One thing I really enjoy is working on my own car and SUV. There are at least a dozen reasons I can think of that would require me to lift up the car from the ground to work on it.
Sometimes, all you need is the front lifted or just the rear. But on occasion, you need all 4 wheels off the ground.
Since no one I know can afford to have a hydraulic lift installed in their garage, car ramps make the most sense for the DIYer.
Car ramps seem pretty simple, right?
You drive onto the ramp and gain some clearance so you can reach and see what you’re working on.
There’s a huge variety of options out there though. Different shapes, styles, sizes, and lengths. You will see just about everything from steel ramps to collapsible ramps, and lately, a great many plastic ramps!
You want a good set of car ramps.
What you don’t want is to pay an arm and leg for something that doesn’t do the job you need or has features that you won’t use.
You can always use a jack and jack stands, but those are a bit of a pain sometimes, right? I love car ramps because they are so easy to use
Take a look at my list of the best car ramps you can buy and not make your wallet cry.
Best Overall
- Portable automotive ramps with a rugged and structural design
- 17 degree incline provides easy use for low clearance vehicles
- 16,000 pound GVW (gross vehicle weight) capacity
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
One look at these ramps and you will probably first think “Awesome!”, then you see that they are plastic, and you think. “Are those safe?”
Don’t worry, I thought the same thing. Plastic ramps are as safe as metal ones. This has a gross vehicle weight capacity of 16,000 pounds.
That is more than enough to tackle whatever you have in your garage. These are made from resin that exceeds all lifting device standards.
Rhino ramps have a super non-slip surface and a 17- degree incline. The CoreTRAC non-skid bottom reduces the chances that they will slide forward as you drive on to them.
I like that these are stackable, so they don’t take up as much space. These ramps have deep channels that allow fluids to run off of them, rather than a puddle.
Rhino ramps are 6.5 inches tall and about 10 inches wide. For you patriots out there, these are made 100% in the USA.
Pros
- Super sturdy construction
- The backing plate prevents these from sliding forward
- Made in the USA
- Lightweight for easy portability
Cons
- Some users complained that the ramps collapsed on one side
- Cracks formed after a few uses, according to some
- A few users did not feel that these truly support 16,000 pounds
RhinoGear Max ramps should be a must-have for every DIYer. Never worry about getting ripped off from an oil change shop again. Buy a set of RhinoGear Max ramps and DIY!
Best Car Ramps for Oil Changes
- Generous 10,000-pound (4,536 kg) weight capacity per tire ramp
- Safe and stable while working
- Gradual incline lifts your truck or car up 6.6-inch (16.8 cm) from the ground
- Made of thick, durable plastic, these car oil change ramps are designed for maximum strength and durability
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For you oil change enthusiasts out there, this is a terrific pair of car ramps. They are perfect for doing those routine maintenance tasks.
Whether you’ve got an SUV, truck, or car, these ramps support 10,000 pounds each.
You can feel safe about being underneath.
BISupply ramps have a large 11.3-inch-wide surface area for extra stability. These raise your vehicle a full 6.6 inches, which should be enough for you to get the job done. The 10-degree angle is also low enough that most cars won’t need an extension.
If you are looking for heavy-duty ramps, these weigh in at just shy of 20 pounds each. They are made from thick, durable plastic. The surface even has a raised tread design for extra traction.
I like these ramps because they have raised tire stop to prevent those drive-right-off-the-ramp accidents that sometimes happen.
Pros
- High-quality materials and feel
- Affordable
- Non-slip feet prevent the ramps from moving forward
Cons
- No warranty information that I could find
- No place of manufacture
- No name or any other markings on the ramps
These ramps are heavy and wide, which makes them easy for most people to use, even if they are alone. If your vehicle has wide tires, you will definitely want to use this set of car ramps.
Best Car Ramps for Low Cars
- Set of two low profile car service ramps for performing repairs or displaying vehicles
- 9.05° loading angle for an easy incline with low clearance vehicles
- Features honeycomb channels to prevent moisture build-up
- Manufactured from heavy-duty plastic with a 4,400 lb. weight capacity
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For those of you with those beautifully lowered Mustangs, Z’s, or whatever you have, this is what you have been looking for.
This low-profile set of car ramps has a 9.05-degree loading angle. This easy incline means no adding makeshift extension and no worries about damaging your front spoiler.
These are heavy-duty plastic ramps that can handle 4,400 pounds and raise the vehicle 2.5 inches. While that might not seem like much, it should allow you to slide underneath or to put a jack underneath so you can put the car on jack stands.
Made from plastic, these weigh a tiny 4.5 pounds each. You can store them almost anywhere. The hollow, honeycomb channels mean extra traction.
I like these ramps not only because they are lightweight, but because they also have those tire stops at the top to prevent you from accidentally driving off the edge.
Pros
- Super low profile and incline
- Sturdy enough for nearly all cars and light trucks
- Very affordable
Cons
- Made in China
- No warranty information that I could find
- Some users say that these slide forward on smooth surfaces, such as garage floors
If you have a lowered vehicle and you can’t find ramps or even a jack that will fit underneath, these ramps are the answer you have been waiting for.
Are car ramps safe for oil changes?
Yes, car ramps sure are safe for oil changes!
In fact, I believe that car ramps are safer than using the old jack and jack stands set up.
Some people believe that ramps keep your car at an angle and don’t allow all the oil to leave the engine. I’ve yet to see a pair that would leave that much oil behind that it would be problematic.
How can I extend my car ramps?
If your vehicle is lowered, you might find that conventional ramps scrape up the bumper or fog lights on your ride.
This problem is easily fixed with a little ingenuity. There are several methods for extending car ramps:
No matter which method you try, even a DIYer with no experience should be able to extend their car ramps for just a few bucks and about 30 minutes of your time.
Can I use 4 car ramps?
While most people prefer car ramps because they are simple to use, getting your car up on all 4 ramps takes a bit of work.
Yes, you can use 4 ramps. But you’ll need to figure out how to manage that. Most people drive up on the front ramps, then use a jack to hoist up the rear and slide the ramps underneath.
But, in my view, that’s very much like using a set of jack stands, isn’t it?
While it can be done, it makes more sense to drive onto the ramps, then put the rear wheels under a sturdy pair of jack stands.
How safe are plastic car ramps?
While plastic car ramps might make you think twice, they are perfectly safe.
Of course, you must still follow the manufacturer’s directions and NEVER exceed the recommended weight allowance.
I’ve found that plastic ramps tend to slide forward, especially with vehicles that have front-wheel drive. Secure the front of the car ramp with a weight or put them against something (like a curb) so they don’t slide.
Otherwise, plastic ramps are every bit as safe as metal ramps.
Conclusion
While you will never convince some people that plastic ramps are just as sturdy as metal ones, statistics don’t lie.
RhinoGear MAX Ramps are the best choice for the average DIYer who is looking to do oil changes or other work that requires you to get underneath the vehicle.
RhinoGear Ramps are very sturdy and very well made (since they are made in the USA, you wouldn’t expect anything else, right?)
People who have complained about the ramps collapsing on one side probably means that the car, or the wheels specifically, was not centered on the ramp. I’ve also discovered that if you drive up too fast, you can damage the ramps. That is perhaps the only drawback to plastic ramps.
Keep in mind that these ramps are made for paved driveways, cement garage floors, and not for gravel or uneven surfaces.
I’ve used plastic ramps for years and never experienced any issues, and I’m not alone in that regard.
Don’t worry about plastic ramps. Use them appropriately and you will get years of service out of them.
Save yourself some serious cash and worries about being ripped off at an oil change shop and do it yourself! With a pair of RhinoGear MAX Ramps, the job is super easy, and you will feel proud.