Quick Overview
- The best all-around mower ramp set is the Arejonner 72.5″ Folding Ramps. It holds 1,500 lbs and folds flat for storage.
- For truck beds only, a bolt-on kit works too. MaxxHaul’s aluminum tops turn your own 2×8 boards into a 1,400-lb ramp. It costs less.
- Ramp length matters more than price. A ramp under 6 feet creates a steep angle on most pickup tailgates, and steep angles cause mower decks to scrape.
- Match ramp width to your mower’s wheel track, not just its overall width. A wheel that lands half-off the ramp edge is the most common cause of a mower rolling off sideways.
- Budget picks near $60 to $90 work fine for occasional use. But folding hinges on the cheapest models crack fast. Our shop sees this within two to three seasons of regular use.
Mower ramps let you load a lawn mower into a truck bed, onto a trailer, or up into a shed without lifting it. This guide compares real ramp models. It covers weight rating, length, and width. It also explains angle math and wheel fit, two rules most guides skip. You also get a repair-shop view of which ramps hold up, and which ones fail early.
Why the Arejonner Is Our Top Pick
The Arejonner 72.5″ Heavy Duty Folding Loading Ramps are the top pick. They hold 1,500 lbs combined. They fold flat in seconds. The surface has raised traction ridges. For truck-bed-only use, a bolt-on kit is cheaper and just as safe.
What to Look for in a Mower Ramp
Four things decide whether a ramp is safe for your specific mower. Get these wrong and price does not matter.
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Weight rating | Must exceed your mower’s full weight, not just its listed “dry weight” |
| Ramp length | Sets the loading angle. Shorter ramps mean steeper angles |
| Width vs. wheel track | The ramp must fully support both tires on one side |
| Surface grip | Wet grass on mower tires needs real traction, not smooth metal |
Weight Rating: Check the Real Mower Weight, Not the Spec Sheet Number
Manufacturers list “dry weight” without fuel, oil, or a full grass bag. A gas push mower can weigh 10 to 15 lbs more once fueled and full. Riding mowers add far more. Add 20 lbs to the spec sheet number as a safety buffer before comparing it to a ramp’s rating.
Ramp Length Sets Your Loading Angle
A ramp that looks strong on paper can still be dangerous if it is too short for your vehicle. Section 6 below walks through the exact angle math. As a quick rule, use at least 6 feet of ramp for a standard pickup tailgate.
Width Must Match Your Mower’s Wheel Track
Wheel track is the distance between your mower’s left and right wheels, not the deck width. A wide-deck mower can still have a narrow wheel track. Section 7 covers how to measure this in under a minute.
Surface Grip Matters More in Wet Conditions
Mower tires pick up grass clippings and mud. A smooth aluminum ramp gets slick fast. Look for raised ridges, punched holes, or a serrated tread pattern rather than a flat painted surface.
Comparison Table: Mower Ramps at a Glance
| Ramp | Weight Capacity | Length | Material | Folds? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arejonner 72.5″ Heavy Duty Folding Ramps | 1,500 lbs (pair) | 72.5 in | Steel | Yes | $139 |
| BEJONI 43″ Aluminum Loading Ramps | 1,500 lbs (pair) | 43 in | Aluminum | No | $99 |
| MaxxHaul Aluminum Ramp Tops (DIY kit) | 1,400 lbs (pair) | Fits your own 2×8 boards | Aluminum | No | $69 |
| DNA Motoring Heavy Duty Folding Ramps | 880 lbs (pair) | 70 in | Steel | Yes | $89 |
| Stalwart 35.5″ Loading Ramps | 1,200 lbs (pair) | 35.5 in | Steel | No | $59 |
| Temushom 67″ Folding Truck Ramps | 1,000 lbs (pair) | 67 in | Steel | Yes | $109 |
Individual Ramp Reviews
Arejonner 72.5″ Heavy Duty Folding Loading Ramps – Best Overall
Weight capacity: 1,500 lbs combined.
Length: 72.5 in.
Price: around $139.
This is the ramp I keep at my own shop for customer pickups. The perforated steel surface grips even a mud-caked mower tire. It folds in half with a center hinge, so it stores flat behind a shelf.
The length is the real advantage here. At 72.5 inches, it creates a shallow loading angle on most pickup tailgates. That means less risk of a deck scraping at the top of the ramp.
Good fit for: riding mowers, zero-turn mowers, and anyone loading into a full-size pickup.
Not a good fit for: buyers who need something under 5 lbs to carry by hand. This set weighs 17 lbs per ramp.
BEJONI 43″ Aluminum Loading Ramps – Best for Light Push Mowers
Weight capacity: 1,500 lbs combined. Length: 43 in. Price: around $99.
The hollow aluminum crossbar design keeps this set light. Each ramp weighs under 12 lbs. The serrated tread held traction in a wet-grass test without any wheel slip. [IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: BEJONI aluminum ramp leaning against an SUV tailgate with a push mower halfway up]
At only 43 inches, this ramp is too short for a tall pickup bed. Section 6 explains why. It works well for lower vehicles like an SUV cargo area or a low utility trailer.
Good fit for: push mowers and self-propelled mowers loaded into an SUV or low trailer. Not a good fit for: full-size pickup beds. The angle gets steep fast at this length.
MaxxHaul Aluminum Ramp Tops – Best Budget DIY Option
Weight capacity: 1,400 lbs combined (with your own boards). Price: around $69.
This is not a full ramp. It is a bolt-on aluminum top. It clips onto a pair of 2×8 wood boards. You can use boards you already own, or buy new ones. The surface is non-skid. A pad protects your tailgate. This is a smart choice if you already have long boards in the garage.
Installation takes about 20 minutes. The included hardware makes it simple. Your final ramp length depends on your boards. That means you control your own angle.
Good fit for: budget-focused buyers with existing lumber, or anyone who wants a custom ramp length. Not a good fit for: buyers who want a ready-to-use ramp with no assembly.
DNA Motoring Heavy Duty Folding Ramps – Best Heavy-Duty Steel Option
Weight capacity: 880 lbs combined.
Length: 70 in.
Price: around $89.
Full steel construction here holds up under repeated heavy loads. The ridged surface handled a wet test without slipping. A built-in handle on the folded unit makes it easier to carry one-handed.
At 880 lbs combined, this is not the pick for a heavy zero-turn mower. Check your mower’s full weight against this number before buying.
Good fit for: standard riding mowers under the weight limit, and buyers who load and unload often.
Not a good fit for: heavy commercial-grade zero-turn mowers.
Stalwart 35.5″ Loading Ramps – Most Portable
Weight capacity: 1,200 lbs combined.
Length: 35.5 in.
Price: around $59.
These are the shortest and lightest ramps in this guide. They tuck easily into a small trunk or under a truck bed liner. The trade-off is angle. At 35.5 inches, even a low SUV creates a steep climb.
I would not recommend this length for anything taller than a small utility trailer with a low deck height.
Good fit for: low trailers, small utility carts, and buyers with very limited storage space.
Not a good fit for: pickup trucks or any vehicle with a bed higher than about 20 inches.
Temushom 67″ Folding Truck Ramps – Best Mid-Range Balance
Weight capacity: 1,000 lbs combined.
Length: 67 in.
Price: around $109.
This set lands in the middle on price, length, and weight rating. The folding hinge locks with a spring pin, which held firm through repeated folding in testing. Surface grip is solid but not quite as aggressive as the Arejonner’s perforated pattern.
Good fit for: mid-weight riding mowers and buyers who want a balance of length and portability.
Not a good fit for: mowers near or above the 1,000-lb combined rating.
Best Ramp for Your Situation
Use this table to skip straight to your pick based on what you drive and what you own.
| Your Situation | Best Pick |
|---|---|
| Full-size pickup, riding mower | Arejonner 72.5″ Folding Ramps |
| SUV or low trailer, push mower | BEJONI 43″ Aluminum Ramps |
| Already own long 2×8 boards | MaxxHaul Aluminum Ramp Tops |
| Heavy daily use, tight budget | DNA Motoring Folding Ramps |
| Small trailer, minimal storage space | Stalwart 35.5″ Ramps |
| Want a balance of price and length | Temushom 67″ Folding Ramps |
Ramp Angle Math (What No Other Guide Explains)
Every ramp guide online lists weight capacity. Almost none explain angle, and angle is what actually causes a mower to scrape or tip.
Here is the simple version. Your loading angle depends on two numbers: your vehicle’s bed or trailer height, and your ramp’s length. A shorter ramp against a taller vehicle creates a steeper angle.
A rough guide: divide the bed height by the ramp length. Keep that number under 0.30 for a safe, low-scrape angle. A 20-inch tailgate with a 72-inch ramp gives you 0.28. That is safe. That same tailgate with a 35-inch ramp gives you 0.57. That is too steep for most mower decks.
Steep angles cause two problems. First, a low mower deck can scrape at the top. It can bottom out right where the ramp meets the tailgate. Second, drive wheels can lose traction partway up. This happens when the incline is too sharp for the tire tread.
If your vehicle is tall, buy length first and weight capacity second. A 1,500-lb ramp that is too short is not actually safer than a 1,000-lb ramp with a shallow angle.
Wheel Width and Track Fit
Wheel track is the gap between a mower’s left-side and right-side wheels. Measure it before buying any ramp under 20 inches wide per rail.
Most single-rail ramps sold in pairs are 8 to 9 inches wide each. That is enough for a typical push mower wheel, which runs 6 to 8 inches wide including any hub guard. Wide zero-turn mowers can have a wheel track over 40 inches. That is fine for two separated ramps. It is risky for a single connected ramp bridge.
The most common ramp accident I see in my shop is not a snapped ramp. It is a wheel that drifts off a too-narrow rail. That tips the mower sideways mid-load. Measure your mower’s wheel track with a tape measure. Do this before you shop, not after.
Common Mistakes That Cause Ramp Accidents
- Loading at an angle instead of straight on. Even a slight sideways approach increases the chance a wheel misses the ramp edge.
- Skipping the safety strap. A ramp that shifts even one inch under load changes your angle mid-climb.
- Loading on wet or muddy ramps without checking grip first. Test the surface with your hand first. Or test it with your foot.
- Ignoring the mower’s fueled weight. A rider with a full tank weighs more. Add a bagged catcher and the total can jump 40+ lbs over the spec sheet.
- Buying by price alone. A cheap ramp in the wrong size is not a deal. It becomes a return. Or worse, an accident.
Long-Term Ownership and Repair-Shop Notes
Ramps are simple tools, but they still wear out. Ramps come back to our shop for repair too. Yes, people ask us to weld cracked folding hinges. It is almost always the lowest-cost folding models. They were used for heavy riders, near-weekly.
| Ramp Type | Typical Lifespan (regular use) | Most Common Failure |
|---|---|---|
| Budget folding steel (under $70) | 2 to 3 seasons | Hinge cracks at the fold point |
| Mid-range folding steel ($80 to $110) | 4 to 6 seasons | Surface tread wears smooth |
| Solid aluminum, non-folding ($90 to $150) | 6+ seasons | Minor edge dents from misalignment |
| DIY board-and-bracket kits | Depends on board quality | Wood boards crack or splinter first |
A folding hinge is the weakest point on any ramp. Do you load and unload weekly? Choose a non-folding solid ramp, or the DIY board kit. Both will outlast a cheap folding model by several seasons. The folding version is easier to store, though.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight can a lawn mower ramp hold?
Most mower ramps hold between 800 and 1,500 lbs per pair. Always check the combined rating, since some listings show the rating per single ramp instead of per pair.
What length ramp do I need for a pickup truck?
Use at least 6 feet of ramp length for a standard pickup tailgate. Taller trucks need even more length to keep the loading angle shallow. Section 6 above shows the exact math.
Can I use one ramp instead of two?
No. Mowers need two parallel rails, one for each side of the wheel track, unless you buy a single solid bridge ramp wide enough for both wheels at once.
Do aluminum or steel ramps last longer?
Solid, non-folding aluminum ramps tend to outlast folding steel ramps under heavy repeat use, since the fold hinge is the first part to fail. Steel ramps can rust if stored wet without a rust-resistant coating.
Is it safe to load a riding mower alone?
Yes, if the ramp length matches your vehicle height and the ramp is strapped down. Go slow, keep both wheels centered on the rails, and never load a rider mower on wet ramps without extra traction.
How do I stop my mower ramps from sliding on the tailgate?
Use ramps with a rubber or padded lip that hooks over the tailgate edge, and add a safety strap from the ramp to the vehicle frame. Never rely on the ramp’s own weight to hold it in place.
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