A car ramp is one of the best things to have in the garage if you regularly work on your car. When I was a teenager I use my Dad’s car ramps to change my car’s oil. I learned from experience about using a ramp safely.
To choose the right car ramp you need to know how much your car weighs, how much ground clearance your car has and how much you need, tire width, and which ramp is the most practical one for what you will be using it for. You should also be aware of how to safely use the ramp you choose.
Which car ramp will make the best choice for you? We’ll identify some of the essential considerations, and most importantly, five of the models that you might want to consider on your list.
Car Ramp Features To Look For
As you try to evaluate the options for the best car ramps, below are some of the most important things that will help you to come up with the right decision.
1. What Are Other People Saying?
The best way to start your search is to go online and look at the reviews from other people. There should be hundreds of positive reviews. When others are highly-satisfied, chances are, you will be happy with your purchase as well. Their insights and experiences will make it easier for you to narrow down the possibilities.
However, you have to be careful with the proliferation of fake and paid reviews. You have to be discerning enough to determine which ones are genuine.
2. What is the Weight Limit?
The manufacturer will express the weight limit of their car ramps in kilos or pounds. To start with, think about the car that you have and make sure that it can be handled by the ramp that you will choose. As much as possible, choose a high weight limit, which means that it can accommodate more types of cars without worrying that it will break.
3. What are the Safety Features?
Do not also forget to take a look at the features that will guarantee safety. One of the most important is to have grooves on the surface or anything else that will allow the tires to have a strong grip. This will prevent your vehicle from sliding accidentally as you work. To add, it is also necessary that the ramp comes with a non-slip bottom. This means that it will not slide.
4. What are the Materials Used?
It is also necessary to evaluate the materials used as this is going to have a direct impact on the overall quality of the ramp. Plastic, resin, and metal are three of the most common. Plastic and resin may be quite flimsy, but they are good since they are lightweight. The metal, on the other hand, is the opposite. It is durable, but it is heavy.
5. What is your Vehicle?
To help you decide on which ramp will be the best for your needs, you also need to consider the vehicle that you have. Earlier, we mentioned that if you have a large and heavy vehicle, make sure that the ramp will be able to support its weight. This is important to make sure that the material will not crack as a result of too much pressure.
More so, if your vehicle is low profile, you need to choose a ramp that will be perfect for it. In this ramp, the incline is usually longer and more gradual. This will allow you to work underneath the car without worrying that its parts will be touching the surface.
6. Is it Lightweight and Portable?
If you intend to install your car ramp permanently in the garage, this should not be too much of a concern for you. Nonetheless, this will be a critical consideration if you will use the ramp only now and then, such as when you are performing diagnostics or routine maintenance. It should be lightweight enough, making it easy for you to move the ramps.
7. What is the Size?
To determine what size is best for your needs, there are two things that you have to consider – the size of your car and the size of your garage or wherever you intend to use the ramp. Also, see to it that the ramp will be space-efficient when it comes to the time that you have to store them.
Some tires might not fit properly when using some ramps. Consider how wide your tires are compared to the ramp width.
8. Is It Easy to Use?
You should also take the time to go over the design elements and overall construction of the ramp to make sure that its use will be effortless. For instance, its assembly and disassembly should not waste too much of your time and should not require a lot of effort. It should also be easy to mount your car on the ramp.
9. What is the Incline of the Ramp?
The incline is one of the technical specifications that will need your attention. In the case of most car ramps, the incline is usually 17 degrees. If you have a low-profile car, on the other hand, you might want to choose one that comes with a lower incline as well.
10. What is the Warranty Offered by the Manufacturer?
The standard warranty coverage is one year. Some manufacturers, however, are confident about the quality of their products, and hence, they will offer an extensive warranty. Under the warranty coverage, the manufacturer will offer a free repair if the product becomes defective or they will replace it as a part of their quality promise.
Car Ramps For Purchase
In your search for a car ramp that will be a perfect addition to your garage, below are some of the top options in the market.
1. RhinoGear 11909ABMI Car Ramp
With the abundance of positive feedback from other users, this is one option that should definitely be on your radar. This ramp seems to have the quality and functionality that will be hard to match.
A lot of people may be instantly put off by the fact that it is made from resin. Despite this, however, take note that the resin has excellent quality. It meets the Portable Automotive Lifting Device Standards, which can make you confident about its quality. It has a capacity of 12,000 pounds.
Another feature that deserves to be given emphasis is the Core-Trac surface, which is a patented technology that provides the product an edge above many others. This is constructed in a manner that the surface will be non-skid, regardless of the wheels of your vehicle. With this, you can be confident that it will be a secured ramp.
Lastly, it is also a good thing that it is space-efficient, especially when it is not used. It comes with a modular design, which allows ease of nesting.
Features:
- Has lots of positive reviews
- Excellent quality despite being made from resin
- Impressive traction on different wheels
- Space-efficient design
2. Race Ramps RR-XT-2 XT Race Ramp
This may not be a practical choice for most people. However, for those with discerning preferences who do not care about how much they spend, this can be a good investment in the garage.
Among others, one feature that we loved the most about this product is that it is lightweight. When assembling the ramp and when taking it off, you do not need to exert too much effort.
The solid design of the ramp is another thing that makes it exceptional, which is just natural to expect for a ramp that comes with lightweight construction. It can accommodate vehicles with a weight of up to 3,000 pounds.
Safety is also a major reason why we are ranking this as one of the best options within the product category. It will hug the ground powerfully, and hence, there will be no risk that it will end up slipping.
With the use of this low-profile ramp, lifting your car off the ground will be easy. This will also make it a snap for you to see the car and detect any possible problem or work on basic repairs, such as changing the oil and routine maintenance.
Features:
- Can lift cars high
- Easy to remove and assemble
- Lightweight construction
- Excellent in terms of safety
3. Race Ramp RR-40 40″ Race Ramp
In terms of its construction, one thing that I personally like is how it comes with a high edge to help since the end of the ramp. Made of a solid core that is durable and won’t slip or slide.
The ramp can hold up to 1500 lbs each and works great for sports cars.
The lightweight construction of the ramp is also a plus. This means that having it assembled when the work starts and disassembled when it is no longer needed will be a piece of cake. You do not need too much effort at all.
Features:
- Solid core and durable
- 1500 pounds load capacity
- Lightweight construction (6 lbs per ramp)
- Stop at the end of ramp
4. Solid Steel 3 Ton 6500 LBS Auto Ramp
Before buying this car ramp set, keep in mind that this is not made for lower cars. The inclination can be too stiff for some models.
Taking a look at its features, one thing that I personally loved is its size. It is portable, yet it is versatile as it can accommodate different car sizes. With a length of 11 inches, it can fit tires with a maximum width of up to 9 inches. Also, the capacity is 6,500 pounds, which is good for a metal ramp.
It is also a good thing that it comes with raised safety ribs on both sides of the ramp. The latter helps to improve traction, making sure that the tires will have a powerful grip on the surface.
Features:
- Made from durable materials
- Portable
5. Discount Ramps Low Profile Ramps
A budget should not be a hindrance to having a car ramp that will offer reliability. Such is exactly what you can expect from this product. You can be confident that it will be able to deliver impressive performance.
With the low cost of this ramp, there is not much to expect from its construction and design. It is made from lightweight plastic, which will make it portable. Durability can be a bit of an issue. To avoid damage and to make it last longer, be sure to follow the specified weight limit.
The plastic that is used in the construction of this ramp is a honeycomb. The latter is known for its ability to absorb the buildup of moisture.
Lastly, it also comes with grooves, which act as the tire stop. This will prevent the vehicle from sliding on the ramp, and hence, make it an excellent feature when it comes to safety.
Features:
- Perfect even for a small space
- Works great for displaying cars
Conclusion
The best car ramps will indeed be beneficial in more ways than one. However, this is only the case if you exercise caution to end up with the right decision. A lot of you may be blinded by a low price, but deciding on the basis of cost alone is never a good thing to do. This is probably one thing that you will regret in the future.
If there is one product that I can personally recommend, it would be RhinoGear 11909ABMI Car Ramp. With all the positive feedback from its users, it is easy to be convinced that this is indeed one product that can provide the best bang for the buck.