Tiltable cargo box assembly with extension ramp

A cargo box system for supporting and transporting a load, comprising:

• (a) a truck;
• (b) a cargo box pivotally mounted to said truck adjacent a rear axle thereof and adapted for receiving the load therein;
• (c) an attachment assembly connected to a rear end of said cargo box for pivotally mounting the cargo box to the truck;
• (d) a ramp assembly for carrying the load and slidably mounted to a floor of the cargo box for reciprocating movement between extended and retracted positions relative to the floor of the cargo box;
• and
• (e) an actuator mounted toward a forward end of the cargo box intermediate said attachment assembly and a forward axle of the truck and operatively connected to a power source of the truck, said actuator cooperating with the attachment assembly for moving said forward end between a lowered position and an elevated position, wherein said floor of the cargo box is tilted at an angle relative to said lowered position for permitting the load to be transported into and out of the cargo box.

A method of supporting a load and transporting the load into and out of a vehicle, comprising:

• (a) providing a tiltable cargo box assembly, comprising:
• (i) a cargo box adapted for receiving the load therein;
• (ii) an attachment assembly connected to a rear end of said cargo box for pivotally mounting the cargo box on the vehicle adjacent a rear axle thereof;
• (iii) a ramp assembly for carrying the load and slidably mounted to a floor of the cargo box for reciprocating movement between extended and retracted positions relative to the floor of the cargo box;
• and
• (iv) an actuator mounted towards a forward end of the cargo box intermediate said attachment assembly and a forward axle of the vehicle for being operatively connected to a power source of the vehicle and cooperating with the attachment assembly for moving said forward end between a lowered position and an elevated position, wherein said floor of the cargo box is tilted at an angle relative to said lowered position for permitting the load to be transported into and out of the cargo box;
• (b) mounting said cargo box assembly on the vehicle adjacent a rear axle thereof;
• (c) moving the forward end of the cargo box to said elevated position;
• (d) moving said ramp assembly to said extended position;
• (e) positioning the load on the ramp assembly;
• (f) moving the ramp assembly to said retracted position;
• and
• (g) moving the forward end of the cargo box to said lowered position, thereby positioning the load in the vehicle.