STOWABLE RAMP SYSTEM FOR LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT, AND RELATED METHODS OF USE

An apparatus has: a livestock transport having a floor, walls, ground engaging members, and an access door opening; a ramp; and side panels that are pivotally connected to the walls of the livestock transport, in which the ramp and the side panels are configured to move between: a deployed position where the ramp extends from the access door opening and the side panels cooperate with the ramp to form a livestock loading chute; and a transport position where the ramp is stowed and the side panels are swung about to lie against the walls of the livestock transport. A kit has the ramp and side panels of the apparatus. A method of using the apparatus involves moving the ramp and side panels between the deployed position and the transport position to load, unload, and transport, respectively, livestock.