If you have oversized cargo to move around, you will be pretty much out of luck if you don't have a truck ramp. The best truck ramps are available in different styles and sizes. With all the information from our guide, we want to ensure that the selection process becomes easy for you.
Different Types of Truck Ramps
If you want to load heavy cargo or other equipment onto the truck, you should ensure that you get the right ramps for the job. Never leave anything to chance as it can affect your safety.
Bi-Fold
Bi-fold ramps are narrow compared to the dual runner and tri-fold setups. When folded, the ramps have a profile which is like a single runner ramp. When the truck ramps get unfolded, the average width is adequate to fit most large cargo.
Tri-Fold
A tri-fold ramp will offer the entire width when loading or unloading large cargo into a truck. The fixed-width makes it easy to set up the ramp and position it as per your needs.
How to Choose the Best Truck Ramps – Things to Consider
Here are the most important things to consider when choosing the best truck ramps for your needs.
1. Connection Type
If you want the ramp to be stable and secure when loading and unloading heavy equipment, you need a connection with the truck. The different types of connection available include pin on ends, hybrid ends, and plate ends.
Pin on Ends
Ramps with pin-on ends help provide a secure connection. You might have to change your truck or trailer. Special skid seat attaching brackets will need to get bolted or welded to the truck. The ramp end sits on the brackets channel. You don't have to secure the ramps with pin-on ends to the truck before use.
Hybrid Ends
The ramps have a hook for trucks. The hooks are at the end with a proper mounting spot. It also features a plate for use on trucks unable to mount ramps with the hook ends.
Plate Ends
Plate end ramp has a small metal plate at the end. It rests on the truck. The ramp is the base model and is adaptable to any truck. The ramps for pickup trucks get strapped to the trailer to prevent them from moving away when loading or unloading.
2. Length
Choose the correct length of the ramp to match the weight capability of the ramp. The weight and size of the ramp should fit to ensure stability during the loading process.
3. Width
The width of the ramp will help determine the room for error when loading cargo. Measure the width of the truck tires from sidewall to sidewall. Ensure that the ramps you buy are broad enough so that you can get extra inches on either side of the wheel. It will help prevent slippage when loading.
4. Positioning
Positioning the ramp on the ground is essential when loading cargo. There are different options available in the market, and you can choose as per your specific needs.
Knife Ends
Ramps with knife ends meet into a spot at the end. It helps in the transition from the ramp to the ground. If your truck doesn't have adequate ground clearance, you can use the ramp to avoid any harm.
Stub Feet
Ideal choice for large load height ranges. Flexible and versatile it offers more strength. Heavy trucks with higher ground clearance will benefit from stub feet ramps.
Roller Feet
Wheel end ramps are designed for semi-trailers. The wheel ends enable you to slide into the ramp loading sockets of the trailer.
5. Weight Capacity
The thing you need to consider when choosing a loading ramp is their weight capacity. The weight of the vehicle you attempt to load into should also be taken into consideration.
Manufacturers specify the weight capacity per axle for each type of loading ramp. You will have to find out if your truck falls within its range. Measure the axle weight to help determine if your vehicle will handle the cargo weight.
6. Surface
The ramp surface should offer traction. It will help support your truck in any loading operation. If the ramp has a smooth surface, it will not prevent cargo slippage even at a low incline.
Serrated Rung Surface – Perforated punch plates offer the best traction and are ideal choice even in snow and wet conditions. The serrated holes on the surface prevent slippage.
7. Material
Aluminum is preferred as it is durable, rust-resistant, and lightweight. Steel is another material used to make truck ramps as it offers varying degrees of durability and strength.
8. Durability and Sturdiness
The durability of the ramp for a truck will depend on its material. The anti-corrosion feature of aluminum makes it durable. With little care and maintenance, the ramp will last for many years. It is relatively easy to maintain a ramp.
Check Out the 6 Best Truck Ramps
Let's take a closer look at our top choices.
1. Titan Aluminum Plate Top Ramp (7.5 FT)
The Titan ramp is ideal for transporting any four-wheel vehicle to a truck trailer. The 7.5ft aluminum ramp is versatile and has a sturdy design. It has a weight capacity of 1,500 pounds.
The arched design of the ramp ensures optimal clearance. It provides a smooth and easy lift each time. The aluminum plated ramps include safety straps. However, the heavy-duty straps keep the ramp fixed to the tailgate at all times. You will be able to transport any heavy equipment to the truck bed without the fear of buckling or collapsing.
You can fold the heavy-duty ramp easily for transportation. Weighing only 33 pounds, you will find it easy to move them anywhere to operate. Each component of the ramp gets designed to provide the best function.
You can use a single ramp to transport a motorcycle or a dirt bike. You can use both lawns to transport a lawnmower, 4-wheeler or an ATV onto the truck bed. Whether you are transporting a 4-wheeler a few miles or all across the country, the Titan ramp will always get the job done.
The heavy-duty truck loading ramps are ideal for loading a 4-wheeler, lawnmower, and ATV onto a truck. The plate top design makes it easy to upload ATVs and other items with small tires.
High-quality aluminum (6061) gets used to construct the truck loading ramps. It provides superior durability. The rubber tipped finger points of the ramp offer extra security for the truck. The rubber tipped fingers also help prevent damage to the tailgate.
The S-curve styled truck loading ramps are patented. When travelling up and down, the loading ramp provides the smoothest transition. If you want a more traditional style, straight and curved loading ramps are also available.
CargoSmart ramps are available in tri-fold, bi-fold, and non-folding options. Choose a style that matches your specific needs. The built-in LED lamps in the loading ramp illuminate when you open the ramp for loading and unloading.
The robust aluminum construction makes the loading ramps corrosion resistant. Also, the large tread design of the ramp ensures the equipment stays safe during loading and unloading.
The Yutrax tri-fold ramps offer the toughness of a full-width ramp. You will be able to fold the ramps for easy transportation and storage. The rectangular components and fully welded construction make the ramp highly durable.
The rubber tabs of the folding ramp help resist scratching and sliding. Security straps hold the ramp steady when you are loading and unloading cargo. Also, the extruded rectangular side rails of the ramp help to prevent bending.
The tall rectangular cross-sections of the folding ramp help support more weight. The heavy-duty joints and hinges are welded together. It creates a concrete truck loading ramp that lasts for many years.
The Pit Posse truck ramp is 89 inches long and 11 inches wide. It is wide enough to load the 4-wheeler, ATV, snow blower, dirt bike, garden tractor, and motorbike into your standard size truck. The truck ramps have a loading capacity of 750 pounds each. So the combined total is 1,500 pounds.
Manufactured with 6063 aluminum the truck ramps are lightweight and weather resistant. The heavy-duty crossbars, joints, and hinges get welded. You can fold and unfold the ramp many times without any malfunction. The rubber truck rest is a finger-shaped with grip. It prevents tailgate and truck damage.
There are no sharp edges on the ramp. The tie-down straps ensure easy loading and the ramp gets built for performance. This design and angle of the pick-up truck ramps reduce abrasion to the load.
This Black Widow tri-fold ramp has a punch plate surface that provides a lot of traction even in adverse weather conditions. The plate style lip design of the Black widow ramp ensures that it will not slide down the tailgate. The ATV ramp's solid construction gives you the confidence to load and unload heavy equipment without any issues.
Safety Tips for Using Truck Ramps
Always use safety straps to ensure that the best loading ramps don't move under load. Attach the straps to the rear hooks that are underneath the bumper. You can use extra ropes or straps to secure the ramp. It is beneficial when you use longer ramps to load things.
Long ramps tend to bend in the middle when they are under load. If you want a stable connection with the loading truck ramps, you will need dedicated mounting points for ATV ramps. Even though they cost more, it will help eliminate the need for stability straps.
Double-check the mounting and strapping points on the loading ramps. Do it before you drive an ATV up the ramp. Always ensure that the ramp you are buying is rated to support the weight you plan to load. Someone should check the weight capacity of the ramp before you start the loading process.
The amount of weight that a truck ramp can hold will depend on its construction. Most of the aluminum ramps will carry 600 pounds per ramp and at least 1,200 pounds together.
Give due consideration to the length of the ramp before you make a final decision. If the size is too short, you will have too steep an incline. The ramp should be wide so that there is enough space for the wheels of your truck.
The height of the truck bed is often considered when determining the correct ramp for your truck. If you have a standard truck, then a ramp of 8 feet or longer will be ideal. If the truck is lifted, you will need a longer ramp. But if the truck is raised by up to 4 inches, you can opt for a ramp at least 9.5 feet or longer. If the truck lift is more than 4 inches, you can choose a ramp at least 11 feet long.
In Summary
The best truck ramps are available in different sizes and styles. Our top pick is the Titan Aluminum Plate Top Ramp (7.5 FT). With a solid design, the truck loading ramp offers a lot of convenience and value for money. No other loading ramp compares to it in affordability, quality, and portability.