There’s nothing worse than trying to drive up your driveway or enter your garage, only to hear the front or back of your car scraping against the curb or lip. Even if you aren’t in a vehicle, the lip on the curb can really be an obstacle, and it might just cause you to trip and all.
For this reason, you might want to consider getting yourself a curb ramp. As you’ll see below, a curb ramp is a special piece of hardware that can protect both you and your vehicle as far as those harsh curbs are concerned.
In terms of who makes the best curb ramps, the VEVOR brand name is always up there with the best of them. Today, we are going to review the VEVOR Curb Ramp to determine whether or not it’s a suitable option for you.
Table of contents
What is a Curb Ramp?
First things first, a curb ramp is a very short ramp made with various materials, such as rubber, which is placed against the curb of a road.
This could be the curb that leads from the sidewalk to a driveway, or even for that little gap or raised area in between your driveway and garage.
It’s an angled piece of hardware that allows for a smooth transition from a curb that is higher up to the street which is lower down, although it may also be used in garages.
What is a Curb Ramp Used For?
Curb ramps serve a few different purposes. First and foremost, they are designed to allow for a smooth transition between a curb that is higher up and a street that is lower down. They create one smooth surface to walk or drive over, instead of a large gap or raise that may cause issues, both to humans and vehicles alike.
Curb ramps are useful in urban areas where accessibility is an issue, such as for people who need to navigate roads and sidewalks with wheelchairs. However, curb ramps are also useful for vehicles, as they help protect both the vehicle and the surface below from damage due to being driven on.
What Are the Benefits of a Curb Ramp?
You might be wondering why you would consider getting a curb ramp. Well, there are actually a few primary reasons, so let’s find out what these are.
- Curb ramps are needed to help people with disabilities maneuver sidewalks. It’s very difficult to maneuver curbs if there is not a smooth transition.
- This does not only apply to people with disabilities, but also to parents with strollers, and even people that have luggage with wheels. It’s all about that smooth transition.
- With people being as distracted as they are, tripping on a curb because we aren’t watching where we are going is a possibility. A curb ramp helps prevent such falls from occurring.
- Curb ramps are also useful for vehicles, as they help prevent damage from occurring to the underside of vehicles due to driving over a large curb. In this case, a curb ramp can also protect bicycles from damage.
How to Choose the Best Driveway Ramp
Now that we know what a driveway ramp is and what it is used for, let’s determine how to choose the best one for your needs.
Materials
Driveway ramps can be made out of a wide variety of materials, including concrete, metal, and rubber. Concrete ramps tend to be extremely durable, they can be fit to any size of curb needed, but they’re also quite expensive and extremely permanent. You then have metal ramps, usually made out of aluminum, which are rust resistant and fairly sturdy, although they do have their issues. The best type of driveway curb ramp to consider is a rubber ramp, as these are durable, they provide good traction, and they are affordable too.
Durability
Speaking of durability, you do need to make sure that you get something that has a high level of durability. This is very important as far as vehicles are concerned. You need a curb ramp that can easily withstand the weight of vehicles, regular wear and tear, temperature and weather, and more. Keeping all of these factors in mind, especially as far as weather resistance is concerned, rubber driveway ramps do appear to be the best option.
Size and Width
The next thing you need to consider here is the size of the ramp itself compared to the size and width of the space that you need to cover. First and foremost, the ramp in question needs to be a certain height. It needs to be high enough to bridge the gap between the road and the curb, or between your driveway and your garage. If it’s not high enough, then it won’t do its job effectively. It should also be more than wide enough to fit your whole vehicle and to cover the whole curb.
Weather Resistance
If you live in an area where you see a lot of inclement weather, particularly extreme heat and cold, as well as precipitation, then paying attention to weather resistance is key. Once again, this really comes down to the material that the curb ramp in question is made of. Something like rubber is always great for weather resistance, as it is waterproof, doesn’t rust, and is quite UV resistant as well.
Brand and Budget
Of course, you do need to keep your budget in mind. Yes, curb ramps are both useful and important, but this does not mean that you need to spend a fortune. There are plenty of curb ramps out there, such as those from VEVOR, which are durable and functional, as well as reasonably priced.
Visibility
The other factor to pay attention to is visibility. Ramps need to have some kind of visibility strip or indicator on them so you can see them in the dark. Having reflective markings or materials is very important if you live in a busy area. This helps to ensure safety for drivers and pedestrians.
The VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp for Driveway: Review
What we want to do now is to take a closer look at the VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp for Driveways. It’s one of the best in its class, so let’s find out why.
Features
The VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp has a number of notable features, so let’s take a quick look at the most important ones.
- The VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp is made out of 15T rubber. This is a very durable type of rubber that demonstrates great UV and weather resistance. It is therefore suitable for a wide variety of outdoor applications where harsh weather is involved.
- Speaking of weather, a really cool feature is that the underside of these curb ramps features a special channel designed to allow water to pass through from one side to the other. This way, water does not build up on one side and cause flooding. This channel is also ideal as it allows for cables to be passed through.
- This curb ramp can handle up to 33069 lbs, which is nothing short of impressive. Its great weight capacity means that cars, vans, trucks, SUVs, and anything else of the sort can roll over it without fear of compressing or breaking it.
- In terms of its size, this VEVOR Curb Ramp comes in at 48.1″ L x 16″ W x 2.6″ H, which therefore makes it suitable for most standard applications, and it should fit most standard curbs just fine.
- As for mounting and securing, the VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp comes with special bolts, four per piece, that anchor these ramps down into the concrete below. You will need special tools to make the holes in the concrete. The holes are however pre-drilled into the actual curb ramp itself.
- Perhaps one of the best features of the VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp is that the bottom features special shock absorption. This helps to protect the underside and the chassis of your vehicle from damage, while also protecting both the curb and the curb ramp as well. Being able to absorb a bit of impact is crucial.
- The top of the VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp features a textured design, which is ideal as it prevents it from being slippery. This adds a certain degree of safety to the mix, particularly for those traveling on foot. Speaking of safety, there are also visibility strips integrated on the surface, thus allowing for high visibility during the night.
Pros
- Comes with mounting hardware
- High weight capacity
- Shock absorbing features
- Highly visible
- Non-slip
- Water drainage features
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Requires you do drill into the concrete below
FAQs
What is the best material for a curb ramp?
In general, although metal and concrete are both suitable options, rubber tends to be the best. Rubber curb ramps are very durable, as they have great impact resistance. They are also highly resistant to the weather, they are low-maintenance, and relatively easy to install as well.
Am I required to have a curb ramp?
In many places, you may be required to have a curb ramp under the Americans with Disabilities Act, as this is designed to ensure that people with physical disabilities can maneuver sidewalks safely.
Who do curb ramps benefit?
Curb ramps benefit a wide variety of people. The first people that come to mind are the elderly and anyone with a disability who cannot otherwise traverse these obstacles. Curb ramps are also useful for motorists who don’t want the underside of their vehicle getting ruined due to driving over a curb.
Can you install a curb ramp yourself?
If you have the right tools, then yes, it is possible to install a curb ramp yourself. The most important thing that you’ll need is a specialized drill to drill into the concrete below, so you can secure the mounting hardware.
Final Thoughts on the VEVOR Driveway Ramp
At the end of the day, the VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp may not cost all that much, but it comes with a variety of benefits and top of the line features that make it stand out from the pack. If you need a good curb ramp with a high level of durability, good traction, great visibility, and more, then the reasonably priced VEVOR Rubber Curb Ramp is always a go-to option!
