How to Measure for a Container Ramp

To facilitate the loading and unloading of containers, we recommend investing in a container ramp that will smoothen out the transition between the ground and the container edge. Here’s the correct way to measure for the container ramp that best suits your needs:

Tools

• Measuring tape
• Container
• Your pallet jack or forklift

Measure the wheelbase and Ground Clearance

Measure the wheelbase and the ground clearance of your warehouse’s largest forklift or pallet jack. Before measuring the pallet jack’s ground clearance, raise it up as high as it can do. If you use interchange forklifts and pallet jacks depending on the cargo, use the largest measurements from both.

Measure the vertical rise

Measure the vertical rise of the container, which is the distance from the ground to floor of the container.

Calculate your data

Input all of your measurement into our container ramp calculator to find out the ramp length you need for your container and equipment.

Decide if Container ramp needs lip

Decide if you want the container ramp to have a lip that passes over the container locks, or if a cut-out that fits around the container locks will be sufficient. Bear in mind that cut-outs will limit where you can place the ramp.

Dual Ramp or Full-Width Ramp

Choose dual ramps or full width ramps. Dual ramps are great for forklifts, whereas full width ramps are more accommodating for the wheel positions of pallet jacks, hand trucks, and foot traffic.