How to Choose a Portable Loading Ramp or Curb Ramp

Short answer: Choose a portable loading ramp by measuring the rise first. Then match it to the load. A curb ramp like the TRAVERSE Curb Ramp covers rises up to 5.75". Singlefold edgeless ramps (2-8 ft) handle curbs, sheds and low tailgates. Walk ramps (4–14 ft) reach vans, pickups and truck beds. Longer ramps make gentler slopes.

Start with the Rise

Measure from the ground to the top of the curb, step, threshold or truck bed. Do it where the ramp will actually sit. That one number decides which ramp type you need and how long it should be. Everything else (capacity, width, surface) narrows the choice from there.

The Three Types at a Glance

All three are EZ-ACCESS® aircraft-grade aluminum ramps. They're made in the USA, carry a 3-year warranty and ship free by ground to the contiguous U.S.

Curb Ramps: For One Low Edge

A curb ramp solves one problem. It gets a hand truck, cart or dolly over a single raised edge without lifting. Delivery drivers, warehouse and maintenance crews, event teams and small businesses use them at curbs, dock landings and single steps. Without one, people tend to muscle a loaded cart up the edge. That slows the job and raises the risk of strain injuries.

The TRAVERSE® Portable Curb Ramp is one piece. It handles rises up to 5.75", weighs 15 lbs and has a built-in carrying handle, so it rides in the truck and comes out at every stop. If your edge is taller than 5.75", step up to an edgeless or walk ramp.

Singlefold Edgeless Ramps: When the Load Is Wide

Edgeless ramps have no side curbs. The full 31" deck is usable, and wide wheels can hang over the sides. That makes them the pick for mowers, snow blowers, wide carts and other outdoor power equipment. They're also good for shed and workshop doors. The TRAVERSEâ„¢ Singlefold Edgeless Ramp folds in half, comes in 2 to 8 ft lengths, and has the highest capacity in the line: 1,600 lbs at 2 ft.

Walk Ramps: When You're Loading a Vehicle

To walk a hand truck up into a van, pickup, box truck or trailer, you need length. The TRAVERSEâ„¢ Walk Ramp runs from 4 to 14 ft. It has 2" side curbs, a non-skid deck and an upper lip that sits on the bed. It needs no support legs. A rough guide:

• 4-6 ft: low trailers and steps
• 6-10 ft: vans and pickups
• 1-14 ft: high-deck trucks and docks

What to Check Before You Buy

1. Rise. Measure it where the ramp will be used. This sets type and length.
2. Weight. Add the load, the hand truck or cart, and the person pushing it. Stay under the rated capacity. Remember that longer walk ramps carry less (850 lbs at 12-14 ft).
3. Length and slope. A longer ramp gives a gentler slope, which is easier to push up and safer to control coming down. When in doubt, go longer. The Ramp Wizard calculates length from your rise.
4. Width. Measure the widest wheelbase you'll roll. Wide equipment favors an edgeless deck. Narrow carts benefit from side curbs that keep wheels on the ramp.
5. Surface and edges. In wet or outdoor use, choose a bonded non-skid deck. Side curbs help keep wheels on track.
6. Portability. Think about how often it moves and who carries it. Look for handles, a fold and a weight one person can manage.
7. Setup. Make sure the top lip sits flat and fully engaged on the surface before loading, every time.
8. Warranty and support. Buy from a manufacturer that stands behind the product. All TRAVERSE ramps carry a 3-year warranty.

Aluminum vs. Steel

Aluminum is the right call for portable ramps. It's light enough to carry, doesn't rust and holds up to weather. Steel can carry more but is heavy and corrodes, which suits permanent docks better than a ramp that rides in a truck. All TRAVERSE ramps are aircraft-grade aluminum.

Can a Curb Ramp Be Used for a Wheelchair?

The TRAVERSE Curb Ramp and other loading ramps are primarily designed for hand trucks, carts and material handling. They are not ADA-compliant, and they should not be used as an access ramp anywhere code compliance is required.

For a wheelchair or scooter at a curb, step or threshold, look at:

• Threshold ramps for rises of a few inches at doorways
• Portable wheelchair ramps for travel and temporary access
• ADA ramp slope requirements for public or commercial settings

Using Loading Ramps Around Vehicles

Curb and edgeless ramps are for rolling carts and equipment over an edge. They are not drive-on ramps for cars or trucks. Before using any ramp with a vehicle or motorized equipment, check the product's rated capacity and intended use. Contact us if you're unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions