A DIY Small Foldable Dog Ramp

Whether Fido is too small, too old or suffering from a handicap, he may need a ramp to make getting in and out of the car easier. Commercial ramps are generally too bulky to fit conveniently in your trunk, and foldable models can be expensive. Build it yourself; a small DIY foldable dog ramp is easy to make. The materials cost less than $25, and construction can be completed in a single afternoon.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 2-feet-by-16-inch boards
  • 10-feet 3- or 4-inch baseboard molding
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Saw
  • 1¼-inch drywall screws
  • Drill
  • Non-skid carpet
  • ½-inch flat-head screws
  • Scissors
  • 2 5-inch heavy-duty hinges
  • 2 heavy-duty slide bolts
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Instructions

    • 1

      Mark the baseboard molding with a pencil at 2.5-foot intervals, and cut it into four equal pieces. These are the sides of the foldable dog ramp.

    • 2

      Attach the thick edge of the molding to the long sides of the boards to form two flat U-shaped troughs with the drywall screws. Drill guide holes in the molding to ensure the screws go in straight and avoid cracking the wood.

    • 3

      Cut the carpet the width of and 3 inches longer than the interior of the trough-shaped ramp part. Position the carpet so it is even with one end of the trough and extends over the other. Use flat-head screws to attach the carpet to the boards. Fold the extended carpet under and secure it to the bottom; the uncarpeted end is for the hinge.

    • 4

      Position the hinges equidistance apart on the bottom (uncarpeted side) of the ramp pieces so that the flat sides come together when folded. Mark the hinge locations with a pencil. Screw the hinges to one piece of the dog ramp; ensure the second piece is aligned with the first and screw the hinge in place.