Getting Over a Step Without Lifting
A ramp turns a step into a slope so a wheelchair, scooter or rollator can roll across it. The alternative is lifting, and lifting a loaded wheelchair over a kerb is how carers hurt their backs and how users get tipped out. Like a transfer board or a hoist, a ramp exists so nobody has to lift.
This collection carries portable folding ramps, four-panel van ramps and ramps with edge barriers or handrails, in lengths from 2 to 10 feet.
The Slope Rule Decides the Length
This is the one calculation to get right, and almost everyone gets it wrong by buying too short.
The accepted guidance for an occupied wheelchair with an assistant is a 1:8 slope: one foot of ramp for every inch of rise. For an unassisted user, or anyone in a powered chair going up under their own control, 1:12 is the standard, which means one foot of ramp per inch of rise and a far gentler climb.
| Rise to clear | 1:8 (assisted) | 1:12 (unassisted, ADA style) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 inches (threshold) | 2 ft | 3 ft |
| 6 inches (one step) | 4 ft | 6 ft |
| 9 inches | 6 ft | 9 ft |
| 12 inches (two steps) | 8 ft | 12 ft |
| 20 inches (van floor) | 13 ft | 20 ft |
Measure the rise from the ground to the top surface, not the height of the step face. Then pick the ramp from the column that matches who will be pushing.
Portable, Van and Threshold
Portable folding ramps fold in half or into several panels and travel in a car. They suit a single step at a friend's house, a kerb, or a shop entrance. Weight is the limit: the person who carries it has to be able to lift it.
Van ramps are longer, usually four panels, and clear the 13 to 20 inch rise of a vehicle floor. They are heavier and normally stay with the vehicle.
Threshold ramps are small wedges for a doorsill or a single low step. They are left in place rather than carried.
Edge Barriers and Handrails
An edge barrier is a raised lip along each side that stops a wheel running off. On a narrow ramp, or any ramp used by someone who steers imprecisely, this is the difference between a crossing and a fall. Handrails do the same job for a person walking up alongside.
Neither is standard on every model. If the ramp is for an unassisted user, treat an edge barrier as a requirement rather than an upgrade.
Capacity and Surface
Rated capacity covers the chair, the occupant and anything carried. A powered wheelchair alone can weigh 250 lb before the rider, so add the two together and leave margin. Ramps here are rated from 600 lb upwards.
Surface matters in the wet. A smooth aluminium ramp is slippery with rain or snow on it; a grit or textured surface is not. If the ramp lives outdoors, check which one you are buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long a ramp do I need?
Measure the rise in inches, then allow one foot of ramp per inch for an assisted user, or one foot per inch at the gentler 1:12 ratio for an unassisted user. A 6 inch step needs 4 ft assisted or 6 ft unassisted.
What is the correct wheelchair ramp slope?
1:12 is the standard for independent use. 1:8 is accepted where an assistant is pushing. Steeper than 1:8 is unsafe going up and dangerous coming down.
How do I measure the rise?
From the lower ground surface to the top surface the ramp will land on, vertically. Not the height of the step face, and not the depth of the doorway.
Do I need an edge barrier?
If the user steers the chair themselves, treat it as a requirement. An edge barrier stops a wheel running off the side, which is the common way a ramp crossing goes wrong.
Can one person carry a portable ramp?
Folding ramps up to about 6 ft usually yes; longer and multi-panel ramps often need two people or stay with the vehicle. The weight is on each product page, and that figure decides whether the ramp actually gets used.
What weight can a ramp hold?
Models here start at 600 lb. Add the chair weight to the rider weight, because a powered chair can be 250 lb on its own, then leave margin.
Are aluminium ramps slippery when wet?
A smooth surface can be. Grit or textured surfaces are not. If the ramp will live outdoors or be used in rain and snow, check the surface description before ordering.
Will a portable ramp work on my van?
Only if it is long enough for the van floor height, which is usually 13 to 20 inches. That needs a multi-panel van ramp, not a short folding one.
Do ramps need to be fixed down?
Portable ramps rest in place and most have lips or retaining plates that hold position under load. Permanent installations are a different product and usually a building job.
Does insurance cover a ramp?
Coverage for ramps varies widely and many plans exclude them as home modifications rather than durable medical equipment. We are not able to bill your insurance for you. Check with your plan before you order, and keep the invoice.
MediDepot Purchasing Advantages
- Shipped from US stock, so you are not waiting on an overseas order.
- Manufacturer warranty on every ramp, handled by us.
- Length, folded size, weight and rated capacity on every product page, so you can run the slope calculation before buying.
- Bulk and facility pricing available for clinics, care homes and transport operators.
Related Buying Guides
- Measuring rise and choosing ramp length
- Wheelchair ramp slope: 1:8 versus 1:12
- Transporting a mobility scooter: lifts, hoists and ramps
- Safe lateral transfer technique