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If you’re a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to your beloved car or truck, the car ramps are among the most essential and valuable tools that you can have at your disposal. Even just having auto ramps for oil changes can make your life a lot easier and of course save you enough money to pay for themselves.
Selecting an auto ramp set is usually not simple. There are hundreds perhaps thousands of products available on the market right now. These items not only vary in price but can also greatly differ in terms of jobs they are designed for, the built-quality, materials used and so forth.
Our goal with this buying guide is to make the selection process easier for you. Our team tested, reviewed and compared dozens of most popular auto ramps available on the market. We also paid attention to expert reviews and consumer testimonials during the whole process. The result is 12 best handpicked car ramps along with answers to what we believe are the most common questions that novice and even intermediate enthusiasts have about ramps.
Comparison Chart: Top Rated Auto Ramps of 2023
In our comparison table, you’ll find some basic information about all the car ramps that are further down in our review section. You can compare their features and analyze each product to see which one rightly fits your requirements. We’ve followed the same listing order in our reviews so that it is easy for you to reference.
Here we take a look at the best auto ramps in this review section. We’ve ranked our favorite products based on a combination of important factors. Hopefully, our in-depth reviews will provide you all the necessary info required to make quick, hassle-free and informed decision.
Please note that product pricing is not the key factor for us while reviewing each of these items. We see how much good value each item provides to the user over a certain period of time. If a car ramp is durable and sturdy, it will definitely provide better value of money to the consumer over the long run.
Portable automotive ramps with a rugged and structural design
RhinoGear is among the most respected and innovative manufacturers in the vehicle ramps world, and this brand makes it to the top of our list no just once but twice!
All Rhino Ramps are made using a proprietary heavy-duty resin material that is developed and patented by RhinoGear. This stuff is tough and moulded into a textured design to prevent slippage. It is built to last and can support a gross vehicle weight as high as 12,000 pounds. These are low-clearance ramps with a 17-degree incline for best functionality and convenience. The ramp measures 22 inches in overall length to avoid interference when driving low profile vehicles. At the top position, you get height of around six and half inches from the floor. After reaching elevation, there is also an obstruction at end of each ramp to stop your vehicle from going down. These are also the most inexpensive vehicle ramp set on the market.
The RhinoGear also features a proprietary CoreTRAC tread pattern and non-skid base that substantially lessens the likelihood of slippage. During our review, we were greatly impressed by how easily we were able to drive up onto these car ramps. We didn’t have to take any additional steps like we did with some other products. This saved our time and made the entire process a whole lot easier.
We recommend these auto ramps to anyone who needs underside access for oil change or even wants to expand storage space in a garage where a vehicle is stored for longer periods. This product is suitable for cars, SUVs, vans, trucks and pickups, etc. When looking for best car ramps for the money, RhinoGear is definitely a superior budget option. You won’t be able to find a better option under budget that can provide such durability and quality for the long run.
If you are someone who is worried about plastic cracks or your ramp breaking down after certain period of time, you can see Nicky Nice Solid Steel Auto Ramp instead.
Portable automotive ramps with a rugged and structural design
This is the MAX version of the 11909ABMI car ramps reviewed above.
Since these products are quite similar, we’ll streamline this particular review a bit. Just know that everything we said about the Rhino Ramps—except the capacity—applies here as well.
The main difference is that maxed version supports a curb weight up to 16,000 rather than just 12,000 lbs. For average passenger car and truck, 12000 is more than enough capacity.
We were really impressed with this auto ramp because we weren’t quite sure if the composite materials were going to hold when you need a drive-on car ramp for heaviest of work pickups and sports utilities vehicles, but it does—at least with this brand. At this price, there’s really no reason to invest in steel ramps unless you just like their aesthetics or you need a capacity even higher than 16,000 pounds.
56" L Ramps provide 8" of lift for better vehicle underbody access during service or maintenance
Race Ramps RR-56 are among the slickest drive-up ramps we tested.
These are among the best car ramps for lowered cars on the market. The manufacturer created this particular model by talking with sports car enthusiasts, assessing situations in which maintenance and repairs occurred and then, determining how their current products lineup was coming up short.
The 56 inch model are very low to the ground having an incline of only 10.8 degrees. That makes them very easy to drive up onto. A downside to this lowered incline is a lower capacity. Each ramp only supports up to 1,500 pounds individually, so these are only suitable for vehicles that weigh 6,000 lbs or less.
The RR56 are perfect for low profile vehicles especially sports cars due to their overall length and design. You can also use these ramps with normal vehicles if they fall in the recommended weight range. With Race Ramps, you do not need to worry about slipping down or sliding ramps when driving on to them. You can get maximum lift of 8 inches from the ground which is enough for majority users. There is also a stop-up on the front to help cease motion of the wheels. The ramps are light weight yet strong and perfect for oil changes, tune ups or accessing underneath components of your car.
Another great feature to love about these auto ramps is its two-piece design. Once the vehicle is up on the ramps, you can detach the second piece in order to eliminate the slope. The rubbery surface and no-skid material protects your floors from scratches. The bottom does not sink or slide on a level surface which makes it good to use in a variety of scenarios. Note that there is another 40 inch version of this product—the RR-40—that we’ll review later in the list. The RR40 is not quite as pricey as the RR56, but it does lack the two-piece design, which we think is one of the good reasons to buy these car ramps.
Core parabolic arch runs through center of ramp to support and distribute weight
These garage ramps by Scepter were in discussion for the number one spot.
Scepter manufactures reliable products that are certainly comparable to what RhinoGear is doing in terms of delivering quality and durability at a fantastic price that practically any car owner can afford. That said, we just preferred the look and feel of the resin design over the more conventional plastic design used here.
This drive-up car ramp supports a curb weight of 12,000 pounds, and each item is just about two pounds heavier than a Rhino Ramp at about 10 pounds. Scepter uses what is known as a core parabolic arch in order to distribute weight and maximize strength of the plastic.
One area where these vehicle ramps do stand out from other products on our list is their open grid design. This allows water, snow, dirt and a lot of other stuff to just fall on through. There isn’t even much surface area on the ramp itself for particles to collect. So, if you’re looking for oil change slopes that you can just leave outside and do not have to worry about, these are a suitable option that you definitely want to consider.
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At first glance, most people think that Bunkerwall Wheel Ramps are made up of metal but they are actually manufactured from high-density polyethylene or HDPE. These are professional-grade garage car ramps that can support vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 20,000 pounds.
That massive strength at such price point places them among the best car ramps for trucks, sports utility vehicles, recreational vehicles, campers, tractors and any other kind of heavy vehicle with wheels. These are large, rugged and built to last for a long time. They’re also surprisingly portable. Although each item weighs a bit more than 20 pounds, convenient handles make them super easy to pick up, move and put back into the truck.
The measurements are 47 inches long by 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches in height. The 11-inch width enables you to accommodate most of the larger and heavier vehicles tires. If we have one complaint it’s about clearance which is a little low at 6.5 inches. That is probably a downside of trying to keep lower incline level but if you’re a bigger guy, even an extra half-inch would’ve been nice.
6500 lb. gross vehicle weight (2000 lb. each ramp)
This set by Nicky Nice is our favorite among metal auto ramps.
Most of the products we reviewed so far use plastics and composite materials. This use of plastic on a larger scale actually makes metal type of ramps less prevalent in the market. That said, if you prefer the traditional look and feel, then it is hard to go wrong with Nicky Nice that are made from solid steel and offer powder-coated black finish.
Each ramp in this set is rated for 2,000 pounds, and Nicky Nice recommends a maximum curb weight of 6,500 pounds. Novice enthusiasts often assume that solid steel products are best for SUVs and heavier vehicles, but that is not always true.
These are, however, an excellent option as car ramps for oil changes and similar maintenance. We liked the traction that these provide, which includes holes along the incline that have been punched and extruded. This helps the tires to grab and avoid slippage. The ramps also feature raised safety ribs at the sides, and we found those particularly helpful when reversing onto them.
At this price point, we think the Race Ramps RR-56 just prove to be much more rugged and long-lasting. We do appreciate the allure of solid steel, however, and these are a fine product in their own right.
The automotive ramp system from Magnum delivers amazing bang for the buck, but it isn’t always suitable for needs of an average consumer, which is why it drops down in our ranking of best auto ramps.
So, let’s begin with what makes this product a great value for the money! Price-wise, this system is comparable to RhinoGear products, and it offers a gross weight capacity of 16,000 pounds. It also features a four-piece detachable system. Just position your ramps and drive up onto them. Flip the locking mechanism on each set to disengage the slopes. These sloped pieces now serve as chocks for rest of the wheels.
Our team really liked these wheel ramps for oil changes and other occasional use. These are super-convenient and fairly inexpensive, but we are not sure that their attach/detach mechanism will stand up to daily use. In fact, we encountered a number of consumers who complained about the same problem.
Something else you need to consider is that these are not the ideal car ramps for lowered cars or just low profile vehicles in general. So, these are few things to watch for when planning to buy this product. However, if it does fit your needs, then it is really an excellent value for money and we highly recommend it.
Slim 11.5 degree loading angle over 66" ramps designed for low profile sports cars and trucks
The ML-1066 are high-end car ramps and come with an expensive price tag.
If you have a good budget and want a ramp lift system that will last a lifetime and be useful across a wide range of situations, then we highly recommend this set. The only reason these are not at number one spot is because these are quite pricey. The average consumer who reads our review wants a durable car ramp for oil change but does not want to spend a lot of money.
These auto ramps feature an all-aluminum design and each unit is rated for 3,000 pounds. They span 66 inches and use a loading angle of just 11.5 degrees. The 16-inch wheel platforms boast integrated wheel stops while raised side rails help to keep the vehicle on track. These ramps are one of our favorites in low-profile category and help to lift the vehicle up to 7 inches from the ground.
These are not only an excellent option for oil changes, repairs and other maintenance but also great for showrooms. They really look amazing when used with high-end sports cars on display.
Set of two low profile car service ramps for performing repairs or displaying vehicles
The 6009-V2 set is designed to provide a small amount of clearance—about 2.5 inches—and is perfect for low-profile vehicles. It features an incline of just a smidge above 9 degrees and supports vehicles with a gross vehicle weight up to 4,400 pounds.
We’re stating the obvious here, but 2.5 inches isn’t enough for oil changes or whatever. So, what are these mini ramps used for then? Well, two things. Some enthusiasts will use them to keep the car a little bit higher off the ground during storage. They also make using a jack a lot easier. Getting a jack under a low car can be hard for most people. You can use these car service ramps for low vehicles for that little bit of extra clearance. Your jack now fits under the vehicle with ease, and you can jack the car or truck up height that you require.
These are made of plastic, and a honeycomb design avoids long-term moisture buildup. An integrated wheel groove serves as a tire stop, each ramp is compact and weighs less than 5 pounds. So these are super-portable, easy to move around and real simple to store as well.
OTC's 20-ton capacity truck ramps are ideal for shops that do maintenance or repairs on Class 7 and 8 trucks or any type of high clearance vehicle where a super rugged...
These OTC truck ramps are heavy-duty and feature retractable T-handles. It is among the best auto ramps we reviewed for heavy-duty purposes. They measure 54.5 by 30.5 by 26.5 inches and support up to 20 tons—which equals to 40,000 pounds of weight. Each product weighs in at about 150 pounds, so they feature an integrated and retractable handle that eases positioning.
Once you’ve positioned these, they’re in place and not going anywhere—at least not easily. You can drive onto these without concern over whether they will slip, and these ramps also feature non-skid rubber matting that helps with slippage as well. The tread width is 10 inches and T-handles retract to a length of 33 inches. For consumer’s peace of mind, each OTC set is covered by Lifetime Marathon Warranty.
These extra tall wheel ramps are certainly an overkill for purposes of most people who are reading our guide. Nevertheless, if you need something heavy-duty, then we absolutely recommend these because our team includes some relatively small women who were moving these around like nothing.
Lightweight — easy to carry and maneuver, special construction — won't scratch or mark your floors ,Angle of approach - 16.7 degrees
The Race Ramps RR-40 were mentioned earlier in RR-56 review. Our team preferred that model due to its four-piece system. However, if you love single pieces or the RR-56 is perhaps out of your budget, then RR40 is an excellent option and great value for your money.
Each set offers a capacity of 6,000 pounds. These ramps will accommodate tires as wide as 8 inches, and give you about 7 inches of clearance. The overall length is about 40.2 inches. The RR-40 also features a solid core that prevents sliding, and we were admittedly surprised at how well these products lived up to those marketing promises.
The RR-40 are not particularly heavy at about 8.5 pounds, but they also feature integrated straps at the end to make them easier to lift, carry, position and store. As compared to RR-40, the RR56 are relatively easy to store since you can detach the slopes and store them separately.
Raise your RV up to 3-7/8" on any tire for a more level position
Last but certainly not least on our list is the Camco solution.
This drive-on tri-leveler from Camco is a lightweight ramp that delivers durability and features a non-slip design. Each item is rated for 3500 pounds, and the “tri-leveler” name refers to the fact that you can choose between 3, 7 and 8 inches high based upon how much clearance you actually need. The ramps are also canary yellow, which is useful if you’re using these on side of the road.
Our team found this product pretty good for RV enthusiasts. Whether you opt for one or two, these are compact and light enough to keep in the RV itself. An integrated handle makes them simple to store and to pull out in the hour of need, and the economy price is really hard to beat.
This ramp drops down our list because it is not optimal for oil changes. But if you have a camper or a trailer or something similar, then this is an excellent tool to have on hand for those emergencies.
How We Tested and Selected the Best Car Ramps
Our team was fortunate enough to secure a partnership with a local automotive shop so that we could have actual mechanics use these car service ramps in real-world scenarios. We performed our own objective tests but also relied heavily on the opinions of these highly trained professionals.
Among challenges we faced were comparing ramps that weren’t necessarily designed for same purposes. The best car ramps for changing oil aren’t necessarily the best in general. We tried to compare these products universally while disregarding any element of comparison that did not make sense.
We also used these products for their intended purposes, such as ramps for lowered cars and high car ramps, and compared them within that specific segment. In some cases, our final assessment came out that this particular ramp is a really great product in general. In other cases, we concluded that this is not only a great product in general but also an ideal solution for a particular task.
Thanks to some specially designed machinery, our team was also able to conduct extensive stress testing. We were able to put wear and tear on these products that would have otherwise taken years and hundreds of vehicles to recreate. After all that use in the shop and abuse in our workshop, we cleaned them and assessed that process as well as how they looked and stood up after all that.
Factors to Consider When Buying Car Ramps for You
The most important factor to consider is to check maximum weight capacity offered by the car ramp. Chances are that if you drive a standard passenger car then majority products are compatible, however it is not worth taking that chance. If you overburden the ramp, it will not only get damaged but also carry the risk of injuring yourself or someone else.
Just a quick google search with your make and model can reveal your vehicle’s weight. All ramps show their maximum weight capacity in product description and you can just pick the right product accordingly. For average car or truck, 6,500 to 10,000 pounds is enough, and most auto ramps fall in this range.
These days a lot of wheel ramps are made from plastic which surprises many people. Don’t worry though! Such products can easily support up to 10,000 pounds, and you may only have to start considering metal car ramps if you’re dealing with a particularly heavy truck. In fact, many of the wallet-friendly products are made with plastic since it’s cheaper material and manufacturing process is simpler.
Finally, stick to products that you can trust. American-made car ramps, extenders and so forth are arguably the best options available. Ramps made in the UK and European Union are generally very trustworthy as well. Products that come from other areas aren’t necessarily held to the same stringent standards. And even though their prices may be lower, there are many issues that come with such foreign products.
Car ramps manufactured by reputable companies are absolutely safe to use. There is, however, risk associated with them if you do not take necessary precautions or use them in an improper manner. With that in mind, let’s check out some basic safety tips that apply to all drive-on car ramps.
Set all ramps on a relatively smooth and level surface. Never work on wet surfaces.
Lighter items can slide forward as you drive onto them. It may be necessary to put weight—such as cinder blocks—behind them or try to align them with seem of the driveway or similar.
Inspect car after driving onto the ramp. Ensure that all tires on ramps are centered.
All drive-on ramps have a maximum capacity. Never let a vehicle’s curb weight exceed it.
While many of these auto ramps are designed to be used on their own, it’s often a good practice to use one or more jack stands or similar equipment in order to ensure stability at all times.
Another good practice is to use wheel chocks on all wheels where it is practical.
Why Use a Car Ramp to Change Oil?
One of the things we learned speaking with consumers who were shopping for automotive accessories but not necessarily auto ramps was that many people did not know why they were an excellent alternative to jacks or axle stands or even why they were useful, so we wanted to tackle that subject.
Car Ramps are an awesome way to lift a vehicle off the ground so that you have better access from underneath. A ramp for oil changes is among the most common of these products sold. As mentioned earlier, you can use a jack instead, but the big difference with ramps is that they are incredibly easy and fast to use. They are also incredibly cheap when compared to jacks that cost hundreds of dollars to buy. The wheel ramps are also safe to use and less likely to fail during oil change process.
Anyone who wants to change oil on their own and save money in the process can make use of an auto ramp set. However, determining the best car ramp to buy varies from person to person. It depends on curb weight of the vehicle you own as well as what type of automotive repairs and maintenance you intend to perform. It’s also important to note any special characteristics of your vehicle. Cars with a low profile, for instance, usually require low-profile vehicle ramps in order to avoid being damaged cosmetically.
Other Products that Help with Oil Change
When planning to change oil, you will need buy some additional products to complete this process successfully. You can easily add these products to your shopping cart along with auto ramps.
1. Wheel Chocks
In order to ensure your safety with oil change, wheel chocks are an absolutely necessary item to place under tires. These help to prevent tires from rolling back while vehicle is upside on the ramp. You must never go underneath car engine without placing chocks. If your vehicle moves for any reason, it can cause serious injury to the person who is changing oil. It is the perfect safety device to use with wheel ramps.
2. Oil Drain Pan
The oil drain pan comes in handy when you need to collect oil from engine. This product is specialized to perform this job without creating a mess in your drive way or garage. When buying online, you need to ensure high quality of its material that seems to last forever. It should have large mouth to collect hot freshly drained oil with little chance of getting spilled over. The easy transportation, sturdy plastic and large size are some of the important aspects to consider when shopping for oil drain pan.
3. Oil Filter Pliers
It is highly unlikely to unscrew oil filter with bare hands. With pliers, you can grip filter securely and twist it off in one go. Make sure not to crush filter housing and puncture its metal. It not only makes oil changing process convenient but also prevents potential burns by touching hot metal components.
How To Use Wheel Ramp For Oil Change
To begin with oil change, you need to perform few simple and easy to follow steps:
First park your vehicle on a solid, plain and flat surface. On uneven or soft surface, you can potentially get seriously injured if ground or ramp shifts its position.
Steering wheel of car must be centered and wheels should point straight in direction of ramps.
Slide both ramps in direction of driver and passenger side wheel until it touches rubber of tires.
Drive slowly onto the ramps until you are leveled up and hit the bump spot.
Turn off engine and put vehicle in parking break.
Chock rear wheels to prevent vehicle from moving backwards.
Start with change oil process.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Our team identified seven other questions that many consumers have about car ramps in general. Here are our answers:
1. What tasks other than oil changes do car ramps facilitate?
A ramp facilitates any task that requires getting under your vehicle or is made easier by it. This can ranges from inspection to cleaning, maintenance and repairs.
2. Does auto ramp length matter?
It’s generally recommended that you should not have a grade bigger than 20 percent. Long car ramps will of course have bigger grades than shorter ones. Beyond that, it’s a matter of preference. Longer ramps are often easier to drive onto but also more expensive and require extra space. Therefore, choose the longest auto ramp that you can afford and make sense for your garage or other work environment.
3. Does ramp width matter?
Yes. It matters in the sense that it has to be wide enough for tires of your vehicle. A wider stance can also make it easier to drive onto the ramps. However, the ideal position for your vehicle is when it is centered on the ramp. And to attain that position becomes more difficult when they are wider. For these reasons, most manufacturers do not make their drive-up car ramps any longer than necessary to perform a particular job.
4. Which auto ramp manufacturer is the best?
Many automotive enthusiasts feel Rhino Ramps and Race Ramps are the best, but there are many great brands out there on the market. The important thing is that you choose a brand that carries a reputation for quality and manufactures its ramps in a country which enforces strict standards for how these products are made and marketed.
5. How long can I expect a wheel ramp to last?
Even plastic car ramps can practically last forever and pass down from one generation to the next. The important thing is that you use them properly and follow all precautionary measures.
6. Is there any ramp maintenance required?
It’s more about protecting them than maintaining them. Most car ramps are impervious to automotive fluids and the like. If you prefer to avoid stains, then you can use soap, water and a scrub brush. If no water is handy, use WD-40 for the time being, and then, wash it with soap and water when you can.
7. Do some auto ramps get tire impressions?
Some can while others don’t! Composite ramps can get a slight impression when they are first used. This is the inner core of ramp settling and does not indicate weakness. However, you should know in advance if impressions are expected for the type of car ramp that you have selected and purchased.
Final Thoughts
This has been a long road but well worth it!
It was a fascinating experience, and many of our team members—myself included—were surprised at just how much depth there was to this process. Early on in the planning phase, comparing auto ramps seemed really straightforward, simplistic even, but it was not easy.
There is so much variety in the best car ramps of 2023. Materials range from plastic to steel, and there are low-profile ramps, SUV ramps, ramps for RVs and so on and so forth. Hopefully, the information and experiences we’ve been able to deliver here will make choosing your vehicle ramp much easier.
Paul is a compulsive tinkerer and inventor who loves writing about latest machines technology. He is especially inclined towards home improvement, exercise and outdoor equipment that every sports enthusiast and house dweller would love to get their hands on.
tires. These help to prevent tires from rolling back while vehicle is upside on the ramp. You must never go underneath car engine without placing chocks. If your vehicle moves for any reason, it can cause serious injury to the person who is changing oil. It is the perfect safety device to use with wheel ramps.
perform this job without creating a mess in your drive way or garage. When buying online, you need to ensure high quality of its material that seems to last forever. It should have large mouth to collect hot freshly drained oil with little chance of getting spilled over. The easy transportation, sturdy plastic and large size are some of the important aspects to consider when shopping for oil drain pan.
off in one go. Make sure not to crush filter housing and puncture its metal. It not only makes oil changing process convenient but also prevents potential burns by touching hot metal components.
