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There’s nothing quite like car rides and adventures with your pup. But not every dog has an easy time getting in and out of vehicles, especially senior dogs and pups with mobility issues. That’s when a dog ramp can come in handy, especially if you have larger dogs or a vehicle with a higher clearance—or both, as in the case of our product tester, Tymer.
Not only does Tymer have two giant dogs—each weighing over 100 pounds—but he also has a first-generation Toyota 4Runner. Since it’s his favorite car for transporting his pups, he needed something that would help them scale the three-foot clearance.
Enter the PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Ramp. Available in an extra-long size, this popular dog ramp was designed specifically to help pets get in and out of vehicles with steeper inclines.
But how does it hold up in real life? And does it really provide enough length for larger dogs to access bigger vehicles like trucks, minivans, and SUVs? Our intrepid Rover test pups find out.
The PetSafe Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Ramp
Along with the extra-long version that we tested, the PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Ramp comes in a deluxe and compact size.
Product | Dimensions | Weight Capacity | Ramp Weight |
Compact | 28-70″ L x 16″ W x 5″ H | 300 pounds | 14 pounds |
Deluxe | 39 -72″ L x 17″ W x 4″ H | 400 pounds | 13 pounds |
Extra-Long | 47-87 L x 20″ W x 4″ H | 300 pounds | 18 pounds |
Each ramp has grippy tread to keep paws from slipping, built-in guard rails that add an extra layer of safety, and non-skid feet to keep everything in place. Offering a transportable design, the ramps collapse and latch securely with carrying handles on the side.
By far the longest and widest out of the Happy Ride Telescoping Dog Ramp line, the extra-long PetSafe ramp gives big dog ample room to access tall vehicles, which is exactly what Tymer and his pups needed.
Testing the PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Ramp
A dog ramp for giant pups
Tymer’s two dogs aren’t just large. They’re extra large. Wallie (a Newfoundland/Pyrenees mix) weighs 110 pounds and counting, while Levy (a purebred Newfoundland) clocks in at 125 pounds.
Initially, Tymer got the PetSafe ramp for Levy. At five years old, she’s starting to show signs of limping after long adventures, so he wanted something that would help protect her joints, especially as she gets older.
Wallie, on the other hand, can technically jump into the car, but he often just looks at his humans instead of getting inside. At least, until the ramp was introduced.
Ramp training is difficult, but doable
While the PetSafe dog ramp wasn’t originally intended for Wallie, it actually works well for him. Now, instead of stopping and staring, he excitedly hops on the ramp as soon as his humans extend it and makes his way up to the 4Runner. Since he’s only going to get bigger with time, Tymer’s glad they’re building a positive association with the ramp now, since it will help him later as he gets older.
Levy, however, is less enthusiastic, and training with the ramp is going slowly since she’s a bit fearful of different surfaces and textures. To help her out, Tymer has been collapsing the ramp, setting it flat on the ground, and giving her treats to step on it. Once she’s ready to proceed, he’ll extend the ramp on the ground and repeat the process.
Since ramp training isn’t as intuitive as one might think, Tymer says PetSafe’s training video has actually been quite helpful in their journey. And even though Levy isn’t super comfortable with the ramp yet, it’s big enough and has a gentle enough slope to where she can take a running start and scurry up it quickly when needed.
Pros and cons of the PetSafe Happy Ride
One of the things Tymer likes about the ramp is that it’s strong. Not only does it withstand the weight of his big dogs, but it’s also sturdy enough to hold him (at 170 pounds) while he stands on it and attempts to lure Levy up.
Although it might be extreme for smaller pups, Tymer likes that the ramp is long enough to create a gradual slope for his big dogs. However, he does note that its extra-long length makes it heavier (weighing in at a whopping 18 pounds) and harder to transport. Even when collapsed in his SUV, the ramp has to be placed at an angle in order to fit.
And while some reviewers have stated that the non-slip tread isn’t grippy enough, it works well (almost like a fine skateboard grip tape) for Tymer and his pups since they live in a drier climate.
Should You Buy the PetSafe Happy Telescoping Dog Ramp?
The PetSafe Happy Telescoping Dog Ramp offers a quality ramp that’s great for helping pups access vehicles without putting stress on their joints. The extra-long ramp in particular is ideal for bigger pups and larger vehicles.
We think this ramp is likely to have a lot of fans, especially:
- Pet parents with high-clearance vehicles like trucks and lifted SUVs (possibly boats, too)
- Big dogs who need a gentler slope
- Senior dogs and pups with mobility issues
- Heavy dogs weighing 100+ pounds
The extra-long PetSafe dog ramp, however, might not be the best choice for:
- Pet parents who have smaller, shorter vehicles and less storage space
- Smaller pups
- In-home use
- Dog guardians who want a lighter ramp