The Best Car Ramps
Car ramps are incredibly useful to keep your car off the ground and elevated during parking or storage, especially if you plan to keep your car stored for an extended period of time. Car ramps are especially helpful on slanted or uneven garages or parking spaces, as they can take the strain off of your car’s tires or keep them from moving while parked. Clearly, when it comes to car ramps, the qualities you need most are safety, durability, and dependability. Here, we've compiled a list of the best of the best with all these qualities and more.
Sunroad 12,000-Pound Vehicle Ramps
The Ramp Champ
Sunroad’s heavy-duty car ramps are engineered from the ground-up for both safety and durability. Made from 100% steel and capable of holding a combined 12,000 pounds, these car ramps are built with a 17-degree incline to provide easy access for low-clearance vehicles. At the top of each is a stop device that prevents the car from slipping over the edge and instead remains parked in the proper position. The non-slip surface is designed with a “rice grain” protruding texture that helps to increase friction while the tires ascend the ramp. You’ll find these car ramps are perfect for both small cars and big trucks alike.
Pros:
- Two ramps included in the package
- Ramps break apart for easy storage
- Rust-resistant
Cons:
- Would benefit from rubber, anti-slip feet on the bottom
- Heavy-duty means heavyweight: nearly 27 pounds.
Nicky Nice Solid Steel Auto Ramp Set
Very Nice
Just because your car is small doesn’t mean your car ramps should be. Nicky Nice brings solid-steel construction and high ground-lift to their small car model of car ramps. Featuring—of course—solid steel construction, each ramp is 35 inches long and 13 inches high, allowing you to get under your small car and perform routine maintenance in safety and comfort. A black powder finish prevents rust and corrosion, while raised safety ribs on the sides and extruded tholes on the incline help ensure traction as your car ascends the ramp.
Pros:
- Each ramp supports 2,000 lbs. independently
- Can support total vehicle weights up to 6,500 lbs.
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Not for large cars or SUVs
- Low profile vehicles can scrape while ascending ramps
BISupply Tandem Wheel Ramp
Happy Trail(er)s
These lightweight, high-traction trailer-axle ramps are designed to evenly distribute vehicle weight to protect the integrity of trailer tires that carry heavy loads. They can be used on double-axle cars, trucks, vans, or trailer wheels, and can even be used for storing standard, single-axle vehicles. The real advantage here is that the ramps are strong enough to change the second wheel on your trailer without having to remove the load from the trailer. Featuring a unique, concave design, BISupply is the perfect RV jack ramp for long-term storage, as it preserves the shape of your tires by having them rest in a rounded position when parked.
Pros:
- Constructed of durable polypropylene (PP) plastic
- The grooved bottom keeps the ramp from sliding on the ground
- 10-ton lift capacity
Cons:
- Only one ramp per package
- Slips easily with no weight on it
OxGord RV Leveling Ramps
The Car Escalator
Actually, the OxGord ramps are way more than simple RV leveling ramps: they’re a way to adjust your car to the perfect height for whatever maintenance or storage situation you require. Use these ramps to give your vehicle three different lift heights up to 4 inches. This is especially helpful if you need to do auto work on uneven ground. With a lift capacity of 11,000 lbs, per axel, OxGord ramps work on any vehicle ranging from a small sedan to an RV… and yes, they are perfect for leveling your recreational vehicle at campsites or urban locations.
Pros:
- Weigh only four pounds
- Can be washed with soap and water
- Can be used on tandem trailers
Cons:
- Cracking can occur after long-term sun exposure
- Not for use on soft ground
Street Solutions UK Rubber Curb Ramp
The Next Level
If you’re looking for a car ramp that will help you wheel your car over obstacles, then look no further. These mobility ramps from Street Solutions UK have an industrial load weight capacity of 87 tons, allowing for easy carrying of cars, trucks, and heavy-duty commercial vehicles from one level to the next level. Street Solutions UK curb ramps are constructed from 100% recycled PVC with a traction matte finish that provides incredible shock absorption and noise reduction. They are easy to carry with their formed-grip handles and can even link together for double-axle vehicles.
Pros:
- No assembly required to join units
- Designed to conform to various surfaces
- Also great for wheelchairs
Cons:
- Plastic can release a heavy odor when you take it out of the package
- The wide size makes storage difficult in an RV
Frequently Asked Questions
Are car ramps better than jack stands?
It depends on what you find most convenient, but most people think the enhanced safety features of car ramps make them more stable than jack stands. Car ramps feature a larger surface area, which creates greater contact with the ground and supports the car’s wheels. Overall, car ramps are ideal for maintenance that does not require the removal of the tires.
Any tips for using car ramps safely?
There are two tips you should always follow. First, always engage the parking brake once your tires are on top of the ramp. Don’t just put the transmission in “Park,” make sure the parking brake is on as well. Second, place wheel chocks behind the wheels opposite the ones on the car ramp. This added measure alleviates some of the pressure diverted to the opposite tires.
For long-term storage, should I place my car on car ramps or jack stands?
There are plenty of heated opinions on this, most of which center on the idea that “flat spots” can occur on your tires during long-term storage. For some, this problem is alleviated by placing the car on jack stands. Others say that if you have 50 PSI or greater in your tires before storage, you won’t get flat spots while the car is on a ramp. Our rule is simpler: if you don’t own a car jack, use car ramps.