Those wheel ramp things for raising a car

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MopaR&D

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Anybody on here use them? I've heard they're really dangerous but never really looked into why, i'd like to get some to save the 20 minutes or so i waste every time i want to go under my car using a jack and jackstands but i'd rather not risk squashing my brains out on the floor
 
I use them. Just have to be smart about it (like anything). Chalk the tires, use parking brakes, etc... They are a quick and convenient way to get the car up.
 
I have used the heavy composite Rhino ramps brand for many years with no issues. I always get "truck rated" jacks, stands, etc
 
I agree with MoparBrad; you just have to use common sense. They do work fine.
 
There are ramps and there are ramps. I have some that "weren't too bad" for everyday cars, but they have NO support for "ground" use. I welded some additional bracing and "footprint" into them.

Be careful!!! out there

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Ok i know a thing or two about proper structure to prevent stress failures (mechanical engineering degree) i'll make sure to get some that are really strong (steel, no plastic here). I'll put jackstands under the frame for extra insurance too :)
 
Used to use the ramps - a bit easier to use them on asphalt (I've had them slide on concrete).

re: stands - I remember the first time i had my car up on jack stands - my buddy starting shoving the car - trying to knock it off the stands - I said, "Hey! What are you trying to do?" He said, "Would you rather it fell off the stands now, or while you're under it?" Always have done that since.
 
i use them all the time but i also put jack stands under there just in case
 
A guy in our club shorted the starter on his 4sp car while working under it.


Now I always disconnect my battery!
 
I got a pair like that but they are honeycombed underneath and pretty heavy for plastic ramps. I used them mainly for my minivan, no problems yet. I have to brace them with 2X4s up against my garage door so they dont slide when I drive up on them on my concrete driveway. kinda sketchy when one slides and the other holds. And jackstands under the chassis once its up, easy to slide them under and ratchet them up.
 
re: stands - I remember the first time i had my car up on jack stands - my buddy starting shoving the car - trying to knock it off the stands - I said, "Hey! What are you trying to do?" He said, "Would you rather it fell off the stands now, or while you're under it?" Always have done that since.


This ^^^ is something everyone should do, without deviation. You're friend is absolutely correct!



20,000
 
I notice that steel ramps haven't been mentioned yet. Just looking at them should set off a warning alarm. Put simply: What starts out as a flat piece of steel, shall want to turn back into a flat piece of steel when enough weight is applied against it.

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Granted, these are the worst of the worst units from Harbor Freight, but equally horrible are stamped steel ramps with bolted-in crossbraces. The steel above or below the brace is simply going to find another way to fall in on itself. Don't get me started with the two-piece folding design either.

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The only way I'd consider either of these two remotely safe is if both sides had a thick piece of steel plate continuously welded to each side, with equally thick, solid baffles welded on the inside from side to side, and to the top surface.

It's possible to build these properly, and this is what they should look like (provided they have gussets/baffles as explained above):

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Just the same, as promising as they look, they're aluminum. No thank you. Build the same thing in steel, and then I'd bother to look.

-Kurt
 
Nice post Kurt... the problem with those two top ones is there's nothing supporting the top part in compression (pushing), the second set has those braces working in tension (pulling) which is useless when dealing with this much force. There needs to be a round cylindrical column of some sort going between the part where the tires rest down to the ground, and maybe one or two smaller ones on the ramp part as well.

Shoot i oughta just make my own none of these look very solid. And i don't like plastic because over time the temp changes and gases in the atmosphere will make it more brittle sooner or later.

EDIT on second thought i'll just get some cheaper stamped steel ones and beef up the hell out of them
 
I've have the Rhino Ramps. Held my Magnum R/T, WRX, Mazdaspeed6, Escape, the GTS, and my Escort GT. Once a car goes on I inspect things to be sure they are safe. If you worry throw a jack stand under too.

I'm smart enough not to use them on the F-150 with a 700 lbs 460 with a Dana 44 front with 33" tires.....but I can crawl under that without stands.

The quality plastic ones work well if used cautiously.
 
EDIT on second thought i'll just get some cheaper stamped steel ones and beef up the hell out of them

Probably your best bet. Either that, or tig weld yourself something like this cut out of steel at least a quarter inch in thickness:

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Welded correctly, that design would probably hold a C-body up - with another C-body on top of it.

EDIT: Forgot to add guides and a stopper:

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The plastic ones work well if used cautiously.

Therein lies the crux of the problem. Any tool that is critical enough to be the only thing between survival and serious injury (or death) shouldn't have to be used with the feeling that the tool is a point of primary failure. Of course, anyone raising a car through ANY means should use caution, but there should be no doubt about the structural integrity of the tools being used - especially ramps, wherein failure is not mechanical.

Granted, I don't expect the average car ramps to hold a 3/4 ton truck, but I do expect them to be built entirely safe enough that any car - including a C-body or old Lincoln Continental (essentially anything up to the 5,000 pound range) - can be driven up onto it with assurance of safety (assuming level, concrete ground, of course).

It's not that much to ask, really - but there are too many people out there willing to accept mediocrity at a cheap price that it is next to impossible to find ANY safe ramps for sale at any major retailer.

As for the plastic ones - for a few extra dollars in ABS plastic shot into a mold, Rhino/Blitz could be casting these gussets solid across the width of the ramps, or at least with a connector at the bottom forming a circular hole without introducing a stress riser like this U shape:

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...but no. Someone's life has to be put on the line for a few bucks. Disgusting.

I'll admit to owning a Harbor Freight manual tire remover (despite the embarrassment - only HF tool I've ever knuckled under and bought), but at least that thing isn't supporting two tons over my head.

-Kurt
 
I've got some lovely, solid hardwood ramps that are like from the '40s or '50s.
Pretty sure NOTHING will flatten'em...
The only way something is coming off is rolling, so chock the wheels, set the brake/leave it in gear.
These things would laugh at a C-body, or '74 Caddie. Even a 700 series truck....
 
I've got some lovely, solid hardwood ramps that are like from the '40s or '50s.
Pretty sure NOTHING will flatten'em...
The only way something is coming off is rolling, so chock the wheels, set the brake/leave it in gear.
These things would laugh at a C-body, or '74 Caddie. Even a 700 series truck....

:worthles:

-Kurt
 
You need to figure out what your life is worth. Then, if you feel comfortable with a 50 buck pair of stupid ramps, go for it.
 
:dontknow:
20041241319871.jpg

I've had set of this style-used for years...have had a '70's F350 on 'em...no problem...:dontknow:

YMMV.....
 
:dontknow:
20041241319871.jpg

I've had set of this style-used for years...have had a '70's F350 on 'em...no problem...:dontknow:

YMMV.....

I've got a similar set (except they're one-piece) that I've had for 30+ years, and have had everything I've owned except my Stealth (too low) on them and never worried about them in the slightest.
 
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