Buying guide for best atv loading ramps
![Michael]()
Written by
Michael
Updated May 2023
Every culture throughout the world has used ramps, usually made of earth and stone, to surmount the protective walls around cities. And if you’ve ever seen an artist’s rendering of the construction of the ancient pyramids in Egypt, you know that ramps have been used in construction projects for as long as there have been construction projects.
Modern ramps are no longer made of earth and stone; they’re made of metal and designed to be portable. They can be folded up, tucked in the back of your truck, and taken along when you need to load or unload an ATV, lawnmower, or small tractor.
Key considerations
Size
The size of the ramp relates to safety. If the ramp is the wrong size, you’re liable to get hurt. The average ATV weighs between 300 and 850 pounds, so you want to have the right equipment when you’re loading and unloading it.
Length: The length of the ramp, together with the distance of the truck bed from the ground, determines the slope of the ramp when it’s in place. If you’ve got a Toyota Tacoma, the tailgate is about 30 inches off the ground. But if you’ve got a four-wheel-drive Ford F250 Raptor, it can be 36 inches or more. The higher your truck bed, the steeper the incline of your ATV ramp. Go out to the driveway with a tape measure and check the distance from the ground to the truck bed. It’s going to make a big difference in finding the ATV loading ramp that is safest for you.
If you don’t have a winch to pull your ATV up the ramp, you’ll probably ride it up the ramp (which you should not do, but there are a lot of things people shouldn’t do that they do anyway, so we’ll deal with the world as it is). Riding an ATV up a steep ramp increases the odds of it overbalancing and falling back on you. A longer ramp, set at a smaller angle, lowers those odds and improves your chances of making it back home in one piece.
Width: The width of the ramp is just as important as the length. Unless you get a trifold ramp that folds lengthwise, most ATV ramps come as two separate ramps that fold in half horizontally. The width of each ramp needs to be equal to or greater than the width of your ATV tires. Remember that once you’re on the ramp, you won’t be able to see it anymore — it will be under your ATV. A flimsy ramp will spell disaster if you swerve even a little bit. Measure the tires on your ATV and then get ramps that are wider than that.
Weight capacity: The average ATV weighs between 300 and 850 pounds, without fuel. Add to that your weight and the weight of any gear you’ve strapped to the ATV and you can easily top 1,100 pounds. If you get a ramp that can’t carry the weight of your ATV, you, and your gear, you will have problems. Guaranteed.
Take the time to weigh yourself and your gear. Add 20 to 30 pounds as a fudge factor just to be on the safe side. The grand total will tell you the minimum weight capacity you should be looking for in an ATV loading ramp.
Features
Material
Ramp: Most ATV ramps are constructed of aluminum to cut down on the weight when you’re moving them around and putting them in place. Some of the larger ramps that have to support more weight are made of steel and extremely heavy.
Tips: Metal on metal can scratch up the paint job on your truck, so most ATV ramps have rubberized tips to prevent dents and scratches, as well as to keep the ramp from slipping and sliding.
Weight capacity
The weight capacity of an ATV ramp is both a consideration and a feature. You need to consider how much weight you’re going to put on the ramp, and you need a ramp that has the capacity to support it. Every ramp lists its weight capacity.
Note that some will list the weight capacity for each individual ramp. When the ramp comes as a set of two, you’ll have to multiply that number by two to get the total capacity of the ramp. If the description says each ramp can support 750 pounds, that doesn’t sound like much. Multiply that by two and you’ll get a total of 1,500 pounds for the ramp as a whole, a very respectable weight capacity.
Folds
A folding ramp is easier to store in a shed or in the back of your truck than a ramp that doesn’t fold. When it comes to ATV ramps, there are two main types of folds: bifold and trifold.
Bifold: These ATV ramps fold in half horizontally. For example, if the ramp is 8 feet long, it will be 4 feet long when folded.
Trifold: A trifold ATV ramp is one that folds lengthwise. When it’s unfolded, you essentially have a solid ramp across the width of your truck bed. For example, if your ramp is 8 feet long and 50 inches wide, it will be 8 feet long and about 17 inches wide when folded. This can make a big difference when you’re storing it or carrying it in the back of your truck.
Straps
Every ramp should come with safety straps or chains to hold it in place when you’re loading and unloading your ATV. If the ramp you choose doesn’t come with them, make sure you get them as an accessory.
For your safety
The safest way to ride an ATV up a loading ramp is to back it up, putting your weight toward the high end instead of the low end.
STAFF
BestReviews
ATV loading ramp prices
Inexpensive: ATV loading ramps start at about $57 to $100. These are either single ramps (you’ll have to get two) or a pair of shorter ramps. The weight capacity on sets in this range will probably be rather low.
Mid-range: The medium price range where most decent ATV loading ramps are found is $100 to $200. These are usually about 8 feet long and 11 to 13 inches wide.
Expensive: Between $200 and $700 is where you’ll find longer ramps, trifold ramps, and ramps that support more than 1,500 pounds.
Tips
- Don’t ride your ATV up the ramp. Riding an ATV up a loading ramp is the riskiest way to load it. This is how many ATV accidents occur.
- Wear protective gear. If you insist on riding your ATV up the loading ramp, wear all your protective gear, including boots, gloves, goggles, and helmet.
- Park your truck in a level area to load and unload your ATV. Never use the ramp when your truck is leaning or parked on a slope.
FAQ
Q. Should I engage the parking brake while loading and unloading my ATV?
A. Absolutely!
Q. Is there any way to decrease the angle of my ramp?
A. Yes. Back your truck up to a gentle slope so the bottom of the ramp is higher than normal.
Q. Can I use an ATV ramp without straps or chains?
A. No. The ramp will bounce and move around without the chains or straps to hold it in place.
