Car or Loading Ramps? Stop Scraping, Sliding and Overloading

You have bought car ramps, and the bumper hits them before the tyre does, the ramps skid across the garage floor, or the bike ramp looks far too steep for the back of the van.

The fix is usually the angle, the grip and the right rating for the job. PartsForMachines lists 25 Sealey and Draper products in its ramps range, from car ramps and extensions to levelling, loading and pit ramps.

My Low Car’s Bumper Hits the Ramp First: Which Ramps Will Work?

Lower the approach angle with ramp extensions; if you only need to get a jack under, use low-entry ramps. The bumper or spoiler touches first because the ramp climbs too steeply for the car’s overhang. The CAR2001 car ramp extensions are 630mm steel sections that attach to ramps at least 195mm wide, including the CAR2000, and reduce the ascent angle. Each takes 400kg, or 800kg per pair.

Car ramps such as the 20232 and 21147 climb at 16.5 and 17 degrees, so extensions are what really change the angle. The 65mm-high CAR3000LR low-entry ramps give jacking access, but they are not made to lift a car for work underneath.

Why Do My Ramps Slide as I Drive On, and How Do I Stop It?

Start with the floor and the base: set the ramps on a hard, level surface, ideally concrete, keep any rubber feet or non-skid base clean so the ramp does not creep, and drive up slowly. Sealey also advises a second person watching the ramps as you drive on, to warn of any movement.

The 21147 plastic car ramps have rubber pads underneath and a non-skid tread. On the CAR3000C, a curved cradle at the top holds the wheel in place once it is loaded.

Plastic or Steel Ramps: Which Can I Trust, and What Capacity Do I Need?

Trust the rating and the condition more than the material. Compare your vehicle’s weight with the ramp’s capacity per pair, never exceed it, and check the ramps regularly for damage.

The CAR2000 steel car ramps are made from 3.5mm steel section, rated 1 tonne each and 2 tonnes a pair, 190mm high and for tyres up to 200mm. They are marked BS Approved, a British Standard mark.

For wider tyres, look at the laser-welded steel 20232 pair (2 tonnes, 265mm high, 15.8kg) or the plastic 21147 pair, rated at 2.5 tonnes and weighing just 8.4kg.

Which Loading Ramp Gets a Quad or Bike Into a Van, and How Long Should It Be?

Use the longest ramp you can: the higher the van floor or trailer bed, the steeper the climb, and a steep angle makes loading harder. Parking with the rear wheels in a dip also lowers the angle. A motorbike can go up a single in-line ramp instead.

For a quad or ride-on mower, the LR680 aluminium loading ramps extend to 2324mm each and take 680kg per pair, with extended claws at the loading end. The FLR680T wide tri-fold ramp gives a 1140mm-wide platform for trikes and quads, with securing chains and a maximum loading height of 863mm. Its 680kg total drops to 226kg on any single section.

What Should I Check Before I Buy?

your vehicle’s weight against the ramp’s capacity per pair (or per section on a tri-fold)
your tyre width against the ramp’s maximum tyre width
the gap under your bumper: do you need extensions or low-entry ramps?
for loading, the van floor or trailer bed height, the ramp length, and a single, pair or wide ramp
your floor surface, and how the ramp stays put: rubber feet, claws, chains or a strap

Browse the ramps range, or contact the PartsForMachines team by WhatsApp, telephone or email with your vehicle, tyre size and loading height.

Product options, delivery options and returns terms are shown on each product page. A 30-day return policy applies to eligible items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work under a van on levelling ramps?

No. The WL301 levelling ramps, for example, are not lifting ramps for working underneath. They level a camper or caravan on 40, 70 or 100mm steps, take 5 tonnes per pair and suit single-axle vehicles only.

What should I do once the car is up on the ramps?

Apply the handbrake and chock the wheels that are still on the ground, so the car cannot roll back off the ramps. Use car ramps as a pair, on hard, level ground.

How do I stop a loading ramp slipping off the tailgate?

Strap the top end of the ramp to the vehicle before you load, so it cannot move as the weight comes on. Claws, chains or a strap and hook on the ramp itself help keep it in place.

Single ramp or a pair for a motorbike?

A single in-line ramp suits a bike: the MR360 mesh ramp takes 360kg, extends to 2060mm and has a strap and hook. Quads and ride-on mowers run on two tracks, so use a pair such as the FCR500 (500kg per pair) or a wide ramp.

Can I use one of a pair of loading ramps on its own?

Yes, with some pairs, such as the LR680, which may be used one ramp at a time. The 680kg rating is per pair, so ask our team for the single-ramp figure before you load.

Will my wide tyres fit on car ramps?

Check the ramp’s maximum tyre width against your tyre: 200mm on the CAR2000, 225mm on the 20232 and 240mm on the 21147. If your tyre is wider than the ramp, choose a wider pair.

Are there ramps that stop flat spots during storage?

Yes. Tyre savers such as the TS05 support a car, caravan or motorhome tyre during long storage on a broad arc with a 205mm-wide contact surface. They are rated at 2.5 tonnes per ramp and help stop the wheel moving either way.

What if I need more room underneath than car ramps give?

A lift ramp gives more height: the MR1 stands 430mm high, comes with four stands and a lifting beam, and takes tyres up to 380mm. The PRK01 modular pit ramps are lower, at 170mm, with a 290mm maximum tread width.