How to Choose a Portable Loading Ramp or Curb Ramp

-Friday, 25 September 2026 (Eric Jungersen)

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

	TRAVERSE Curb Ramp	TRAVERSE Singlefold Edgeless	TRAVERSE Walk Ramp
Best for	Curbs, single steps, landings	Curbs, sheds, trailers, low tailgates	Vans, pickups, trucks, trailers
Rise	Up to 5.75"	Low to moderate	Moderate to high
Length	27"	2, 4, 6, 8 ft	4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 ft
Usable width	26.5"	31" (no side curbs)	30" (2" side curbs)
Capacity	1,000 lbs	1,600 lbs (2 ft) to 1,000 lbs (8 ft)	1,200 lbs (4-10 ft) 850 lbs (12-14 ft)
Weight	15 lbs	15 lbs (2 ft) to 52 lbs (8 ft)	Varies by length
Surface	Smooth aluminum	Bonded non-skid	Bonded non-skid
Shop	View Curb Ramp	View Edgeless Ramps	View Walk Ramps

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 TRAVERSE™ 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 TRAVERSE™ 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
10-14 ft: high-deck trucks and docks

What to Check Before You Buy

Rise. Measure it where the ramp will be used. This sets type and length.
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).
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.
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.
Surface and edges. In wet or outdoor use, choose a bonded non-skid deck. Side curbs help keep wheels on track.
Portability. Think about how often it moves and who carries it. Look for handles, a fold and a weight one person can manage.
Setup. Make sure the top lip sits flat and fully engaged on the surface before loading, every time.
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?

Not as a replacement for a proper wheelchair ramp. The TRAVERSE Curb Ramp and other loading ramps are built 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

What's the difference between a curb ramp and a loading ramp?

A curb ramp is a short, one-piece ramp for a single low edge. The TRAVERSE Curb Ramp covers rises up to 5.75". A loading ramp is longer and bridges a bigger rise, like a truck bed, trailer or van floor.

How much weight can a portable loading ramp hold?

It depends on the model and length. In the TRAVERSE line, the curb ramp is rated to 1,000 lbs. Edgeless ramps are rated from 1,600 lbs (2 ft) to 1,000 lbs (8 ft). Walk ramps are rated 1,200 lbs from 4-10 ft and 850 lbs at 12-14 ft. Count the load, the cart and the person.

How long should a loading ramp be?

Longer ramps give gentler slopes that are easier and safer to push up. As a rough guide, 4-6 ft suits low trailers and steps, 6-10 ft suits vans and pickups, and 10-14 ft suits high-deck trucks. Use the Ramp Wizard to size by your exact rise.

Is the TRAVERSE Curb Ramp ADA-compliant?

No. It's designed for hand trucks, carts and material handling. Don't use it as an ADA access ramp where code compliance is required.

Should I get an edgeless ramp or one with side curbs?

Choose edgeless for wide equipment whose wheels need to overhang the deck, like mowers and snow blowers. Choose side curbs (the Walk Ramp) for narrower carts and hand trucks, where curbs help keep the wheels on the ramp.

Aluminum or steel?

For portable use, aluminum. It's lighter to carry and won't rust. Steel is heavier and better suited to permanent installations.

Need help choosing? Tell us the rise, what you're rolling and how often the ramp moves, and we'll point you to the right model. Contact Express Ramps or browse all portable loading ramps.