Ramp Solutions -- A Ramp Isn’t Just A Ramp
A quick guide to the different types of portable ramps
Portable ramps can help with such things as gaining access to vehicles or overcoming obstacles both inside and outside the home. What makes them so attractive in comparison to permanent ramps are their versatility, affordability and functionality. The biggest benefit is that you’re not locked into choosing just one type of ramp. There are portable ramps designed for a wide variety of situations. Below are just a few of the different types of portable ramps and their uses.
Roll up ramps (about 5 feet to start) - Compared to folding style ramps, the rollup up function makes them more compact for portability and storage. Rollup ramps can have has a full width surface with side rails that attach to make it more sturdy Another version allows for adding and removing links to adjust the length. These ramps can be track style or have a full platform and have the potential to be much longer and support a heavier load than other types of ramps.
Track ramps (3 - 10 feet) Track style ramps have a ‘track’, with raised sides, for wheels to roll when going up or down a ramp. Usually they come in pairs with one track for the left side wheels and one for the right. They also telescope, which allows adjustments to fir barriers. Individual tracks make them lighter than a ramp with a full width platform.
Single folding ramps (2-6 feet) - Single fold ramps have hinge that joins the two halves. This lets them to fold lengthwise creating a wider surface and collapsing to half the width for ease of use.
Multi fold ramps (5-12 feet) Multi fold ramps fold in two or more places, allowing it to fold in half lengthwise and once in the middle of each of the halves, allowing each half to fold in two. in length.
Telescoping ramps (4 feet able to extend to 8) - Telescoping ramps are single units. The ramp surface is split in the middle so that one half can be collapsed by sliding it underneath the other. The other half can often be locked at various positions allowing the ramp to be extended to various lengths so to adjust for various obstacles.
When selecting a ramp, several factors should be considered.
- Primary use?
- The height of the barrier
- The type of the barrier or slope
- The size of the barrier
- And whether or not you need a short/small ramp or long ramp
Take your time, make sure the ramp matches the area and also that when it’s not it use, the ramp has a place where it will be stowed. Regardless of the type of ramps, it should always feel secure and stable and should do what it was intended to do. |
