In the world of vehicular maintenance and repairs, many brands are out to make a quick buck off of novice car owners by selling them subpar products at outrageous prices. But many brands are the polar opposite, that’s how they built them into brands over the decades.
Gearheads and professional mechanics can easily sift through all the jargon and malarkey. But guys who are just starting to sink their teeth into DIY repairs might have a thing or two they need to learn. Our review of the best car ramps will not only be valuable for newbies but will also pique the interest of seasoned veterans.
Best Car Ramps for Your DIY Projects
Shopping around for a set of car ramps can leave the uninitiated in quite the pickle.
To make this selection process less of a pain in the neck we’ve compiled a list of the best car ramps out now on the market with their strengths and weaknesses.
1. RhinoGear 11909ABMI RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramp- Best car ramps
Strengths
RhinoGear 11909ABMI Vehicle Ramp is a very reliable set of car ramps. These car ramps are designed specifically for use cases in which sturdiness and portability are key factors.
This ramp has excellent structural integrity due to solid design and construction to ensure that you won’t have any issues with that.
What often separates a good set of car ramps from a truly great one is how easy it is to store and with the Rhino Ramps, car ramps storage has never been easier. With its feature to put one inside the other, it is easy to store very conveniently.
These car ramps have 17-degree incline so you don’t need to fret if your car has very low clearance. CoreTRAC non-skid base ensures that your car won’t slip no matter what while on the job.
Weaknesses
- May slide on the floor if too much weight is applied to it.
- Not ideal for vehicles with very low suspension
2. Race Ramps RR-40 Service Sports Ramps
Strengths
Race Ramps RR-40 Ramps are a very good choice for sports cars for its sturdy construction and design. Whether it’s for display or maintenance these are one the best car ramps in this subsection of ramps. These ramps can be easily used with sports cars as they have a 16.7-degree angle of approach.
Another gripe the majority of vehicle owners have with car ramps is their tendency to skid and scuff floors after prolonged usage. The Race Ramps RR-40 Service Sports Ramps are designed such that these problems will become a thing of the past.
As for things like weight capacity and good build quality these ramps are not lacking in those aspects either. They support up to 1500lb per ramp and are of solid construction capable of supporting your vehicle easily.
These ramps are also very easy to transport anywhere you need them and storing them involves no hassle whatsoever. They are very user friendly in this regard.
Weaknesses
- Incompatible for some specific vehicles like the Subaru WRX and Volkswagen Passat
- Scraping may occur in a select few vehicles
- May deform slightly if too much load is applied
3. Nicky Nice Solid Steel Auto Ramp Set
Strengths
Nicky Nice Solid Steel ramps have been popular in recent times among automobile enthusiasts. If you’re in the market for a set of solid steel ramps these just might be the ones for you.
These ramps are made of solid steel and have a sturdy construction which makes it a prime candidate for use in DIY repairs or maintenance work.
The traction of these ramps is beyond expectations. They have extruded and punched holes along the incline to make sure the chance of slipping is virtually nonexistent.
These ramps also have raised safety ribs on the sides to keep your car stationary while you’re working on it.
Nicky Nice Solid Steel Auto Ramp Set has a powder coating finish which boosts its durability quite a lot and also increases its longevity quite a bit.
It supports up to 2000lb on each ramp and has a gross vehicle weight of 6500lb which makes it very easily compatible with most cars. You’ll more than likely encounter little to no issues while using it.
Weaknesses
- Too steep for passenger sedans and compact cars
- Mostly compatible with SUVs and trucks
- Ramp moves while using with vehicles such as the Honda accord
4. Discount Ramps 6009-V2 Low Profile Plastic Car Service Ramps
Strengths
The Discount Ramps 6009-V2 Ramps are a solid pair of car ramps made from heavy-duty plastic and might just be what you’re looking for. These ramps are low profile and have a loading angle of only 9.05°. So you can easily use them with low clearance vehicles.
It has a weight capacity of 4500lb. But due to its robust construction and sturdy design, it can support the higher weight that’s above its capacity.
Another quite useful feature of this ramp is its honeycomb design. This not only helps to prevent moisture build-up but also plays a pivotal role to build a sturdy construction.
It also has tire stop ends that have a grooved wheel to give it that extra bit of security while using. This feature will keep your vehicle in the exact place perfectly.
Its traction is also of the highest quality that ensures the cars will have little to no problem driving up the ramp.
Weaknesses
- Can only be used with low profile vehicles
- It is narrow and not suitable for use with tires wider than the ramp
5. Tomioka Racing Super Slopes – Car Ramps
Strengths
The Tomioka Racing ramps are some top-notch stuff when it comes to low lip vehicles. These ramps are sufficiently low to easily fit under the front lip and lip extensions of your car. So you can easily fit a jack in there to start whatever maintenance job you want to do.
These ramps are designed specifically to help raise vehicles to 2.5″ in height. As a result, you won’t have a fiddle around too much trying to get your jack in the right position.
These ramps are constructed with plastic material which is very strong and only weighs about 10lbs. This makes them structurally sound but also very lightweight. As a result, storage won’t be an issue.
So if you indeed are in a spot of bother with a vehicle that can’t clear floor jacks, then the Racing Super Slopes – Car Ramps will bail you out no problem.
Weaknesses
- A bit expensive considering the material used for construction
6. Black Widow PSR295 Set of Two Plastic Car Service Ramps
Strengths
The Black Widow PSR295 ramp Set is an optimal choice for handling large vehicles. These ramps are made from high impact plastic. As a result, it has enough durability to make sure it can easily handle whatever you manage to throw at it. It is particularly useful for SUVs, vans, and trucks, and all such vehicles.
These ramps also can raise your vehicle 6.25″ off the ground which makes it very convenient to use while performing any service or maintenance related tasks. It also has 16,000 lb weight capacity which means it can quite easily handle heavy vehicles of all sorts.
These ramps have quite an innovative grid design that ensures that things like snow water and dirt can easily flow without a hitch. This design also does the job of providing excellent traction for any vehicle to drive up.
Another quite useful feature of this ramp that is often absent in many other ramps is the inclusion of rubber feet that minimize the chance of sliding or slipping while in use.
Weaknesses
- Not suitable for vehicles with very low clearance
- Not very portable due to large size and weight
7. Shop Tuff STF-924TWR TTF-924TWR Tandem Wheel Changing Ramp
Strengths
The Shop Tuff Changing Ramp is a perfect choice for anyone looking for ramps to change flat tires on their tandem trailers or just as a good old fashioned car ramp. These ramps measure in at 24″ x 8.5″ x 7″ and have a capacity of 6 tons per single unit. They can handle most trailers and vehicles without any problems whatsoever.
Getting your trailer or vehicle to the desired position to change tires won’t be a problem with these ramps because they are designed to have a lift of 5.5″.
These ramps can handle a lot of wear and tear since they are constructed with heavy-duty polypropylene. This material choice ensures that they are durable with longevity.
Another very convenient feature of this ramp is the ability to let you keep your cargo in the trailer while using it to change tires. This removes quite a lot of hassle from the entire process and also saves you some time to boot.
These ramps feature gripping traction threads that make sure that you can achieve a very secure hold while on the job.
Weaknesses
- The ramps tend to slide
A Roadmap to the Best Car Ramps
We have put together a list of the most important features that you need to keep an eye out for while buying a car ramp. They are written in a very easy to read manner. So all you have to do is read them carefully to help purchase the best car ramps that are just the right fit for you.
Material
Ramps these days are generally constructed out of metal, plastic, or rubber. Among them metal ramps are very strong and due to material availability and ease of construction are comparatively cheap. But they can suffer from corrosion. Plastic and rubber ramps have additional features but they cost more than metal ones.
Weight limit
Generally, 6,500 to 10,000lbs is a safe bet for most cars and or trucks. Exceeding the weight limit on a ramp can lead to bucking and give rise to imminent danger whilst working. You’ll find ramps supporting weights even above 12000lbs which will get the job done in virtually all cases but in exchange for a few more bucks.
Size
If you have a low profile car a 2.5-inch lift is often enough. But if you own a regular car and especially need a service lift, about 6 inches is the altitude you should focus on.
A good low car ramp should have a rise of 20% the run. Like, if you want a lift of 5 inches, the ramp should be about 25 inches long. But unless you have a low profiled long-nosed car, you may consider that somewhat.
Loading Angle
The inclination a ramp provides is usually between 6 to 15 degrees or slightly more. Low profile and low lip cars that sit very close to the ground demands a low clearance ramp. But SUVs or trucks allow a loading angle as much as 17 degrees or so.
Durability
Car ramps can have great durability owing to the modern intelligent honeycomb design giving it better structural integrity. Again, ones that are made of high impact plastic are also extremely durable as they can take a lot of punishment.
Surface Traction
If traction is not sufficient slippage may occur with disastrous results to follow. Many ramps have extruded or punched holes to provide better traction. Some plastic ramps have specially designed high traction surfaces to ensure a better grip. Besides, safety ribs on sides prevent the wheels from getting prone to any sway.
Portability
Portability can be an essential aspect of car ramps if you have to drag them everywhere with you. These days plastic and rubber ramps have become quite easy to take with you out on the road. The use of high-density foam ensures the lightweight of the ramp. But such a construction without a coating may recede longevity.
Storage Capability
If you don’t store the ramp adequately it may end up being damaged. So you might want to consider buying a set of ramps that can be stored relatively easily such as lightweight ramps. The storage space should be such that the ramps are safe from corrosion in case of metal rams and UV rays in case of plastic ramps.
Wheel Width
You have to ensure that the ramps are sufficient for the wheel width of your car. For example, if you have a very standard set of P215 tires which have a width of 8.46 inches. Then it’s the best course of action to get ramps which are 12 inches wide to allow for some extra room while you’re driving up the ramp.
Compatibility with Vehicle
To check compatibility you can check if the gross vehicle weight and clearance level of your car match with the ramps specifications or not. You should be easily able to do this by referring to the review section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are car ramps safer than jack stands?
Ans: Yes indeed car ramps are much safer than jack stands if you buy the correct one according to your vehicle’s requirements.
Q: What should be the height of my ramps?
Ans: It’ll mostly depend on your car. For example, larger vehicles require greater height as well as more steepness.
Q: How long does a car ramp last?
Ans: It’ll depend primarily on their design and construction and how you use them. But a good set of car ramps used with appropriate vehicles can last a lifetime.
Q: How do I keep my ramps clean?
Ans: You can very easily clean your ramps by scrubbing after applying soap and water.
Q: What kind of work can be done with car ramps?
Ans: Most at-home DIY maintenance jobs like fluid changes and tire replacements can be carried out quite easily with car ramps.
Conclusion
Picking out the best car ramps for use is a pivotal task for any automobile enthusiasts looking to perform DIY repairs. But to do so effectively one must keep many factors in mind and purchase the right one for their use case.
From the ramps stated in the review section, there are a select few that stand out quite a bit. Such as the Black Widow PSR295 Set of Two Plastic Car Service Ramps for their sturdy design and construction and ability to handle most vehicles.
On the other hand, you can also go for the Race Ramps RR-40 Service Sports Ramps for their usability with low profile cars and sports cars alike.
In the end, as long as you have the necessary information and know what to look for in a set of car ramps you shouldn’t have to stress too much over buying one. You can get started on your DIY projects or repair work right away.
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