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My sister has an 110-pound Labrador retriever who can’t jump. Whenever they hop in the car, he puts his front paws on the vehicle and waits for someone to lift his back legs in. He’s done this his whole life — he simply refuses to jump. However, once they reach their destination, he is capable of jumping down out of the vehicle. Overall it’s pretty harmless, but when my sister was seven months pregnant and trying to take the dog to the vet on her own, it could’ve ended pretty badly. Fortunately, she was able to lift him even with her round belly interfering a bit. However, I think her husband would’ve been more comfortable if she had a dog ramp for the SUV.
How To Pick a Dog Ramp
Before we get into our reviews, we want to go over some things we think you should know about car ramps for dogs.
Safety First
Remember that a ramp for your dog is not only to ensure his safety into your SUV but also keep you safe. Many owners pick their dogs up and end up injuring themselves because the dog is too heavy or the dog started wailing in the owner’s arms.
Measurements Matter
Measure your vehicle’s access point ahead of time so you get the proper size. Depending on the ramp you are looking at and your vehicle, the access point may be the top of the bumper, the floor of the trunk or the floor of the backseat. Measure the height of the access point and use a tape measure to estimate a comfortable angle you think your dog can handle. Look for a ramp with those specifications. Don’t push the abilities of a ramp beyond its limits. Dogs need a comfortable incline that is sturdy for their weight.
Gripping Surface
Make sure the ramp has a walking surface that your dog can grip. You may be able to add your own material to a ramp if you purchase one that doesn’t have proper material for your dog.
Ramp Weight
Keep the weight of the ramp in mind. It’s good to have something lightweight that’s manageable for you to lift, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality, sturdiness or durability. Know what you’re capable of and find a happy medium.
Watch Your Fingers
Some of these pet ramps have some weight to them, and we’d hate for you to get your finger caught or broken so please be careful when using these.
Solvit Review
#1
The Solvit pet ramp can reach up to 24 inches high and is made of plastic. It has four rubber feet to provide a sturdy support for the ramp. The sandpaper-like walking surface gives this runway good traction. Some buyers complain that this ramp is flimsy or doesn’t have enough traction. However, we recommend making sure you only use this up to 24 inches high. It will be safer for your pet, and you’ll notice it is easier for them to use.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- $69.95
- Dimensions: 62″L x 16″W x 4″H
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year
Pet Gear Review
Our #2 pick for best dog ramp for car is this Pet Gear ramp. It has a tri-fold design and folds up easily and fast. It folds into a small, manageable size that can easily fit in your vehicle. The tread on the ramp is skid-resistant whether it’s wet or dry and it’s removable for cleaning. The bottom of the ramp has rubber grippers to help keep it in place. So, what’s the downside? This ramp tends to be slightly more expensive and heavier than our #1 pick.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- $74.79
- Dimensions: 71″L x 19.5″W x 4″H
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Warranty: Not listed
PetStep Review
#3
Rounding out our top three is this PetStep folding pet ramp. It has a bi-fold design and can hold up to 500 pounds, which is the highest in our top three. The walking surface is made of a non-slip rubber material and works well whether it’s wet or dry. It has cut out handles to help you carry the ramp and has heavy-duty rubber grips on the bottom to hold the ramp in place. If the ramp gets dirty, it’s easy to wash with soap and water. The main reasons it’s not higher in our rankings is because it’s more expensive than our top picks and many customers complained of it being heavy and difficult to maneuver.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- $145.99
- Dimensions: 70″L x 17″W x 2.5″H
- Weight: 18.5 pounds
- Warranty: 5 years
Other Dog Ramps
Below you’ll find an alphabetical listing of other companies we’ve reviewed that didn’t make our top three list.
Gen7Pets Review
Although the Gen7Pets didn’t make our top three, it’s still a great dog car ramp. It works for dogs up to 250 pounds. It locks closed when you fold it up so it’s easier to put away since it won’t come unfolded. Customers state it is sturdy and has good traction for dogs. One unique feature is that it has a safety strap that clips to a recessed bar to help hold the ramp in place. Overall this is a good ramp, but we feel there are others that are better.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- Check on Amazon
- Dimensions: 72″L x 16″W x 1.5″H
- Weight: 17 pounds
- Warranty: Not listed
Titan Review
Unlike the other ramps in this article, the Titan pet ramp for car has a slide design. The ramp is sectioned into three parts, and it slides into a compact design for easy transportation and storage. You can stop the slide mechanism wherever you’d like so you don’t have to extend the entire length. It has a textured surface for your dog to walk easily and large rubber feet to keep it stable. It is light weight and easy to open with one hand. It’s not ranked in our top three because there wasn’t enough customer feedback for us to review.
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Pricing & Tech Specs
- Out of stock
- Dimensions: 61 1/2″L x 13″W
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Warranty: Not listed
A Vehicle Dedicated to Dogs
If you want to rig your vehicle out for your dog, you may find the Nissan X-Trail interesting. It’s got everything you may need for your dog on the road including a ramp, area to hook in a dog seatbelt, washing station, dog treat bowl and more. Check out the short video below.
Save Your Back
Experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. Don’t you want to prevent back pain as much as possible? Then stop picking your dog up and putting him in the vehicle. We know that may sound harsh, but you’re risking your health. A doggy ramp is a safer option for both of you.
What’s do you feel is the most important factor when choosing a dog ramp for car, truck or SUV?
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1 Comment on "What Is the Best Dog Ramp for SUVs?"
I have a 1 year old pug and just got a Jeep, he used to be able to jump in the front seat easily and now I have to pick him up, not that he’s heavy I just feel bad since he is used to climbing in himself. So need one of these for him!