Mowing your lawn or plowing feet of snow is a very tiresome process. When you finish, there is nothing better than taking a shower and kicking your feet up. Instead, you have to lug your lawnmower or snow blower up into the shed. This can be very bad for your back and can lead to significant injury if not done correctly. But what if I told you there was an easier way to get that heavy machine of yours into the shed? Well, there is and we are here to show you the best of the best ramps for sheds.
Check out these best ramps for sheds, along with the pros and cons for each, before you make a decision on what ramp is best for you:
Table of Contents
- 1 Top 5 Best Ramps for Sheds
- 2 What To Consider When Buying a Ramp
- 3 Building Your Own Ramp
- 4 Conclusion
Top 5 Best Ramps for Sheds
Image | Product | Details | |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Guardian Dual Runner Shed Ramps |
| Check On Amazon |
![]() | Prairie View Industries Singlefold Ramp |
| Check On Amazon |
![]() | Guardian Dual Runner Shed Ramps |
| Check On Amazon |
![]() | Silver Spring Folding Utility Ramp |
| Check On Amazon |
![]() | Guardian Heavy Duty Rubber Curb Ramp |
| Check On Amazon |
1. Guardian Dual Runner Shed Ramps
These Guardian ramps are very similar to the first ones on the list, though these ones are of higher quality and more expensive. These ramps are made of lightweight aluminum, weighing only 18 pounds, making for easy transportation. The only downsides to these ramps are that they aren’t as long as many of the other ramps and the weight capacity aren’t as high, at only 1,500 pounds.
Specifications
- Length: 48″
- Width: 12″
- Weight: 18 pounds
- Height: 1.88″
- Maximum Capacity: 1,500 pounds
2. Prairie View Industries Singlefold Ramp
Last but not least is the Prairie View Singlefold ramp. This is the highest quality of ramp on the market. Although it does not hold nearly as much weight as the other ramps, it makes up for it in stability and traction. Its wide base provides a balance that is unparalleled and it is one of the most lightweight on the market at only 15 pounds. If you are looking for a ramp for your shed, look no further (unless you have a machine over 800 pounds)!
Specifications
- Length: 36″
- Width: 30″
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Height: 7″
- Maximum Capacity: 800 pounds
3. Guardian Dual Runner Shed Ramps
When browsing for the best ramps for sheds, you’re not going to find many that are as good of a deal as Guardian’s Dual Runner ramps. These aluminum ramps are super lightweight, at just four pounds per ramp, but are able to hold up to 1,500 pounds combined. While these ramps do not have a rubber footing for stability, it does have rungs that are spaced out in order to gain traction when wheeling something up the ramp.
Specifications
- Length: 3′
- Width: 8″
- Height: 1-1/2″
- Weight: 8 lbs.
- Maximum Capacity: 1,500 pounds per pair
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight per Unit: 4 pounds
4. Silver Spring Folding Utility Ramp
Moving away from Guardian, the next up is this folding Silver Spring Ramp. This ramp has the most variety, coming in a number of sizes, with the one shown being the most common. This ramp also folds and has a carrying handle to make it easier to carry, although it weighs a heavy 30 pounds. Like the others, this ramp also has an extruding surface that gives traction for your wheels.
Specifications
- Length: 36″
- Width: 30″
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Folded Length: 36″
- Folded Width: 15″
- Folded height: 2.86″
- Maximum Rise: 6″
- Maximum Capacity: 600 pounds
5. Guardian Heavy Duty Rubber Curb Ramp
Like the previous Guardian ramp, this Heavy Duty Rubber Curb ramp is also one of the most inexpensive ramp options on the market. Unlike the last ramp, however, this ramp is made of heavy-duty rubber. It has the ability to hold more than any other ramp at an astounding 20 tons. This ramp is great if you have a very heavy machine that may not work with other ramps. One main problem with this ramp is that it is an exact height and is not able to work with a shed at a different height.
Specifications
- Length: 16.5
- Width: 19″
- Height: 4.25″
- Weight: 26.8 pounds
- Maximum Capacity: 40,000 pounds
- Material: Rubber
What To Consider When Buying a Ramp
Size
There is a lot that goes into choosing the right ramp for your shed, including what you are using the ramp for and what the dimensions of your shed are. If you have a shed with a narrow door, you may be more inclined to get a folding ramp that can accommodate your shed door. However, if you have a shed with a wider door, it may be more useful to get a pair of thinner ramps.
Compactibility
Your ramp also needs to be able to be stored when not in use. If you leave your ramp outside for long periods of time, regardless of material, the weather will surely ruin your ramp in no time. It is important that you have a ramp that you can store in a safe place, whether it is a thin ramp or a larger foldable ramp. You will also want to get a ramp that is easily transportable. Of the best ramps for sheds that we suggest, there are ramps of different shapes and sizes to allow you to store and carry as you wish.
Material
Another important decision you must make is what type of material you want to get. Many of the best ramps for sheds come in aluminum or wood, with other materials like rubber being less popular. The material of your ramp will likely determine how long your ramp will last, with aluminum ramps less likely to deteriorate over time.
You want your ramp to be a good investment, something that will last you a long time but doesn’t break the bank. The ramps that we suggest range in price from about $75 all the way up to $150. This ensures that you have a variety of ramps to choose from while also having the ability to stay within your budget.
Traction
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, you need a ramp that you can use in all types of weather. Your ramp needs a surface that gives you enough traction to get your machine up and into your shed. Some ramps have a textured surface that allows wheels to spin and not slide. These ramps make getting your machine into your shed even easier.
Building Your Own Ramp
The best ramps for sheds may be pricey for some people, making them less likely to invest in one. In that case, there is always the option to build your own ramp. There are dozens of guides to help you build your own ramp, but almost all of them have a handful of steps that make it hard to follow. We will not bore you with all of those steps, but we will give you the keys to building the perfect ramp for your shed.
Slope
The slope of your ramp is arguably the most important aspect of your ramp. If your ramp has a slope that is too steep, it defeats the purpose of the ramp. You will still end up exerting as much effort as it would take to just lift your item into the shed. You need to ensure that your ramp is at a good angle so that you can easily wheel it up the ramp and into the shed.
A good rule of thumb that we suggest is to have no more than three inches of height for every foot of length of your ramp. For example, if your door is six inches off the ground, your ramp needs to be AT LEAST two feet long. The longer, the better when it comes to the ramp because if it is longer, then the incline is less steep.
Anti-Slip
If you are plowing snow with your snow blower, it means it snowed. If it snowed, then it is likely that your ramp would be wet. If your ramp is wet then it may be harder for you to wheel something up the ramp. While most ramps on the market have traction with either tape or ladder rungs, if you build your own ramp, you must account for slippery surfaces. The best way to do this is by putting rubber mats on your ramp. Rubber does not get slippery when wet, making it the perfect surface for any weather condition.
Materials
When building your ramp, you want to have the best materials possible. Assuming that you would be making your ramp out of wood, it is best to get treated plywood. You can find this at most hardware or lumber stores, making it widely available. You will also need a circular saw to get the right cuts on your wood. Lastly, you will need joists and bolts to get your ramp into place.
Conclusion
There are many options to consider when getting a ramp for your shed. We have given you our choices for the best ramps for sheds while also giving you the information you need to build your own. We hope that this makes your ramp process as simple as can be. Make sure that after you are done with a long day of lawn mowing or snow blowing that you are able to kick your feet up and relax instead of ending up in a hospital bed trying to carry your mower/blower!
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How long should the shed ramp be?
The shed ramp should be 2 inches of rising with every 12 inches of run. This in turn will give the slope 11 or 12 degrees. If the shed is 4 inches above the ground, then the ramp needs to be 2 feet long.
How much can all this cost?
Depending on the needs, the location, the amount of space needed, and other variables, ramp cost can vary, An average permanent wooden ramp around 30 feet long can cost around almost 3 thousand, that including the labor and materials.
What is the maximum slope for a ramp?
The maximum allowable slope in any new construction is 1:12 with rice of 30 inches without the landing. A ramp with that slope and 1:16 can have a maximum horizontal length of 30 feet without landing.