Car Ramps Ranked by Weight Rating and Clearance
The RhinoGear RhinoRamps MAX leads for its high load rating and grippy composite base that stays put on concrete. The standard RhinoRamps cover most family cars for less, while Race Ramps RR-56 solve the low bumper problem that defeats steel ramps.
For most home garages the RhinoGear RhinoRamps MAX is the safest choice, with the standard RhinoRamps as the value option for ordinary family cars and the Race Ramps RR-56 for anything with a low front bumper. Load rating and approach angle matter far more than price here.
Ramps are harder to choose than they look because the rating printed on the box is for the pair, the approach angle decides whether a low car can even reach the top, and a ramp that slides on smooth concrete is genuinely dangerous. We compared load ratings, incline angles, lift heights, base grip, materials and storage size, then ranked the seven sets below by what each safely handles.
Our top picks
RhinoGear 11912ABMI RhinoRamps MAX Vehicle Ramp
The MAX version raises the load rating well beyond the standard RhinoRamps, which brings full size trucks and SUVs into range rather than just cars. The composite construction will not rust and the textured base grips concrete far better than bare steel. Owners report they feel notably more planted than lightweight metal ramps.
Pros
- Handles trucks and full size SUVs
- Grips concrete without sliding
- Composite will never rust
Cons
- Bulky to store compared with folding steel
- Incline is too steep for very low cars
RhinoGear 11909ABMI RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramp
This is the ramp set found in more home garages than any other, and it covers ordinary cars and small SUVs comfortably. The two piece composite design is light enough to carry one handed and stacks for storage. It uses the same grippy base as the MAX version at a lower rating.
Pros
- Covers most family cars and small SUVs
- Very light to position and store
- Non slip base on concrete
Cons
- Not rated for full size trucks
- Steep approach for lowered vehicles
Race Ramps RR-56 Two Piece Service Ramps
Standard ramps are too steep for sports cars and anything with a front splitter, which is exactly the gap these fill with a long shallow approach. They are made from solid lightweight foam with a high grip coating, so they weigh little but support serious loads. Race Ramps are the answer when a bumper hits the ramp before the tyre does.
Pros
- Clears low bumpers and splitters
- Very light to move around
- Will not scratch or damage bodywork
Cons
- Take up a lot of floor space
- Cost more than composite ramps
Race Ramps RR-40 Two Piece Service Ramps
The 40 inch version keeps the low approach principle in a shorter package that fits a smaller garage. It still clears far more front ends than a steel or composite ramp, though not the very lowest cars. Based on specifications it uses the same foam construction and grip coating as the longer model.
Pros
- Fits smaller garages than the 56 inch set
- Still clears most modern front ends
- Light and easy to reposition
Cons
- Steeper than the RR-56 for extreme low cars
- Foam surface marks with oil spills
Race Ramps RR-XT-2 Extender Ramps
Extenders sit in front of a ramp to soften the initial angle further, which is what track cars and heavily lowered vehicles need to get on at all. They are used with a main ramp rather than alone. Owners report they turn a set that almost fits into one that works.
Pros
- Solves the last few degrees of clearance
- Works with existing Race Ramps
- Very light to move
Cons
- Not usable on their own
- Add more floor length to the setup
Torin Big Red Steel Vehicle Service Ramps
Steel ramps remain popular because they stack flat, take up little space and cost less than composite. The trade is weight, the risk of sliding on smooth concrete and the eventual rust if stored damp. They suit garages with a rough floor where grip is not a concern.
Pros
- Store flat in very little space
- Lower cost than composite sets
- Simple and durable construction
Cons
- Can slide on smooth sealed concrete
- Rusts if stored in a damp garage
BISupply Vehicle Service Ramp Set
For occasional oil changes on a light car, this budget set gets the job done without a large outlay. The plastic construction is lighter than steel and does not rust. Owners report checking the rating carefully, since it is lower than the premium composite sets and rules out heavier vehicles.
Pros
- Lowest cost route into ramps
- Light and rust free
- Adequate for occasional oil changes
Cons
- Lower load rating than premium sets
- Less grip than the RhinoGear base design
Before you buy
Read the load rating properly Ramp ratings are usually quoted as a gross vehicle weight for the pair, not per ramp, and the figure assumes the front axle carries roughly sixty percent of the vehicle weight. Check your vehicle’s kerb weight and gross vehicle weight rating on the door pillar sticker, then choose ramps rated comfortably above it. Treating the rating as a maximum to approach rather than a limit to stay well under is the most common mistake in this category, and it is the one with the worst consequences.
Approach angle and low bumpers The frustration most owners hit is the front bumper or splitter touching the ramp before the tyre has climbed anywhere. Longer ramps have shallower angles and clear more front ends. If your car is standard height, composite ramps are usually fine. If it is lowered, sporty or simply modern with a deep front valance, a long low angle foam ramp or an extender is the only practical answer short of driving onto planks first.
Grip, surface and positioning Ramps slide when the tyre pushes against them harder than the base grips the floor, which is why sealed or painted concrete causes more incidents than rough concrete. Composite ramps with textured bases grip far better than bare steel, and placing a piece of rubber matting under a steel ramp helps. Always position ramps square to the tyres, drive up slowly and steadily, and have someone spot you if visibility is limited.
Ramps are not a substitute for stands Ramps lift the front of a car quickly for oil changes, exhaust inspections and undertray work, and for those jobs they are safer and faster than a jack. They are not appropriate when a wheel has to come off, when the suspension needs to hang free, or for any long job under the car. In those cases jack the vehicle and use axle stands. Chock the rear wheels and engage the parking brake whenever the car is on ramps.
How they stack up
| # | Model | Load rating | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RhinoGear 11912ABMI RhinoRamps MAX Vehicle Ramp | 16000 pounds per pair, gross vehicle weight | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | RhinoGear 11909ABMI RhinoRamps Vehicle Ramp | 12000 pounds per pair, gross vehicle weight | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Race Ramps RR-56 Two Piece Service Ramps | 56 inches for a shallow approach | Best for low cars | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Race Ramps RR-40 Two Piece Service Ramps | 40 inches | Best compact low profile option | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Race Ramps RR-XT-2 Extender Ramps | Ramp extender, used with main ramps | Best for extreme low clearance | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Torin Big Red Steel Vehicle Service Ramps | Welded steel | Best steel ramps | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | BISupply Vehicle Service Ramp Set | Moulded plastic | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
Are car ramps safer than jack stands?
For quick jobs where the wheels stay on, ramps are simpler and have fewer failure points. For anything requiring wheel removal or suspension work, axle stands are the correct tool. They serve different purposes rather than competing.
What weight rating do I need?
Check the gross vehicle weight on the door pillar sticker and choose ramps rated above it with margin. Most cars are covered by a 12000 pound pair rating, while full size trucks and SUVs need the higher rated sets.
Will ramps work on a lowered car?
Standard ramps usually will not, because the bumper contacts before the tyre climbs. Long low angle ramps such as the Race Ramps RR-56, optionally with extenders, are designed exactly for this problem.
Why do my ramps slide forward?
Smooth sealed concrete offers less friction than the tyre pushing against the ramp. Composite ramps with textured bases grip better, and placing rubber matting under steel ramps helps. Approaching slowly rather than accelerating also reduces the force pushing them away.
Can I use ramps on a sloped driveway?
It is best avoided. A slope changes the load distribution and increases the chance of the car rolling or the ramps sliding. Use a flat level surface, ideally concrete rather than tarmac, which can deform under the ramp edge in hot weather.
Do I still need to chock the wheels?
Yes. Engage the parking brake, leave the car in gear or in park, and chock the rear wheels before going underneath. Ramps hold the front up but do nothing to stop the vehicle rolling.
Are plastic ramps as strong as steel?
Modern reinforced composite ramps carry ratings equal to or above comparable steel sets, and they do not rust or slide as readily. Cheap thin plastic is a different matter, so check the rating rather than judging by material alone.
How high do ramps lift a car?
Most give around six to seven inches of lift, which is enough for oil changes and undertray access but tight for anything requiring much room to work. Low angle foam ramps vary and their listed lift height is worth checking against the job you have in mind.
Our take
The RhinoGear RhinoRamps MAX is the set to buy if your garage sees anything heavier than a family car, combining a high load rating with a base that actually stays put on concrete. Standard RhinoRamps cover ordinary cars at a lower cost. If your bumper has ever grounded on a ramp, stop fighting it and get the Race Ramps RR-56, which is built for exactly that problem.
