| This dog car ramp is meant for side entry onto the | | | | TOOLS |
| floor of a minivan or the super cab of a pickup with | | | | - Power drill with bit diameter slightly narrower than |
| a height of up to 24 inches (610 mm). | | | | screws |
| Before you start, check to see if the place where | | | | - A saw to cut the pieces of wood (unless you can |
| you will store your homemade dog ramp in your | | | | get the store guys to do it) |
| vehicle can accommodate the 5-foot (1525 mm) | | | | - A power and/or hand screwdriver |
| length. The longer the ramp, the gentler the slope. | | | | - Glue for wood and carpet |
| Note that for getting into the taller rear of an SUV | | | | ADDING THE RAILS |
| or pickup truck bed, you will most likely need a | | | | |
| folding dog ramp for your dog. A length of at least | | | | 1. For each rail, screw and glue at 4-inch (100 mm) |
| 70 inches (1780 mm) is necessary to create a | | | | intervals as follows: |
| reasonable slope. | | | | 2. Drill a hole through the plywood into the rail 4 |
| MATERIALS | | | | inches from one end |
| English (Imperial) Units: | | | | 3. Put in a 1 ½ inch (38 mm) screw to hold the |
| - 3/8 inch plywood, 12-18 inches wide and 4-5 feet | | | | wood there |
| long | | | | 4. Do the same from the other end and secure with |
| - Two pieces 2x2 inch (50x50 mm) lumber the same | | | | a screw |
| length as the plywood for rails | | | | 5. Drill holes in between the two ends at the specified |
| - Two pieces 1x2 inch (25x50 mm) lumber the same | | | | intervals |
| width as the plywood for end supports | | | | 6. Put a dab of glue on each screw before driving it |
| - 30 Drywall screws, 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inches | | | | in |
| (32-38 mm) long | | | | ADDING THE END SUPPORTS |
| - 10 Drywall screws, 1 inch (25 mm) long | | | | |
| - Sandpaper: 1 sheet coarse, 1 sheet medium, 1 sheet | | | | 1. Turn the ramp over |
| fine grade | | | | 2. Put an end support underneath the plywood along |
| - Rubber matting, carpet or good quality Astroturf to | | | | one end |
| 3 inches less wide than the plywood | | | | 3. Drill holes and secure with 1-inch (25 mm) screws |
| | | | 4. Use at least one screw every 4 inches (100 mm) |
| Metric Units: | | | | 5. Do the same with the other end |
| - 10 mm plywood, 305-460 mm wide and 1220-1525 | | | | FINISHING THE RAMP |
| mm long | | | | |
| - 2 pieces 50x50 mm lumber the same length as the | | | | 1. Use coarse sandpaper to round any sharp edges |
| plywood for rails | | | | 2. Follow up with medium then fine sandpaper |
| - 2 pieces 25x50 mm lumber the same width as the | | | | 3. If using carpet or Astroturf, sear the edges with a |
| plywood for end supports | | | | flame and pinch with a damp sponge to prevent |
| - 30 Drywall screws, 32-38 mm long | | | | unraveling |
| - 10 Drywall screws, 25 mm long | | | | 4. Glue or staple carpet to the plywood |
| - Various grits sandpaper per above | | | | 5. Make sure there are no protruding sharp edges |
| - Rubber matting, carpet or Astroturf 75 mm less | | | | Have your dog try the dog car ramp out, using |
| wide than the plywood | | | | treats for encouragement as needed. For some dogs |
| - 5 mm less wide than the plywood | | | | it may work better to put the ramp at a low angle, |
| | | | like up on a curb, for an easier introduction. |