10 Best Dog Ramps for Trucks & Cars – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

According to Packaged Facts¹, about 47% of dog owners have a senior pet aged 7 or older. Your pup probably still wants to go for rides even if it’s harder for it to jump in the vehicle. That makes products like dog ramps a godsend, especially if you have a larger pet. You may have seen items for home use. They are often more decorative belying their accessibility use. Ones for cars and trucks differ.

Ease of use is likely the primary consideration in these products. That pertains to both you and your pet. It must also be sturdy to handle the weight of your dog. The best ramps strike a balance between these two factors. Our guide will tell you what you should look for when comparison shopping. We’ve also included reviews of some of our favorite items to make your job easier.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024

The 10 Best Dog Ramps for Trucks and Cars

1. PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Car Ramp – Best Overall

The PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Car Ramp ticks off a lot of boxes for choosing the best overall dog ramp. It’s the essence of portability with its design. While it’s long, it also is telescoping to save on space. The ramp is lightweight, making it easy to haul in and out of your vehicle. We liked the extra touches, such as the rubber feet and side rails. A reluctant pet will be more likely to use it.

The ramp comes in two sizes: regular and extra-large. It will easily accommodate most pets. It can handle heights of 25–45 inches, making it suitable for most vehicles. The ramp is sturdy with larger sized dogs, able to support weights up to 400 pounds.

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2. TRIXIE Short Safety Dog Ramp – Best Value

The TRIXIE Short Safety Dog Ramp is an excellent choice if it’s only a short distance into your vehicle. It is less than 40 inches high and made of solid plastic construction. It offers an affordable solution, making it the best dog ramp for the money. The manufacturer states that it can handle pets up to 110 pounds. Given its narrower width, we’d suggest using it for small and medium breeds.

The ramp is easy to clean. Simply hose it off or wipe it down with soapy water. It’s lightweight, although it isn’t foldable. While it has side rails and rubber feet, we thought that its surface was somewhat slick, particularly if it gets wet. However, you probably won’t have a hard time getting your pup to use it because of its height.

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3. Heininger PortablePET SUV Twistep Dog Hitch Step – Premium Choice

The Heininger PortablePET SUV Twistep Dog Hitch Step is an excellent option if you have an open hitch where you can install it and forget it. There are no problems with portability or hauling it. The size is suitable for pups of all sizes. It’s enough room for pets to feel secure stepping onto it and getting into the vehicle. It’s not a ramp per se, but it is a viable solution.

The product is well-constructed with stainless steel. While it’s spendy, it is built to last. The only problem we foresee is if you use the hitch for other things, such as a bike rack or trailer. It’s not hard to remove, but it negates its convenience. Its practicality depends on your use of the hitch.

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4. ROBLOCK Dog Car Ramp

The ROBLOCK Dog Car Ramp is a foldable product, making it portable. It’s made of aluminum, which makes it relatively lightweight and sturdy. There are three folds. However, they are reinforced at each juncture. The width is decent for accommodating larger pets. It has the obligatory side rails for safety. The walking surface is plastic. While it’s ridged, it struck us as a bit slick, especially in wet conditions.

Overall, the ramp is well-made. It is sturdy and is easy to use. It does the job but could use some work on the traction to make it a better choice.

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5. Saicool Pet Ramp

The Saicool Pet Ramp is a solidly constructed product that is an excellent value for the money. It has a tri-fold design with the safety features we expect to find in these items. It’s made of plastic that does make the surface a bit slick. However, it has ridges that give it better grip. It’s lightweight and easy to fold and unfold. It also has a convenient compact size for storage.

The product description says it can handle dogs up to 150 pounds. We thought that was pushing it a bit, given the narrowness of the ramp. We feel it would be a better option for small to medium-sized pets.

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6. Pet Gear Full Length Tri-Fold Dog Car Ramp

The Pet Gear Full Length Tri-Fold Dog Car Ramp has a thoughtful design that caters to both pets and owners. The product is made of plastic and folds into three sections. Each one is reinforced under the ramp. It folds up into a smaller size for convenient storage. We liked the handle on the side that makes hauling it around easier. We also appreciated the security strap to keep it in place on the vehicle.

On the downside, the traction could be better. It also shows wear more quickly than we’d like. While it’s suitable for large dogs, some pet owners may think it’s a bit narrow for some pups.

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7. Frisco Bi-Fold Travel Dog Car Ramp

The Frisco Bi-Fold Travel Dog Car Ramp is another riff on the foldable design with two sections instead of three. That makes the folded size larger but convenient for storage, nevertheless. It is sturdy, although we were hesitant to recommend dogs up to the stated weight. The ramp is wider than many of the products which we reviewed. That makes it a decent value for the price.

The surface has ridges to improve its traction. It is also easy to manage and store. Our only gripe is that you can only use it on trucks or SUVs because of its size, making it too big to use on side doors.

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8. TRIXIE Two-Fold Dog Car Ramp

The TRIXIE Two-Fold Dog Car Ramp has a decent design with its bi-fold construction. It has a rough surface for traction. Unfortunately, some pets might not like the feel of it on their paws. It has ridges but only in the center. It’s lightweight for its size. However, we’d be reluctant to use it with larger dogs. The lip works well to hold it in place for a smaller animal but can lift with heavier pets.

The ramp works well with SUVs or trucks. Car owners may not be as lucky to get it in place securely. It’s also a bit narrower than we’d like so that dogs would feel secure using it.

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9. Range Kleen Foldable Dog Car Stairs

The Range Kleen Foldable Dog Car Stairs isn’t a ramp per se, but it is an excellent accessibility solution. It has two stairs that can fold up for easy storage. We liked the wide size that will make pets more secure using it. It’s probably a better option for medium to large dogs, as the rise might be too high for smaller pets. That’s also a concern for some vehicles, depending on the height to the bed of the truck or SUV.

However, we think that pet owners might have better luck getting their dogs to use it if they have a home with stairs. Some pups may feel uncomfortable with a ramp because it’s something new. We recommend measuring the height of the back of your vehicle to ensure it’ll work for you.

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10. Frisco Tri-Fold Travel Dog Car Ramp

The Frisco Tri-Fold Travel Dog Car Ramp is a good idea with some flaws in its execution. It is lightweight with a wide width. It folds into a compact size with straps to keep it closed when not in use. Unfortunately, it’s not well-made as it is slippery. That’s a red flag for pet owners to ensure their dogs don’t get injured using it. The side rails are also shorter than comparable models.

The ramp has a textured surface, but it doesn’t provide a lot of traction. We also had concerns about using it with a larger dog, as the specs state. We think it would be more suitable for a smaller pet.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Ramps for Trucks and Cars

You’ll notice a broad range of choices and price points when it comes to buying the best dog ramp. It’s almost a must-have with today’s larger trucks and SUVs. It’s no accident that vehicle manufacturers offer features to make it easier for us to get into our cars with running boards and safety handles! Many people wait until their pets get old or frail before they buy a ramp. However, puppies will get a lot of use out of a ramp.

Manufacturers typically include several safety features with dog ramps. Rubber feet and a non-skid surface are par for the course. We also prefer products with side rails, although most aren’t very high. Some pets will use ramps without any problems. Others need to be coaxed with treats. The essential thing is to make using a ramp a positive experience.

It’s also important to think about your use of the product. Remember that you’ll likely be hauling it in and out of your vehicle often. Keep in mind the features and specs that would make a dog ramp more practical for you. Things to consider include:

Materials and Construction

The choice of material is often a deal-breaker when it comes to these products. It’ll affect their affordability and your ease of use. Plastic is a popular choice with lower-end ramps. They are lightweight but usually don’t fold, making storage a consideration in smaller vehicles. On the other end of the spectrum are products made of stainless steel. They offer strength and durability but at the price of weight and sometimes portability.

Aluminum bridges the middle ground, balancing sturdiness and weight.

Some ramps fold up, which makes storage and portability a non-issue. However, we suggest inspecting the construction carefully, particularly if you have a large dog. The folds are the weak points. An excellent solution is the telescoping construction of our overall best pick. We also recommend checking into any necessary maintenance if the ramp has moving parts.

Weight and Length

Weight correlates directly with a ramp’s durability. However, your back is another consideration. After all, the chances are you’re probably looking into these products because your dog is too heavy to lift. Length is another dimension worth investigating since it can play a direct role in its steepness. That, in turn, depends upon the height of your ride. If in doubt, break out the tape measure to get the right fit for your vehicle.

We also suggest checking the width with the opening size of your door or tailgate. It’s probably more of an issue with cars than SUVs or trucks. Take into account the length of this dimension regarding the typical scenario you foresee when using the ramp.

Portability

We put portability high on our list of desired features. That makes foldable or telescoping products preferable. It may not be a deal-breaker for a monster SUV. However, it will make a difference with smaller vehicles where you must put it in the trunk or back seat. Again, measuring is the way to go to be sure. Of course, there’s no beating a handle to make carrying a dog ramp easier.

Pet Size

You’ll usually see a weight limit or a description of breed sizes for a ramp’s optimal use. They are often generous. However, we suggest questioning any of these figures, particularly if you have a large dog. Be careful if your pet is on the high end of the spectrum. Opt for the larger size if your pup is on the edge of its weight limit. Be sure to check on the ramp’s guarantee and warranty.

Conclusion

The PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Car Ramp is an outstanding example of a product that couldn’t be more pet and owner-friendly. These features put it at the top of the list of our reviews. The TRIXIE Short Safety Dog Ramp offers an excellent solution when you only need a smaller product. It’s lightweight and affordably priced to boot. We love knowing that these products exist to make our pets’ lives easier.

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Featured Image Credit: Chewy