How to Make a Free Standing Dog Ramp

Free-standing dog ramps are used to assist dogs into vehicles, can be placed over steps for dogs that cannot climb steps, and a variety of other uses to help dogs maneuver around obstacles. Free-standing dog ramps are especially handy for handicapped dogs. Ramps can be made from wood or aluminum, but combining materials to make your ramp will save money and add strength and durability to your project.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 6-foot small flanged aluminum rails
  • 4 3-foot small flanged aluminum rails
  • 5/8-inch plywood (6 feet long by 3 feet wide)
  • Aluminum drill bit
  • Wood drill bit
  • Reciprocating saw with metal cutting blade
  • Bolts and nuts
  • Drill
  • Screwdriver
  • Socket
  • Marker
  • Sandpaper
  • Stick-on, non-slip padding (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine which side of the plywood you want to use for the top of the ramp. Lay the 6-foot aluminum rails on a flat surface. Place the plywood on top of the aluminum rails.

    • 2

      Make sure the edges of the plywood are lined up with the rails. Using the aluminum drill bit, drill into the plywood and through the aluminum railing every 12 inches on both sides. Insert bolts through the top, then attach the nuts underneath the board using the appropriate socket. The size socket depends on what size nuts and bolts you purchase.

    • 3

      Flip the ramp over and measure the width between the two aluminum rails. Cut the four 3-foot small flanged aluminum rails to fit the measurement you just made. The measurement depends on the width of the rails you purchased. Use a metal blade on a reciprocating saw to saw through the aluminum rails. Flip the ramp over.

    • 4

      Measure 2 feet down from the top of the ramp. Draw a straight line across the width of the plywood. Measure 2 feet down from that line and draw a straight line across the width of the plywood. Using the wood drill bit, drill three holes evenly spaced across the width of the ramp along each line.

    • 5

      Measure 1 inch from each end of the dog ramp. Draw a straight line across the width of the ramp on each end. Drill three holes evenly spaced across the width of the ramp along each line.

    • 6

      Flip the ramp over. Center each shortened aluminum rail over the holes. Lift the ramp. Making sure the rail stays in place by holding each rail as you are working with it, make a mark through the holes in the plywood on the aluminum rails. Do one rail at a time.

    • 7

      Using the aluminum drill bit, drill a hole at each mark in the rails. Slide the rails under the ramp, and from the top, insert the bolts, and screw them on from the bottom.

    • 8

      Sand the sides of the plywood. Make sure the top of the ramp is clean and dry. Apply the stick-on, non-slip pads on the top of the ramp, according to the instructions on the brand of non-slip pad you purchased.