent side beams  10  each having forward end portion  10   a  and rearward end portion  10   b . Side beams  10 , as illustrated, are box beams structurally interconnected by forwardmost crossbeam  14  and medial crossbeam  13  extending therebetween. 
   Spacer member  22  is structurally connected to the outer side of each side beam  10  spacedly adjacent the rearward end portion  10   b  and upwardly extending axle mounting arch  16  is structurally carried on the upper surface of the spacer member  22 . The upwardly extending axle mounting arch  16  is comprised of rear angulated member  17 , structurally attached to forward angulated member  18  by inner vertical member  19  supported on spacer member  22  so as to be disposed between the two angulated members  17  and  18 . Orifice  20  for journaling bolt type axle  21  is defined in the upper portion of each vertical member  19  with axle  21  extending laterally therethrough. Crossbeam  26  is structurally attached between vertical members  19  to provide added strength and rigidity for the rearward portion of the base  1 . 
   Outer vertical members  23 , each carrying rearwardly extending rectilinear plates  24  adjacent their upper end portions are structurally carried by the outer surfaces of each spacer member  22 . Two elongately spaced orifices  25   a  and  25   b  are defined in each rectilinear plate  24  to aid engagement with rear securing mechanism  6 . Orifice  25   a  is aligned to carry pin  146  extending through both rectilinear plate  24  and the outer vertical member  23 . Orifice  25   b  is positioned spacedly rearward of the outer vertical member  23 . 
   Securing tower  27  is structurally carried to extend upwardly from the forward portion  10   a  of the base  1 . The securing tower  27  is comprised of two forward vertical members  28  structurally carried by forwardmost crossmember  14  and in turn supporting upper horizontal member  29  extending therebetween and angulated members  31  extending between the forward vertical members  28  and medial crossbeam  13 . The upper horizontal member  29  defines spaced orifices  30  inwardly adjacent each end to interconnect forward securing mechanism  5 . 
   Two pneumatic cylinder supports  32  extend between the forwardmost crossbeam  14  and medial crossbeam  13 . Each pneumatic cylinder support  32  carries a pair of pneumatic cylinder mounting brackets  33  which define orifices  34  to journal pneumatic cylinder mounting axles to pivotally carry pneumatic cylinders. 
   Elongate pivoting leg  38 , to assist in the installation and removal of the base  1  and transport platform  2  into and from a pickup box, is carried on axle  39  journaled in axle mounting brackets  36  carried at a medial location on the rearward side of medial crossbeam  13 . A rotation limitation stopper  40  which prevents the elongate leg  38  from rotating forwardly beyond vertical is structurally carried on the forward portion of the axle brackets  36  and extends therebetween parallel to axle  39 . Rectilinear foot plate  41  is carried at the radially outer end of elongate leg  38  opposite axle  39  and has sufficient mass to bias elongate leg  38  into a vertical position against rotation limitation stopper  40 . 
   Centering braces  43  are structurally carried on the upper surfaces of each pneumatic cylinder support  32 . Centering braces  43  are angulated upwardly and inwardly to ensure the transport platform  2 , when in its lowered position, is properly centered on the base  1  so that the outrigger assemblies  3  do not contact the pickup truck sides. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , transport platform  2  is formed by similar elongate box beams  50 , having forward end portions  50   a  and rearward end portions  50   b , interconnected in spaced adjacency by plural crossbeams  53  extending substantially perpendicularly therebetween. Plural “L” shaped ramp hangers  78  are carried in the elongately spaced array by beams  50  to depend therefrom with horizontal legs facing laterally inward to carry ramp  7  under transport platform  2 . 
   Two upstanding vertical legs  54  are structurally carried by the forward end portions  50   a  of the beams  50 . Forward outrigger support  55  structurally interconnects upper end portions of vertical legs  54  and extends laterally outwardly of each vertical leg  54 . Angulated trusses  77  structurally communicate between forward outrigger supports  55  and vertical legs  54  to add strength to the joinder of these elements. Plural spaced orifices  56  are defined through forward outrigger support  55  to receive securing pins  99  extending therethrough. Pneumatic cylinder mounting brackets  57  that journal pneumatic cylinder mounting axle  59  depend from the medial portion of forward outrigger support  55 . 
   Rear outrigger support  61  is structurally connected to the top surface at rearward end portions  50   b  of beams  50  to extend laterally outward of each beam  50 . The rear outrigger support defines orifices  62  extending therethrough to carry securing pins  99  extending therethrough. 
   Depending axle mounting arch  63  provides similar side members comprising rear depending element  64  and forward depending element  66  carrying lower horizontal element  65  depending therefrom. The side members of the axle mounting arch  63  are structurally connected to the bottom of beams  50  adjacent the rearward end portions  50   b . The lower horizontal member  65  extends substantially parallel to the associated beam  50  and rearwardly beyond the rearward end portion  50   b  of the associated beam  50 . 
   Orifice  67  is defined in each lower horizontal member  65  spacedly rearward its forward end to extend laterally therethrough to carry bolt-type axle  21  which pivotally interconnects the axle mounting arch  63  of transport platform  2  to the upwardly extending axle mounting arch  16  of the base  1 . 
   Ramp support  69  structurally interconnects the rear end portions of the opposed lower horizontal members  65 . The ramp support  69  is a “U” beam which carries at first and second end portions pivoting beam extensions  70  that fit in the channel of the ramp support  69  and are pivotally mounted on bolt-type axles  73  extending therebetween. The pivoting beam extensions  70  may be pivoted upwardly and outwardly to extend the effective length of the ramp support  69 . An upwardly extending flange  75  is structurally carried on the outer ends of the pivoting beam extensions  70  to prevent the ramp  7  from moving laterally outwardly to a position whereat it might fall off the extended pivoting beam extensions  70 . 
   Deck  81  ( FIG. 7 ) formed of expanded metal is releasably carried medially between beams  50  and on crossbeams  53  to extend the length of the transport platform  2  to provide support for the inward ground contacting elements of recreational vehicles. 
   Two centering braces  85 , ( FIG. 4 ) that angulate downwardly and outwardly to communicate with centering braces  43  of base  1 , are structurally carried by forward crossbeam  53  of the transport platform  2  to depend therefrom to center transport platform  2  on base  1  when transport platform  2  is in a lowered position. Lowering stop  86  is structurally carried by the centering braces  85  to extend therebetween in a position such that when the transport platform is in a generally horizontal position, lowering stop  85  rests on upper end portions of centering braces  43  carried by base  1 . Lowering stop  85  prevents the weight of transport platform  2  and recreational vehicles thereon from being carried by pneumatic cylinders  120  which might damage the pneumatic cylinders. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6 , transport platform  2  carries at least one and preferably two similar outrigger assemblies  3 . Each outrigger assembly  3  provides elongate beam  95  having upward extending vertical leg  96  at a forward end. Upper end of vertical leg  96  carries forward horizontal leg  97  extending perpendicularly to vertical leg  96  and beam  95 . The forward horizontal leg  97  is a box beam sized for slidable engagement with the interior channel of the forward outrigger support  55 . Plural spaced orifices  98  are defined vertically through horizontal leg  97  to receive securing pin  99  extending through orifice  56  in forward outrigger support  55  and through orifice  98  in forward horizontal leg  97 . 
   Rear horizontal leg  100  is structurally connected to rearward end portion of beam  95  to extend in the same direction and parallel to forward horizontal leg  97 . The rear horizontal leg  100  is sized for slidable engagement in the interior channel of rear outrigger support  61  and defines plural spaced orifices  101  extending vertically therethrough to receive securing pin  99  extending through orifice  62  in rear outrigger support  61  and orifice  101  in rear horizontal leg  100 . 
   An insertion limiting protuberance  102  is carried on the top surfaces of both horizontal legs  97  and  100  to prevent horizontal legs  97  and  100  from sliding too far into the interior channels of outrigger supports  55  and  61  respectively, which might allow the outrigger assembly  3  to strike the outer side of a pickup box to cause damage thereto. 
   Upwardly opening “U” shaped outrigger channel  103  is carried on the upper surface of elongate beam  95  to prevent lateral movement of a snowmobile ski or ATV wheel carried in therein. This structure allows a snowmobile ski or ATV wheel to be securely supported outwardly of and spacedly below the uppermost edge of the pickup box side. 
   A transition angle assembly  108  is carried at the rearward portion of the “U” shaped outrigger channel  103 . The transition angle assembly  108  has a cross section similar to the “U” shaped outrigger channel  103 , but has a downward angulation in its medial portion. The transition angle assembly  108  guides a ski of a snowmobile or wheels of an ATV into the “U” shaped outrigger channel  103  as the recreational vehicle move from ramp  7  onto transport platform  2  and outrigger assembly  3 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  7 , the tilting mechanism  4  is comprised of at least one pneumatic cylinder  120  pivotally carried by axles  59  journaled by pneumatic cylinder mounting brackets  33  carried by the pneumatic cylinder supports  32 , and pneumatic cylinder mounting brackets  57  depending from the forward outrigger support  55 . 
   Pressurized air is supplied to pneumatic cylinder  120  from pressurized air tank  122  releasably carried on transport platform  2  and positionally maintained by mounting brackets  60  carried by beam  50  and forward crossbeam  53  of the transport platform  2 . The pressurized air tank  122  communicates with pneumatic cylinder  120  by known hoses, fittings and control valves. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  transport platform  2  is pivotally connected to the base  1  by bolt-type axles  21  extending through orifices  20  in the upwardly extending axle mounting arches  16  of the base  1  and through orifices  67  defined in the axle mounting arches  63  of the transport platform  2  and secured in place with a nut type fastener with securing pin of known construction (not shown). 
   An elevation locking mechanism  119  ( FIG. 2 ) communicates between the forwardmost crossbeam  14  of the base  1  and the forward outrigger support  55  of the transport platform  2 . The elevation locking mechanism  119  is comprised of two elongate box beam members  126 ,  127  which slidably engage with each other. The male member  126  and female member  127  define plural vertically spaced orifices  129  extending therethrough to receive locking pin  128  of known construction which is preferably biased toward a locking position. Female member  127  of elevation locking mechanism  119  is pivotally connected to forwardmost crossbeam  14  at the forward portion of the base  1  by axle  80  ( FIG. 2 ) journaled in axle mounting brackets  42 , and male member  126  is pivotally connected to the transport platform  2  by axle  83  ( FIG. 4 ) journaled in axle mounting brackets  84  depending from forward outrigger support  55 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  7  forward securing mechanism  5  provides elongate box beam  130  carrying at each end laterally extending end pieces  137 , having cross sectional configurations to slidably fit within the channel of the box beam  137 . 
   Rectilinear plates  138  having a nonskid type coating on their laterally outer surfaces for frictional communication with the inner side walls of a pickup box are carried at the laterally outer end of each end piece  137 . Rectilinear plates  138  may also define a laterally outward extending shelf  142  along a horizontal edge to aid frictional engagement with the pickup box sides. Protuberance  135  is structurally carried on the top surface of laterally extending end piece  137  spacedly adjacent rectilinear plate  138  to communicate with a threaded tensioning bolt  134  of the forward securing mechanism  5 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , a protuberance  131  defining internally threaded orifice  132  axially aligned with beam  130  is structurally carried on the top surface of beam  130  inwardly adjacent each end. Threaded tensioning bolts  134  are engaged in orifices  132  to communicate with the protuberances  135  on the laterally extending end pieces  137  so that motion of tensioning bolts  134  force the laterally extending end pieces  137  outwardly to frictionally engage with the inner walls of a pickup box. 
   Orifices  136  are defined vertically through box beam  130  to receive securing pins  141 . Beam  130  is positioned between the inner walls of a pickup box and directly above securing tower  27  so that pins  141  extend through orifices  136  in beam  130  and orifices  30  in upper horizontal member  29  of securing tower  27  to positionally maintain base  1 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 10  rear securing mechanism  6  provides rectilinear plate  145  carrying two structurally attached perpendicularly extending pins  146  and  147 , with pin  146  longer than pin  147 . Pin  146  extends through orifice  25   a  in rectilinear plate  24 , through outer vertical member  23  of base  1  and into tailgate locking bracket  175  carried by a pickup box. Pin  147  defines diametrically extending orifice  148  in its end portion distal from rectilinear plate  145  to carry padlock  148   a  or similar locking device to secure the rear portion of the base  1  and transport platform  2  in a pickup box. 
   As seen in  FIG. 5 , ramp  7  is a ladder-like structure comprised of similar side beams  150  interconnected by plural crossbeams  153  extending perpendicularly therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, two similar pieces of rigid decking  154  extending substantially the length of ramp  7  are releasably secured to crossbeams  153  inwardly adjacent side beams  150  to aid passage of snowmobile skis and ATV wheels up and down ramp  7 . The medial elongate portion of ramp  7  between the two decking portions  154  remains uncovered to carry the track of a snowmobile traversing the ramp. Two legs  158  depend from structural support on forwardmost crossbeam  153  of the ramp  7  spacedly adjacent the opposing lateral ends. The forward end of the ramp  7  rests on the ramp support  69  and upon the extended pivoting beam extension  70  shown in  FIG. 4 . The legs  158  prevent ramp  7  from moving rearwardly and possibly disengaging from the ramp support  69 . Flanges  75  carried by the pivoting beam extensions  70  seen in  FIG. 4  prevent ramp  7  from moving laterally outwardly. 
   Transition angle reducer  165  structurally carried on the upper surface of the ramp  7  is formed of four box beam segments structurally interconnected to form a rectilinear member that is used to elevate the track portion of a snowmobile after the skis of a snowmobile have passed forwardly of transition angle reducer  165 . Elevation of the track portion of a snowmobile decreases the transitional angle between ramp  7  and transport platform  2  and outrigger assembly  3  to increase the safety of loading and unloading. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , extendable traction pad  160  having a ladder-like structure formed by elongate side members  163  interconnected by perpendicular cross members  164  extending therebetween is pivotally connected to the rearward most crossbeam  153  of ramp  7 . This pivotal interconnection is accomplished by engaging axle  162  carried in axle brackets  156  on the rearmost crossbeam  153  and axle brackets  156  carried on forwardmost crossmember  164  of traction pad  160 . 
   Having described the structure of my recreational vehicle loading and transport platform for pickup trucks its operation may be understood. 
   The forward end of the base  1  and transport platform  2  that will be closest to the pickup cab is lifted vertically allowing elongate leg  38  to rotate downwardly into a vertical position against the rotation limitation stopper  40  so that the forward end of the base  1  and transport platform  2  are supported by the elongate leg  38  at a height above the lowered pickup tailgate. 
   The pickup is positioned so the lowered tailgate is under the forward end of the base  1  and aligned so side beams  10  of base  1  may move forward inwardly of the wheel well covers of the pickup bed. 
   The rearward end portion of base  1  and the connected transport platform  2  are lifted into horizontal alignment with the bottom of the pickup bed and moved forwardly into the pickup box. When correctly positioned, forward vertical members  28  of securing tower  27  are in physical contact with, or are in close proximity to, the forward wall of the pickup box, and side beams  10  of the base  1  are adjacent to and inwardly adjacent the wheel well covers. 
   Forward securing mechanism  5  is positioned between the inner walls of the pickup box and directly above securing tower  27  of base  1 . Securing pins  141  are inserted into the aligned orifices  136  and  30  extending through elongate beam  130  and upper horizontal member  29  of securing tower  27 . Threaded tensioning bolts  134  of the forward securing mechanism  5  are rotated forcing laterally extending end pieces  137  laterally outwardly into contact with the inner walls of the pickup box. 
   Rear securing mechanism  6  ( FIG. 10 ) is installed at each of the rearward corners of base  1 . Pin  146  extends through orifice  25   a  in the rectilinear plate  24  and through the outer vertical member  23  to engage with tailgate locking bracket  175  of the pickup box. Pin  147  extends through orifice  25   b  defined in the rectilinear plate  24  and a securing pin or padlock  148   a  is inserted through the diametrically extending orifice  148  outward of the rectilinear plate  24  securing the rearward corners of the base  1  into the pickup box. 
   Forward horizontal legs  97  and rear horizontal legs  100  of outrigger assembly  3  are aligned and inserted into the medial channels defined by the respective outrigger supports  55  and  61  and securing pins  99  are inserted through paired opposed orifices  56 ,  98 , and  62 ,  101  to secure outrigger assembly  3  in position. Pivoting beam extensions  70  of the ramp support  69  are pivoted upwardly and outwardly to support the forward portion of ramp  7  when aligned with outrigger assembly  3 . 
   The forward end of the ramp  7  is positioned with the depending legs  158  on the forward side of the ramp support  69 . Ramp  7  is moved laterally so that the outermost edge is in contact with the flange  75  of extended pivoting beam extension  70 . Extendable traction pad  160  is pivoted to extend rearwardly from the ramp  7 . 
   Locking pin  128  of the elevation locking mechanism  119  is disengaged and the valving system on the pressurized air tank  122  is activated to allow compressed air to flow to pneumatic cylinder  120  causing the forward end of transport platform  2  to rise relative to the base  1 . When transport platform  2  has been elevated to its maximum height the locking pin  128  is reinstalled in the elevation locking mechanism  119 . 
   A recreational vehicle (not shown) is positioned on extendable traction pad  160  and moved by its own power, manually, or by auxiliary power over the extendable traction pad  160 , up ramp  7  and onto transport platform  2  and outrigger assembly  3 . The outer ski of a snowmobile or outer wheels of an ATV, are carried within the “U” shaped outrigger channel  103  of the outrigger assembly  3 . 
   The snowmobile or ATV is moved forward to the forward end portion of the transport platform  2  where recreational vehicle is secured in place by known means. 
   Ramp  7  may be moved laterally so that a second recreational vehicle may be loaded adjacent the first, in the same manner. 
   Once the recreational vehicles are loaded and secured locking pin  128  on the elevation locking mechanism  119  is disengaged and the pneumatic cylinder valves activated to allow pressurized air to escape from the pneumatic cylinder  120  to responsively allow the forward end of the transport platform  2  to move downwardly in relation to the base  1 . The locking pin  128  is reinstalled to maintain this transportation mode of the transport platform. 
   Extendable traction pad  160  on ramp  7  is rotated forwardly to rest on the top surface of the ramp  7  and the ramp is moved into position between the side beams  50  of the transport platform  2 . The rear portion of ramp  7  is lifted and the ramp is moved forwardly onto plural depending “L” shaped hangers  78  of transport platform  2  where ramp  7  is secured in place by known means. 
   Pivoting beam extension  70  at each end of ramp support  69  are rotated upwardly and inwardly and are secured in place by known means. 
   Unloading of the snowmobile or ATV is performed by reversing the above described operations. 
   The foregoing description of my invention is necessarily of a detailed nature so that a specific embodiment of its best mode may be set forth as is required, but it is to be understood that various modifications and details, and rearrangement, substitution and multiplication of parts may be resorted to without departing from its spirit, essence or scope. 
   Having thusly described my invention, what I desire to protect by Letters Patent, and