7 Best RV Ramp Mats For Protecting Tires That Nomads Swear By
RV ramp mats shield tires from sun and stress. We review 7 top-rated options, recommended by full-time nomads for preserving your investment.
You pull into a remote boondocking spot, the view is perfect, but the ground is a minefield of sharp gravel and sun-baked, cracked earth. Your RV tires, carrying the entire weight of your home, are about to sit on that surface for a week. This is a moment every nomad faces, and it’s where the simple ramp mat becomes one of the most critical, yet overlooked, pieces of gear you own. Protecting your expensive tires from punctures, UV degradation, and moisture from the ground isn’t just about maintenance; it’s about preventing a catastrophic failure in the middle of nowhere.
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Andersen Leveler: The Ultimate Curved Ramp System
The Andersen Leveler is more than just a ramp; it’s a complete leveling system that happens to provide excellent tire protection. Instead of stacking blocks, you simply drive onto the curved ramp until you’re level, then slide a chock under the low end. This design provides continuous support along the curve of your tire, eliminating the pressure points and gaps you can get with stacked blocks. It cradles the tire perfectly.
This all-in-one approach is its biggest strength. You get precise leveling up to four inches, a built-in chock, and a solid, non-porous surface that shields your tire from whatever is on the ground. For dual-axle trailers, you might need to trim one, but the convenience is hard to beat. I’ve seen these save countless hours of setup time for folks who just want to get level and get on with their adventure.
The main tradeoff is size and cost. A set of Andersens takes up more storage space than a bag of flat blocks, and they represent a higher initial investment. But for those who value speed, precision, and the peace of mind that comes with superior tire support, they are often considered a one-time purchase that pays for itself in convenience and tire longevity.
Camco FasTen Blocks: Versatile and Stackable
Level your RV easily with these interlocking blocks for customizable height. The integrated handle makes carrying and storing the blocks simple and secure.
If you’ve spent any time in a campground, you’ve seen these bright yellow blocks. Camco’s FasTen leveling blocks are the industry standard for a reason: they are affordable, lightweight, and incredibly versatile. Their interlocking design allows you to build a solid platform of any height (up to a safe limit), creating a flat, clean surface for your tire to rest on.
Their utility goes far beyond just leveling. You can configure them into a solid mat to park on, use them as jack pads to prevent your stabilizer from sinking into soft ground, or even build a small step. They are light enough to toss around and durable enough to withstand years of use. For the weekend warrior or the budget-conscious full-timer, a bag of these is often the first and only leveling solution they need.
The downside? On very soft ground like sand or mud, they can sink individually, and under the immense weight of a heavy Class A motorhome, they can crack over time. They also don’t provide the same cradling support as a curved leveler, but for most travel trailers and smaller motorhomes, their blend of price and function is unbeatable.
Tri-Lynx Levelers: The Original ‘Lego’ Block
Level your RV easily and securely with the Tri-Lynx Lynx Levelers. This 10-pack supports up to 40,000 pounds and features a modular design for customized leveling on any terrain.
Before Camco dominated the market, there was Tri-Lynx. These orange blocks are often called the "original" Lego-style leveler and have a fiercely loyal following. Their key feature is a robust, honeycomb-like grid structure that makes them incredibly strong and crush-proof, inspiring confidence under heavy loads.
The open grid design is a double-edged sword. It’s fantastic for shedding mud, water, and sand, meaning they are easier to clean and pack away. However, it also means they don’t offer a completely solid surface of protection from the ground below. Small, sharp rocks can still potentially poke through the gaps.
Many seasoned RVers swear by Tri-Lynx for their sheer durability, claiming they outlast cheaper alternatives by years. They lock together with a satisfying certainty and feel more substantial in your hand. If you prioritize bombproof construction over a solid surface and don’t mind a slightly higher price point, Tri-Lynx levelers are a lifetime investment.
Beech Lane Camper Leveler: A Heavy-Duty Choice
Level your RV precisely with this USA-made wireless system. The user-friendly phone app provides real-time leveling measurements, guiding you to perfect balance with its intuitive display.
The Beech Lane Camper Leveler is a direct and formidable competitor to the Andersen system. It operates on the same principle: a curved ramp for precise, incremental leveling paired with a wheel chock. Where Beech Lane aims to stand out is in its rugged construction and thoughtful additions, often at a more competitive price.
These levelers are built to handle serious weight, rated for rigs up to 35,000 pounds. They often come bundled with thick rubber grip mats that you place under the leveler. This is a game-changer on slick surfaces like wet grass or smooth concrete, preventing the leveler from shooting out from under the tire as you drive up—a common frustration with this style of ramp.
For owners of heavier fifth wheels and motorhomes who like the curved ramp concept, Beech Lane presents a compelling option. You get the same convenience and excellent tire support as the market leader but with a build quality that feels engineered for the heaviest of rigs. It’s a case of a strong competitor raising the bar for everyone.
Hopkins FloTool Kit: Built for Heavier Rigs
Simplify your oil changes with the Hopkins FloTool Dispos-Kit. This all-in-one solution includes an absorbent pad, shop towels, gloves, and mileage stickers for a clean, organized process, ready for your next service.
The Hopkins FloTool leveling kit, often sold under the "GoGear" brand, is all business. These are beefy, no-nonsense ramps made from high-impact polymer, designed specifically for the weight of larger RVs and dually trucks. The design is a simple, tiered ramp, allowing you to level at several distinct heights.
What sets this kit apart is its sheer load capacity. Each ramp is typically rated for thousands of pounds, and their wide, sturdy base provides a stable platform on a variety of surfaces. The kit often includes a wheel chock and a rubberized bottom to prevent slipping. This isn’t a lightweight, "toss in the back" solution; it’s a serious piece of equipment for a serious rig.
While they lack the infinite adjustability of a curved ramp or the modularity of blocks, their strength is their simplicity and durability. For a Class A owner who needs to lift a heavy front wheel an inch or two onto a solid, reliable platform, the Hopkins kit is a go-to. It provides a large, flat contact patch that distributes weight evenly and keeps the tire high and dry.
BAL Leveler: Precision for Single-Axle Trailers
The BAL Leveler is a completely different tool for a specific job, but it’s brilliant at what it does. It’s not a ramp or a block; it’s a mechanical device that fits around the tire of a single-axle trailer. Using a ratchet wrench, you crank a screw drive that lifts the entire wheel assembly off the ground, allowing for micrometer-perfect side-to-side leveling.
Because it lifts the tire completely, it’s arguably the ultimate tire protector for long-term stays. The tire makes no contact with the ground, shielding it from moisture, rocks, chemicals, and UV rays bouncing off the surface. It also prevents the development of flat spots, which can happen when a trailer sits in one place for months.
This is not a solution for dual-axle trailers or motorhomes. It’s a specialized piece of gear. But for the owner of a teardrop, A-frame, or other single-axle camper who parks for extended periods, the BAL Leveler offers a level of precision and tire protection that no ramp or block system can match.
DIY Horse Stall Mats: A Rugged, Budget Solution
For the ultimate in durability and ground protection, nothing beats a simple square of horse stall mat. You can buy these at any farm supply store. They are made of thick, vulcanized rubber designed to withstand thousands of pounds of animal weight, sharp hooves, and corrosive waste. A sharp rock on a campsite doesn’t stand a chance.
The process is simple: buy a large mat (they often come in 4×6 foot sheets) and use a utility knife with a fresh blade to cut it into four or more perfectly sized pads for your tires and stabilizer jacks. A single mat can outfit your entire rig for a fraction of the cost of commercial solutions. The thick rubber insulates the tire from cold or hot ground and provides an impenetrable barrier.
The undeniable tradeoff is weight and inflexibility. These things are heavy and awkward. They don’t help with leveling at all; their sole purpose is protection. But for full-timers who often park on rough terrain or anyone setting up for a season, carrying a set of these rubber pads is cheap insurance for their thousand-dollar set of tires.
How to Choose the Right RV Ramp Mat for You
Making the right choice comes down to balancing four key factors: your rig, your travel style, your storage space, and your budget. There is no single "best" option, only the best option for your specific situation. Don’t just buy what you see everyone else using; think through your own needs.
Start by considering your RV. A 40-foot Class A has vastly different needs than a 16-foot single-axle travel trailer.
- Heavy Rigs (>15,000 lbs): Prioritize strength. Look at heavy-duty options like Beech Lane, Hopkins, or DIY horse stall mats.
- Single-Axle Trailers: The BAL Leveler offers unmatched precision and tire protection for long stays.
- Lighter Trailers & Class C’s: Versatile block systems like Camco or Tri-Lynx offer a great balance of function and price.
Next, think about how you travel. Are you a weekend warrior hitting paved campground spots, or a full-time boondocker seeking out rough, unlevel terrain? If you value quick setup and precision, a curved system like Andersen or Beech Lane is worth the investment. If you need maximum versatility for unpredictable situations, a big bag of interlocking blocks from Camco or Tri-Lynx is your best bet.
Finally, be honest about your constraints. Storage space and weight capacity are always at a premium in an RV. Heavy DIY mats or bulky curved levelers might not be practical in a small van or trailer. A lightweight block system might be the only realistic choice. By matching the product’s strengths to your specific needs, you’ll find a solution that not only levels your rig but gives you peace of mind that your tires are safe and sound.
Ultimately, what you park your RV on is the first line of defense for your tires. Whether you choose a sophisticated curved ramp or a simple slab of rubber, you’re making a conscious investment in safety and reliability. It’s a small piece of gear that prevents a very big, very expensive problem down the road.
