6 Best RV Ramps for Wheelchair Access to Enable Location Freedom
Unlock location freedom with the right RV wheelchair ramp. Our guide compares the 6 best models on safety, portability, and ease of use for any adventure.
You’ve found the perfect campsite, tucked away with a view that makes the long drive worth it. But the three steep steps into your RV might as well be a mountain. True location freedom isn’t just about where you can park your rig; it’s about who can get in and out once you’re there. The right wheelchair ramp transforms your RV from a parked vehicle into an accessible home base for adventure.
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Key Factors for Choosing Your RV Wheelchair Ramp
The single most important factor is the ramp’s slope, which dictates its length. The ADA recommends a 1:12 slope, meaning for every inch of vertical rise, you need one foot of ramp length. A 24-inch rise to your RV door would technically require a 24-foot ramp, which is completely impractical for RV life.
In the real world of uneven campsites and storage constraints, you’ll likely use a steeper slope. A 1:8 or even a 1:6 slope can work, but only with a strong assistant for a manual wheelchair user, or for a powerful scooter. Never attempt a steep slope unassisted; it’s a recipe for a dangerous accident. Your personal mobility, the power of your chair, and who you travel with will determine your realistic slope tolerance.
Beyond length, consider the ramp’s own weight versus its capacity. A ramp rated for 800 pounds sounds great, but if it weighs 60 pounds and you have to set it up alone, it’s a bad fit. Aluminum is the only material you should seriously consider for its blend of strength and manageable weight. Also, scrutinize the surface—a high-traction, grit-coated, or perforated surface is non-negotiable for safety in rain or morning dew.
Finally, where will you store it? A 10-foot multifold ramp might collapse down to a manageable size, but it’s still a large, heavy object. You need a dedicated spot in a storage bay, truck bed, or inside the rig where it won’t become a missile in a sudden stop.
- Rise: The vertical height from the ground to your RV’s threshold.
- Slope: The steepness you can safely manage (e.g., 1:8, 1:10).
- Ramp Weight: Can you lift and position it yourself?
- Capacity: Does it safely support you and your mobility device?
- Storage Space: Where will it live when you’re on the move?
EZ-ACCESS SUITCASE Ramp: The Portable Solution
Easily transport and store this 6-foot portable ramp, which folds into two lightweight sections. Its slip-resistant surface and self-adjusting transition plates ensure secure and confident mobility.
The SUITCASE ramp is one of the most common portable ramps you’ll see, and for good reason. It’s a single-fold design that hinges down the middle, creating a "suitcase" with a carrying handle. This makes it incredibly easy to grab, position, and deploy for lower thresholds.
These are ideal for RVs with only one or two steps, like many smaller travel trailers or some Class B vans. Their simplicity is their strength; there are no complex parts to assemble. Most models also feature a self-adjusting bottom transition plate, which provides a smooth ramp-to-ground entry even on slightly uneven terrain.
The tradeoff is length. While they come in various sizes, a SUITCASE ramp long enough for a high Class A motorhome entry would be unwieldy to carry and store. Think of this as the perfect solution for small-to-medium rises where quick deployment is the top priority.
Roll-A-Ramp: The Ultimate Customizable Length
Roll-A-Ramp offers a truly unique design that solves the length-versus-storage problem in a clever way. The ramp is constructed from linked aluminum segments that allow it to be rolled up tightly, much like a sleeping bag. This makes it far more storable than a rigid bifold or multifold ramp of the same length.
Its killer feature is modularity. You can add or remove sections to customize the length on the fly. If you switch from a travel trailer to a fifth-wheel with a higher entry, you don’t need a whole new ramp—you just order more links. This makes it a long-term investment that can adapt to your changing needs.
The downside is setup time and cost. Unrolling, positioning, and securing a 12-foot Roll-A-Ramp takes more effort than simply unfolding a SUITCASE ramp. It’s also a premium product with a price tag to match, but for those who need maximum length with minimum storage footprint, there is no better option.
PVI Bifold Ramp: High-Traction for Safety
PVI (Prairie View Industries) is a trusted name in accessibility, and their bifold ramps are workhorses. These ramps fold in half lengthwise, making them narrower for storage while maintaining their full length. They are a great middle-ground between the simplicity of a solid ramp and the compactness of a multifold.
What sets many PVI ramps apart is their exceptional traction surface. They often feature a very aggressive, welded, high-traction mesh or a durable anti-slip grip tape. When you’re navigating a ramp slick with rain, that extra grip provides a critical margin of safety and confidence.
These are sturdy, no-nonsense ramps built for frequent use. The simple hinge mechanism is reliable and less prone to failure than the multiple hinges on a multifold ramp. Just be sure you have the space to store an object that is, for example, 8 feet long and about 15 inches wide when folded.
Titan Ramps Multifold: For Heavy-Duty Capacity
Easily navigate steps and curbs with this durable, 10-foot aluminum wheelchair and scooter ramp. Its multi-fold design offers portable storage and a textured, non-slip surface for secure traction, supporting up to 600 pounds.
If your primary concern is weight capacity, Titan Ramps should be on your list. These ramps are built to handle heavy power wheelchairs and mobility scooters without flexing or bowing. Their multifold design allows a very long ramp to fold down into a much smaller, thicker block for storage.
A 10-foot multifold ramp might fold down to just over 5 feet long, making it easier to fit into an RV storage bay. This design is the go-to solution for achieving a safe, gentle slope for a high RV entry without requiring a massive, dedicated storage spot.
The clear tradeoff here is the ramp’s own weight. A heavy-duty, 10-foot aluminum ramp can easily weigh 60-80 pounds. While it folds compactly, moving it into position is often a two-person job. This is a serious piece of equipment for those who absolutely need the length and strength and have the means to handle it.
Handi-Ramp Van Ramps: A Versatile RV Option
Don’t overlook ramps designed for conversion vans. While many are built for permanent mounting, Handi-Ramp and others make portable versions that are perfectly suited for RVs, especially Class B and Class C models that share a similar van chassis.
These ramps often feature excellent side rails for added security and may come with spring-assisted folding mechanisms that make deployment easier. Because they are designed for the specific height of a van’s side or rear door, their length options are often a perfect match for the 20-to-30-inch rise common on many motorhomes.
The key is to check the top lip design. Ensure the transition plate is designed to rest securely on the RV’s threshold without slipping. Their robust, daily-use construction makes them a durable choice for full-time RVers who need a ramp that can withstand constant setup and teardown.
Silver Spring Solid Ramp: Stability and Simplicity
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. A solid, one-piece ramp offers maximum stability and rigidity because it has no hinges or moving parts. This provides a very secure feeling, especially when navigating it with a heavy power chair.
These ramps are straightforward: what you see is what you get. They are always ready to deploy, with no unfolding or assembly required. Just pick it up, place it, and you’re ready to go.
The challenge, of course, is storage. An 8-foot solid ramp is an 8-foot-long, rigid object that you have to put somewhere. This option is really only practical for RVers with a toy hauler garage, a pickup truck bed, or a large pass-through storage bay where the ramp can be slid in and secured for travel.
Measuring Your RV for the Correct Ramp Slope
Getting the right ramp starts with a tape measure and some simple math. Don’t guess. You need to know the exact vertical height from the ground to the surface where the top of the ramp will rest. This is your rise.
First, park your RV on the most level ground you can find. Place a straight board or a long level on your RV’s threshold so it extends out past the door. Now, measure vertically from the bottom of that board straight down to the ground. That number, in inches, is your rise.
Now, apply the slope formula: Rise (in inches) ÷ Preferred Slope Ratio = Minimum Ramp Length (in feet).
- For a 24-inch rise with a 1:12 slope (ADA standard): 24 ÷ 1 = 24 feet. (Impractical)
- For a 24-inch rise with a 1:8 slope (assisted use): 24 ÷ 2 = 12 feet. (More realistic)
- For a 24-inch rise with a 1:6 slope (strong assisted use only): 24 ÷ 3 = 8 feet. (Manageable)
Remember that campsites are rarely perfectly level. Your rise might be 24 inches at one site and 28 inches at the next. It’s always better to buy a slightly longer ramp than you think you need; you can handle a gentler slope, but you can’t make a short ramp longer.
Choosing the right ramp is about more than just getting in and out of your rig. It’s about reclaiming the spontaneity and freedom that makes RVing worthwhile. By matching the right design to your specific RV, mobility needs, and travel style, you ensure that no perfect view is ever out of reach.
