The right race ramps depend on four things: how low your vehicle sits, how steeply the ramp rises, how much weight the ramp is rated to carry, and what the ramp is made of. Start with ground clearance and approach angle, confirm the weight rating in the manufacturer's own documentation, and then think about material, width, and storage. This guide walks through each decision and ends with a comparison of the ramps on our Race Ramps page.
What Race Ramps Are Used For
A race ramp is a sloped block or pair of blocks that you drive onto. The vehicle ends up higher than it started, which gives you access you would not otherwise have. The most common jobs are:
- Oil changes and basic maintenance: a few inches of lift gives you room to reach the drain plug, filter, and underbody fasteners.
- Detailing, wrapping, and painting: raising the car makes lower panels, rocker areas, and wheel wells easier to reach without constant kneeling.
- Display and storage: show-style ramps and wheel supports are used at car shows and for parking a vehicle over time.
- Getting low cars onto a lift or trailer: long, shallow ramps reduce the chance of scraping a low bumper.
Our page also lists wheel stands, wheel cribs, trailer ramps, and trailer steps, so check that the item type matches the job.
Ground Clearance vs. Approach Angle
Two measurements decide whether a ramp will work with your car: your vehicle's ground clearance and the ramp's approach angle.
Ground clearance is the gap between the lowest point of the vehicle and the ground. On a low car, the lowest point is often the front lip, splitter, or air dam, and it sits ahead of the front wheels. That overhang is what hits the ramp first.
Approach angle is how steeply the ramp rises from the floor. A ramp with a smaller angle rises more gradually, so the front of the car has more room to clear it. For a given height, a smaller angle generally means a longer ramp, which takes more floor space and storage room.
On the products listed on our page, approach angles run from 4° on a tow ramp extension to 16.7° on a sport car ramp set, with many vehicle ramps listed between about 5° and 11°. As a rough process:
- Measure your lowest front point with a tape measure. Our guide to choosing a tape measure can help if you do not have a good one.
- Compare it with the listed height and approach angle. If the angle is not listed, check the manufacturer's full page. A steeper ramp suits a car with plenty of clearance, not a low one.
Height: How Much Lift Do You Need?
More height is not automatically better. Higher ramps are longer or steeper, and a taller ramp makes it easier to drive too far or to feel less stable. Think about the task:
- A few inches: enough for a floor jack to fit underneath, or for quick wheel and brake work. Our page lists jack assist ramps in the 3″ range.
- Mid-range: ramps in the 7″ to 10″ range are listed for general maintenance and low-profile use.
- Higher lift: pit stop style ramps are listed at 14″ of lift for more room to work.
Weight Rating: Per Axle, Per Pair, or Per Tire
This is the part buyers most often misread. Ramp makers state capacity in different ways, and the wording matters:
- Per tire (or per ramp): the load that one ramp or one tire contact area is rated to carry.
- Per pair: the combined rating for the two ramps in a set. Because a vehicle is not evenly balanced front to rear, a pair rating is not the same as total vehicle weight.
- Per axle: the load carried by the pair of wheels on one axle. A car's front axle usually carries more than half of its weight, so do not simply divide the curb weight by two.
Compare the rating with the weight on the axle that goes up the ramp, not only the total vehicle weight, and leave a margin. Curb weight is usually in the owner's manual.
On our page, weight rating is listed for only one kind of product: a 7″ tilt trailer ramp stated at 1,500 lb. per tire. For every other product, the rating is not listed, so confirm it on the manufacturer's full product page before you buy.
Materials: Plastic, Aluminum, Steel, and Foam
Ramps are made from several materials. Here is a general comparison. Always defer to the manufacturer's stated rating for any specific product.
- Plastic and polypropylene: usually light, resistant to rust, and gentle on floors and tires. Hollow or ribbed designs save weight, and some designs can crack or deform if overloaded or left in harsh conditions.
- Aluminum: lighter than steel and does not rust, which makes it easier to carry and store. It can cost more and can be slippery without a textured or grooved surface.
- Steel: typically heavy and rigid, a familiar choice for shop ramps. It can rust if the coating is damaged and is harder to carry around.
- Foam: the products on our page are mostly listed as high density foam, with one maintenance mat listed as polypropylene fiber. Foam ramps are generally lighter than metal ones and are easier on a floor or a low front lip. As always, check the stated load rating for the specific product rather than assuming.
A non-slip surface matters on any material, and some listings mention non-slip foam.
Width, Tire Fit, and Stability
Check that the ramp is wide enough for your tire and that the vehicle can sit on the flat or notched stop at the top of the ramp. A few things to look at:
- Tire width: a tire that overhangs the side of a ramp is unstable. Some listings call out tire size, such as a sport car ramp set listed for 8″ tires.
- Stop or cradle notch: a raised stop or notch helps the tire settle at the top so the car does not roll off the far end. Some products on our page are listed with a cradle notch or a stop.
Our page also lists wheel cribs in several heights, wheel chocks, and flat-spot stoppers. These are different from drive-up ramps, so do not confuse them when you shop.
Safety: Ramps, Chocks, and Jack Stands
Ramps are a convenient way to raise a car, but a vehicle can still shift or roll. Follow these general practices, and treat the manufacturer's instructions as the final word:
- Read the instructions for your ramp. Use it only the way the manufacturer describes, with vehicles within the stated rating.
- Chock the wheels that stay on the ground and set the parking brake. Our Race Ramps page lists a race wheel sport car chock for this purpose.
- Never work under a vehicle supported only by ramps unless the manufacturer explicitly says that is acceptable for the product. Where the maker recommends additional support, use properly rated jack stands on a hard, level surface.
- Wear appropriate protection. Safety glasses and gloves are a sensible habit for any underbody work. Our Safety category lists personal protective equipment.
Storage and Portability
Ramps take floor space in use and shelf space when stored. Measure the room you have, and browse Tool Storage for garage organization options.
Comparison of Vehicle Ramps on Our Page
The table below lists a selection of the vehicle-style ramps on our Race Ramps page. We only show specs that appear in the product titles. Where the page does not list a spec, the table says "not listed." That does not mean the product lacks the spec, only that you should confirm it on the manufacturer's full product page before buying. The page also includes wheel stands, wheel cribs, trailer steps, and other accessories that are not shown here.
| Product (as titled on the page) | Height / lift | Approach angle | Length | Material | Set | Weight rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3" Vehicle Jack Assist Lift Ramps, Set of 2 (Track Jax) | 3" | not listed | not listed | High density foam | Set of 2 | not listed |
| 4" Cutout Rack Ramp Set | 4" | 8.8° | not listed | not listed | Set (quantity not listed) | not listed |
| 7" Sport Car Ramp Set for 8" Tires | 7" | 16.7° | not listed | not listed | Set (quantity not listed) | not listed |
| 8" Low Profile Ramp Set | 8" | 6.8° | not listed | High density non-slip foam | Set (quantity not listed) | not listed |
| 10" Low Profile Ramp Set | 10" | 10.8° | not listed | High density non-slip foam | Set (quantity not listed) | not listed |
| 10" Low Profile Ramp Set, Adjustable 2 Pieces | 10" | 10.8° | not listed | High density non-slip foam | Adjustable, 2 pieces | not listed |
| 56" Single Piece Race Ramps | not listed | 10.8° | 56" | not listed | Single piece | not listed |
| 56" Two Piece Race Ramps | not listed | 10.8° | 56" | not listed | Two piece | not listed |
| 80" Multipurpose Vehicle Ramps Set with Cradle Notch | not listed | 8.5° | 80" | not listed | Set (quantity not listed) | not listed |
| 14" Lift Portable Pit Stop Ramp, Set of 2 | 14" lift | not listed | not listed | High density foam | Set of 2 | not listed |
| 16" Car Service Ramps (Vehicle Maintenance Blocks) | 16" (as titled) | not listed | not listed | Lightweight foam | Blocks (quantity not listed) | not listed |
| 74" Long Towing Ramp Set | not listed | 5.2° | 74" | not listed | Set (quantity not listed) | not listed |
| 7" H Tilt Trailer Ramps | 7" | not listed | not listed | not listed | Set (quantity not listed) | 1,500 lb. per tire |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are race ramps used for?
Race ramps raise a vehicle a few inches or more so you can reach the underside or wheels, or display the car. Common uses include oil changes, detailing, wrapping and painting, tire changes, and car shows.
Does a lower approach angle matter?
Yes. A smaller angle means a gentler slope, which is less likely to scrape a low front bumper or splitter, and it usually means a longer ramp. Compare the listed angle with your vehicle's ground clearance and front overhang.
Is the weight rating per axle, per pair, or per tire?
It varies by manufacturer, so read the wording closely. On our Race Ramps page, the only rating listed is on a trailer ramp, stated as 1,500 lb. per tire. For other products, check the full product page and your vehicle's weight first.
Are foam ramps strong enough for a car?
Many products on our page are listed as high density foam. Suitability depends on the manufacturer's stated load rating and instructions, which are not listed on our page for most products. Confirm both before use.
Can I work under a car that is only on ramps?
Not unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically say that is acceptable. Chock the wheels that stay on the ground, set the parking brake, and use jack stands where the ramp maker calls for additional support.
How do I store race ramps?
Keep them dry and flat, and follow the maker's storage notes. Lighter foam designs are easier to carry and shelve. Our tool storage category has shelving and organizers for garage gear.
Disclosure: LPup Tools is a participant in affiliate programs and earns commissions from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure. Check the manufacturer's instructions and ratings before using any ramp.