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Are you pregnant, elderly, or suffering from back pain? Do you have a dog that can’t (or won’t) jump into the car? Thanks to dog ramps, pups have a more convenient way to enter and exit vehicles safely without injuring themselves or their owners.
| Winner | Runner-Up | Third Place |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
How To Pick A Dog Ramp For SUVs
Here are some things we think you should know about car ramps and bed ramps for dogs.
- Safety First – Remember that a ramp for your dog is not only to ensure his safety getting into your car but also to keep you safe. Many owners pick their dogs up and end up injuring themselves because the dog is too heavy, or they wail in their owner’s arms.
- Measurements Matter – Measure the width and height of your vehicle’s access point ahead of time, so you get the proper size. The access point may be at the top of the bumper, the floor of the trunk, or the floor of the backseat. Dogs need a comfortable incline that’s sturdy for their weight.
- Gripping Surface – Make sure the ramp has a walking surface that your dog can grip. Most ramps we review below have a non-slip surface.
- Ramp Weight – Keep the weight of the ramp in mind. It’s ideal 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 lifting and find a happy medium.
Tip: 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.
Comparison Table
| 1st: PetSafe Happy Ride | 2nd: Pet Gear Tri-Fold | 3rd: PetStep Original Folding | Honorable Mention: Gen7Pets Natural-Step | PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping (Regular) | Pet Loader Ultra Light Platform | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $58.95 | $73.00 | Check Amazon for availability | $109.99 | $149.99 | Check Amazon for availability |
| Maximum Weight Capacity | 150 Pounds | 200 Pounds | 500 Pounds | 250 Pounds | 300 Pounds | 250 Pounds |
| Maximum Height | 24″ | 32″ | 32″ | 32″ | 30″ | 16-40″ |
| Dimensions | 62″L x 16″W x 4″H | 71″L x 19.5″W x 4″H | 70″L x 17″W x 2.5″H | 72″L x 16″W x 1.5″H | 72″L x 17″W x 4″H | |
| Ramp Weight | 10 Pounds | 15 Pounds | 18.5 Pounds | 17 Pounds | 13 Pounds | 31 Pounds |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Unconditional Lifetime | 5 Years | Not Listed | Limited Lifetime | Not Listed |
| Fold Design | Bi-fold | Tri-fold | Bi-fold | Bi-fold | Telescoping | Fold |
Best Dog Ramp For Cars & SUVs
We chose the best dog ramps based on technical specifications, price, customer reviews, and performance. Below are our winners. We also put together a helpful summary of our best complementary product recommendations for your reduced-mobility dog.
Winner: PetSafe Happy Ride Foldable Dog Car Ramp Review
The PetSafe Happy Ride foldable pet ramp can reach up to 24″ high and is made of plastic. It has four rubber feet to provide sturdy support for the ramp. The sandpaper-like walking surface gives this runway excellent 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″ high. It will be safer for your pet, and you’ll notice it’s easier for them to use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports 150 pounds | Some users say there’s not enough traction |
| Bi-fold design | Can only reach up to 24″ high |
| Made in the USA | |
| Easy to clean | |
| Lightweight |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $58.95
- Dimensions: 62″L x 16″W x 4″H
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Runner-Up: Pet Gear Tri-Fold Dog Car Ramp Review
Our #2 pick for the best dog ramp for cars 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 the tread is removable for cleaning. The bottom of the ramp has rubber grippers to help keep it in place. It has a carry handle for portability too. The only downside is that it’s slightly more expensive than our #1 pick.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports up to 200 pounds | Pricier than our #1 pick |
| Can reach around 32″ high | |
| Tri-fold design | |
| Sturdy |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $73.00
- Dimensions: 71″L x 19.5″W x 4″H
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Warranty: Unconditional lifetime
Third Place: PetStep Original Folding Pet Ramp Review
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 weight limit in our top three. In addition, 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 two main reasons it’s not higher in our rankings is because it’s more expensive than our top picks and is the heaviest. It also only comes with a five-year warranty.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports up to 500 pounds | More expensive than our top 2 picks |
| Can reach around 32″ high | Heaviest of the ramps we review (18.5 pounds) |
| Bi-fold design | |
| Made in the USA | |
| Easy to clean |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: Check Amazon for availability
- Dimensions: 70″L x 17″W x 2.5″H
- Weight: 18.5 pounds
- Warranty: 5 years
Honorable Mention: Gen7Pets Natural-Step Ramp Review
The Gen7Pets didn’t make our top three, but it’s still a great dog car ramp. It works for dogs up to 250 pounds and 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 solid ramp, but we feel you have some better options. Also, the faux grass is more difficult to clean than the top picks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports up to 250 pounds | On the heavier side (17 pounds) |
| Can reach about 32″ high | Not as easy to clean |
| Bi-fold design |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $109.99
- Dimensions: 72″L x 16″W x 1.5″H
- Weight: 17 pounds
- Warranty: Not listed
What Are My Other Options?
These two didn’t make our top picks but are worth your consideration as well.
PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Car Ramp
The PetSafe Happy Ride telescoping ramp comes in two sizes, regular and extra-large. The extra-large is slightly wider and longer for bigger dogs. The nice feature of this ramp is it slides to make it more compact versus the others which fold.
It’s made of lightweight but durable aluminum and has a handle on the side for easy transporting and carrying. Each ramp can hold up to 300 and 400 pounds, respectively.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports up to 400 pounds | Reports that the surface is too slick and a little wobbly |
| Telescoping design | |
| Made in the USA | |
| Can reach about 30-36″ high | |
| High traction surface helps paws grip the ramp and not slip | |
| Raised rails on the side for security |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: $149.99 (Regular) & 179.99 (X-Large)
- Dimensions:
- Regular: 72″L x 17″W x 4″H
- X-Large: 87″L x 20″W x 4″H
- Weight: 13-18 pounds
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
Pet Loader Ultra Light Platform
Pet Loader makes folding stairs for multiple uses in homes and with cars. They come in a variety of sizes and lengths, depending on your needs. They even make one for loading on the passenger door. Instead of a ramp, this product mimics stairs which your dog might be more accustomed to. It’s heavier than the other ramps we review, but this model has optional wheels, so you can roll it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports 150 pounds | Expensive |
| Works with cars of all sizes and comes in multiple step options | Heavy |
| Folds up to a compact size | Not as wide as other ramps |
| Vet-approved | |
| Steps instead of a ramp | |
| Can reach 16-40″ high (depending on size and number of steps) | |
| Made in the USA |
Pricing & Tech Specs
- Price: Check Amazon for availability
- Dimensions: Varies depending on size & number of steps
- Weight: 30+ pounds
- Warranty: Not listed
Need More Dog Gear For Your Vehicle?
We put together a quick list of some of our top recommendations of similar products that road-tripping pups and their owners can benefit from.
- A cargo liner can help protect your vehicle from muddy paws and excessive dog hair from shedding.
- Prevent Fido from ending up in your lap rather than staying safely in the cargo space of your vehicle with a dog barrier.
- If your dog’s mobility is limited from injury, arthritis, or old age, a dog sling might be beneficial to add stability and reduce pain.
How To Train Your Dog To Use A Ramp
Don’t expect your dog to start using a ramp overnight. Training and patience are key to success.
Start slowly by introducing your dog to the ramp on a flat surface, having him walk on it without an incline. Then, build up to a small step before making a move to your car. Treats, a clicker, and gestures help reinforce positive behavior until your pup gets the hang of it.
Training Your Dog To Go Up Car Ramp (Video)
This video walks you through the steps to help your dog learn to go up and down the ramp into and out of your car.
Road Trip Travel Tips For Dogs
Read more tips for traveling with dogs, including taking safety a step further with a dog seatbelt. You may also be interested in dog seat covers for cars.
Tagged With: Aging, Cars, Comparison
