Whay Kind Of Ramps Do You Use.....???

I'm looking to pick up another set of car ramps. I currently have an older set of Rhino Ramps which are fine. If I could find the the same set, I would pull the trigger, however they changed the design and are getting mixed reviews. I'm not comfortable with mix reviews when it comes to an item like this.

That said, what ramps are you using?

 

I have never used any ramps. I just don't trust them. I would rather use/trust a good solid set of metal jack stands...

 

Race Ramps. 40" Sport version. They are high density polystyrene. Durable so far, light weight. I'd buy them again.

 

Still using an old-school set of the red painted stamped steel ramps.

 

I had ramps once....long time ago.

Damn things would always slide while trying to drive on.......

Ended up make a set out of stacked 2x8s with rubber on the bottom. They got lost during a move. They were on the inventory list, but didn't come off the moving van...... I'm sure they are still under some vehicle somewhere.

 

I too have the race ramps, they’re good as long as you don’t do what I did & destroy them with a heavy vehicle. I thought ahh they’re just being cautious with the 1500lb rating. I flattered mine with a 14000lb vehicle.

 

I'm sure there is some overload built into the ramps. But 9:1.......not likely.

 

The plastic rhino ramps if your on a budget, if not then spring for the race ramps.

 

I prefer jack stands.
Ramps require the wheels to stay on. And they get in the way.

Long reach high jack and truck/suv jack stands. Is my go to.

 

Well yeah, there's that. High density polystyrene is used a lot for light weight land fills. I knew what to look for when I bought the ramps. There's different densities of polystyrene and the heavier it gets, the bigger load it will handle. Ramps are a good use for this material but you have to be aware of what you're putting on them. Another thing I like about Race Ramps is that I've never had one move.

 

I tried ramps long ago after missing and driving off the ramps I went to Jack Stands and Never looked back .

Jack stands are great for those projects that take a few years .

 

How would using ramps on a gravel driveway factor into selection?

 

Depends on the ramp.

I would expect formed steel legs to sink into the drive.
I would expect a flat bottom to slide on the drive.

Either issue can be handled.

You could prevent the slide by driving a couple of rebar type stakes into the drive.
The sinking could be prevented with a 2x12 under the ramp with stakes to prevent the slide.

From the ramp's point of view, the gravel drive is soft ground. Gravel will act like marbles under a flat.

 

Yeah trying to work on gravel sucks. You drop a fastener, you might not find it. Cement is best, even asphalt is better than gravel. My company had someone killed when the jack stand sunk in the asphalt, the vehicle fell on him. So they spent several thousands of dollars to get everyone jacking pads and good blocks.

If there’s absolutely no other option and you HAVE to do the work on gravel, think hard to stay alive. Ideally you would lift it up and set it down on the wheels on top of blocks. Gravity is unspent energy. Any time I’m on jack stands before I crawl under I grab the vehicle and shake it as hard as any force I’m going to put on it with a tool.

When I was younger and dumber I was swapping a flat tire. I had one of those 70s jacks that hooks into the bumper. As soon as I put some force on the lug nut, it moved the car and bent the bumper and fell.

 

No fan of ramps here. My neighbor several years ago was crushed when his car fell on him while he was using them. I don't remember if the ramp fell over or if the car rolled off them but he is dead because of it. He worked on cars all the time so I question his negligence in that accident.
I have 4 heavy duty jack stands and also have a heavy duty floor jack that I will also leave in place when I am under my cars. I am overly cautious after that happened and will shake the car after its up just to make sure everything is like it should be before I go underneath. Be safe.

 

The 2x8 kind.

 

Those are nice. I’ve been meaning to do something similar.

Something that’s helped with my wood blocks, I’ll drive screws in sideways to help prevent cracking. They last much longer now.

 

This is exactly what I did and it works very well. Plus it’s solid and safe

 

I have a set of the old style Rhino ramps and a set of Eastwood 2 pc ramps, with the detachable incline. The Eastwood ramps are very nice and plenty robust. Everyone has an opinion on the safety of this vs that. As in all things, most accidents are the result of bad judgement and application errors.

 

If you use ramps at least chalk the wheels.