When a large dog can no longer make the jump into an SUV, picking them up may not be a practical substitute. The rear cargo floor can be quite a distance above the ground, and the dog’s full weight has to cross that gap somehow.
A ramp replaces the jump with a continuous route from the ground to the cargo area. But simply finding one rated for a large dog misses an important part of the problem.
The height of the SUV determines how much work the ramp length has to do.
A telescoping dog ramp for an SUV can bridge that gap through the open rear of the vehicle. Before choosing a length, measure from the ground to the point where the top of the ramp will rest.
Ramp Length Changes the Angle
Put two ramps against the same cargo opening and the longer one will reach the ground farther behind the SUV. That extra distance makes the incline shallower.
This is why a 75-inch ramp may make sense for a higher rear entrance where a shorter ramp would sit at a steeper angle. It does not mean 75 inches is automatically the better choice. The extra length has to go somewhere.
Look behind the SUV with the rear hatch open. A driveway may leave plenty of room for a long ramp, while a garage or tight parking space may not. If there is not enough ground available to extend the ramp properly, its extra length cannot do what you bought it for.
So there are really two measurements to check: the height you need to reach and the space available behind the vehicle.
Give a Large Dog Enough Walking Surface
The dog has to do more than get onto the bottom of the ramp. It needs to walk all the way up an inclined surface.
Width and traction therefore matter alongside length. The 71-inch and 75-inch versions of this ramp are listed at approximately 20 inches wide, with a textured walking surface. Rubber feet and safety tethers are also included to help position the ramp during use.
A long telescoping dog ramp for large dogs can then shorten for storage instead of taking up its full extended length inside the vehicle.
The manufacturer lists a capacity of up to 250 pounds. That number is useful for checking whether the stated capacity covers your dog’s weight, but it cannot tell you whether the ramp fits your SUV.
A high cargo floor may call for more ramp length. Before going longer, make sure there is actually room to extend it behind the SUV.
