Best Car Ramps: They’re Easier Than A Jack, And Safer

These top-notch car ramps are a great tool for your garage.

Best Overall

RaceRamps RR40 40” Race Ramp

Best Value

RhinoGear 11909 RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramps

Honorable Mention

BISupply Vehicle Service Ramp Set

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Car ramps serve several purposes but their primary role is to get your car in the air for maintenance tasks like oil changes or repairs that don’t require removing the wheels. These handy tools are often safer to use than jack stands, particularly on sloped surfaces.

If you have a unibody car, it’s sometimes tough to find a place for the pad of your floor jack and then also find a place to put the jackstand. With all the car ramps available online, which one is the best? Never fret, we did the homework. Knowing that all of us have different needs depending on if we have a car, truck, SUV, or some weird combination, we have listed a wide variety of ramps and explained a little bit about the pros and cons of each one.

Summary List

Our Methodology

We considered several factors while researching the best car ramps. First, we prioritized products from well-known brands in the car accessories industry. We made sure to choose ramps that can accommodate a wide range of vehicles, from low-profile sports cars to heavier trucks and SUVs. We selected ramps that are durably constructed and designed to last without prematurely cracking or breaking. We also included ramps with a variety of price points to suit a wide range of budgets. In addition, we checked customer feedback to see how these car ramps perform in real-world conditions. For more information on how we make our selections, go here.

Best Car Ramps: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: RaceRamps RR40 40” Race Ramp

Pros

  • Constructed of high-density expanded polystyrene
  • 16.7-degree angle
  • 1500 pound weight capacity

Cons

  • Suitable for smaller cars with tires narrower than 10-inches
  • May deform when you push the weight limit
  • More expensive than some rival brands

These lightweight ramps from RaceRamps are specially designed so they don’t scuff up your garage floor and feature a 16.7-degree angle of approach intended for sports cars with minimal ground clearance. The Race Ramps can accommodate vehicles up to 1,500 pounds per ramp with a maximum tire width of eight inches and are made of a heavy, foam-like material and provide a good amount of clearance.

They are large but designed to be light and easy to maneuver. And with a large surface, they should grip the ground securely, preventing slippage when moving a vehicle forward or backing it down. But given their weight rating, these ramps are only suitable for smaller sports cars as under heavy weight, the ramps can deform and bulge slightly without losing structural integrity. These ramps are also pricier than some other options on the market.

Best Value: RhinoGear 11909ABMI RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramps Set of 2

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Provide a good amount of clearance
  • Rugged construction

Cons

  • Can drag forward if you hit the end guards while driving on them
  • They may slide around or crack if used with too much momentum

These rugged ramps from RhinoGear feature a non-skid base and a tread pattern that prevents tires from slipping with a 17-degree incline that is useful for low-clearance vehicles. They’re also stackable when not in use and can hold vehicles up to 12,000 GVW (gross vehicle weight) with tires as wide as nine inches. That’s good enough for most cars and small-to-medium SUVs. RhinoGear made them of a sturdy, heavy-duty polymer and it takes just seconds to set them up and drive a vehicle onto them.

They also provide a good amount of clearance—enough to place a five-gallon water bucket underneath—but there are downsides. The main being is if you hit the guards on the ends of the ramps while driving, the vehicle may drag them forward, and too much power or momentum can cause the ramps to slide and potentially crack

Honorable Mention: BISupply Vehicle Service Ramp Set

Pros

  • Sturdy but lightweight
  • Accommodates extra-wide wheels
  • Good traction

Cons

  • Best for use on flat, clean surfaces
  • Specifications aren’t clearly marked on the ramps

BISupply’s Vehicle Service Ramp set is made of heavy-duty plastic and can also handle vans, SUVs, and pick-up trucks, as each ramp in the set can hold up to 4,000 pounds. The ramps lift vehicles up to 6.3 inches off the ground, which is enough clearance for you, your tools, the supplies, and room to work. 

Each ramp is 11.5 inches (29.5 cm) wide to accommodate extra wide wheels and while they are strong, they’re also light, making carrying around in the shop a breeze. The ramps’ surface is textured for great traction and the pads on the undersides prevent the ramps from skidding across the floor of your work area. However, the design of these ramps works best on a flat, clean floor. Also, you won’t find any specification markings on the ramps such as weight capacity.

Best Lightweight: Black Widow PSR295 Plastic Car Service Ramps

Pros

  • Good traction for tires
  • Gentle slope
  • Easy to carry

Cons

  • May crack over time
  • Bulky
  • Not designed to stack for storage

This set of black plastic ramps from Black Widow (an unfortunate name for a tool that’s meant to impart safety) will lift your car or truck up to 6.25 inches off the ground. Each ramp measures 35.5 x 12 x 8.5 inches and is able to accommodate vehicles that weigh up to 16,000 pounds. The ramps have a gentle slope and a tire stopper at the end of the flat platform, and a gritted surface texture aids your tires in getting traction. 

They also have rubber feet on the bottom, which makes using these ramps safer and easier. There are also handle cutouts on the side to make carrying them easier. Unfortunately, the plastic used to manufacture these ramps is not the most durable and you’ll want to keep an eye out for cracking. They’re also bulky, and you can’t stack them, which makes storage a challenge.

Best Low Profile: 66″ Low Profile Sports Car Lift Service Ramps

Pros

  • Gentle incline that lifts vehicles seven inches
  • Integrated wheel stop included
  • Durable build

Cons

  • Weight capacity is relatively low
  • Welds could be better

Sports cars are a challenge because they’re low to the ground and don’t fit on normal ramps. These low-profile ramps from Discount Ramps are the solution you’ve been looking for as the incline is a gentle 11.5 degrees and measures 66 inches long making even very low cars workable. Once on the ramps, your car will be lifted 7 inches off the ground. There are also integrated wheel stops and weight capacities of 3,000 pounds each.

The aluminum build of these lifts makes them durable and lightweight, and each has rubber stripping on the bottom to help them stay securely in place while you drive your car onto them. Unfortunately, they have a relatively low maximum weight capacity, which shouldn’t be a problem for smaller sports cars but could be an issue with a lowered truck or heavier car. The welds are also not the best and can pose a risk of breaking.

Best Plastic: Ramps Low Profile Plastic Car Service Ramps

Pros

  • Honeycomb design promotes stability
  • Gentle incline accommodates low-profile vehicles
  • Lightweight and easy to move

Cons

  • Raises vehicle just 2.5 inches
  • No non-slip footings to keep them in place

This is another option from Discount Ramps for lower profile cars as this set of two ramps have a low incline of 9.05 degrees. These ramps are made of heavy-duty plastic and feature a honeycomb design on the ramp and platform for better grip, stability, and helps to prevent the buildup of moisture. Each ramp measures 27-1/2″ L x 7-3/4″ W x 2-1/2″ H, and they have a maximum weight capacity of 4,400 pounds.

The plastic construction keeps them lightweight at just 9 pounds, which makes them a breeze to move about. While these lifts are designed for low cars, they don’t actually lift the car very much: in total, they raise the car 2.5 inches. So you may have to use a jack or service lift to get it further into the air. They also don’t have any rubber or non-slip footings, so they’ll slide around on your garage floor.

Best Aluminum: Rage Powersports Low-Profile Aluminum Vehicle Service Stands with Removable Ramps

Pros

  • Heavy-duty construction
  • Accommodates a broad number of vehicles
  • Gentle incline

Cons

  • Not a great option for vehicles with shorter wheelbases
  • Attachment may loosen
  • Ramps lack support, which may affect their stability

This set of aluminum ramps from Rage Powers have the lowest incline on the market at 7.6 degrees and can lift the car a total of 9.5 inches off the ground and have a weight capacity of 3,000 pounds. Heavy-duty aluminum is welded into a cross beam design for the ramp and platform construction. These ramps are incredibly functional with their long ramps and gentle incline, which gives them broad compatibility with vehicle types. And once your car is up on the ramps, you can remove the incline portion of the ramps and give yourself more room to maneuver and work on your car. 

Unfortunately, the gentle incline of the ramp means that they are incredibly long, which may be an issue for some vehicles with a shorter wheelbase. Cars with a wheelbase of fewer than 97 inches may end up having both front and back wheels on the ramps. And the attachment design for the ramp isn’t very secure and can come loose while loading your car. The ramp portion also lacks any sort of buttressing or support throughout, which can compromise the stability and integrity of the ramps.

Best Two-Piece Design: Cusco A517 SL99 Jack Assist Ramp Set

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to move
  • Low-profile design for low-profile vehicles
  • Convenient to use with a floor jack

Cons

  • Lacks rubber or non-slip bottom
  • Plastic is thin and may not be good for heavier vehicles

This set of blue plastic ramps from Cusco come in a two-piece detachable design and are low-profile to make it easy for lowered cars. They have a longer ramp to create a mild incline and the plastic is a lightweight ABS material. 

The detachable ramp makes it convenient for use with your floor jack, as you can remove the ramp portion to make room behind the tire for proper jack placement on the frame. These ramps weigh 5.89 pounds total, so anyone can lift and move them around. The biggest problem is that they are entirely plastic with no rubberized or non-slip bottom, which means they’ll slide all over the place if you have a smooth garage floor.

Best Heavy Duty: BISupply Heavy Duty Truck Ramps for Vehicle Maintenance

Pros

  • Great for larger vehicles
  • Textured traction to keep tires in place
  • Won’t slide around

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Feet may not stay firmly attached
  • Poor performance on rocky, uneven ground

If you have extra-wide tires, want to perform maintenance on a truck, or need to accommodate a large weight capacity, these ramps from BISupply are a good option. They can hold up to 10,000 pounds per ramp, which makes them a great option for pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans as well as cars. The ramps weigh 19.5 pound each and have a larger surface area compared to some rival options, measuring 11.3 inches wide, 47 inches long, and lifting your vehicle 6.6 inches off of the ground. 

These ramps feature a textured traction dot design so tires stay firmly in place and are easy to use. Made of thick plastic with non-skid pads on the bottom so they won’t slide around on your driveway or garage floor. However, these ramps are a bit more expensive compared to some rival options. And while they are generally well built, the feet may not stay firmly attached to the ramp. Also, they’re not a great option for rocky or uneven ground.

Our Verdict on Car Ramps

Our pick for the best car ramps are the RaceRamps RR40 40” Race Ramp. They’re a great option for sports cars or vehicles with short front ends. They are lightweight yet durably constructed and grip the ground firmly, so they won’t slip during use. For a more budget-friendly option with a larger weight capacity, consider the RhinoGear 11909 RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramps.

What to Consider When Buying a Car Ramp

Ramp Height

Ramps need to be tall enough for you to work beneath the vehicle. Make sure they are high enough for tasks such as an oil change. Some parts of a vehicle may be hot when you work, so the extra space can be helpful to prevent burns.

Ramp Width 

It’s important that your ramp set is wide enough so it can support the width of the tires on your vehicle. You’ll want to ensure that the car will not fall off the ramps, which can happen if the ramps are too narrow.

Construction Materials

Car ramps come in a variety of materials. Aluminum or metal car ramps are often a top choice if you require heavy-duty ramps for larger and heavier vehicles such as trucks, SUVs, and campers. Some ramps are made of plastic, polymer, resin or composite materials. These types of ramps tend to be lighter weight, making them easier to use and store in your garage or workshop.

Grip 

Some ramps are designed to prevent slippage using grooves or grids that grip the tires while allowing water, snow, dirt, and other debris to slide off.

Incline

If you have a low-clearance vehicle, like a sports car, you will need a ramp with a lower angle of incline to prevent the front or bumpers from hitting the ramp. 

Tire stops

Keeping the tires on the ramps as the vehicle rolls up will prevent unnecessary accidents. Examine the ramps to see what protection they offer to prevent the tires from sliding over and off the ramp.

Car Ramp Pricing 

You can find some affordable car ramps for under $50, but you have to pay attention to their construction to make sure they are high quality enough to accommodate your needs. Most car ramps range from $50 to $200 and are strong with enough clearance to work with a variety of vehicle types and weights. Car ramps that cost more than $200 are typically much more durable and are designed with longer lifespans, which makes them worth the extra investment.

FAQs 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!

Q: Why is a ramp’s length important?

A: When you select a car ramp, the angle shouldn’t have a grade larger than 20 percent. Longer car ramps have smaller grades, so it’s easier to drive up. 

Q: Why is a ramp’s width important? 

A: It’s essential to choose a ramp that can accommodate the size of your vehicle’s tires. Wide car ramps are easier to drive on, but it’s important to center your tires on the ramps. The wider the ramp, the more challenging it is to center your vehicle.

Q: Are plastic car ramps safe?

A: Both metal and plastic car ramps are safe for use. Advances in technology have made it possible for plastic and polymer products to be as strong and resilient as their metal counterparts.

 

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Hank O'Hop

Associate Editor, Commerce

Hank is an Associate Editor at The Drive. As a die-hard gear head, he spends the majority of his free time dissecting and playing with all things mechanical.