Finding a quality car ramp to raise your vehicle higher off the ground for oil changes and other maintenance is important. Safety is critical and choosing the right one for the job can make a big difference between having reliable, functional ramps or ones you don’t like or trust. Though most will work for a variety of different vehicles, you may have special requirements for low-profile vehicles, front spoilers, or heavy trucks.
Car ramp construction and materials are something to consider as well. Budget ramps are typically made of molded plastic resins, while higher-quality ramps may be metal or polyurea-coated expanded polystyrene foam. In addition, ramp design may allow some to stack well for easy storage, while others will not.
With these facts in mind, we have listed the top 5 car ramps we recommend for use in your garage, driveway, or workshop. Included are low-profile car ramps to heavy-duty. We even include ramps designed to lift low-profile cars higher to get a jack underneath.
If you aren’t sure if car ramps are for you, we also have a good review of the best jack stands as an alternative to car ramps.
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Rhino Ramps
First on our list are Rhino Ramps by FloTool. Given the sheer volume of positive reviews, they are among the most popular car ramps you can purchase today. They are also one of the best values for the money.
Made of a plastic polymer, the Rhino Ramps have a 17° ramp angle and will lift your vehicle 6.5” off the ground. The ramps have a CoreTRAC non-skid base to help prevent the ramp from sliding when you first drive onto it. They can handle tires with a tread contact patch of 9” in width.
Furthermore, they are lightweight and stackable. Once stacked, you can also stand them on end. This reduces space for ramp storage and makes it easier to find a place for them in your garage or workshop.
There are two models to select from based on weight ratings. One model has a 12,000-pound GVW rating and the other a 16,000-pound GVW rating. They weigh only 16lbs and 18lbs for the pair, respectively. All Rhino Ramps are shipped as a pair.
As good a value as Rhino Ramps is, there are some factors to consider when purchasing plastic ramps such as these.
The first is the steeper approach angle. This can be a problem for low-profile vehicles. Bumpers or spoilers can contact the ramp before the front tires do.
They can also slip somewhat if used on smooth surfaces. Examples are smooth concrete or an epoxy coated garage floor. However, this is less of a problem for Front Wheel Drive vehicles. The front tires pull the car up onto the ramp, while Rear Wheel Drive vehicles push the front tires up onto the ramp.
Lastly, because of their plastic polymer resin construction, the ramps can become brittle with age or exposure to weather. Edges can crack when flexing at extremely cold temperatures, and there have been occasional reports of a ramp collapsing for no known reason.
Race Ramps
Next on our list is Race Ramps. With their strong, lightweight construction and seemingly endless options, Race Ramps have quickly become the premier car ramp choice for automotive enthusiasts, car clubs, and racing organizations.
The reviews for these car ramps are stellar. The only real drawback about Race Ramps is their higher price point. That, and the fact that they take up more storage space since they can’t be nested when stacked.
Race Ramps are a solid core design constructed of high-density expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). They are sprayed with a hybrid polyurea coating that improves strength and makes the ramps impervious to all automotive chemicals. This coating also makes the ramps extremely resistant to slippage. Race Ramps even claim they can be used on an icy surface without slipping.
Race Ramps are extremely stable and impervious to collapse like some plastic ramps. They can be used on almost any flat surface, including grass, sand, and dirt. They will accept most tire widths, including truck tires. This is great for service work in a variety of conditions or just for a simple oil change.
Their most popular models are the RR-56 single-piece and RR-72-2 two-piece ramps.
Did we say two-piece? That’s right! The two-piece model allows you to remove the extended incline section of the ramp that you drive up. This creates access to the underside of your vehicle from the side without the ramp getting in the way.
The 56 and 72 represent the length of the ramps in inches. The longer the ramp, the lower the approach angle will be for low-profile cars or spoilers that would otherwise get in the way. Both lift a car 8” off the ground with a single axle load rating of 3,000 pounds for the pair. Higher lift options are available.
One popular option is the Roll-Up Ramp. These are smaller ramps that lift the other end of your vehicle at the same time, providing additional clearance for working under your vehicle.
As we stated, Race Ramps has a multitude of options for even higher lift ramps, trailer ramps, and show ramps. If you like, check out the Race Ramps store to view their entire selection, including pricing.
We were first introduced to Race Ramps for our car trailer. We have a car with low ground clearance that will not clear the trailer ramps at the front. The underside of the car will not clear the angle at the top either.
We were using a combination of wood blocks and 2 x 6s to extend and lift the ramps. A friend at the track suggested the Race Ramp trailer ramps and we were impressed! We now have a set of car ramps and accessories from Race Ramps for working on that car at the track.
Their durable, unique, lightweight construction, no floor slippage, and multiple options have made Race Ramps one of the most well-known and popular car ramps in the industry.
Low-Profile Car Ramps
The Black Widow by Rage Powersports is our top choice. These are great, low-profile budget car ramps. Besides providing that extra bit of lift, they are excellent for creating a pre-lift to get your car high enough off the ground to slide a jack underneath. These have proven to be extremely popular.
Made of heavy-duty honeycomb plastic, this inexpensive ramp will lift your car 2.75” off the ground with a curved platform for the tires. They are great for seasonal car storage as well. The curved surface helps prevent flat-spotting of tires when cars are stored or parked for long periods. Plus, the low profile ramp angle helps to minimize slippage when driving onto the ramp.
Rated at 4,000 lbs. single axle weight for the pair, these ramps are strong enough for most vehicles. Plus, they store nicely thanks to their shorter height and lightweight design.
If you have a car or truck that needs only 2-3 inches more clearance to comfortably change your oil, then this is a great ramp for that. However, if you need a low-profile car ramp that provides significant lift to get under the car, this ramp is not the best choice for you.
High Lift Reinforced Aluminum Ramps for Low-Profile Vehicles
If you don’t believe in plastic or foam construction and don’t mind spending more on a well-built ramp, then this aluminum 2-piece car ramp is worth a look.
Manufactured by Rage Powersports, these aluminum car ramps will lift your vehicle 9.5” off the ground with a single axle weight load rating of 3,000 pounds. This provides plenty of height for oil changes and other maintenance. The ramps consist of two separate stands that are 24” long by 16” wide, with two removable ramps that are 73.75” long.
The removable ramps provide ample room to work on the underside of the vehicle, including access from the sides.
Another nice feature is the low ramp incline of 7.6°. This low angle is great for low-profile vehicles. The low angle also helps to keep the ramp from sliding as you drive up and onto it. Furthermore, you don’t need to worry about rust with the aluminum construction.
Though more expensive, they are an investment that will last for years with the proper care.
If you don’t necessarily need the detachable ramp, Rage PowerSports also has an excellent single-piece aluminum low-profile ramp for less money.
These have an 11.5° angle over 66″. The wheel platform is 16″ square and lifts the vehicle 7″ off the ground. The all-aluminum construction weighs 48 lbs. and provides a single-axle load rating of 3,000 pounds.
Aluminum truck service ramp
If you need a pair of reliable service ramps for a heavy truck, then the Rage Powersports option pictured below is one of the best aluminum automotive ramps available.
At only 64 pounds for the pair, these ramps will lift your truck 10.5” off the ground. This will provide plenty of clearance for oil changes and other service maintenance your truck may require.
The Rage Powersport ramps have a load-tested 7,000-pound single axle rating. The ramps are 16” wide to accommodate most tire widths and have a 21” long platform for the tires to rest on.
Made of heavy-duty aluminum, these ramps are not cheap. However, like other aluminum ramps, they are an investment that will last for years.
Weight ratings for car Service ramps
When reviewing weight ratings or load-carrying capacity for car ramps, it’s important to understand what they mean. For example, ramps with a GVW weight rating and those with a single-axle weight rating mean two different things.
A GVW (gross vehicle weight) rating does not mean the ramps will hold all that weight. It means the ramps are designed to lift one-half of a vehicle weighing up to that much. In other words, a 12,000-pound GVW rating means the ramps will hold up to 6,000 pounds for the pair.
A single axle weight rating for car ramps means just what it says. For example, a 3,000-pound single-axle rating means the ramp pair will safely hold up to 3,000 pounds.
Always keep in mind the weight bias for vehicles as well. If you are lifting the front of a 3,500-pound Front Wheel Drive car, you can almost guarantee that the front of the vehicle weighs more than the back.
Car ramp safety tips
Safety always comes first when using car service ramps. Never use them on an unstable surface and always set your brake and use tire chocks to prevent the car from rolling back off the ramp.
Unless you are using car ramps that cannot physically collapse, it’s always wise to place jack stands, a tire with a board across it, or some other device underneath the vehicle to prevent injury to yourself or others should a ramp collapse with someone under the vehicle.
When driving up onto the ramps, use a smooth throttle and never gun it if the car is not moving. This can lead to driving over the edge of the car ramps or even shooting the ramps back under the vehicle and damaging your car. Sometimes it helps to use your parking brake in conjunction with the throttle to keep the car from lurching forward.
Final Thoughts
We realize that car ramps are just a tool and most people don’t want to spend a lot of money if they can help it. After all, they aren’t something that most people use every day in the garage.
However, when choosing the best car ramps for your vehicle, we recommend keeping safety in mind and purchasing the highest-quality ramps your budget allows.
I’ve tested Race Ramps before and their claim was true. Its made to be solid and non slip even on ice. A friend of mine used to be a truck driver on a racing team and I had a first hand experience with the product. Its handy and the design is good to look at. I think we would meet again for the next snowmobile race on Canada.
Yes, they do work well on slippery surfaces. We now have a set for the trailer, a set for the garage, and just picked up a set that the rear tires roll up on when driving up onto the set for the front. It only raises the rear a couple of inches, but we found that it makes a big difference in overall clearance under the car.
Interest your slope ramps floor stand
I use for floor lift to rise car with fitted in low profile tyres
Sent link for buy and price
Hello Kwok. The links are in the article.