Container Ramps Buying Guide

Container ramps are an ideal solution for improving safety, efficiency, and productivity in the workplace. Choosing the right ramp is essential to ensure goods can be loaded and unloaded safely, smoothly, and at the correct gradient. The right ramp not only makes handling easier but also helps prevent accidents and damage to equipment or goods.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before buying your container ramp. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each type, the key features worth considering, and what to check before investing. Whether you’re looking to allow a forklift or pallet truck to easily gain access to a container, or you require car ramps to safely store your car over winter, our guide has you covered.

Forklift driving up aluminium container ramps into a containerForklift driving up aluminium container ramps into a container

What to check

1. Vertical height

Measure the vertical height from the ground to where the ramp will rest on your container, this is your load height.

2. Width of the item you are loading

Check the useable width of the container (normally 2.2m) and the width of the item you are loading.

3. Capacity of the item you are loading

Consider the maximum weight you are loading, for example the machine and any weight it will be carrying.

Important note: EU guidelines recommend a maximum gradient of 30% when loading equipment and machinery. Often when loading into a container users are loading items with low ground clearance such as pallet trucks, forklifts and cars. In these instances a smoother gradient is often required for safe loading and to prevent the vehicle grounding out on the ramp.

Things to consider

What are you loading?

For pallet trucks and cages, a wide ramp is often preferable. For forklifts, a wide ramp or a pair of ramps is recommended. For cars, a pair of ramps is usually best.


Will the ramp be left outside?

If the ramp is to be left outside in all weather conditions or stored outside it is important that you select a water-resistant ramp such as the rubber ramps.

Are you loading an item with low ground clearance?

For items with low ground clearance check the maximum gradient they can climb to ensure the ramp has a smooth enough slope. If you are unsure please contact our team.


Storage Space

The ramps generally cannot be left in place as they need to be moved to close the container door so consider where you plan to store the ramps.

Is the weight of the ramp suitable?

Check the ramp weight and consider who will be lifting the ramp and manual handling requirements. Some ramps can have handles added, others can be moved by a forklift.


Can the ramp rest onto the container or step?

Most ramps are designed to rest onto the container or step whilst wedge ramps simply sit the ramp in front of the container or step.

We offer a range of lightweight ramps, designed for loading up to 1000kg. These ramps are ideal for those seeking to load trolleys, cages, motorbikes and pallet trucks in and out of containers or over kerbs. Commonly used in warehouses and industrial estates, they provide a safe and efficient solution for loading.

Lightweight Container Ramps 

  • Portable design, rest in place. Pre-drilled hole to secure during loading
  • Lengths from 1.8m to 2.4m, achieve a smooth gradient
  • 1000kg capacity, ideal for pallet trucks and cages
  • TUV certified & R13 slip resistance for enhanced safety
  • Made in Italy, 2 year warranty - custom solutions available
Pallet truck going up aluminium ramp into a containerPallet truck going up aluminium ramp into a container
  • Portable design, rest in front of the container or step
  • Available in heights from 4mm to 203mm
  • 1000kg capacity, ideal for motorbikes and cars
  • Rubber design, can be left outside
  • Straight edge designs, cover your required width
Rubber ramp Rubber ramp
  • Lightweight and portable, rest in place
  • Available in heights up to 170mm
  • 1000kg capacity, ideal for pallet trucks and cages
  • TUV certified & R13 slip resistance for enhanced safety
  • Made in Italy, 2 year warranty - custom solutions available
Pallet truck going up aluminium wedge ramp onto kerb Pallet truck going up aluminium wedge ramp onto kerb
  • Lightweight and portable design, simply rest in place
  • Designed for use at heights up to 200mm
  • 500kg capacity, ideal motorbikes, ride on mowers and bins
  • Anti-slip surface, UKAS test 755
  • High visibility yellow design with safety edges
Trolley going up yellow kerbhopper ramp onto pavementTrolley going up yellow kerbhopper ramp onto pavement

Pallet Truck Ramps

  • Portable design, rest in place. Pre-drilled hole to secure during loading
  • Lengths from 1.8m to 2.4m, achieve a smooth gradient
  • 1000kg capacity, ideal for pallet trucks and cages
  • TUV certified & R13 slip resistance for enhanced safety
  • Made in Italy, 2 year warranty - custom solutions available

Rubber Wedge Ramps

  • Portable design, rest in front of the container or step
  • Available in heights from 4mm to 203mm
  • 1000kg capacity, ideal for motorbikes and cars
  • Rubber design, can be left outside
  • Straight edge designs, cover your required width
Rubber ramp Rubber ramp

Aluminium Wedge Ramps 

  • Lightweight and portable, rest in place
  • Available in heights up to 170mm
  • 1000kg capacity, ideal for pallet trucks and cages
  • TUV certified & R13 slip resistance for enhanced safety
  • Made in Italy, 2 year warranty - custom solutions available
Pallet truck going up aluminium wedge ramp onto kerb Pallet truck going up aluminium wedge ramp onto kerb

Kerbhopper

  • Lightweight and portable design, simply rest in place
  • Designed for use at heights up to 200mm
  • 500kg capacity, ideal motorbikes, ride on mowers and bins
  • Anti-slip surface, UKAS test 755
  • High visibility yellow design with safety edges
Trolley going up kerb using a yellow kerbhopper rampTrolley going up kerb using a yellow kerbhopper ramp

For loading forklifts, plant machinery and cars, often a heavier duty solution is required. We offer a range of aluminium and rubber ramps designed for loading machinery in and out of containers.

Heavy Duty Container Ramps 

  • Provided as a pair, lightweight portable design, simply rest in place - pre-drilled hole to secure during loading
  • Lengths from 1.8m to 2.4m, achieve a smooth gradient
  • Capacities up to 7500kg, - ideal for forklifts, plant machinery and cars
  • Angled foot for smooth entry onto the ramp
  • Made in Italy, 2 year warranty - custom solutions available
Forklift driving up aluminium ramp into a containerForklift driving up aluminium ramp into a container
  • Modular design, assemble and remove when required
  • Designed for heights from 150mm to 300mm
  • 10,000kg capacity - ideal for pallet trucks, forklifts and machinery
  • 2.2m wide, covers the full container width. Assembled to narrower widths when preferred
  • Smooth gradient for ease of loading
Modular Rubber Container Ramp infront of a container Modular Rubber Container Ramp infront of a container
  • Provided as a pair, lightweight portable design, simply rest in place - pre-drilled hole to secure during loading
  • Lengths from 1.5m to 4m, achieve a smooth gradient
  • Capacities up to 2900kg, ideal for cars and vans
  • Low profile with an angled foot for smooth entry
  • Made in Italy, 2 year warranty - custom solutions available
Car driving up aluminium ramps into a containerCar driving up aluminium ramps into a container
  • Steel mobile yard ramp designed for loading and unloading containers
  • Hydraulic assist, easily adjust the ramp height
  • Capacities up to 13,000kg - ideal for forklifts, plant machinery and vehicles
  • Steel ramp with a mesh surface for optimum traction, handrails available for enhanced safety
  • Smooth gradient for ease of loading
Forklift driving up yard ramp into a containerForklift driving up yard ramp into a container

Aluminium Container Ramps

  • Provided as a pair, lightweight portable design, simply rest in place - pre-drilled hole to secure during loading
  • Lengths from 1.8m to 2.4m, achieve a smooth gradient
  • Capacities up to 7500kg, - ideal for forklifts, plant machinery and cars
  • Angled foot for smooth entry onto the ramp
  • Made in Italy, 2 year warranty - custom solutions available
Forklift driving up ramp into a container Forklift driving up ramp into a container

Modular Rubber Container Ramp 

  • Modular design, assemble and remove when required
  • Designed for heights from 150mm to 300mm
  • 10,000kg capacity - ideal for pallet trucks, forklifts and machinery
  • 2.2m wide, covers the full container width. Assembled to narrower widths when preferred
  • Smooth gradient for ease of loading
Modular Rubber Container Ramp infront of a containerModular Rubber Container Ramp infront of a container

Car Ramps

  • Provided as a pair, lightweight portable design, simply rest in place - pre-drilled hole to secure during loading
  • Lengths from 1.5m to 4m, achieve a smooth gradient
  • Capacities up to 2900kg, ideal for cars and vans
  • Low profile with an angled foot for smooth entry
  • Made in Italy, 2 year warranty - custom solutions available
Yellow car driving up a pair of aluminium car ramps into a containerYellow car driving up a pair of aluminium car ramps into a container

Yard Ramps

  • Steel mobile yard ramp designed for loading and unloading containers
  • Hydraulic assist, easily adjust the ramp height
  • Capacities up to 13,000kg - ideal for forklifts, plant machinery and vehicles
  • Steel ramp with a mesh surface for optimum traction, handrails available for enhanced safety
  • Smooth gradient for ease of loading
Forklift driving up yard ramp into a containerForklift driving up yard ramp into a container

Care & Maintenance

  • The ramps require little maintenance, they can simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth when needed.
  • It is important to regularly inspect your loading ramp for any signs of damage or wear. If you notice any issues, contact the manufacturer for advice to ensure the ramp remains safe to use. Never use a ramp that is damaged, as this could pose a safety risk.
  • When ramps are used in a workplace setting, they should be inspected regularly in accordance with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).

Assembling, Positioning & Use  

  • Most container ramps simply rest onto the container or step. Some ramps include a pre-drilled hole, allowing the ramp to be secured in place during loading. It is important the rest on connection and foot of the ramp sits securely on a flat area for support.
  • Container ramps should be used in line with the recommended guidance stated on the website and any user guides provided with the ramp. It is important not to exceed the recommended capacity or load height as it can result in damage to the ramp. If you have any questions around suitability please contact our team.
  • Where the ramp is used in the workplace, a health and safety assessment should be undertaken if employees are required to lift the ramp. Companies should act in line with Manual Handling Operations Regulations and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). PPE should be worn including safety boots and gloves.

Custom Solutions

We offer customised container ramps to meet your specific requirements. Customisation options include adjusting the ramp’s load height for a smoother gradient, adding safety edges, modifying the width, and incorporating carry handles for easier transport.

If you are loading an item with low ground clearance or are unsure whether a ramp will work for your vehicle, our factory can assess suitability before purchase. Using CAD simulation, we can model your loading situation to ensure the ramp is fit for purpose.

For advice, suitability checks, or bespoke solutions, please contact our team. We are here to help you find the perfect ramp for your needs.

Request a callback

Still need assistance? Our team is available throughout the week to help via phone, email, live chat or WhatsApp. If you’d rather we call you, you can easily request a callback here.