Motorcycle Ramps vs Car Ramps: Which One Should You Buy?

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Below: how the two ramp types differ, the three loading ramps from the listings ranked, and what to check before you buy.

Motorcycle Ramps vs Car Ramps: The Core Difference

A motorcycle ramp spans from the ground to a truck bed or trailer deck. The listings here show the pattern: the Ruedamann measures 87.6 inches long by 11 inches wide, and the VENDAV measures 89 by 12 inches. That length keeps the loading angle shallow enough to walk a bike up. The width fits a single tire, with the VENDAV listing an 11 inch wheel path between its side rails.

A car ramp does the opposite job. It sits on the garage floor and the car drives up onto it, lifting the front end by the height of the wedge. Car ramps are wide enough for a car tire, short, and used in pairs, one under each front wheel. They never go near a truck bed.

The confusion comes from the word “ramp”. If a listing talks about loading into a pickup or trailer, it is a motorcycle or ATV loading ramp. If it talks about driving onto it for an oil change, it is a car ramp. Check which job the listing describes before you buy.

The Three Loading Ramps, Ranked

All three listings are aluminum or steel loading ramps for motorcycles, ATVs and similar equipment. None of them is a car ramp. Ranked by the listings’ stated specs:

1. Ruedamann 7.5FT Aluminum Motorcycle Ramp

The Ruedamann is the strongest single-ramp listing here. It is rated for 750 pounds, measures 87.6 inches long by 11 inches wide by 2 inches high, and folds to 45.3 by 11 by 5.7 inches for storage. It weighs 15.6 pounds. The listing describes a ribbed anti-slip surface pressed into the aluminum, a rubber handle that locks the ramp in its folded state, rubber-wrapped edges, and heavy-duty safety straps to secure the ramp to the truck during loading. The maker states a 1 year manufacturer warranty, the only warranty term stated among the three. The listing recommends two ramps for heavier four-wheeled equipment such as ATVs, UTVs or small tractors.

2. Stalwart Loading Ramps, Set of Two

The Stalwart is the only set of two here, which suits ATVs and four-wheeled equipment. Each ramp is rated for 600 pounds, or 1200 pounds combined, and measures 35.5 inches long by 8.5 inches wide by 2 inches high. Each weighs 9 pounds and has an integrated handle. The ramps are steel with a skid resistant tread and angled foot plates, and the listing says the two can be bolted together for 17 inches of angled track. The warranty description is listed as “N/a”, so no warranty term is stated. The shorter 35.5 inch length means a steeper loading angle than the 7.5 foot ramps, which matters for low-clearance equipment.

3. VENDAV Motorcycle Ramp for Pickup Trucks

The VENDAV is a close match to the Ruedamann on paper: rated for 750 pounds, 89 by 12 inches, folding to 44.5 inches, weighing 15.5 pounds, aluminum construction. Instead of a ribbed surface it uses open crossbar rungs that let dirt and debris pass through, with an 11 inch wheel path between the side rails. It includes rubber-tipped upper fingers for grip at the truck bed edge and one safety strap. No warranty term is stated in the listing. It ranks third because the Ruedamann states a warranty and safety straps in the plural, while the VENDAV’s listing is thinner on those details.

What About Car Ramps?

Car ramps are a separate purchase. Look for a pair rated for your vehicle’s weight, with a low enough approach angle for your car’s ground clearance. The listings in this guide do not include car ramps, so compare dedicated car ramp listings before buying. Our guide to the best car ramps for steep driveway compares five of them.

How to Choose Between Them

• Loading a bike into a truck or trailer: you need a motorcycle loading ramp, long and narrow. Any of the three above fits; the Ruedamann and VENDAV each state 750 pounds single-ramp capacity, and the Ruedamann adds a 1 year manufacturer warranty.
• Loading an ATV or mower: use two ramps for stability. The Stalwart set of two is built for this, with a 1200 pound combined rating.
• Getting under a car: you need car ramps, not a loading ramp. Do not drive a car onto a narrow loading ramp.
• Storage: the Ruedamann folds to 45.3 inches and the VENDAV to 44.5 inches; the Stalwart pair are 35.5 inches each and no folding is stated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a motorcycle ramp as a car ramp?

No. A motorcycle loading ramp is narrow, long and designed for single-track loading into a truck bed. A car ramp is a wide wedge the car drives onto. Using a narrow loading ramp under a car tire is unstable and unsafe.

How many ramps do I need to load an ATV?

The Ruedamann listing recommends two ramps for four-wheeled equipment such as ATVs, UTVs and mowers, for stability and weight distribution. The Stalwart is sold as a set of two with a 1200 pound combined rating for the same reason.

What capacity motorcycle ramp do I need?

Match the ramp’s rated capacity to the loaded weight of the bike plus rider if you walk it up. The Ruedamann and VENDAV are each rated for 750 pounds; the Stalwart pair handles 1200 pounds combined. Check your bike’s weight in its manual.

Do I need safety straps with a loading ramp?

Yes. The Ruedamann listing includes heavy-duty safety straps to secure the ramp to the truck and prevent shifting during loading, and the VENDAV includes one safety strap. Always secure the ramp before loading.

Can I get under a car supported only by ramps?

Car ramps are designed to hold a vehicle for under-car work, but follow the ramp maker’s instructions, use them on solid level ground, chock the wheels that stay on the ground, and never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack. If a ramp is damaged or deformed, replace it.

Related: the best car ramps for steep driveway, car lift vs motorcycle lift, our jacks and stands hub and the safety disclaimer.