Key takeaways
- Light riding mower under 600 pounds: choose at least 1,000 pounds combined capacity.
- Typical ATV from 600 to 900 pounds: choose at least 1,500 pounds combined capacity.
- Heavy ATV or compact utility vehicle from 900 to 1,300 pounds: choose at least 2,000 pounds combined capacity.
- Zero-turn mower with attachments or a small side-by-side: consider 2,500 pounds or more and verify the width of the loading surface.
The best truck ramps for loading ATVs and low-clearance equipment are usually a pair of 7.5–10-foot arched, aluminum folding ramps rated for at least 1,500 pounds combined, with a high-traction surface and a secure tailgate connection.
Best truck ramps by loading situation
| Loading situation | Best ramp type | Recommended specifications | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact ATV into a standard pickup | Pair of folding arched ramps | 7.5–8 feet long; 1,500-pound combined minimum; 12–14 inches wide each | Portable and usually shallow enough for an ATV’s breakover angle |
| Heavy ATV, side-by-side or utility mower | Wide arched tri-fold ramp or three-ramp setup | 8–10 feet long; 2,000–2,500-pound capacity; 48–60 inches total width | Provides greater stability and spreads weight across more loading surface |
| Low-clearance mower or small vehicle | Long, shallow-angle arched ramps | 10–12 feet long; less than 15-degree approach angle when possible | Reduces the chance of scraping the deck, frame or bumper |
| Occasional use and limited storage | Folding aluminum pair | 7.5–8 feet long; under 60 pounds per ramp; locking hinges | Fits against a garage wall and is easier to lift into a truck |
| Frequent commercial or farm use | Heavy-duty steel or reinforced aluminum system | 10–12 feet long; 2,500 pounds or more combined; replaceable traction surface | Better suited to repeated loading, though it is heavier and less convenient |
How much weight capacity do you really need?
Start with the vehicle’s ready-to-load weight, then add fuel, attachments, tools and any cargo that will travel with it. A 700-pound ATV can become an 800-pound loading job once fuel and accessories are included. The ramp rating must cover the total weight carried by the ramps, not merely the dry weight printed in a sales listing.
Loading Ramps - Set of Two 77-Inch Folding Ramps for ATVs, Motorcycles, Mowers, Carts, and More - 2200lb Combined Capacity Car Ramp Set by Stalwart
Included for 'Best Truck Ramps for Loading ATVs and Low Clearance' because the listing specifies Set of Two 77-Inch Folding Ramps for ATVs and Motorcycles, details this guide uses to compare options.
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MAXIVAMN Loading Ramps for Pickup Trucks, 7.5 ft Aluminum ATV Ramps, 2 Pack
Included for 'Best Truck Ramps for Loading ATVs and Low Clearance' because the listing specifies 7.5 ft Aluminum ATV Ramps and 2 Pack, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Aluminum Tri-Fold Ramp with Treads, Ramps for Pickup Trucks 76"x50"
Included for 'Best Truck Ramps for Loading ATVs and Low Clearance' because the listing specifies Ramps for Pickup Trucks 76"x50", details this guide uses to compare options.
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VEVOR 7.5ft Aluminum Ramps, 1500 lbs Folding Loading Ramps (2 pcs Set) for Pickup Trucks Bed, Trailers Ramp with Load Straps for Dirt Bike, UTV, ATV, Trucks, Lawn Mowers, Cargo Trailer, 89" L x 12" W
Included for 'Best Truck Ramps for Loading ATVs and Low Clearance' because the listing specifies Trailers Ramp with Load Straps for Dirt Bike and UTV, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonFor a two-ramp setup, the combined rating is useful, but each ramp must also support its share of the load. Weight distribution is rarely perfectly equal. A safer calculation is to select ramps whose combined capacity is at least 1.5 times the loaded machine’s weight. For example, an 800-pound ATV calls for at least 1,200 pounds of combined capacity; a 1,500- to 2,000-pound rating gives a more practical margin.
- Light riding mower under 600 pounds: choose at least 1,000 pounds combined capacity.
- Typical ATV from 600 to 900 pounds: choose at least 1,500 pounds combined capacity.
- Heavy ATV or compact utility vehicle from 900 to 1,300 pounds: choose at least 2,000 pounds combined capacity.
- Zero-turn mower with attachments or a small side-by-side: consider 2,500 pounds or more and verify the width of the loading surface.
Never confuse a ramp’s evenly distributed load rating with its rating for concentrated wheel loads. A narrow tire, caster or machine track can place much more force on a small area than the same weight spread across a flat platform. If the manufacturer lists separate ratings, use the lower rating for your vehicle.
Ramp length controls the incline angle
Ramp length is one of the most important specifications for low-clearance equipment. A short ramp may hold enough weight but create an angle steep enough to scrape the front bumper, mower deck or the underside of an ATV.
Measure from the ground to the top of the truck bed or tailgate where the ramp will rest. The approximate incline angle is calculated as the inverse sine of bed height divided by ramp length. With a 30-inch-high pickup bed:
| Ramp length | Approximate angle at a 30-inch bed height | Practical result |
|---|---|---|
| 6 feet | 23 degrees | Steep; suitable mainly for high-clearance equipment |
| 7.5 feet | 20 degrees | Usable for many ATVs, but check the breakover point |
| 8 feet | 18 degrees | Good general-purpose compromise |
| 10 feet | 15 degrees | Better for low-clearance mowers and longer wheelbases |
| 12 feet | 14 degrees | Shallow and smooth, but harder to store and handle |
These figures assume the ramp begins at ground level and rests at the actual loading height. Uneven ground, a lowered tailgate, suspension movement and the ramp’s curved profile can change the result. An arched ramp is often preferable to a straight ramp because it reduces the sharp transition at the tailgate and improves underside clearance near the top.
For a low-clearance vehicle, measure its lowest point and wheelbase. A long machine may contact the ramp near the crest even when its front wheels have already reached the truck bed. If the machine has a very low deck or a long wheelbase, prioritize a 10- or 12-foot ramp over a shorter model with a higher weight rating.
Surface grip matters as much as capacity
Look for traction that remains effective when the ramp is wet, muddy or covered with grass. Expanded-metal mesh provides many gripping edges and allows dirt to fall through, but small ATV tires can feel rough over coarse mesh. Punch-plate and serrated aluminum surfaces offer a flatter ride with raised edges for traction. Rung-style ramps are light and effective for some equipment, but the spacing must suit the tire diameter and tread pattern.
- For pneumatic ATV tires, choose closely spaced crossbars or punched traction plate rather than widely spaced rungs.
- For mower caster wheels, use a continuous or fine-mesh surface that cannot trap a small wheel.
- For wet conditions, prefer raised, open traction patterns over smooth painted aluminum.
- Avoid relying on rubber strips alone; they can wear, peel or become slippery when contaminated with mud.
Width also affects control. Individual ramps around 12–14 inches wide are adequate for many ATV tires when the operator can maintain a straight line. For a mower, a complete platform 48–60 inches wide is easier to use because front caster wheels cannot drift off separate narrow tracks. Check the outside-to-outside width of the vehicle, including wheel hubs and attachments, before buying.
Aluminum or steel: which construction makes sense?
| Construction | Advantages | Trade-offs | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Light, corrosion-resistant and easier to carry | Can flex more under heavy loads; hinges and rails may loosen with abuse | Homeowners, occasional ATV use and portable storage |
| Steel | Rigid, durable and often less expensive for high capacity | Heavy; paint chips can lead to rust; difficult for one person to position | Frequent farm, workshop or commercial loading |
| Reinforced aluminum | Balances lower weight with added support rails and braces | Usually costs more than basic aluminum | Regular use when portability still matters |
For two ramps, total handling weight can matter more than the advertised capacity. A pair weighing 80–100 pounds may require two people to position safely. Folding models save storage space but add hinges, pins and locking hardware—the parts most likely to collect dirt or develop play. Inspect those components regularly, especially after transporting the ramps loose in a truck bed.
Safety details that should not be optional
Use the truck’s designated ramp attachment points, safety straps or a manufacturer-approved connection system. The top of a ramp must not simply rest on a smooth tailgate. A ramp that shifts sideways or kicks backward can cause a machine to fall even when the ramp itself is rated for the load.
- Park on firm, level ground and place the transmission in park or gear with the parking brake engaged.
- Keep the ramp angle as shallow as practical, and chock the truck if the surface is sloped.
- Center the machine and climb slowly without sudden throttle input.
- Keep bystanders away from the sides and rear of the loading path.
- Do not exceed the truck’s payload, tailgate or bed-floor rating.
- Inspect welds, hinge pins, straps, end plates and traction surfaces before every use.
Many ramp failures begin at the truck connection rather than in the main rails. Bent lip plates, missing pins and stretched straps are reasons to stop using a ramp, not minor cosmetic defects.
Buying recommendation
For most ATV owners, the best truck ramps are an 8-foot pair of arched aluminum ramps with a combined rating of at least 1,500 pounds, individual widths of 12–14 inches, closely spaced traction bars and positive safety straps. Choose 10 feet or longer for a low mower deck, long-wheelbase machine or pickup with a tall bed. Choose a full-width tri-fold platform when loading a zero-turn mower or any equipment whose caster wheels do not track confidently on two separate ramps.
The right ramp is not the one with the highest capacity alone. Match the loaded weight, bed height, machine clearance, tire width, surface grip and storage needs. A moderately rated long ramp with dependable attachment hardware is often safer for a low-clearance vehicle than a short, extremely strong ramp that creates a steep approach.
Frequently asked questions
Are 6-foot ramps long enough for an ATV?
They can work with a low truck bed and a high-clearance ATV, but they create a steep angle on many pickups. For regular ATV loading, 7.5–8 feet is a more versatile minimum; 10 feet is preferable for low-clearance equipment.
Can two narrow ramps load a riding mower?
Sometimes, but front caster wheels can wander or fall between the ramps. A full-width platform or a three-ramp configuration is generally more stable, provided the total width and capacity match the mower.
Should the ramp rating equal the ATV’s weight?
No. Include fuel, accessories and cargo, then leave a safety margin. A combined rating around 1.5 times the loaded weight is a useful selection target, subject to the manufacturer’s wheel-load limits.
