Steep Driveway Solutions: Stop Your Car Bottoming Out

Is your driveway your car’s worst enemy? 

You know how it goes… you take your shiny wheels out for a spin, only to return home to the dreaded screeeeech coming from the bumper, suspension or underside. 

You try painfully slow speeds or approaching the driveway on an angle, but that screech still makes you cringe more than fingernails on a chalkboard. 

Well, you don’t have to keep persisting or parking out on the street. We’ve got three steep driveway solutions your car will thank you for. 

We’re about to run through the pros and cons of…

• Lightening your load
• Lifting your car
• Installing a rubber kerb ramp

Let’s go. 

Option 1: Lighten Your Load

Do you regularly lug around equipment, tools or people?

Well, every bit of weight counts when your car’s bottoming out. Try removing any unnecessary weight in your vehicle and see if that solves your problem. You can also try dropping your passengers off before entering the driveway. It’s not ideal, but neither is scraping your car. 

Pros

• It’s a fast and easy fix you can try right now

Cons  

• It may not be a practical, effective or long-term solution
• Removing excess weight might not be an option for you, especially if you need it for work
• You may have some grumpy passengers every time you ask them to hop out

Option 2: Raise Your Car

Have you lightened your load and the scraping is still driving you nuts? Then it might be time to consider raising your car.

There are so many ways to do this:  lifting the body, hydraulic suspension, air suspension... the list goes on. And they all help to raise your car for easier driveway access. There are lift kits available that adjust your car suspension at the push of a button - meaning you can cruise around with a lowered car and raise it when you need to. 

If you’re interested in this option, it’s a good idea to chat with your local mechanic. 

Pros:

• It’s an effective, long-term solution
• There are so many different options available to suit your needs

Cons:

• It can end up costing you an arm and a leg

Option 3: Install A Rubber Kerb Ramp

Wondering how to stop your car from scraping your driveway - without fiddling with your suspension?

Installing a rubber kerb ramp offers a smooth ride into your driveway. Whether you’ve got a lowered car, motorhome or trailer, rubber kerb ramps are a simple and cost-effective solution. Yep, they’re a great middle-ground between splashing out on a lift kit and telling your passengers to get out of the car. 

Pros:

• Simple and cost-effective
• An affordable alternative to lifting your car
• There are different kerb ramps available for different driveway types, including rolled driveways, layback driveways, square driveways and cul-de-sac driveways
• There are new and recycled options
• They include some snazzy features, like bolt holes to secure them to the ground, inbuilt water channels and reflective strips to illuminate your driveway 

Cons:

• Depending on the area you live in, you may have to consult your council for approval (especially if you plan on securing them to the ground)
• Driveways can vary significantly, so there may not be a perfect fit if your driveway has unusual measurements

How To Find The Best Rubber Kerb Ramp

If you’ve decided you like the sounds of installing a rubber kerb ramp, then you’re in the right place. 

At Ramp Champ, we’re Australia’s largest and best ramp retailer - selling thousands of ramps of all shapes and sizes per year. While some automotive stores might only have one kerb ramp option on the shelf, we’ve got over 8 different styles, which can be used across a wide range of driveways.  

Yep, we specialise in ramps. And ramps only. 

Here are some of our most popular ramp options…

Heeve 100% Recycled Rubber Kerb Ramp

The Heeve Recycled Rubber Kerb Ramp is a 1m lightweight option made in Australia from recycled truck tyres. It’s suited to rolled edge driveways or cul-de-sac streets. It features a small water channel and it’s available in multiple colours. It can be fixed to the ground with a sealant like Sikaflex.

Heeve Driveway Rubber Kerb Ramp

The Heeve Driveway Rubber Kerb Ramp is a solid 1.2m ramp made from high-quality rubber, featuring a large inbuilt water channel, reflective strips and permanent fixing holes. It’s suited to rolled edge driveways or cul-de-sac streets. It’s a longer, heavier and more affordable option than the recycled rubber ramp. 

If you’re weighing up options, this article will help you choose between the recycled and non-recycled rubber kerb ramp.

Barrier Group High-Vis Rubber Kerb Ramp

The Barrier Group High-Vis Kerb Ramp is a wedge shape, often suited to layback driveways or square driveways. It’s heavy-duty, anti-slip, high-visibility, available in 3 sizes and comes with permanent fixing holes. 

Check out this article to find a rubber kerb ramp that’s suited to your driveway type. 

Find Your Steep Driveway Solution Today

So there you have it. Steep driveway solutions come in all different shapes, sizes and price points. But the good news is you don’t have to put up with the endless screeching any longer. 

We hope you find the option that works best for your situation. And if you like the sound of installing a rubber kerb ramp, speak to a ramp expert to find the right fit (oh, hey). 

The friendly team at Ramp Champ is here to help you find a rubber kerb ramp so you can keep your car spick and span. Give us a buzz on 1300 913 047 or email us at hello@rampchamp.com.au

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