If you are looking to do more work on your car, you need to have the right tools. Car jacks and steel floors may not be the best way to go about it since they are not very effective when it comes to lifting heavy vehicles. In addition, they are not as stable as you would want them to be, meaning your vehicle will not be anchored properly in place.
Therefore, finding the best vehicle ramps to raise your vehicle off the ground for maintenance works such as oil changes can make your life a lot easier. Having a reliable and functional ramp can make a big difference. With these items varying greatly in price and differing considerably in terms of material quality, selecting the right ramp is not simple. The goal of this article, therefore, is to make the selection process easier for you. We give you a guide to selecting a vehicle ramp and we review some of the best vehicle ramps.
- Features to consider in Good Vehicle Ramps
- Top 10 Best Vehicle Ramps 2024
- 1. RhinoGear RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramp
- 2. Race Ramps RR-40 40” Race Ramp
- 3. Nicky Nice Solid Steel Auto Ramp Set
- 4. Magnum 1002-01 Automotive Ramp System
- 5. Trailer-Aid Tandem Tire Changing Ramp
- 6. Black Widow PSR295 Car Service Ramps
- 7. Specter 08226 Plastic Automotive Ramp Set
- 8. Discount Ramps 6009-V2 Low Profile Plastic Car Service Ramps
- 9. Tomioka Racing Super Slopes Car Ramps
- 10. Race Ramps RR-EX-14 67” Xtender
- Guide to Buying the Best Vehicle Ramps
- The Verdict
Features to consider in Good Vehicle Ramps
While all the different sets of vehicle ramps available in the market today may seem similar, they are all quite different. Every time you go beneath your car, you are entrusting your life to the vehicle ramp. If for unfortunate reasons the ramp malfunctions, the car may end up crashing you. That is why it is important to take your time and look for the following things when choosing a vehicle ramp.
Size
The size of ramps you need to get will depend on how low your car sits. You will need to know whether or not your vehicle might be too low to the ground to work with standard ramp sizes. Lowered vehicles may have difficulty mounting standard-sized vehicle ramps.
If you drive a car that sits inches from the ground such as a sports car, you will need ramps with a great deal more height. To ensure you end up with a ramp that will accommodate your car without damaging it, you should search for low profile or low clearance ramps. For high-sitting trucks, short and stubby ramps can work for you.
Traction
The surface of your preferred ramps should offer enough traction for your car to drive up in any circumstance. Smooth surfaces on-ramps will encourage slippage, even if the ramps have a low incline. Rubber and plastic ramp provide enough traction through texture alone whereas metal ramps will need grooves to keep the car locked in place.
Construction
There are generally three materials used to make car ramps. They include metal, plastic, and rubber. Vehicle ramps made out of metal are stronger and last longer. On the other hand, rubber ramps can withstand a lot of abuse and do a great job of holding weight. Plastic ramps border on being ridiculously strong and being very flimsy.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of any car ramp refers to the maximum weight the ramp can safely support. This is one of the most important things to consider when buying when looking for the right ramp for your vehicle. Vehicle ramps can hold up weights of all different kinds.
Despite manufacturers specifying the maximum weight a ramp can hold, the choice of a ramp may not be easy. This is mainly because some ramps only show the single axis rating instead of the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Therefore, it is important to know the weight of each of the axis on your car before selecting the right ramp. Because of the positioning of the engine in the front of the car, the front axis is mostly heavier than the rear axis.
You must never exceed the weight capacity on your preferred vehicle ramp despite the rating given. Exceeding the weight capacity of your ramp will not only damage the ramp but also pose a grave danger to the individual working beneath the car.
Top 10 Best Vehicle Ramps 2024
1. RhinoGear RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramp
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Construction
The RhinoGear RhinoRamps is made from plastic polymer and has a 17-degree ramp angle that will lift your car 6.5” off the ground. Therefore, it is easy to use for low clearance vehicles. To help prevent slippage when you first drive onto it, it has a rubber pad under the front of the ramp. Its width ensures that it can handle tires with a tread contact patch of 9” wide. In addition, this width enhances weight distribution and the weight capacity of the ramps.
Durable
These ramps have been made using a proprietary heavy-duty resin material developed and patented by RhinoGear. The material used is tough and will serve you for a long period of time. The material is also sturdy and will support a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of up to 12,000 pounds.
Affordable
This is one of the best vehicle ramps that you can choose to purchase today. What’s more, it is currently one of the lowest costing ramps in the market. Because of its affordability, more and more people are choosing this brand. In addition to being cost-effective, it performs well even if it only costs less than other brands. It has additional features such as its storage that makes it a very convenient tool to use.
Lightweight
They have been made using lightweight material that also makes them portable. It only weighs 19 pounds which is light in comparison to other vehicle ramps. The RhinoGear RhinoRamps also features a space-saving design for efficient and easy storage. Being lightweight means that it is easy to carry around especially if you regularly move around.
Patented Design
RhinoGear RhinoRamps have CoreTrac non-skid feet that help in minimizing chances of sliding during use. In addition to this patented design, these ramps have a tread pattern that makes them the most secure and efficient ramps available in the market.
Angle of Incline
These ramps have a 17-degree inclination angle that makes them a great tool for low profile vehicles. This is mainly because that angle of incline provides an efficient and adequate clearance for such vehicles without the risk of damaging their undercarriage.
Pros
- Being made from lightweight material means that they are easy to carry around
- They are one of the cheapest vehicle ramps available in the market
- It features a sturdy and durable construction
- The 17-degree incline makes it suitable for low clearance vehicles
Cons
- They are not as wide as they should be as reviewed by most users. Therefore, you cannot use them if the width of your tires is more than 9 inches.
- Unlike many other vehicle lifting devices, you cannot adjust this ramp’s height when a car is resting on it.
2. Race Ramps RR-40 40” Race Ramp
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Lightweight
The Race Ramps RR-40 weighs only 8.49 pounds making it lightweight. The advantage of lightweight ramps is that you can easily carry and maneuver with them. This is a great advantage for drivers owning sports cars. They can rest easy when they come in for a pit stop on track day, knowing quite well they’ve carried along with them a vehicle ramp.
It comes with a carrying strap for easy storage and transportation. In addition, it has sufficient capacity to hold light vehicles such as sports cars. Each ramp has a weight capacity of 1500 pounds and both can hold up to 6000 pounds.
Durable
These ramps are made of solid core design and constructed of high density expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). They are also sprayed with a hybrid polyuria coating that improves the strength and makes the ramps impervious to all automotive chemicals. The coating also makes the ramps extremely resistant to slippage. They can be used on icy surfaces without slipping.
Stability
Race Ramps RR-40 are extremely stable and impervious to collapse. Therefore, they can be used on any flat surface including grass, sand, and dirt. Their wide solid base ensures that they can accommodate tires as wide as 10 inches. The ramps also have a reduced angle of approach at 16.7 degrees, which makes them ideal for sports cars such as BMWs, Jaguars, and stock Miatas.
Pros
- Has anti-slip features that ensure the ramp stays in one position when driving your car up
- Highly durable because of the high-density plastic construction used
- Easy to transport and store because it has handles and is lightweight
- Features a wide solid base that can accommodate tires as wide as 10”
- Reduced angle of approach means it is suitable for low-clearance vehicles such as sports cars
Cons
- This ramp cannot be used for heavier vehicles
- The foam design is not a favorite of many according to reviews.
3. Nicky Nice Solid Steel Auto Ramp Set
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Construction
While most of the ramps available today are made out of plastic or resin, these Nicky Nice ramps are made out of solid steel. This definitely makes them tougher and more durable. To prevent corrosion as well as wear and tear, the surface of these ramps have been powder coated.
Traction
To improve traction, the Nicky Nice steel ramp features extruded holes on the surface. These help the tires to grab and avoid ramp slippage. On the sides of this ramp are raised safety ribs, which are particularly helpful in providing safety when reversing onto the ramp.
Size of Ramp
Measuring 8 inches tall, these ramps provide enough clearance for you to carry out maintenance on your vehicle. As far as width is concerned, they measure in at 9 inches.
Pros
- Being made out of solid steel, this ramp is durable and of solid construction
- It is relatively stable on rough grounds because of the raised ribs on the sides
- Features extruded traction holes to ensure that vehicles can drive up in any circumstance
- The ramps can support a combined weight of up to 6,500 pounds
- They do not cost much making them quite affordable to many
- Cannot easily corrode because they have powder coated surfaces
Cons
- Some customers consider them too high for normal cars
- Several customers report that the build quality of the ramp is low
4. Magnum 1002-01 Automotive Ramp System
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Build Quality
Made from tough, eco-friendly material, this ramp is environmentally friendly. The tough material makes it capable of holding up a gross weight capacity of 16,000 pounds. It has a four-piece detachable system that you can assemble and disassemble making it easy to store.
Safety
Once you’ve positioned your ramps and driven up onto them, you can flip the locking mechanism on each ramp to disengage the slopes. The sloped pieces serve as the chocks for the other vehicle’s wheels. It features a low-angle design which assists in an easy drive up the ramp.
Pros
- It is relatively lightweight just weight 17 pounds making it very portable as well
- It is made of a tough eco-friendly material
- It features a safety chock that secures your car, preventing it from rolling on any side
- It requires minimal storage making it suitable for car owners with limited storage space
- It is affordable
- Easy to assemble and use with no tools required
Cons
- It is not an ideal ramp for vehicles with a low clearance
- As reviewed by many customers, the ramp may not be wide enough for many modern cars
- In addition, most customers have complained about the quality of the design and said it is not suitable for their vehicles.
5. Trailer-Aid Tandem Tire Changing Ramp
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Durability
Made out of lightweight, super strong polymer, this ramp is robust and of high-quality construction. Because of this strength, it can hold a total weight capacity of 15,000 pounds. In addition, it is resistant to rust and water.
Portable
You can easily change your trailer’s tires even if you are alone since the Trailer-Aid tandem ramp is portable and easy to store away when traveling. With rear slow and front holes, it provides you with easy access and handling. It has a clearance of 4 ½ inches ensuring you have more than enough room to work on your trailer.
Pros
- It is quite easy to use alone since you only need to elevate one tire while the other gets support.
- It is durable because of its robust and high-quality construction.
- It is ideal for tandem trailers.
- Allows you to keep cargo in trailer while changing the flat tire.
Cons
- Not suitable for all trailers you, therefore, need to check if your trailer is compatible with this ramp.
6. Black Widow PSR295 Car Service Ramps
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Build Quality
Manufactured from high-impact plastic, the Black Widow Car Service Ramps has a durable construction. The strength of this design makes it capable of handling an 8-ton vehicle without any signs of bulking under all that pressure. At its core, the Black Widow features an internal support mechanism that allows the vehicle’s tires to distribute their weight evenly onto the ramp’s platform. This allows for more stability and more secure support.
Strong Grip
The ramp’s platform has also been designed with the grid pattern that mimics the tire tread pattern of most modern vehicles complete with 3 channels. The grid pattern serves to provide sufficient traction to any vehicle while it drives-up the ramp. This grid design also allows water, snow, and dirt to filter through.
Angle of Incline
It features a steeper incline compared to other ramps. This makes it suitable for a high-clearance vehicle such as SUVs, trucks, vans, and large sedans. The steep incline should however not be a problem since the grooves are there to provide enough traction for the vehicle to easily get up the ramp.
Size of Ramp
It measures 35.5″ L x 12″ W x 8.5″ H and provides a maximum lift of approximately 7-inches off the ground for performing routine maintenance, oil changes and more. The width of this ramp, which is almost a foot wide, gives extra room to maneuver your vehicle. However, this requires a lot of skill to perfectly drive-up your truck on this ramp.
Pros
- It is a durable vehicle ramp because of the high-impact plastic material used in its manufacture
- It is suitable for a high-clearance vehicle since it provides a high lifting capacity of up to 7 inches
- It is wide enough to accommodate vehicles with tire treads of up to 12 inches
- The wide base ensures that there is good weight distribution and balance making it safe for you and your vehicle
- It has a steady and sturdy platform provided by the wide base of the ramp
- It features rubber feet that prevent the ramp from slipping when the vehicle is riding up
- The grid design allows water, snow, and dirt to filter through
Cons
- Weighing in at 19 pounds, the Black Widow is a heavy ramp. Therefore, you cannot carry the ramp with you.
- It is relatively short and has a steep incline making it unsuitable for low-clearance vehiclesю
7. Specter 08226 Plastic Automotive Ramp Set
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Construction
Made from resin instead of the more conventional plastic design, the Specter Plastic Automotive Ramp Set delivers quality and durability at a fantastic price that any vehicle owner can afford. The sturdy design of this ramp means that you can drive-up a car weighing up to 12,000 pounds. However, at 20 pounds these ramps are quite heavy to carry around.
The ramp features a core parabolic arch in its design to distribute weight and maximize the strength of the plastic. In addition to this arch, the Specter ramp has an open grid design that allows water, snow, dirt, and a lot of other stuff to fall through. You can be sure that no particles will collect on the ramp. What’s more, this open grid design doubles up and offers great grip and security.
Pros
- It is lightweight, but sturdy meaning that you can carry it whenever you travel.
- Strong with great weight distribution due to the arch design.
- The grid design prevents the buildup of dirt, snow, and water while also providing enough traction for the vehicle to drive up the ramp.
- Relatively wide at 8 inches ensuring you feel safe while the care is on the ramps.
- Because of its strength, it can support weights of up to 12,000 pounds.
- Safe for all weather use.
Cons
- It requires more storage space
- It doesn’t provide much clearance to vehicles such as MK7 Gtls.
8. Discount Ramps 6009-V2 Low Profile Plastic Car Service Ramps
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Strength
The Discount Ramp 6009-V2 low-profile service ramp possesses a sturdy structural design that is capable of handling a Gross Vehicle Weight of 4,400 pounds. It is manufactured from heavy-duty plastic that is capable of handling the above weight capacity.
Ground Clearance
This ramp features an incline of just 9.05 degrees, which is suitable for low clearance vehicles. It also provides a clearance of about 2.5 inches that may seem too small to perform oil changes. They can instead be used to keep the car a little bit higher off the ground during storage. In addition, these ramps can be used to get a jack under a low car by providing a little bit of extra clearance.
Honeycomb Design
The honeycomb design of this ramp avoids long-term buildup of moisture. Furthermore, the honeycomb design pattern ensures the safety of the vehicle while on the ramp as well as offering great strength to the ramp’s structure. It also provides sufficient traction when the vehicle is driving up the ramp. The ramp includes tire stop ends with groove wheel that acts as an extra security measure.
Pros
- The smooth angle of inclination makes it ideal to use with low-profile sports cars
- It does not cost much and is a great product to use
- It is equipped with tire stop ends for securing the ramp and vehicle in place
- Features a heavy-duty honeycomb design that not only ensures the safety of the vehicle on the ramp but also offers great strength to the ramp's structure.
- Due to the strength of the material and design, it can support up to 4,400 pounds.
Cons
- Only suitable for low-profile vehicles
9. Tomioka Racing Super Slopes Car Ramps
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Vehicle Clearance
While the dimensions of this ramp pale in comparison to other ramp systems, the Tomoika Racing Super Slopes provide a clearance of approximately 2.5 inches off the ground.
Inclination Angle
It features a gentle incline of slope that is unlike other systems that come with a steep grade. The gentle incline ensures that you get a gentle ride towards the top until your wheels rest on the intended platform. In addition, the ramp’s gentle slope is suitable for low profile vehicles to ensure their undercarriage is not damaged.
Strength and Portability
The Tomoika is made from a strong plastic material that gives it remarkable lightweight characteristics. In addition, each ramp weighs only 5 pounds. The fact that it is light makes it easy to bring it along and store it. Despite being lightweight, the plastic construction of this ramp makes it feel beefier than other systems.
Cost Effective
This vehicle ramp is one of the lowest costing ramp in the market currently. Because of the low price, it costs more and more people are choosing to buy this brand of vehicle ramps.
Pros
- Highly durable because of the strong plastic material used to manufacture it.
- It is very lightweight, weighing only 10 pounds.
- It does not cost much making it affordable to many drivers.
- The gentle incline makes it suitable for low-profile vehicles.
- Provides sufficient traction with the superior grip track system.
Cons
- It has a relatively low height of ramp at only 3 inches
- It features a narrower ramp track at only 8 inches
- It is only suitable for low-profile vehicles
10. Race Ramps RR-EX-14 67” Xtender
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Build Quality
The solid core of this ramp makes it more secure and stable for your vehicle to climb onto. This is unlike the dubious designs of other car ramps that are made of materials that pose a danger to your vehicle due to instability.
However, this ramp cannot be used on just any ordinary ramp; the ramp has to be the 56- or the 67- inch ramps from Race Ramps. Therefore, it is more of an accessory to Race Ramp products instead of an actual vehicle ramp.
Inclination Degree
Race Ramps RR-EX Xtender have a 6.6-degree inclination that makes them a great tool for low profile vehicles since the clearance is sufficient and adequate. The gentle incline gives your car a smoother ride up to the highest platform.
Strong Grip
This ramp has a non-slip, unscootable surface that will not slip or slide, no matter the surface. This ensures that you have sufficient grip to keep your vehicle stable while you are on the ramp.
Lightweight
Weighing just 10 pounds per ramp and with a solid core, this ramp is light in weight. Therefore, you can easily carry it with you when you travel.
Pros
- It has a solid core, which means that there are no holes or hollows where spiders may hide in.
- Sturdy design makes it more secure and more stable for your vehicle to drive up to.
- With a non-slip and unscootable surface, it ensures that the ramp stays in place even on slippery surfaces.
- The gentle incline makes it excellent for low clearance cars.
- It is lightweight in design making it portable. You can carry it along while you travel.
Cons
- Quite expensive for a car ramp extender
- Can only be used with 56 inch or 67-inch race ramps
- Used as an accessory to Race Ramps products, therefore, not really a race ramp per se
Guide to Buying the Best Vehicle Ramps
The above 10 ramps are the best vehicle ramps available on the market now. This can help you narrow down your options so that choosing the best product becomes easier. You can choose any of these models and use them the next time you are draining your car radiator or changing the oil. Before you make up your mind on which vehicle ramp to purchase, have a look at some of the important considerations you need to make.
What You Need to Consider While Buying Vehicle Ramps
Anti-Slip
To prevent ramps from shifting, moving, or otherwise launching out from beneath the vehicle’s wheels’ some ramps have been fitted with anti-slip surfaces. These surfaces help keep the vehicle ramps in place as a vehicle is being driven off. If your garage has a smooth concrete floor, it is necessary that your vehicle ramp has anti-slip features. You should be less concerned if your garage floor provides you with higher-traction, typically a gravel floor.
Garage Roof Height
It is vital to ensure that your garage roof has proper clearance above just like you would want to know the clearance requirements beneath your vehicle. Individuals with high-sitting trucks might be in for a rude shock when they use their vehicle ramp and have a garage with a low roof. To avoid an untimely impact, it is important to check the distance between the vehicle’s roof, and the garage’s roof against the lift height of the ramps.
Vehicle’s Ground Clearance
It is important to consider how high the underside of your vehicle is above the ground. This will help you avoid damaging your vehicle by buying a ramp that will not fit beneath your car. Therefore, you are advised to buy a ramp in accordance with the ground clearance of your car. Low clearance cars will need low profile ramps.
Low profile ramps feature gentle inclines and are longer to allow the car to gradually drive onto them without causing any damage to the undercarriage. On the other hand, vehicles with sufficient clearance have ramps that are shorter and with steeper inclines.
The width of the Ramp
You need to consider the width of the ramp in relation to the tire width when selecting the right vehicle ramp.
Doing this will ensure that you know how much room for error you have while driving your car up the ramps. You need to measure the width on your vehicle’s tires to determine the right width of the ramp.
The right ramp for you should be wide enough to accommodate the tires and leave enough space on either side of the tires. For example, if you have standard P215 tires having a width of 8.46” you need to get a ramp with a width of about 12”. Choosing the right width of a ramp will help reduce slippage when loading the car on the ramp.
How to Properly Use Vehicle Ramps
Vehicle ramps are more stable and a much easier alternative to steel jacks if you use them correctly and safely. You will require a little practice to drive up onto them, but as long as you place them on a surface with enough traction, you are good to go. To properly use car ramps:
- Park your vehicle on a non-slip surface and ensure the wheels are facing forward.
- Place both ramps with their lower slopes centered perfectly with the tires.
- Carefully drive forwards and up onto the ramp while ensuring that the front wheels are at the center and flat area of the ramp. Repeat the above if you find they are not properly aligned.
- Once the car is sitting on the center of the ramp, you can use the parking brake to keep the vehicle from rolling back. Rock your vehicle to ensure it is secure.
- Place two wheel chocks to ensure that the car doesn’t roll off in any direction.
The Verdict
Car ramps are essential tools that one should have with them in their vehicle. The best vehicle ramps for any car will depend on several factors, such as the inclination angle, weight capacity, level of traction offered, quality, and the width of the ramp. Despite having these considerations in place, the preference for vehicle ramps will vary among car owners.
Despite your preferences, remember that not all vehicle ramps are made equal and just as cars are all individual based on their model, make, and weight, so too are ramps. The considerations and reviews discussed in this guide are sufficient to help you choose the best vehicle ramp for your car.
